"My Question Is..."

[Sister_Helena]

My question is: how many of you active in CAF are actually discerning a religious vocation, and if you are, have you actually done something about it, or just talking about it?

 

[Spiritu]

My question is: how many of you active in CAF are actually discerning a religious vocation, and if you are, have you actually done something about it, or just talking about it?

I’ve spent the past few years “passively” discerning due to external constraints - completing my university degree and then being confronted with the debt.

What I’ve done in that time is learn as much as I can about the Church and the religious life, especially the Dominicans, in order to give myself the best possible grounding for postulancy in the future. I put “passively” in inverted commas because it’s been quite an active process for me, even if I wasn’t in a position to commit to discerning with a community: reading my way through the local Catholic library, praying before the Blessed Sacrament, asking the Sisters I know about their vocations and experiences of religious life, and subscribing to the Nashville Dominicans’ newsletter.

This year, as a graduate, I’m take more active steps: I’ve been speaking to a spiritual director since January (wonderful priest), and have sent the community an email indicating my interest in discerning with them. (May not hear back for a week or so. I learnt about long-term vocation patience while studying at university, so now I’m learning about short-term patience in waiting for an answer!)

 

[JTheresa]

My question is: how many of you active in CAF are actually discerning a religious vocation, and if you are, have you actually done something about it, or just talking about it?

Hi Sister!
I’ve been discerning for at least the past year, and two months ago I asked for papers for the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. I’m officially a candidate and will, as of now, enter as a postulant in September. I’m 18 years old and thankfully entering with three other girls, two of which are 19, so I’m not the youngest by that much lol. I kinda feel like I’m walking in empty handed; I don’t really have any special skills and I haven’t any college expirience, but I’m not too worried. I’ll find my niche eventually.

 

[Baer]

Hey Br. JR I have a a question about the Franciscans and their organization. All of the Franciscans are part of the same organization with the same leadership correct? How are they subdivided under that and how does it effect the friars lives? Your ministry of Brothers for Life for instance. Would a layman enter into that ministry in particular or is it more you just join the Franciscans and from their are assigned to a ministry such as that. Thank you.

 

[JReducation]

Hey Br. JR I have a a question about the Franciscans and their organization. All of the Franciscans are part of the same organization with the same leadership correct? How are they subdivided under that and how does it effect the friars lives? Your ministry of Brothers for Life for instance. Would a layman enter into that ministry in particular or is it more you just join the Franciscans and from their are assigned to a ministry such as that. Thank you.

Franciscans are divided into five groups that we call obediences. Each group is a branch of the Franciscan family. But each group has its own government and superiors. We follow one of the three rules that St. Francis wrote.

For example, the Brothers of Life follow the Rule of the Friars Minor. But if you want to be a Brother of LIfe, you apply to the Brothers of Life. If you want to be a Friar Minor, you apply to them.

There are four reasons that we’re divided this way. The first is sheer numbers. Right now there are about 1.7 million Franciscan men and women in the world in 115 regions that we call provinces. It’s impossible for any one superior general to govern that kind of crowd. The Church has regrouped the three orders into smaller groupings.

The second reason for the regrouping has to do with ministry. Some ministries are very specific. For examplle, the ministry of the Brothers of Life is to preach the Gospel of Life by serving the needs of the unborn, the chronically ill and the aged. We work either directly with them or we teach priests, sisters, lay people the Gospel of Life and how to implement it in their parishes, schools, convents, and other organizations.

The third reason is that there are new and emerging ministries within the Franciscan family. To create a more homologous fraternity, it is better if the communities are grouped accordingly. The communities with new and emerging ministries are very small, because they’re very young. They are still proving themselves to the Church and the rest of the Franciscan family.

And fourth, there is a plan in place to reduce the number of men that we ordain, because we simply have too many priests and we do not need that many. By organizing according to ministries, you ordain where you need priests and you don’t in other communities. For example, the Missionaries of the Eternal Word have only four ordained friars. They don’t need more, because they don’t do parish ministry. The Franciscans of the Reform also ordain very few, becaues they don’t need too many priests. They don’t do parish work. The Brothers of Life have no priests. They’re not needed for this kind of work. The Friars Minor have many priests, because they do parish ministry in poor neighborhoods and in mission countries.

I hope this helps.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sister_Helena]

Hi Sister!
I’ve been discerning for at least the past year, and two months ago I asked for papers for the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. I’m officially a candidate and will, as of now, enter as a postulant in September. I’m 18 years old and thankfully entering with three other girls, two of which are 19, so I’m not the youngest by that much lol. I kinda feel like I’m walking in empty handed; I don’t really have any special skills and I haven’t any college expirience, but I’m not too worried. I’ll find my niche eventually.

