Is this a real calling?

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duchess453

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I once was severly interested in being a nun at age 17. I am now 18. My parents were not happy when they found out and I was told my life would be miserable, I would have no control over my actions and not be able to teach English in Japan like I wanted too. I then backed away to get them off my back and moved into other religions such as Wicca and Uniterianism. I did tell them that I may have done it to get back at them but, do not believe I did. It was the answer they wanted though. I believe God called me back however, and I re-visited my relationship with him in prayer asking him to let me know what he wants from me and telling him I would try to be more faithful. As of yet I have not left him after that.

Not long after I was cast as a nun in a school play. I was proud of how well I did that role but, thought it odd out of all the parts possible that I got that one. Then, only a couple of months or so ago I saw a nun at my work place, a movie theatre. I remember being excited and happy to see her there. Now, thinking about it, I never could see myself as dating. I love to volunteer and help children, the disabled, animals, and the elderly though my time is not allowing that during my first year of college.

My parents have now allowed me to attend a more liberal Chrisitan non-denominational church. I am taking their membership class and have about 3 weeks left. I LOVE their services, the modern hymns and the communion. Though I feel I do not always have the faith of a child and need to remind myself that God is always there. However, I have gotten at times been so moved in prayer that I find myself crying often for joy and thankfulness.

What do you think about this? Do you think he is calling me to be a nun? Or is it merely an interest?
 
duchess453 said:
I once was severly interested in being a nun at age 17. I am now 18. My parents were not happy when they found out and I was told my life would be miserable, I would have no control over my actions and not be able to teach English in Japan like I wanted too. I then backed away to get them off my back and moved into other religions such as Wicca and Uniterianism. I did tell them that I may have done it to get back at them but, do not believe I did. It was the answer they wanted though. I believe God called me back however, and I re-visited my relationship with him in prayer asking him to let me know what he wants from me.

Not long after I was cast as a nun in a school play. I was proud of how well I did that role but, thought it odd out of all the parts possible that I got that one. Then, only a couple of months or so ago I saw a nun at my work place, a movie theatre. I remember being excited and happy to see her there. Now, thinking about it, I never could see myself as dating. I love to volunteer and help children, the disabled, animals, and the elderly though my time is not allowing that during my first year of college.

My parents have now allowed me to attend a more liberal Chrisitan non-denominational church. I am taking their membership class and have about 3 weeks left. I LOVE their services, the modern hymns and the communion. Though I feel I do not always have the faith of a child and need to remind myself that God is always there. However, I have gotten at times been so moved in prayer that I find myself crying often for joy and thankfulness.

What do you think about this? Do you think he is calling me to be a nun? Or is it merely an interest?
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I would suggest you visit a convent and see what you think. I spent a month in a monastery living with Benedictines, I decided it was not my calling but it was a great experience.
 
I wish I could but, any learning is going to have to be more from the Internet, possibly books, and films. I live with my parents and they would not be happy if I tried that. And they are paying for college tuition and all. I’m wondering if maybe this was God’s plan all along though? But, we can’t tell that. Maybe by having to worship in private other than at church he is pushing me towards him. I just may have to wait longer if this is his calling which could be a good thing as I’ll have more time to figure things out. Anyway, what does this sound like to you? Is it possible I’m being called? Or should I just disregard this? The on thing that strikes me as odd is I seem to think of it more often now.
 
duchess453 said:
I wish I could but, any learning is going to have to be more from the Internet, possibly books, and films. I live with my parents and they would not be happy if I tried that. And they are paying for college tuition and all. I’m wondering if maybe this was God’s plan all along though? But, we can’t tell that. Maybe by having to worship in private other than at church he is pushing me towards him. I just may have to wait longer if this is his calling.
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Don’t rush into it. It is easy to view that way of life as being very “romantic” and “mystical” but it is not like that really. You also need to be a practicing Catholic for at least a few years before you can join. Also there are not many young people joining so you have to consider that you might miss your peer group.
 
