Wow, I feel overwhelmed with all the responses, both the research and inspiration!
I’ve considered trying to do both- possibly becoming a dentist for an order like the Sisters of Mercy in Alma, Michigan, where most of the sisters are physicians, lawyers, etc. I could use my talent and still follow my call.
To be honest, though, I’ve questioned whether by doing that I would be trying to ‘eat my cake and have it, too.’ I don’t mean to say that others who work as professionals and become sisters are doing the same. It’s just that I don’t know that I personally have the call to work as a professional…
A religious who takes something with her into religious life-- if she is being faithful-- never works merely as a professional. I know some religious who have degrees in biology and other ‘secular’ fields. But you’re right, if you mean you’re not sure you want to do the work of whatever that profession is. Besides, when it comes down to it, you’re under obedience. If your order ultimately doesn’t need you in that capacity, you may not end up working in that position, and who knows what you’ll be doing. What’s important is to be docile to alternative possibilities. IF anything, I think that it is possible that religious who have degrees or expertise prior to becoming religious, may sometimes find it a bit tiring to have to keep providing their prior expertise while in religious life… and in some ways
that can become a cross. After all, if the order you are in has a need, and you are the only one who can fill it, who are you to argue with them, even if you’d rather be doing something more like whatever ‘typical’ religious life is? Who knows what will happen.
I feel something of a call to be a contemplative. I think my pride is holding me back from letting go of ‘all the good I could do’ if I just follow my own plan.
Perhaps. I find the
idea of the purely cloistered, contemplative life to be very beautiful. But honestly, when I think about it a little more, and see it really up close, I realize that my personality is unsuited for such a life. For instance, I watched the video on the Carthusians, “Into Great Silence,” and read the book “An Infinity of Little Hours”-- and I came away with the same impression, namely, that it wasn’t for me.
Don’t think that you have to find the most extreme, austere, or contemplative order. The question is what is best
for you, as the person
you are.
Do me a favor, and check out this
Dominican community in Linden, VA. Someone pointed them out to me. They are contemplative. They have newly decided to reappropriate their ancient monastic practice… of the night office. They rise at 3:30 am for Matins. So wonderful.
I’d love to hear from any ladies about these nuns, but at the same time, I’d love to refer people to them, hoping that someone finds them a good fit.
Do you pray the liturgy of the hours (the divine office)? If you think you might be called to religious life, period, and contemplative life, especially, your life will revolve around praying the liturgy of the hours. Start praying it now, get in the ‘habit’ of doing so, and you never know… you might suddenly find contemplative life more appealing. (And I don’t want to prod you to reveal private details about your prayer life otherwise, but it’s also good to have a hearty amount of time dedicated to meditative prayer every day. As it is, prayer is the most fundamental of the nuts and bolts of religious life, period, and so it’s really the best preparation you can make).
I also wonder if I can wait that long. Four years (the time I’d be in dental school) seems like such a long time to wait when I feel the call NOW.
Haha, very true. Is it just abstract obligation, or duty, which makes you feel you need some expertise? Or do you genuinely want to work in some field?
If you just think you ‘should,’ well, consider again. You may not really want to do this. On the other hand, if you genuinely want to work in some field-- and you’re not just choosing it as some ‘default’ because, heck, an academic who isn’t entering religious life needs to have some job, so she might as well pick some field, and this one will do…-- then do consider pursuing it, or at least entering an order which will let you pursue it after you’ve professed. I’m not sure I’ve been clear, but I think you’ll get it.
Anyhow, it’s interesting that Benedictines were mentioned. I had no idea that they taught at all. Strangely enough, a few months ago I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night with the word ‘Benedictine’ VERY clearly in my head. I don’t know if that meant something, but I’m forcing myself to stay open to the idea, and I’ve also considered a few Dominican orders because of their emphasis on learning and academics. I don’t think I have the personality to be a teacher… but who knows! Only God.
Like I said above, there are also the contemplative Dominicans.
But enough with my ridiculous devotion to the Dominicans. You might very well like the Benedictines, or for that matter, the Carmelites, or many other wonderful orders.
Thanks so much for the responses and support. It means so much to me, especially since I haven’t told anyone about this and know that once I do, my family and most of my friends will probably be very opposed to it. I’ll be praying for all of you, also.
Ah. I understand. Pray very hard about this now. Hopefully it will be a trial which purifies both you and your family.
This psalm is about Our Lady and priests and religious sisters. I only included the part about religious sisters in my quote.)