All you need upon entering is the great desire to love Jesus and a great desire to give yourself to Him in any way He may choose to use you in religious life which I think you have. Any other skills and credentials are only secondary according to the requirements of your ministry and will come later. May God grant you discernment, joy and perseverance as you begin your religious journey.

 

[Faustina123]

My question is: how many of you active in CAF are actually discerning a religious vocation, and if you are, have you actually done something about it, or just talking about it?

I am discerning. I’ve written a couple of communities. I’m trying to figure out how to get enough time off to go visit.

 

[Sister_Helena]

I am discerning. I’ve written a couple of communities. I’m trying to figure out how to get enough time off to go visit.

I’m glad to hear that some are actually doing something about what God is inspiring them to do. You know that saying “talk is cheap.” And Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady, “don’t just say you love me, show me!” (or something to that effect!). Jesus needs answers.

 

[GilChrist77]

My question is: how many of you active in CAF are actually discerning a religious vocation, and if you are, have you actually done something about it, or just talking about it?

I asked for my papers in November and was told that I need to wait so now I’m doing just that and trying my hardest to do God’s will for me right now.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Iesu et Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

 

[JReducation]

I asked for my papers in November and was told that I need to wait so now I’m doing just that and trying my hardest to do God’s will for me right now.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Iesu et Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

God will do what he will do as long as we’re faithful.

Fraternally in the Risen Lord,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JoyfulSeeker]

My application papers should be with me in the next week or two. I’m hoping to be received as a postulant late this year or early next year.

:extrahappy:

 

[GilChrist77]

My application papers should be with me in the next week or two. I’m hoping to be received as a postulant late this year or early next year.

:extrahappy:

If you don’t mind me asking, what order?

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Iesu et Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

Christ is risen from the grave. By death he conquered death and to those in the grave he gives unending life.

 

[JoyfulSeeker]

Hi Betsy

No I don’t mind you asking at all! But I would prefer not to say on a public forum, particularly as I haven’t sent in the application yet.

Joyful

 

[Monica4316]

For a person who can not enter religious life due to a health reason- what would be the best way for that person to “understand” their situation? Are there specific spiritual attitudes that would be most pleasing to God in that situation? What should a person do if they experience negative emotions about not having this calling?

Sorry I’m not a religious so perhaps am not qualified to answer this… but it seems to me that in any situation, the best thing to do is to surrender to God’s will, and in that you can find perfection. St Therese of Lisieux wanted to be a missionary, a martyr, an apostle… she became a Saint by surrendering her desires to God, and choosing to follow His will instead, which was for her to be hidden as a Carmelite nun. It is in surrendering to God’s will that we become Saints. And the harder it is to surrender, the more merit there is in that. If you find it difficult to accept your situation, - that can even be a blessing, if you accept it anyways for love of God, - through this surrender to Him you can grow much more than if you had become a nun, perhaps. Just seek to love Him in whatever situation you are placed that is always the right way.

God bless

 

[Monica4316]

I have a question I hope it makes sense…

I know there might not be one answer to this… but how does a person tell if they have a religious vocation, or if God is drawing them closer to HImself? I feel a desire to live entirely for God but I don’t know if that necessarily means religious life. Do you have any advice?

thank you

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Being involved with Vocation Forum here in CAF, I get to talk about and initiate threads of my own choosing. These are mostly topics related to religious life and spirituality. I am wondering if I can start a thread where the point of interest would come from you. For example, you post the question and religious on this forum can answer. What are your questions about the vows, prayer, ministry, or religious life in general? By asking the questions most relevant to you, it is more personal and instructive. Just a thought…

Suppose I wanted to have a “quiet time” in the morning (something I should be doing anyway but too often don’t). What would be your suggestion for a quiet time? I originally came from a Protestant background originally and a normal QT for them would simply be impromptu prayers and some Bible study, maybe using some sort of daily guide published by some sort of Bible study institute, as my wife does before she goes to bed(She’s Baptist, and never misses).

By way of part answer to my own question, I’d probably try to include the following main segments - prayer, Bible reading, Religious reading and meditation.

But within those segments, what would you suggest for -

What sort of prayers?

How would you define “Bible Study?”

What would you call “Religious Reading?”

And the one I’m pretty useless at - Meditation. I’ve got a grasshopper mind. Any suggestions on how to go about it? I’ve even thought about going to a local Buddhist temple just to get some pointers on method (but not content).

Thanks for your answer in advance.

 

[GilChrist77]

Suppose I wanted to have a “quiet time” in the morning (something I should be doing anyway but too often don’t). What would be your suggestion for a quiet time? I originally came from a Protestant background originally and a normal QT for them would simply be impromptu prayers and some Bible study, maybe using some sort of daily guide published by some sort of Bible study institute, as my wife does before she goes to bed(She’s Baptist, and never misses).

