Discernment/Servants of The Sacred Cross

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BarbaraTherese

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After two years of being in regular contact with Mother Wendy James, foundress and superior of the Servants of The Sacred Cross, I am beginning a very tentative and stumbling at this point discerning process. At this point I simply want to try to discern what the Archbishop’s attitude would be to a Catholic woman in his diocese entering the Servants of The Sacred Cross. The issue revolves around at this point, whether the fact that such a woman would wear a semi traditional religious habit and would this be acceptable to him. It is not much use me discerning further if His Grace was against it as at this point anyway, I would not act against His Grace. Nor can I at this point anyway foresee why I ever would.
There is nothing, however, in Church rulings or Canon Law to preclude a practising Catholic woman entering the SSC and I am not too sure if this would actually reflect His Grace’s attitude.

My hesitation over these two years of actually making an official application has been over the issue of needing to wear the habit. But the SSC has dogged at my heels now for two years - despite trying to shake it off and send it away - and I have decided to take things further by trying, anyway, to discern His Grace’s likely attitude before taking things a bit further.

I have started a blog but am keeping it at this point entirely private - a sort of diary of what unfolds - writing a blog is new to me and I am unsure at this point if I want things public. I am unsure of a quite a few things at this point:D

Your prayers would be very much appreciated and most welcome…this is a scarey - most very scarey - business for me - overwhelmingly scarey. I have always shunned any sort of real limelight and the fact that the SSC is so unique I think just might put me in the limelight and especially if needed to adopt a religious habit. I am not against the religious habit, in fact all in favour of it everywhere - but it is usually connected to traditional Catholic religious orders of nuns or religious. The SSC is none of these - it is an ecumenical Order and fraternity of a new type of religious sister in a unique type of Order. Had I not had impediments I would have sought to enter a contemplative monastic Order and there is no limelight in this - quite to the contrary as I would seek out such lack of limelight. If I do enter the SSC I will be the only member in my diocese - thrust I think into Church limelight because of this very fact and the fact of a religious habit.
To be honest, I am not at all sure what I am doing and I need prayer!!!..I am walking in ‘darkness’ trying to discern what God may be asking of me re my path in life, if indeed anything - that is how ‘dark’ things are at this point. I have stumbled along ‘dark’ paths before and it has been my experience that as one takes one step it is only then that the next one unfolds. It is my experience that God’s Will is alive and unfolds in the moments and in the days. Rare is the experience where one knows in a blaze of light as it were, though it can happen.

I am very much aware my requests for prayer are so very mightily insignificant in this Forum and in our world…and all intentions stay with me.

Blessings this Lent - Barb…and thanks heaps and heaps for a little prayer for me. May God’s Will forever be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
For any interested, official website of the SSC:
thesacredcross.org/main.htm
 
I will be keeping you in prayer, Barb. God bless you…you have a lot to think about.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
Mary_ann_R said:
I will be keeping you in prayer, Barb. God bless you…you have a lot to think about.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Thank you very much, Mary ann. I have contacted the Vocations Office in my diocese, trying to discern the attitude of His Grace and seem to be getting the run around. I am now in contact with my third person in the VO - and I am no wiser - and sent him an email this morning. This is very scarey business indeed to me and I am putting that to oneside or rather, walking through it. My fear and shunning of limelight has created an impasse and there is only one way through an impasse and that is to walk right through it, experience has taught me that. Right at this moment I am thinking “does it have to be me?” and hoping it will prove that it does not.
Despite the very fact that I may sound desperate, having taken a step, though shakingly and stumblingly, I can now be entirely at Peace until my answer arrives which depends on the VO and His Grace…the answer will dictate the next step if any.
Thank you again for the prayer - and to Our Lady. I have never once ever turned to her in real desperation that I have not received a very clear and unmistakable answer…Barb:)
 
J†M†J
Praying for your intentions:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

God Bless
In Jesus through Mary
Steve
 
Dear BarbaraTherese,

It seems to me just from reading the posts here at the Catholic Answers Forums that the Holy Spirit is breathing new life into religious vocations … new Orders for the young, new Orders that accept older women, new Orders that are ecumenical, new Orders that are understanding of things traditionally seen as impediments. That you are in discernment is wonderfully exciting and wonderfully solemn news.

An answer from the Vocations Office in your Diocese will certainly guide you in determining the Lord’s Will. I hope you will be prepared to rejoice whatever the answer … because God’s “no” can be as liberating as God’s “yes” is exhilarating … You will be blessed either way, just for obedient listening.

From today’s Liturgy of the Hours:

Prayers and Intercessions

Let us give thanks to God the Father, who fills our hearts with the Holy Spirit and thus purifies them and makes them steadfast in love:
  • Lord, give us your Holy Spirit.
Grant that we may receive good things from your hands with gratitude
and accept the bad things with patience.
Although we long to perform grand and magnificent acts of love,
may we still take all the tiny opportunities for love that each day brings.
Give us the gift of abstaining from excess,
so that we can give more to our poorer brethren.
May we carry your Son’s death around in our bodies:
for through his body you have given us life.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

O God, you give the just the reward that their merits deserve
and to sinners you give forgiveness gained by their penitence.
Take pity to those who make their prayers to you:
may the confession of their guilt
make them worthy to receive pardon for their transgressions.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
 
Thank you very much Steve and Phoenix - God reward you for your many kindnesses…Barb:)
Phoenix - that was a lovely post and prayer! There can be a certain resistance at times to what is new, innovative and unique and a response to the Movement of The Holy Spirit …to some God does gift insight and acceptance however, and your Post was encouraging and affirming - either way - and I thank you:)
 
