Discernment Retreats

[FlatAffect]

How many have been on discernment retreats? Do you have trouble going back to the secular world afterwards? I find myself being depressed afterwards.
Although I attend Mass daily, my other daily obligations always seem to prevent me from praying as much as I would like. And my schedule is so different from day to day, I have a hard time building any type of structure into it. And some people are so hard to get along with…it’s just a draining challenge to practice Christian charity towards them.
The other thing with the discernment retreats is that it seems the religious order is putting on their best face for you…so do you think you can really get a feel for the order after a retreat?

 

[Klydewannab]

Dear Flat,

I think what you are feeling is common. I had the same thing happen after my first monastic retreat. Some days it was really hard to go to work, because I wanted to stay home and just pray all day. It does ease after a while, and after a while I was able to find more and more moments when I would say a short prayer, or be able to take a few minutes to pray. God hears the desires of your heart.

I also had to remind myself that God expects me to be obedient to the state of life I have right now, not the state of life I may have at some time in the future. Once I realized that being a good teacher and a Christian witness to my students, coworkers, friends and family was my prayer and my path to holiness right now, it became a little easier.

It would probably be good to talk to a priest or spiritual director. They can help you with what you’re feeling.

Yes, communities do put on their best face. But, I bet you did too. As I look back, I realize that even though I was trying to be truthful and honest about myself, I was being truthful and honest about my best self. That’s why you will need to visit several times. Ask as many questions as you want. And trust the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to lead you on the path that is right for you.

God bless

 

[Cloisters]

It’s known as the “shock of reentry.”

I’m beginning to wonder if there shouldn’t be some kind of spiritual exercises done before going back into the world. Since I have super hearing because of my autism, I found the world horribly loud when I left both the monastery and the convent after discernment retreats.

Discuss the depression with a spiritual director. I think that may be a vocational indicator.

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[Sister_Rose]

I know it can be a bit of a let down coming back out into the world after a good retreat. And you’re right, it can be very hard to arrange your life to allow you to practice your faith fully. I think that is the best part about religious life; your day is arranged to allow you time for prayer.
But perhaps your expectations are a little to high (and maybe that’s not the best way to put it.) But try to look at the discernment retreat as a time away from the busy world to allow you to pray and discern and to strengthen you for going back out into the world.
And you’re right, you are not going to learn everything you want or need to know about a religious community by doing a discernment retreat. The discernment retreat may give you some information about them and a bit of a chance to meet the religious, but to really get to know them you should try to stay with them for a week or so, on your own and following their schedule.
God bless

 

[PraiseGodxJMJ]

Hey all,

              I have been called to the religious life since 8 years old. Yea pretty young I know. What happened though was I felt the need to be with G-d. I was always a good girl. I then took a wrong turn one time as a teen. I did the ouiji board let me tell you do not play with that thing it is so scary that it will make you pee in your pants. That was how scared I was I recycled it the next morning and it never came back into my life. Thank G-D!

I was litterally shaking scared stiff after that terrible nightmare I Came Back to Life a New young woman! I prayed at 16 I didnt know about EWTN. Mother Angelical was on talking about giving your life to G-d that day I was with my Grandma, we sat down and watched her program I was touched by her I cried :crying: I said O Lord forgive me a sinner What have I done have mercy on me please in tears my grandma was rubbing my back she said it is okay he forgives you. I said He does how can he if I did all this? She said in her latina accent just look at the cross he did that for you, just pour out your sins on it and everything will be fine. I did and now a year later I got into the bible, I was reading the Precious moments bible. Childrens version It was amazing I was so hooked I never put it down now. LOL.

I thought it was the coolest thing on earth. I was still having struggles but he got me through it. Of course, I hear God’s voice best in scripture, I was just very aware of God’s messages to me. NEW LIFE is all around… I watch the programs on EWTN that are catholic I love them. From beginning to end all happens by the grace of God.

I was born into a strong family that treasured the Catholic faith!well disciplined child and appreciation of the few gifts we shared. I think that I was attracted to the community of the carmelites/ and Fransciscans… By all means I now know I am called to Dominican sisters.

There were many distractions away from this life but always the Lord was working on me to see this way. Finally the peace, order, and even the chance to teach, convinced me to ask to enter.
I was about 15 just like Therese the little flower but the priest rejected my offer and I sobbed.

One of the most astounding things about monastic life here at the Mount is the emphasis on doing the work of God. By God’s grace we have “leisure” to pray in choir, pray personally, read and pray the scriptures, and celebrate the Eucharist. The community is the unit that sets this tone and aids me to accomplish the work of God. That I see…One of the greatest mysteries is that God initiates all good. By God’s grace we are able to do more and love more. My religious life, I am now 22 years old and still praying to God for my call I am practicing religious life at home with my mom I am even practicing celibacy, this has been one of continuous marvel. While learning the daily observances, I could learn and know God through prayer, study, community interaction, creation and service of all kinds.

Yes, I have failed, fallen short of even my expectations. No matter what happens, God is always faithful to his part of the covenant. In the mean time I guess it wasnt my time to enter yet, God’s true love and friendship have helped me to develop a very strong, simple faith. Difficulties, fatigue and ignorance just strengthen the bond with God and dependence on Gad’s grace.There has been no break in the loving care God has shown me.

