S
Sister_MM
Guest
There has been some buzz about entrance requirements in various communities. Some have age restrictions; others do not. Most have health restrictions. Some even demand that applicants have no former ties to any other order, wanting a “fresh slate” in formation of their members.
Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to post a letter I recently sent in response to a woman who was asking for information about our community. It might serve as a springboard for others to ask questions, serve as encouragement to someone who has encountered obstacles, or help lead someone to the right community.
Dear N.,
Thank you for writing to the Franciscan Sisters of Mary. My name is Sister Mary Margaret, co-foundress of the community, and representative to the bishop on our behalf. With God’s help, I formulated our statutes. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Our spirituality is Franciscan and Marian. St. Francis had a special love for Our Lady, and deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Christ Crucified, which we strive to emulate.
Health is not an obstacle to membership in our community - one simply needs to be self-supporting. Cost is the major health factor in most communities, with ability to participate in the apostolate and prayer life of the community coming in a distant second. In the middle ages, when cost was not associated with health because medical care was just not available to most people, good health was a “must” for those who aspired to undertake the rigorous penances associated with life in the cloister. That is just not the case today. Health care is available, expected, and costly. Active orders need healthy members in order to generate income for the survival of their order - not necessarily for the success of their apostolate - since most of them collaborate, if not rely heavily upon, the laity. Just taking Catholic schools as an example - in the 40’s it was unheard of to have a “lay teacher” in the Catholic schools, and paying out lay salaries would have been the end of many a Catholic school. Within 30 years, the tables had turned and now lay teachers comprise most - if not all - of the staff.
We do not have a cut off age. We interview each individual, and although we have had to turn away some applicants, the reasons have not included age - so far. The usual difficulties are either spiritual or financial.
Formation takes place in one of our homes, living with one or more sisters. Ideally, it takes place in our central house in the Peoria diocese. The two primary reasons are 1. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved there, and 2. There is some community life. Associates are welcome to participate in our prayer life from their own homes, but are not called Sisters nor do they wear the habit.
Like some of the newer (not to mention POOR communities being founded), we do not have a “motherhouse” nor do we see a need for a large building in the near future. We have small homes, the largest of which is in the Peoria diocese, and where we gather for our retreats. (We can double up in the rooms, and we had two on couches in the living room last time!) When we have too many members to accommodate, we can go to a retreat center.
How do you know if you are called to religious life? It is the same as being in love, I imagine. You just “know.” You can’t stop thinking about it. The thought of it brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart. God tugs away at your heartstrings. You visit with religious orders, and come away from the experience feeling an inner peace, so radiant that others notice. It is the same as being in love because it IS being in love. You are in love with Christ - in the Eucharist, in prayer, in service to others.
I hope this answers some of your questions - and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any others!
In Jesus and Mary,
Sister Mary Margaret
If you, or anyone you know is contemplating religious life, visit www.fsmcharism.net and tell us a little about yourself by answering some questions by clicking on the “Questions” tab.
Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to post a letter I recently sent in response to a woman who was asking for information about our community. It might serve as a springboard for others to ask questions, serve as encouragement to someone who has encountered obstacles, or help lead someone to the right community.
Dear N.,
Thank you for writing to the Franciscan Sisters of Mary. My name is Sister Mary Margaret, co-foundress of the community, and representative to the bishop on our behalf. With God’s help, I formulated our statutes. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Our spirituality is Franciscan and Marian. St. Francis had a special love for Our Lady, and deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Christ Crucified, which we strive to emulate.
Health is not an obstacle to membership in our community - one simply needs to be self-supporting. Cost is the major health factor in most communities, with ability to participate in the apostolate and prayer life of the community coming in a distant second. In the middle ages, when cost was not associated with health because medical care was just not available to most people, good health was a “must” for those who aspired to undertake the rigorous penances associated with life in the cloister. That is just not the case today. Health care is available, expected, and costly. Active orders need healthy members in order to generate income for the survival of their order - not necessarily for the success of their apostolate - since most of them collaborate, if not rely heavily upon, the laity. Just taking Catholic schools as an example - in the 40’s it was unheard of to have a “lay teacher” in the Catholic schools, and paying out lay salaries would have been the end of many a Catholic school. Within 30 years, the tables had turned and now lay teachers comprise most - if not all - of the staff.
We do not have a cut off age. We interview each individual, and although we have had to turn away some applicants, the reasons have not included age - so far. The usual difficulties are either spiritual or financial.
Formation takes place in one of our homes, living with one or more sisters. Ideally, it takes place in our central house in the Peoria diocese. The two primary reasons are 1. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved there, and 2. There is some community life. Associates are welcome to participate in our prayer life from their own homes, but are not called Sisters nor do they wear the habit.
Like some of the newer (not to mention POOR communities being founded), we do not have a “motherhouse” nor do we see a need for a large building in the near future. We have small homes, the largest of which is in the Peoria diocese, and where we gather for our retreats. (We can double up in the rooms, and we had two on couches in the living room last time!) When we have too many members to accommodate, we can go to a retreat center.
How do you know if you are called to religious life? It is the same as being in love, I imagine. You just “know.” You can’t stop thinking about it. The thought of it brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart. God tugs away at your heartstrings. You visit with religious orders, and come away from the experience feeling an inner peace, so radiant that others notice. It is the same as being in love because it IS being in love. You are in love with Christ - in the Eucharist, in prayer, in service to others.
I hope this answers some of your questions - and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any others!
In Jesus and Mary,
Sister Mary Margaret
If you, or anyone you know is contemplating religious life, visit www.fsmcharism.net and tell us a little about yourself by answering some questions by clicking on the “Questions” tab.
:byzsoc: :nun1:
It does really help me. 
I fell so much less… crazy and… lost!.. 