Oh Barb! i can’t stay online right now…but this is in Canada and they spent time at a monastery just 30 minutes away! Mount Carmel! Prayers for sure…🙂
 
Shoshana said:
Oh Barb! i can’t stay online right now…but this is in Canada and they spent time at a monastery just 30 minutes away! Mount Carmel! Prayers for sure…🙂
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Thank you also and very much, Shoshana. Yes the SSC’s mother house and a newly founded live in (at this point) semi contemplative monastic type community is in Canada. The Carmelite Order apparently has been most supportive of them and all my feedback about the Sisters is that they are very holy and dedicated women and this has encouraged me. Their foundress and superior has really struck me as holy, wise and astute and of sound common sense - and also an encouraging factor. Their formation is intensive, regular and ongoing even for those whose formation in the main takes place online.
Of course most of the Sisters at this point live in their own homes and I think they have three in their newly founded live in community. Most of the membership, interestingly, is Catholic or is was last time I checked. They seem to be growing and establishing themselves quite quickly.
The fact that one can live in one’s own home has opened the doors of the SSC to those who normally have impediments to religious living in the more recognized and established Catholic traditional forms of community life and/or perhaps are getting on in life. I fall into these categories. As Phoenix pointed out this move to include those with impediments as well as age impediments but who do feel called to a religious life seems to be, due to the fact they seem to be springing up everwhere more or less and with success, is a Movement of The Holy Spirit to include those normally excluded…this is in the footsteps of Jesus who opened his arms with love and concern, compassion, to those normally excluded and as quite equal with those always included. It also reflects the spirit of “Bethany” here which is not only the name of my residence but a way of life.

Thank you again for the prayer, Shoshana…I am shaking in my shoes most literally re discernment …and again Phoenix hit it on the head with one adverb “solemn” which resonates in me like a literal bell. Discerning is not something at all, at all, that I have chosen. Thank you too for your many kindnesses to all. I very humbly grateful midst all the truly urgent and pressing needs expressed in this Forum for one…Barb:)
 
Though the SSC is quite unique as a religious order, there is nothing at all new wave or “strange” about it - it is very very traditional in its Catholic spirituality and asks that those of a particular Faith profession promise in writing to follow that tradition faithfully in all things as a Sister of the SSC. Catholic women may enter this ecumenical order according to our Catholic laws including canon law and this has been checked out with a Canon Lawyer or I would not even remotely consider entering. It is open to Anglican, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox women…thank you again for the prayer. Would you please say a prayer too for those I am contacting re trying to discern His Grace’s attitude and opinion re the SSC - and a prayer for His Grace too…thank you heaps…Barb
 
I am praying for you Barbara, May God walk with you on this journey. May His Divine Will unfold in your daily decisions. God Bless!
 
Praying for you Barbara, and asking the holy father to help you make the right decision:gopray2:
 
Thank you very much OutinChgoburbs, Jnnywren and Diana Lynn…I really appreciate your prayers…very much… and will keep your intentions in mine…Barb:)
 
Praying for your request:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
 
Los_Angeles said:
Praying for your request:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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Thank you very much…Barb
 
LilyM said:
My prayers for you in your discernment :gopray2:
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Thank you very much Lily…at this point in time I dont know where I am wherever I am - just continuing to pray to Our Lady and St. Joseph and to ask The Lord to make things clear to me. Your prayers and those of others are very much appreciated…and needed!..Barb
 
Heavenly Father, please provide a clear path of discernment for BarbaraTherese. May your communication be direct. May You mercifully guide BarbaraTherese into the vocation that best fulfills Your holy and perfect will. May her acceptance of this vocation bring her abundant graces of joy. Amen. :signofcross:
 
MarcoPolo said:
Heavenly Father, please provide a clear path of discernment for BarbaraTherese. May your communication be direct. May You mercifully guide BarbaraTherese into the vocation that best fulfills Your holy and perfect will. May her acceptance of this vocation bring her abundant graces of joy. Amen. :signofcross:
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Thank you very much:) …a truly beautiful prayer that says it all …Barb
 
Merciful God and Father, forgive us the many times we fail to place our faith and trust in You to provide vocations for the service of Your Kingdom. Strengthen us to rely on Your gracious love to supply our every need, both temporal and spiritual. Loving God, You are calling Barbara Therese closer to You which, in our fragile, limited understanding, can be frightening. We lowly creations are similarly awe-struck and fearful at the appearance of Your Angels. Help our unbelief, calm our trembling, and may our fear of the unknown be Divinely replaced with the fear of ignoring Your call. Blessed Lord, we live not for this life, but for the next. May Barbara Therese be given the wisdom and strength of character to choose a life of service, secure in the knowledge that Your promised eternal reward is true. Lord, breathe Your Holy Spirit upon her, guiding her into a profoundly spiritual discernment process. Father, she boldly proclaims Your Word. May she boldly step out in faith, striving to live Your Divine Will for her life. As she prays for guidance, replace her uncertainty with the comfort which comes from Your Word of Knowledge. We petition You to incline Your ear to hear the intercession of blessed Jesus, at Your Right Hand. As the Angels and Saints pray for her, may their prayers rise to Your Throne, calling many graces down upon her. And, when her knowledge is complete, when her spirit is sure, open doors so that her path will be eased, just as the yoke of Christ is easy and His burden light. We ask this through the same Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen! Alleluia!
 
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