How much is too little?

[Jesness]

I have been a born-again Christian for about six months now; but, I was a Christian flavored agnostic for years before that. Lately, I am noticing more and more just how much **** the Lord puts up with from me, and I want to do something for Him, to show that I am grateful, but I am not really sure what I am supposed to do. I did pray and ask Him about it, but I am so horrible at discernment that I rarely if ever understand His answers. (Though I have noticed that when I am in utter spiritual peril, I some how seem to wind up being exactly where I need to be despite not knowing what He wants me to do. (Thank you dear merciful God! >>;;; ) (Like walking in on the Feast of Divine mercy by ‘chance’ when I was about ready to give up on God. Or receiving a youtube video from someone I didn’t know- saying 'repent and be saved- something like 6 hours after I prayed asking if there was any redemption left for someone like me.)

I have had a passing fancy for the monastic life for a while now. More or less since I repented which was about a year before I was baptized. It is very low-level and unobtrusive, but it has come back a little more forceful every time it does come (Still in an unobtrusive way.) it’s got my curiosity peeked just enough for me to consider giving it a try.

I found out that you are required to live as a Sister for a year before they will allow you to even try to become a nun; I forget what it it’s called but you’re basically just a woman living in a convent without any ties or vows or such (Though you fallow the regiment of the rest of the convent); and that sounds just fine for me.

I figure if I can’t cut it for even one year, that I am probably not being called to that vocation. I actually don’t think I am cut out for that life, though I admire it very much (I am a little too rebellious for a life with so much restriction) But I think if I don’t give it a shot, that I will always wonder. And as I’ve said, I am horrible with discernment, and I know that just because I don’t think I am cut out for such a life doesn’t mean that God does. He knows me better than I know myself after all; and is able to strengthen me for whatever my vocation may be.)

So I guess my question is, how much of an urge is too little to assume it’s from God? Are my inclinations just wishful thinking? I am not super attached to the idea. I’ve heard testimonies of people who simply couldn’t live without being a priest or a nun… at the present I don’t have that kind of conviction; but I would imagine that every priest or nun’s conviction had to start somewhere… maybe this is the inkling that will one day become that conviction.

 

[Trishie]

We are all individuals, so there is no particular rule.
The real test of your vocation would be to give it a try.
In any case, you have indicated that God leads you to where He desires you to be,
so God has already shown you that He will take you where you need to go.

Being rebellious isn’t an indication of whether you have a vocation or not, as both marriage and religious vocations require us to moderate our self-will in consideration of others.
Consideration of others, charity, is required in the single, the marital, and the religious vocations. And in any of those vocations, a charitably based spiritedness can be an asset to family/community. Chastity, poverty and obedience have forms proper to each vocation also.

May God continue to lead you.

 

[jimcav]

Well first, I think you need to find out if your being called to be a Catholic.

Unless I missed something, you said your protestant, so you’ll need to convert to Catholicism before becoming a nun…

 

[Trishie]

Hi, jimcav,
There are nuns in other traditions, including amongst Anglicans and Lutherans…

“A nun, also known as a sister in some cases, is a woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life. [1] She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent. The term “nun” is applicable to the Catholics (both eastern and western traditions), Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans…for example. While in common usage the terms nun and sister are often used interchangeably, properly speaking a nun is a religious female who lives a contemplative life of prayer and meditation within a monastery while a sister (in the Christian religions) lives an active vocation of service to the needy, sick, poor, and uneducated.”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nun

 

[Hidden_One]

Well first, I think you need to find out if your being called to be a Catholic.

Unless I missed something, you said your protestant, so you’ll need to convert to Catholicism before becoming a nun…

Everyone’s called to become a Catholic.

 

[Jesness]

"Trishie:

The real test of your vocation would be to give it a try.
In any case, you have indicated that God leads you to where He desires you to be,
so God has already shown you that He will take you where you need to go.

Hmm. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of it that way, but I guess you’re right. Thank you.

Well first, I think you need to find out if your being called to be a Catholic.

Unless I missed something, you said your protestant, so you’ll need to convert to Catholicism before becoming a nun…

I know. I kinda figured that was a given. Even so, I am surprised to find out that certain Protestant orders also have nuns too.

 

[Ocarm]

I kinda figured that was a given. Even so, I am surprised to find out that certain Protestant orders also have nuns too.

Its worth pointing out that the process of instruction and conversion can take a couple of years; and that most religious institutes requires 3 years of stable life as a Catholic before admission to a community, so this is a long-term commitment to make. But it can be done - I’m both a convert and a religious brother, so it does happen.

Prayers for you in your discernment.

 

[jimcav]

Everyone’s called to become a Catholic.

Sorry, bad choice of wording on my part.