Institute on Religious Life - National Conference - what an experience!

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lizaanne

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The past four and a half days I was in Mundelein Illinois at the IRL conference. RealCatholicTV was there with a camera crew to tape many of the talks and Masses that took place over the three day weekend.

What an amazing and beautiful experience!!! First of all, the Seminary campus for the Archdiocese of Chicago is breathtaking. And until Saturday evening we had the most perfect weather for walking between buildings and eating lunch outside on the grass. I’ve never been surrounded by so many beautiful men and women from so many different religious orders - the array of habits was amazing, and at times even brought me to tears.

I have to say that just being there was a transforming experience. I felt a profound difference in myself that is difficult to describe. I really did not want to leave.

I’ve posted this here in the vocations section to let those of you know who are discerning a consecrated life, to seriously consider attending this conference next year in April. Most of the orders have tables where you can get information and actually speak to those who live in the communities one on one.

In the coming months all of the tape we shot over the entire conference will be available on RealCatholicTV.com - I hope you will be able to check it out to get a taste of what the conference is like.

Next year the theme and focus of the conference will be Father Hardon, and I have been told that Archbishop Raymond Burke will be coming from Rome to attend and speak at the conference. I can hardly wait till next April to be there again!!

I took some photos and hope to have them posted somewhere soon - I’ll post a link when they are up.

Here is a link to the IRL site: religiouslife.com/

~Liza
 
Is this restricted to just the young who are actively pursuing a religious vocation? Can ‘older’ Catholics [post-35ers like myself] attend?

If I had the time-AND the money-to go to something like this, I would definitely think about it!
 
You would want to confirm with the Institute, but the feeling I got is that this is for those who are either in a religious order, or discerning a vocation. Part of the Saturday session is open to young people (they define this as 13-30 years old).

I did not see a lot of lay people there - actually none that I can recall, unless they were there with the kids.

But that is not to say that it’s not an option, you would just want to check first. 🙂

~Liza
 
Ok - finally got my photos up.

I could not post all of them because I only have a free flickr account, but you can see some of them here to get an idea of how beautiful the campus is:

flickr.com/photos/lizaanne930/?saved=1

These photos are from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, and also Marytown - National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Conventual Franciscan Friars.
The IRL had presentations in both locations.

~Liza
 
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