By way of part answer to my own question, I’d probably try to include the following main segments - prayer, Bible reading, Religious reading and meditation.

But within those segments, what would you suggest for -

What sort of prayers?

How would you define “Bible Study?”

What would you call “Religious Reading?”

And the one I’m pretty useless at - Meditation. I’ve got a grasshopper mind. Any suggestions on how to go about it? I’ve even thought about going to a local Buddhist temple just to get some pointers on method (but not content).

Thanks for your answer in advance.

I also used to have a hard time with meditation. The thing that I’ve found works the best for me is to have either an icon or a candle to give my eyes something to focus on and repeat either the name of Jesus or the act of love, Jesus I love you save souls. I like it because it gives my eyes something to focus on and my mind something to say but at the same time it’s something that doesn’t take much thought. God bless you!

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

 

[JReducation]

Suppose I wanted to have a “quiet time” in the morning (something I should be doing anyway but too often don’t). What would be your suggestion for a quiet time? I originally came from a Protestant background originally and a normal QT for them would simply be impromptu prayers and some Bible study, maybe using some sort of daily guide published by some sort of Bible study institute, as my wife does before she goes to bed(She’s Baptist, and never misses).

By way of part answer to my own question, I’d probably try to include the following main segments - prayer, Bible reading, Religious reading and meditation.

But within those segments, what would you suggest for -

What sort of prayers?

How would you define “Bible Study?”

What would you call “Religious Reading?”

And the one I’m pretty useless at - Meditation. I’ve got a grasshopper mind. Any suggestions on how to go about it? I’ve even thought about going to a local Buddhist temple just to get some pointers on method (but not content).

Thanks for your answer in advance.

There is an ancient monastic tradition that is still used by many religious orders, but can be used by secular men and women. It’s called Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I believe that some of the Protestant founders carried it over with them. It’s very simple, but very fruitful. I’ll explain how we do it in our friary and you can adapt it to your situation.

We begin with a bried prayer to the Holy Spirit asking him to open our hearts and minds. I usually begin with a quote from St. John Baptiste de La Salle, it helps me settle in.

“Let us remember that we’re in the Holy Presence of God.”

With my bible in hand I get comfortable in my seat and I open it randomly. Sometimes I may open it to the readings of the day from the mass, but not always.

I begin to read, always looking for what God is saying to me a this moment. If I am distracted by another thought, I try to follow it. It usually has something to do with what the Word is saying. You’d be suprised. When I get an inner distraction such as remembering what I have to do today, I look at the scripture passage and ask, “Lord, what are you tryiing to tell me about this?’” Then I sit quietly for a few minutes. Sometimes the Lord answers immediately. The idea just pops into my head. Other times I don’t hear a thing, but later in the day I suddently remember the reading and I can see how it applies to a particular activity in which I’m engaged.

If I don’t have time for more reading, I stop there with a very simple prayer. I like to use the statement used by the good thief on the cross. “Lord remember me.” I just go about my day. You can end with whatever prayer you want.

The most important part of Lectio Divina is not to clutter too many ideas into one session. You read until something speaks to you and you reflect on that and ask the Lord to help you hear. God does not speak as we speak. We cram a lot into one conversation. God delivers one message at a time.

We do this for an hour. But it can be as long and as short as you want. Some people only have time for 15 minutes. They read a few verses. I noticed that you said that your wife does something similar. This may be a good way for the two of you to connect, by you doing your Lectio Divina when she’s doing her exercises.

One more thing, some people like to write what they are thinking, so they keep a pad closeby when they are doing their reading. I don’t like it, because I begin to focus too much on making sure that my spelling and grammar are correct. But if that is not a distraction to you, you can use that method. This way you can go back and review what the Lord has been saying through the month or week.

I hope this has been helpful.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Thanks for the suggestions above. I’d better start applying them.

 

[Sister_Helena]

For a person who can not enter religious life due to a health reason- what would be the best way for that person to “understand” their situation? Are there specific spiritual attitudes that would be most pleasing to God in that situation? What should a person do if they experience negative emotions about not having this calling?

This is a hard thing. This is almost similar to any experience of desiring something but being denied the fulfilment of that desire. I believe God’s grace is very much needed to dispose the soul to understand the difficulties or the impossibilty of the desire, whichever is applicable. Time is also of essence here. Sometimes the person him/herself may already understand that religious life is not an option, but intense desire for it may effect a denial of the reality, for whatever reason. Grace is needed and time allows the work of grace to unfold. The attitude I may suggest is the attitude of abandonment to the present moment. One must not force itself to accept something it is not ready to accept but wait with patience until God works the grace. The desire for religious life may even be used as an opportunity to grow in virtues and to give the present a sense of purpose. That is my contribution to this question.