Orphanage Apostolate

[PatriciaGabriel]

I have been discerning for the past several years and believe God is calling me to be a religious sister. The tricky part is that I have always had a deep desire to work with orphans. I think this desire comes from God because it comes most strongly when I am close to God in prayer, however, it is naturally supported by my personality and interests.

After a couple years of leaning in this direction, I entered a wonderful teaching order because of the direction of my spiritual director. He said that no order would fit perfectly, and I should not put off entering because of something little. I stayed for four months, but my superiors and I agreed that it was not my vocation to stay there (at least at this time…they suggested that possibly it is my vocation but maybe in a couple of years or something of the sort).

I still have such a deep desire to work with orphans, and I am almost positive this is truly God’s calling for me, but I cannot find an orthodox order that has this as their apostolate. It really does not matter to me what country the community is in. Can any one guide me on communities that work with orphans as their apostolate?

Thank you so much for any help or direction you can offer.

May God bless you!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I have been discerning for the past several years and believe God is calling me to be a religious sister. The tricky part is that I have always had a deep desire to work with orphans. I think this desire comes from God because it comes most strongly when I am close to God in prayer, however, it is naturally supported by my personality and interests.

After a couple years of leaning in this direction, I entered a wonderful teaching order because of the direction of my spiritual director. He said that no order would fit perfectly, and I should not put off entering because of something little. I stayed for four months, but my superiors and I agreed that it was not my vocation to stay there (at least at this time…they suggested that possibly it is my vocation but maybe in a couple of years or something of the sort).

I still have such a deep desire to work with orphans, and I am almost positive this is truly God’s calling for me, but I cannot find an orthodox order that has this as their apostolate. It really does not matter to me what country the community is in. Can any one guide me on communities that work with orphans as their apostolate?

Thank you so much for any help or direction you can offer.

May God bless you!

You might want to consider the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in either their Northern Province (carmelitedcjnorth.org/) or their Netherlands’ General Motherhouse. Both do work with foster children. That was their foundress’ mission. She established a St. Joseph Home for Children. I will hopefully be making a trip to the Northern Province sometime soon.

 

[Lilllabettt]

You may want to check out the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love. They are a newer community. They run St Charles Home for abused and neglected children ages 3-12. They are a “family” to the children in order to prepare them to find their “forever” family. If I remember right, they run with the kids … they find it helps them deal with stress.

They are totally orthodox, and wear a full-length habit:

dmml.org/default.aspx

 

[jrs88]

The Servants of the Poor in the Third World have an orphanage apostolate. They are based mainly in Peru and the sisters have an orphanage which cares for orphans, some of whom have health problems. There is also a house in Hungary. I feel called to an orphanage apostolate as well, and I like them because they have this wonderful apostolate as well as being orthodox and faithful to the Church.

gloria.tv/?video=vfgaj2y4ep6uwtf0vt8h video on the sisters which shows the orphanage, there are videos for the priests and monks as well.

sptm.hu/en_index.html their website.

 

[PatriciaGabriel]

Thank you all so much for your posts with possible communities. I have looked at the websites given for the following:

The Servants of the Poor in the Third World
Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus.

All of them seem like great communities, but the Servants of the Poor in the Third World seem most fitting for me. I love that they work with sick children, orphans, and do mission work.

Has anyone else heard more about this community or know any sisters from it? I didn’t find a website with a lot of direct information, so I think my next step would be to contact them directly. Please let me know if you know of any other communities like this one or any more information about the Servants of the Poor in the Third World.

Thank you so much!

(Also, if you’ve visited or talked to Sisters from the other two communities, I’m still open to discerning them, so any information about those would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for all the (name removed by moderator)ut!)