T
toknowservelove
Guest
Early in my discernment I visited several communities–apostolic and more contemplative. But, I only went to one that was cloistered. I had been discerning with a Benedictine community, but then I started having some questions. What do we mean when we say “spirituality” and what spirituality was I? And, should you have an affinity for the saint who started the order you’re interested in?
I wasn’t sure if I had a Benedictine spirituality. I was pretty sure I did not have a Franciscan or Carmelite spirituality. I had spent time praying with sisters of both spiritualities and find them beautiful, but nothing in me ever connected. In the Benedictine communities some things seemed to fit me, and I liked the charism of the community I was visiting. Still, I kept having this question, and decided to look at some other monasteries with different spiritualities.
I went to a Cistercian monastery, which is also Benedictine, but slightly different. It was very beautiful, and I loved the early morning vigils and the silence, but it was a little too sparse for me.
Next week I go to the Dominican Nuns at the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills, MI. They seem to have everything my heart and soul long for–deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, habits, love of Church, studying Scripture and theology, contemplative lives of service to the church, devotion to Mary, more silence than other communities I’ve looked at. Also, I’ve been reading about St. Dominic and I feel a deep affinity to him. I think I must pray using at least 5 of his 9 ways of prayer. The way that he fought heresy with deep love–living AND preaching the Gospel. I don’t know, it just seems like he and I see things the same way.
I have a very good feeling about this visit. But, I don’t want to be imprudent (one of my strongest faults). Please pray for me that my head and my heart work together on this one. It seems like God has answered my prayer about spirituality and saints… Jesus, I trust in you!
I wasn’t sure if I had a Benedictine spirituality. I was pretty sure I did not have a Franciscan or Carmelite spirituality. I had spent time praying with sisters of both spiritualities and find them beautiful, but nothing in me ever connected. In the Benedictine communities some things seemed to fit me, and I liked the charism of the community I was visiting. Still, I kept having this question, and decided to look at some other monasteries with different spiritualities.
I went to a Cistercian monastery, which is also Benedictine, but slightly different. It was very beautiful, and I loved the early morning vigils and the silence, but it was a little too sparse for me.
Next week I go to the Dominican Nuns at the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills, MI. They seem to have everything my heart and soul long for–deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, habits, love of Church, studying Scripture and theology, contemplative lives of service to the church, devotion to Mary, more silence than other communities I’ve looked at. Also, I’ve been reading about St. Dominic and I feel a deep affinity to him. I think I must pray using at least 5 of his 9 ways of prayer. The way that he fought heresy with deep love–living AND preaching the Gospel. I don’t know, it just seems like he and I see things the same way.
I have a very good feeling about this visit. But, I don’t want to be imprudent (one of my strongest faults). Please pray for me that my head and my heart work together on this one. It seems like God has answered my prayer about spirituality and saints… Jesus, I trust in you!
