Discernment retreats.

[dove51]

Sorry to start up a new thread so soon, but I can think of no better to place to ask than you guys.

I am signed up for a discernment retreat with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist for next year. What typically happens at these retreats? Can anyone give me any advice about them?

I know a little about what to expect from the website and a short email conversation with a sister, but I want to be fully prepared. I am so nervous, but excited.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Sorry to start up a new thread so soon, but I can think of no better to place to ask than you guys.

I am signed up for a discernment retreat with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist for next year. What typically happens at these retreats? Can anyone give me any advice about them?

I know a little about what to expect from the website and a short email conversation with a sister, but I want to be fully prepared. I am so nervous, but excited.

While I’ve never been on a retreat with the SMME’s, I have been on one with the Carmelite DCJ sisters in St. Louis, although I missed a lot since I had the stomach flu. We had daily Mass, a period of Eucharistic Adoration, the rosary 30 minutes before Mass, and recreation with the sisters (we played “Ghost in a graveyard”). We ate dinner with the sisters in their convent courtyard one night. Typically, you don’t eat with the sisters in the convent. The Carmelite sisters have enclosure since they are contemplative/active sisters. At St. Louis, they refer to it as the “cloister” although they aren’t cloistered.

We had talks by the sisters and one of the priests in the diocese. The last night we were there, a group of us met in the downstairs bedroom by the rec room and just talked about our weekend and ordinary things. They left the next day, but I stayed one more night due to the flight I had arranged being later than the other retreatants. That last night, my stomach bug had cleared up (kinda late, too) and the sister in charge asked if I wanted to join them for Liturgy of the Hours in the sisters’ choir. It was the most interesting experience. I got to see life from their point of view that weekend. Earlier, I prayed with the other retreatants in the convent chapel. The choir is separated behind a grille, behind the altar in the chapel. One thing that I thought was interesting is that even though they pray back there, they celebrate Mass in the chapel, in the back rows.

I had to eat dinner by myself that last night in the cafeteria. The sisters’ apostolate is managing a day care for children and an elderly home. The cafe is in the home. So a dietary employee set aside a table for me. It was ok, but it was better when the other girls were there because I had someone to talk to. I left the next day, opting to not eat breakfast (I usually don’t anyway), and hopped a plane back home.

It was a really funny story though, because the sister that was taking me to the airport was talking so much that she wasn’t paying attention to her speed and she got pulled over! The cop kind of chastised her a little bit, but when she started hyperventilating, he stopped. He let her off with a warning. When we pulled away, both of us started laughing and I jokingly asked her what her Superior would say, LOL.

It’s a great experience being on those retreats. It helped me see that they are a beautiful order, and they have wonderful apostolates, but I am not called there. My friend, who is registered here as “Iammybeloved”, is a candidate there, entering next fall, so I got to experience her order, which I thought was pretty cool.

Don’t worry about the retreat. Unless you get a stomach flu like me, you’ll be fine! Praying for you! God bless!

 

[dove51]

Gosh, girlie, you’re answering all my questions! Thanks so much, again. I wanted to go to a retreat with those Carmelites (they’re not too far from where I live) but couldn’t. Maybe I’ll look into them again as well. I feel better about this retreat now too!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Gosh, girlie, you’re answering all my questions! Thanks so much, again. I wanted to go to a retreat with those Carmelites (they’re not too far from where I live) but couldn’t. Maybe I’ll look into them again as well. I feel better about this retreat now too!

You’re welcome The Carmelites, like I said, are wonderful. The bedrooms that you would stay in while you are there are like little bedrooms in a house, and the beds are MUCH more comfortable than a hotel There are some retreats coming up next year. Perhaps you’ll be able to meet my friend when she enters, Sept. 8th, 2009!

carmelitedcj.org/retreats.asp

 

[iamMyBeloveds]

J.M.+J.T
Hi!

CarmeliteGirl25 , you are amazing at answering all the questions! I found this thread and was so excited to see you being so helpful about the Carmelites DCJ! You are amazing, girl!

If dove51 has any others questions about the Carmelites, I’m happy to help. God-willing, I am entering there next Sept 2009!
Pray for me, for perseverance!
I’ll be praying for you, that you are able to go on one of these amazing retreats with a community to which you feel drawn!
Lots of love and prayers!
God bless you on your retreat search, dove51 and I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

J.M.+J.T
Hi!

CarmeliteGirl25 , you are amazing at answering all the questions! I found this thread and was so excited to see you being so helpful about the Carmelites DCJ! You are amazing, girl!

If dove51 has any others questions about the Carmelites, I’m happy to help. God-willing, I am entering there next Sept 2009!
Pray for me, for perseverance!
I’ll be praying for you, that you are able to go on one of these amazing retreats with a community to which you feel drawn!
Lots of love and prayers!
God bless you on your retreat search, dove51 and I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can!

Ah, you’re welcome my best friend and sister in Christ! I think young women should learn about them! I’m just sorry I missed out on so much, but I couldn’t have prevented it. I love you and you are in my prayers! I can’t wait to see you become a postulant, God-willing! I hope I can make it there, to see you clothed on your entrance day

 

[iamMyBeloveds]

Central Province, St. Louis, MO
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus Retreats
**
2009 HOLINESS RETREATS**
*
"Through His Suffering and Death”*
March 21-22

“You Did It For Me”
October 17 - 18

Spend a weekend of prayer, reflection, and fellowship with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. During the retreat, retreatants will have the opportunity for to join in the prayer life and recreation of the Sisters, hear talks given by the Sisters, and connect and share with other young women discerning their vocation.

This retreat is for single, Catholic women, age 17-29, who want to grow in holiness and would like to spend some time with the sisters.

Retreats will include:
–Talks given by the Sisters
–Prayers and recreation with the Sisters
–Time to talk with other young women discerning God’s call
–An oportunity for silence and solitude

Place: Carmelite Sisters, DCJ,
10341 Manchester Road Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

Time: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. thru Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

Bring: Bible, Rosary, alarm clock, dresses or skirts

For a retreat application contact vocations@carmelitedcj. org

Retreat Donation: $10.00

2009 VOCATION RETREAT

These retreats are for single Catholic women, age 17-29, who are considering the religious life.

Mary: Virgin and Mother”
August 13-16

Retreats will include:
--Talks given by the Sisters
--Prayers and recreation with the Sisters
--Time to talk with other young women discerning God’s call
--An oportunity for silence and solitude

Place: Carmelite Sisters, DCJ,
10341 Manchester Road Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

Time: 1:30 p.m. through 1:30 p.m. the following day

Bring: Bible, Rosary, alarm clock, dresses or skirts

To register: email vocations@carmelitedcj. org

Retreat Donation: $10.00

http://www.carmelitedcj.org/life/3_smiling.jpg