Do I have a vocation?

[HomeschoolDad]

I did found one way, however, to have what I want without taking risk. The plan is, since I never enjoyed material things or a lavish life anyway, I can continue to live a simple, frugal life and retire in 10 years. Then I will move to Hanceville, AL and live near the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Then I can live the same schedule as the nuns there without having to deal with community living which lead to the risk of getting kicked out and lose everything. I will also get to visit my parents and siblings and spend whatever amount of time with them whenever I like. However, no plan is perfect, I don’t want to wait 10 years and there is no guarantee I won’t get into an accident and die before the 10 years. Then my dream of being able to spend 1 last night with Jesus shortly before I leave this earth won’t come true. “If Angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion”. And I don’t want to waste my times on earth not being able to spend my days and nights in adoration.

Only you, and the superior of any religious community to which you aspire, and ultimately, Almighty God, can judge whether you have a vocation to this kind of life.

At an earlier time in my life, when my circumstances were different, I considered much the same thing you are describing — relocating near a traditional Catholic monastery, attending daily Mass and devotions, and living a simple life in the shadow of the monks without actually being one of them. There is nothing wrong with that. It would be a good life.

One caveat, though. I am hearing a whole lot of “I want” in your description. Certainly there is nothing wrong with having goals and aspirations, nothing wrong with having preferences, but our focus should always be on what God wants, not what we want. If you were to go to a religious superior, such as a mother-abbess, that’s the first thing she would tell you. Just food for thought.

 

[littlekitten]

Do Holy Hours and talk to a priest. Get a spiritual director.

I been wanting to tell a priest everything for a long time, but I don’t know if any priest is going to have time for me or interested in my long story or willing to be my spiritual director. Beside, I don’t know what to tell him and where to start.
It’s easy to just put it out there anonymously on the internet since I’m not forcing anyone to read what I put out on the internet.

 

[littlekitten]

At an earlier time in my life, when my circumstances were different, I considered much the same thing you are describing — relocating near a traditional Catholic monastery, attending daily Mass and devotions, and living a simple life in the shadow of the monks without actually being one of them.

So what happened? Did a spiritual director showed you that it is not what God was calling you to do?

 

[JHFamily]

It certainly seems that your health would be an impediment to entering.

I would like to point out, however, that dispersing your money would happen at the time of your final vows, many years down the road, not at the time of entrance.

 

[littlekitten]

For 2 years, start counting since I discovered adoration and fell in love with it, I have lived in 3 different places, and every time I moved to a different place, a church nearby suddenly started to have adoration (or more adoration hours) shortly after my move. It make me feel bad cause it look like God have to follow me because I keep moving, and so I should stay down in a convent.

 

[TheLittleLady]

but I don’t know if any priest is going to have time for me

You have a pastor. On monday, call the office and make an appointment to speak with him or with an associate (if you have more than one priest at your parish). It is really THAT easy.

You can also google the name of your Diocese + the words “Office of Vocations” or “Office of Religious Women”. Speak to whomever answers the phone in that office (or leave a message).

You may email

If you feel you may have a vocation to our life of adoration and contemplation in the rich Clarian tradition of humility and service then please contact our Vocation Directress:
vocations@olamshrine.com

And they have an open invitation for those who wish to do a week long come and see:

https://olamnuns.com/visit-and-discern/

You may have a vocation to a different order (the Poor Clares are not the only order where sisters Adore).

 

[HomeschoolDad]

At an earlier time in my life, when my circumstances were different, I considered much the same thing you are describing — relocating near a traditional Catholic monastery, attending daily Mass and devotions, and living a simple life in the shadow of the monks without actually being one of them.

No, we had a child, and divorced some time later. I am responsible for raising and educating him, and that is not consonant with living a quasi-monastic life.

 

[Michael16]

That’s good that you want to tell the priest everything.

I’ll tell you something: Recently, my youngest son told us the real depth of his spiritual problems. The moment I heard: “ I don’t want to exist “ I took him to my church and then took him to see Father. When I called him; Father was just putting on some medicine and was about to go to sleep as he had a 8:30 Mass the next morning. And I called him at 9 pm. We sat down with Father for 45 minutes and my son got out everything he needed to and Father even heard his Confession.

So, a good priest should make time to hear you out fully and in depth. If he can’t; he should point you in the direction of someone who can.

As for where to start: It’s like with anyone. Pick a place in the narrative and the rest will flow out once you’ve started.

 

[littlekitten]

That’s good that you want to tell the priest everything.

I’ll tell you something: Recently, my youngest son told us the real depth of his spiritual problems. The moment I heard: “ I don’t want to exist “ I took him to my church and then took him to see Father. When I called him; Father was just putting on some medicine and was about to go to sleep as he had a 8:30 Mass the next morning. And I called him at 9 pm. We sat down with Father for 45 minutes and my son got out everything he needed to and Father even heard his Confession.

So, a good priest should make time to hear you out fully and in depth. If he can’t; he should point you in the direction of someone who can.

As for where to start: It’s like with anyone. Pick a place in the narrative and the rest will flow out once you’ve started.

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