J
JollyGal88
Guest
Hello, I have recently discovered that my vocation is in the Lay state, to be either married or single. I do not either know or understand why God could call me to this state, but I accept it with peace and joy. About a year ago, I had a IM conversation with a friend who was considering how someone could be married and consecrated to God also. I suggested the Lay Order for her, not knowing what was in store for myself. She had gone through some internet searches and found a website for the Lay Dominicans, and sent me the link. I opened it of course because she sent it to me, and I was planning on only looking at it for a few minutes, then closing the window. I realized some really important things. St. Catherine of Siena(my confirmation Saint) was also a Lay Dominican and a patroness of the Fraternities. I almost fell back in my chair because I really never knew that she was a Lay Dominican. I knew she was a Tertiary, but I thought that was a certain type of extern Nun, I didn’t know she was a member of the Laity. I was shocked, and I came to realize that my conversation with my friend was truly God inspired. I being very interested, sent them my email. And I got a response, but I wasn’t planning on doing anything with the Order until I was out of high school. So I left the email to the side, but after the months had passed, my heart kept going back to it. I tried to ignore it, saying it was way too early. I guess God had different plans, He had to wake me up somehow. So, when I realized that God wanted me to check them out now, I decided to send them another email requesting meeting information. They responded, and I sent an email to the lady who runs the nearest chapter to me, but it took a while to respond. During that time, I was thinking, “Maybe this wasn’t God after all.” The whole time I felt in my heart I needed to trust God and that it would all work out somehow. So about a week or two later, when I wasn’t expecting an email to be sent to me, I got an email! I was so happy, and even happier that I didn’t lose trust in God. So, I went to the meeting January 4th and I met most everyone there. I was the baby of the group definitely. Everyone was in their middle ages to the oldest being 91(she still drives by the way!) They even invited my mom to sit in even though she is involved with another Lay Order. I knew that God would either tell me yes or no, if He wanted me to pursue discernment in formation with the Fraternities. He told me through other people who had told me that they hope I do formation with them and attend more meetings. Right then, I knew that was God’s, yes. I felt a quiet certainty in my heart that this was God’s will for the present moment. I am not saying that the Order is God’s will for me, but I know His will is for me to go through formation. I think it would be too early to tell if I am to join the Order, I don’t want to rush into things. I am taking this very slowly, and I would really love for everyone to pray for me as I discern this wonderful Order. God Bless!~~
Jolly*~*
Jolly*~*
Do you have a spiritual director? If not, I would suggest getting one because they are invaluable.