Yeah. I see what you mean. I do think that if it works out I will have to wait until after college, and I am self-supporting. An education is important to me though missing my peer group does not bother me. I relate better to those much younger and older than those my own age. And no I don’t want to rush it. I may be in my late 20’s before I do go that route. What I need to know is if I’m not getting something? Is their things I should be doing to better teach myself? I only have access to the one church due to what is allowed.
 
duchess453 said:
Yeah. I see what you mean. I do think that if it works out I will have to wait until after college, and I am self-supporting. An education is important to me though missing my peer group does not bother me. I relate better to those much younger and older than those my own age. And no I don’t want to rush it. I may be in my late 20’s before I do go that route. What I need to know is if I’m not getting something? Is their things I should be doing to better teach myself? I only have access to the one church due to what is allowed.
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Read as much as you can but stay away from fundamentalism. 🙂
 
duchess453 said:
I once was severly interested in being a nun at age 17. I am now 18. My parents were not happy when they found out and I was told my life would be miserable, I would have no control over my actions and not be able to teach English in Japan like I wanted too. I then backed away to get them off my back and moved into other religions such as Wicca and Uniterianism. I did tell them that I may have done it to get back at them but, do not believe I did. It was the answer they wanted though. I believe God called me back however, and I re-visited my relationship with him in prayer asking him to let me know what he wants from me and telling him I would try to be more faithful. As of yet I have not left him after that.

Not long after I was cast as a nun in a school play. I was proud of how well I did that role but, thought it odd out of all the parts possible that I got that one. Then, only a couple of months or so ago I saw a nun at my work place, a movie theatre. I remember being excited and happy to see her there. Now, thinking about it, I never could see myself as dating. I love to volunteer and help children, the disabled, animals, and the elderly though my time is not allowing that during my first year of college.

My parents have now allowed me to attend a more liberal Chrisitan non-denominational church. I am taking their membership class and have about 3 weeks left. I LOVE their services, the modern hymns and the communion. Though I feel I do not always have the faith of a child and need to remind myself that God is always there. However, I have gotten at times been so moved in prayer that I find myself crying often for joy and thankfulness.

What do you think about this? Do you think he is calling me to be a nun? Or is it merely an interest?
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The first requirement for entering religious life is that the candidate must be a faithful Catholic. I got the impression from your post that you’re attending a non-denominational congregation. That is not copatible with the call to be a religious.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation said:
The first requirement for entering religious life is that the candidate must be a faithful Catholic. I got the impression from your post that you’re attending a non-denominational congregation. That is not copatible with the call to be a religious.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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One thing–

There are Orthodox and Episcopal and even Lutheran nuns.

These last have a house in my home town.
 
Cluny said:
One thing–

There are Orthodox and Episcopal and even Lutheran nuns.

These last have a house in my home town.
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The validity of the vows of Episcopal and Lutherans are questionable. One of the requirements for vows is that they must be public and made to the Church. Episcopalian and Lutherans are not Churches. The vows of the Orthodox nuns are valid. The Orthodox are true Apostolic Churches.

The other problem is the vow of obedience. The foiunders of religious orders meant for obedience to include legitimate Church autority. The Episcopals and the Lutherans do not have legitimate orders. Therefore, they do not have legitimate Church authorities.

Finally, only the Church can confirm a call from Christ to religious life, which takes us back to the absence of apostolic succession in the Episcopal and Lutheran traditions. Though the Episcopals and Lutherans are in communion with the Catholic Church through baptism, faith in Jesus Christ, and faith in the scriptures, they do not enjoy a communion is sacris. For that reason, their leadership has no authority to confirm a vocation.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
Pray and be patient that would be my advice to you. I can remember constantly asking, ‘Lord, - what am I for?’ in my prayers and in God’s own time I was indeed shown what I was for.

And don’t worry about your parents’ reaction, - it is very common for family to think any desire to seek a religious life is crazy.
 
Sancta_Rosa said:
Pray and be patient that would be my advice to you. I can remember constantly asking, ‘Lord, - what am I for?’ in my prayers and in God’s own time I was indeed shown what I was for.