This fidelity has enabled me, lo these many years, to persevere and remain faithful to my monastic profession of obedience stability, and conversion to the monastic way of life here at the Mount. Truly God’s grace does abound! I am not a nun but my Mountain is Mt. Zion in my eyes that is where I breath the crisp air of G-d!

See I have both a spiritual director and a Vocation director. Sr. Marilyn told me, “Your vocation to religious life will always be a part of you.”

My advice to all are Each day we are called to listen. :byzsoc:

I am still discerning my call to the Dominican life. I know I am called there I know that is my true place. I come from a caribbean family namely Puerto Rican. All though I do know I will always trust in JESUS. :harp:

:hug3: So lift up your hands and give praise to the KING THAT IS CHRIST JESUS…

 

[PraiseGodxJMJ]

Dear All,

           See I have a calling to be an OP or a Carmelite nun. The fact is I still am having trouble with which order God is calling me too. I love Jesus with all my heart.

We all live and make mistakes in our daily lives that is how we learn. I learned from my mistakes and you can too. I go to confession a lot if I do a little sin or a main sin. Sometimes I feel apart from God if I sin.

[SIGN][/SIGN]

I have a calling to pray to God with all my heart. I have a callling to teach little ones to Love one another and JESUS EVEN HIS HOLY MOTHER MARY.

We have to lay hands on our brothers and sisters. Confirmation is a priesthood ordinance performed after baptism, inviting the person to receive the Holy Ghost. What Is Holy Ghost Power? What Is Speaking In Tongues? When the apostle Paul met the twelve believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2), he asked them a question: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit…?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Paul prayed together with them and “the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

The same thing happened to the 120 people waiting on God’s promise of His Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day we now call Pentecost. They also spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 1,2) All this was spoken about by Jesus and should have been expected since Jesus was said to be the one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire. My spiritual director can speak in tongues. I can too. This is biblical.Jesus said that we would “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” in Acts 1:8. Power to live holy lives, power to witness, power to pray, to understand scripture, to minister, and to lay our lives down. (Acts 9:17-20; John 16:14; Luke 24:24; Romans 8:26).

The Holy Spirit is to be received by all believers so that they can receive, with the power, certain “gifts” from God. Gifts of healing, power wisdom, power faith, power knowledge, power miracles, and power to speak the truth of God. In other words, the Holy Spirit is to be received to receive power to be the active “body of Christ” ministering in the earth today. The Apostle Paul said for us to “earnestly desire spiritual gifts” (1Corinthians 12:31; 14:1)

Jesus said that “the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven,” so the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for the casual inquirer. (Matthew 12:31) It is for “born-again” Christians. It is not “dead religion”; it is a living relationship with God. And it is not for the unbelieving. (John 14:16-17) When you are sure you are a believer and also are willing to obey God in your life, then ask for the Holy Spirit to enter your life and to fill you and cleanse you with His fire. (Matthew 3:11) “Your heavenly father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask of Him.” (Luke 11:13) The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for now and has always been available for any believer bold enough to trust God and obey Him.

When the believers asked for advice of the apostles on the day of Pentecost “What should we do?”, they were told to “repent”, “be baptized”, and “receive the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 2:38) Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
Jesus is the baptizer. (Matthew 3:11) He baptizes with fire not just water. Fire either purifies or destroys. You may want to have other Spirit-filled Christians lay hands on you and pray, but it is not necessary. This is between you and God, just as your salvation is. (Acts 2; 10:44-46; 19:6)

CAUTION! If you still have reservations about your Christian commitment or if you are secretly still practicing sin, be careful. Fire purifies. But don’t be afraid. The gift - the promise of our heavenly Father - is not evil. He said if your earthly fathers know to give their children good gifts, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to a child who asks for Him? See I am glad I am away from all this non christian nonsence. A loving God would not first send His Son to die for us and then turn around and trick us by leading us into something evil.

If you have ever been involved in the occult (Fortune Telling, Satanism, Witchcraft, Horoscopes, Ouija Boards, Psychic Hotlines, Voodoo, Tarot Card Readings, or other non-Christian religions), then renounce these things before you seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Once you begin to live in the power of God’s Holy Spirit Baptism you may become a target for Satan, and he may try to confuse you in the supernatural leading in your life. Silence his voice and renounce his right to your life by confessing yourself a child of God in Jesus’ Name!!!

You see, the occult involvement in our lives was not innocent child’s play. It breaks the First Commandment and gives Satan legal access to our lives. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) I as a teen fell into this trap once I will not fall into it again. We need to be reconciled with God. BE RIGHT WITH GOD.“Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks around seeking who he may devour.”(1Peter 5:8)

Do not seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit if you do not want to be holy and obedient to God and willing to have Him speak to you and guide your life. Be alert to Satan’s tricks and resist him (in Jesus’ Name) and he must flee just repete the shortest prayer In the name of the blood of Jesus Christ flee… (James 4:7) If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, 1John 4:1 tells us not to just believe every spirit that speaks but to test the spirits to see if they are from God or not.

:byzsoc: Psalm 23:1 Adonay ro`i lo ehsar

In obesquio Jesu Christi :coffeeread: :tsktsk: