Restless

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Hi again all. I wanted to get some advice as to what to do with my feelings. Last night, I was reading “Story of a Soul,” trying to finish it, and this feeling came over me like I wouldn’t believe. It’s like, all of a sudden, my call to religious life was renewed. I really don’t know how to explain what I felt, and I don’t know where it came from, but I felt completely restless at that moment.

I don’t like the secular life anymore. It doesn’t give me peace. The only time I feel absolute peace is when I start thinking about religious life. In a way, I wish that I could start it now, but then I think of the time that I would miss out on and being able to spend these last months/years with my family. I don’t want to be hasty, but this has creeped up on me these last few months. I know religious life will be difficult. It will be nothing like the secular life with it’s conveniences and follies. But, this actually comforts me. I have told my mom and grandmother several times that I dislike how our world has seeped into laziness and selfish desires. Jesus lived a life of sacrifice, and I cannot wait to give everything I have to Him in order to pursue holiness.

Is it crazy for me to want to leave now before I have everything situated, when I know that it isn’t feasible? What do I do? I am trying to finish up my short study to become a nursing assistant. I need to pay off about $1,500 worth of debt to the credit union. No religious community would accept me now anyways. I know I need to wait this out, but how do I combat this rushing of my emotions?

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Also, I should mention that I have found a community with whom I am discerning. I have told the monastery superior my history and she hasn’t told me anything that would suggest that I don’t have a vocation. In fact, she is encouraging me to come and meet them so I can know for sure. This makes me very happy to know that someone believes that I do have a vocation. In fact, my aunt/godmother has done the same. She continues to encourage me to move towards my religious vocation. I am overcome with love for Jesus and giving up everything to pursue Him alone is what I believe He wants me to do. My heart is on fire for Him!

 

[water]

I know I need to wait this out, but how do I combat this rushing of my emotions?

Talk to your spiritual director. He/she will guide you.

 

[Trishie]

May the Holy Spirit guide you and the Carmelites regarding your vocation. If your are accepted your nursing training may be valuable for the Carmelite community. I ask St Therese to intercede for you. her enforced waith was painful to her but she used it well, with God’s grace.

 

[Inity]

I share almost the same feelings and I find nothing bad in them. I won’t miss my family, because I’m lonely and only have few close friends who would probably miss me. I don’t enjoy secular life for long time already, though I’m a bit afraid of religious life in the future. I don’t know if I would fit in the community and if I’d be able to do things connected with Dominican charism - I mean, preaching/teaching… because it will be hard to do in foreign language. And I’m a bit scared of leaving my home country for long time. But I have almost no chances for religious life in Russia. I made contact with sisters in Tambov, though - and if I will not succeed in Italy, I will visit them. The problem is that their main house is in Poland, and joining them would mean studying in Poland for several years. Polish language is much more difficult for me to learn than italian. Their superiors are in Poland, and I can only guess how I’d be able to communicate with them, even if I visit Poland - I’m not ready to study polish… Well, I can only put my hopes in Christ and St.Dominic…
1500$ is not too much of a debt… I have to pay a bit less, and I plan to finish it off in few months. And russian salaries aren’t very high. If you’d get a job as a nurse, I guess you’d be free of debt soon!
It’s great to feel burning love to Christ. I really envy you =)

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Thank you all for your suggestions Unfortunately, I do not have a spiritual director yet, but I’m trying to find one. I am planning to set up an appointment for Confession outside of normal Confession day (Saturday) some time this week, so whatever priest is assigned to the duty, I will ask for advice on how to find a S.D.

I got two promising emails today from the Prioress at the Savannah Monastery. She sent me a link to the monastery’s association of Carmels. I found some recent pictures of the order, and their habit is just gorgeous. (mary-queen-of-carmel-assoc.org/savannah/index.htm) Everytime I learn more about them, my heart continues to grow with love for them. I know that unless someone else goes there that’s about my age, I will be the youngest one in the order. This doesn’t bother me because I get along better with older people, anyway. But, it would be nice to have someone there who could be a postulant and novice with me Please tell your friends about this beautiful order. They may be small, but they are a close-knit family. Please keep them in your prayers on the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila on Oct. 15.

I got another email from Sr. Joann with some prayer intentions that she would like me to help with. Is it ok to say that she believes I have a vocation with them? I really hope that I do! Ah, I can’t wait to get up there and see them in person. I thought about them earlier today, and was just glowing peacefully inside. I’ve also been praying internally for 3 women in Kenya who are trying to get visas next week. They are transfers from a Carmel there. The other 2 women from Kenya can be seen in the pictures in the link above. Please keep them in your prayers as well, that they can get here. Thank you!!!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Thank you all for your suggestions Unfortunately, I do not have a spiritual director yet, but I’m trying to find one. I am planning to set up an appointment for Confession outside of normal Confession day (Saturday) some time this week, so whatever priest is assigned to the duty, I will ask for advice on how to find a S.D.

I got two promising emails today from the Prioress at the Savannah Monastery. She sent me a link to the monastery’s association of Carmels. I found some recent pictures of the order, and their habit is just gorgeous. (mary-queen-of-carmel-assoc.org/savannah/index.htm) Everytime I learn more about them, my heart continues to grow with love for them. I know that unless someone else goes there that’s about my age, I will be the youngest one in the order. This doesn’t bother me because I get along better with older people, anyway. But, it would be nice to have someone there who could be a postulant and novice with me Please tell your friends about this beautiful order. They may be small, but they are a close-knit family. Please keep them in your prayers on the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila on Oct. 15.

I got another email from Sr. Joann with some prayer intentions that she would like me to help with. Is it ok to say that she believes I have a vocation with them? I really hope that I do! Ah, I can’t wait to get up there and see them in person. I thought about them earlier today, and was just glowing peacefully inside. I’ve also been praying internally for 3 women in Kenya who are trying to get visas next week. They are transfers from a Carmel there. The other 2 women from Kenya can be seen in the pictures in the link above. Please keep them in your prayers as well, that they can get here. Thank you!!!

CarmeliteGirl25

Again… as many have posted… you really first and formost must find a competant spiritual director. You should be able to call your vocations office in your diocese and explain your need and ask if possible to find one who follows the carmelite rule.Most communities you ultimately apply to is going to want to talk to your spiritual director.

As so many people besides myself have said??? A spiritual director can help to first validate the call. And then even more importantly help you to develope a plan. I think that will help you in the long run that is to say… if you develope a plan you will not feel so like you are spinning your wheels
Blessings of Peace and Good!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

CarmeliteGirl25

Again… as many have posted… you really first and formost must find a competant spiritual director. You should be able to call your vocations office in your diocese and explain your need and ask if possible to find one who follows the carmelite rule.Most communities you ultimately apply to is going to want to talk to your spiritual director.

As so many people besides myself have said??? A spiritual director can help to first validate the call. And then even more importantly help you to develope a plan. I think that will help you in the long run that is to say… if you develope a plan you will not feel so like you are spinning your wheels
Blessings of Peace and Good!

Thanks, Poor Clare tobe. About a month ago, I was recommended to a Dominican sister in my diocese and she was supposed to be my spiritual director. The nice thing was that she was at my old church down the street from my house, where she worked as a Social Ministries Coordinator. My car has broken down, and it would have been nice to be able to just walk there, but I recently discovered that she is no longer at the Church! She’s back in her convent, and a lay member has been assigned her old job. I contacted the vocations office to see if they would recommend another, and they just gave me her phone number again. It is not feasible right now to use her as my SD. I cannot get 30 miles on foot to the place where she is. It’s rather frustrating. I really want to ask one of the younger priests in my old Church if he would be able to do it. He and I have talked before, and he has really given me good advice in the past, so I know I can talk to him. He’s the one I’m planning to call for Confession too. It’s not that I have a preference of Confessors, but I do want to have a preference of spiritual directors, especially when they are entrusted with helping me in my vocation. Don’t worry! I will get one, sooner rather than later. Right now, I’m just discussing things with Sr. Joann. I have no commitments to enter their order, and I probably won’t for at least a year or two. God bless!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Thanks, Poor Clare tobe. About a month ago, I was recommended to a Dominican sister in my diocese and she was supposed to be my spiritual director. The nice thing was that she was at my old church down the street from my house, where she worked as a Social Ministries Coordinator. My car has broken down, and it would have been nice to be able to just walk there, but I recently discovered that she is no longer at the Church! She’s back in her convent, and a lay member has been assigned her old job. I contacted the vocations office to see if they would recommend another, and they just gave me her phone number again. It is not feasible right now to use her as my SD. I cannot get 30 miles on foot to the place where she is. It’s rather frustrating. I really want to ask one of the younger priests in my old Church if he would be able to do it. He and I have talked before, and he has really given me good advice in the past, so I know I can talk to him. He’s the one I’m planning to call for Confession too. It’s not that I have a preference of Confessors, but I do want to have a preference of spiritual directors, especially when they are entrusted with helping me in my vocation. Don’t worry! I will get one, sooner rather than later. Right now, I’m just discussing things with Sr. Joann. I have no commitments to enter their order, and I probably won’t for at least a year or two. God bless!

Good to Hear! and Blessings on Your Search!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Thank you all for your help. It’s so important to keep our heads and hearts in alignment when we are considering our vocation. If our hearts say one thing and our minds say another, then we have problems. The best thing to do, if you are conflicted, is to follow your heart, which I have learned by experience. I have found that God speaks to my heart so much through any of the sisters or priests I’ve talked to. Even my teacher, who I am getting my CNA program from, wanted to be a nun earlier in life (she still experiences the call; I asked her if she was ever planning to pursue it, and she gave an indefinite answer). She gave me some wonderful advice and I’ve grown closer to her. It’s important to talk to people. Had I not discussed my vocation with her (and I have no idea why I did in the first place, LOL), I would have never learned about her! God is amazing!



This picture is of Sr. Joann, the prioress of the Savannah Carmel, with the two nuns who recently transferred from Kenya. Keep the other 3 in your prayers please!