And don’t worry about your parents’ reaction, -** it is very common for family to think any desire to seek a religious life is crazy**.
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In my family the reaction was rather interesting. My generation of relatives, cousins and siblings, and my children, were excited for me and supportive. The older generation thought I had lost my mind becaues I was leaving a promising career as a college dean and leaving my now adult children to enter a religious order.

I thought that my older relatives, who think themselves more religious than the pope, would be the ones to be excited and approving. Boy, was I surprised. LOL

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
You’re 18. Go to a Catholic Church. You might be lovin’ the non-denominational church because it feels good. God will provide for you as long as you follow Him, so don’t worry about your parents cutting you off. He fed five thousand with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish! You think He’d leave you impoverished for doing His will?

“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Luke 12:4-7
 
I have to admit I agree with BabyFang. I don’t know your family situation though. You’ll have to be the judge of that.
Are you going to College? You may want to check out the Newman Center or Catholic Community at a nearby college. It might be easier for you being around people your own age. And they have education and support programs more geared to young people. You may also want to see if any of them are going to the FOCUS conference over New Year. That might be a great experience for you.
Your call may be real, with time you’ll know. But you first need to decide whether you are going to be Catholic or not. Before you can be a Catholic nun, you need to be a Catholic.

And contrary to popular belief, nuns aren’t miserable people. Some of the happiest people I know are nuns. I have been a Sister for over 6 years, and have never regretted it for a second. Nuns have plenty of opportunities, for eduacation and other things.

But I do think you should focus now on finding the true faith, learning about it and living it. Pray and read scripture. Let the Lord guide you.
 
I attend a public state college which my parents pay for. I pay for my own books and class fees. This is probably the best college for me right now as it’s only half an hour from my home. I am still attending the Christian Church and if interested in Catholicism would most likely have to deal with that briefly at school (by talking to a priest at the Interfaith Center) or as an older adult. My parents have only recently allowed me to attend the one church so I’ve been pretty happy with it. I am praying and reading the Scripture as often as I can and hope that I’ll be shown the answer.
 
Like you, I felt the call to religious life before I had joined the Catholic Church, and like you I encountered resistance from parents.

I think you need to look seriously at what the religious life means. The religious life (the lives of nuns and monks) is the most intense imitation of Christ, it is the most powerful witness to the Catholic Faith, the fullness of Christian truth. It’s only natural, particularly if you are a Christian seeking to walk with God, that this form of life will have an intense attraction.

There is a difference, however, between being pleased that nuns exist (as seems to be your reaction to the nun in the cinema) and actually being able to be one yourself. Honestly, you won’t know whether that’s for you until you go and spend some time in a convent, open to discerning God’s will. If He calls you, He will make a way, you may need to wait many years (if you’re not a Catholic you’ll at least need to wait 4 years, 1 to enter the Church, plus 3 before you can take vows), you may face trials with your parents and with paying back college debts, but if it’s His will, those years will fly by and He will make a way.

Now, as to being open to discerning God’s will. Three simple words: JOIN THE CHURCH. Jesus Christ promised to Peter “on this rock I will build my Church, the gates of hell will not prevail against it”, and promised to His apostles “the Spirit will lead you into all truth”. Now you’re trying your best to do what God wants, I can see that, and you love Him, and you worship Him. Don’t worship alone, and don’t just join a bunch of other people worshipping alone, following their own ideas. Come to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, come to the fortress built on the foundation of the apostles and martyrs, with Christ Jesus as the head and cornerstone. Take my word for it, the difference between Protestant praise and worship, as good and wholesome as it is, and the Holy Mass, where Jesus Christ is truly present, as He promised His disciples in all the gospels, and especially in John 6, is awesome. It’s like eating steak flavour chips all your life and thinking you know what steak tastes like, then finding yourself a real flame-grilled prime-rib, perfectly cooked. No comparison.

You may also find that much of what you desire from becoming a nun will become part of your life as a lay Catholic. From that point, God might still call you onwards to the religious life, or not. You can’t know ahead of time. It’s an adventure - the adventure of a lifetime. It’s scary, but it’s the fullness of the truth, all I can do is tell you what God told Joshua and all the prophets, what Pope John Paul II kept telling all of us: don’t be afraid. Will you join us?
 
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