Seeking advice on discerning my vocation

[Carmen22]

I’m a 22 year old college student. I converted to Catholicism at the age of 18, after making the decision to do so at age 13. It has been the best decision of my life, and probably one of the only times I can truly say I put God first in my life. Ever since I have wondered about my vocation. There have been times I have felt called to be a nun, but other times I have been unable to imagine my future without marriage and a family. I know I want to be a teacher, which is something I can do as a nun or layperson.

I’m just beginning to seriously discern my vocation. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[acarlson]

I’m actually in a very similar position to yours! I’m 22, just graduated college, and converted when I was 17!

First and foremost: spend time with the Lord daily and listen. I can’t emphasize that enough.

Besides that, there’s plenty of resources both here on CAF and online. Here’s a thread that will have PLENTY of them for you! forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=209930

God Bless!

 

[oldgraymare2]

Hi Carmen22,

I would recommend getting a spiritual director to help you at this time.

The first step would be to talk to your pastor for guidance.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Congratulations and good luck in discerning. You might contact a few congregations and go do a retreat with them to experience their life. Might help with perspective.

And keep praying of course…

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I’m a 22 year old college student. I converted to Catholicism at the age of 18, after making the decision to do so at age 13. It has been the best decision of my life, and probably one of the only times I can truly say I put God first in my life. Ever since I have wondered about my vocation. There have been times I have felt called to be a nun, but other times I have been unable to imagine my future without marriage and a family. I know I want to be a teacher, which is something I can do as a nun or layperson.

I’m just beginning to seriously discern my vocation. Any advice? Thanks!

Carmen,

You may be called to religious life or as you say you may be called to marriage. Is there a Newman club on your college campus? or a Catholic Campus minister? You might see if there is a group of Catholics you can get to know…and connect with. (Or if you are still active in your home parish you might talk to your parish priest) Either way there ought to be someone to talk to you and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

I also converted ( a long time ago and in a state far away to make a poor paraphrase, hmm come to think of it 38 years ago today), I was very interested in religious life and was very happy to find a Catholic group of young people on my college campus. Together we got to know the Church better, went to Mass together and each began discernment in our own way at our own pace...  today many of us are in religious life, many are married and some are single for the Lord or some might say single for the sake of the kingdom.

I do hope that you find a priest, nun, sister or group you will be able to talk and interact with.

 

[landon13]

My greatest advice would be to pray. Pray every single day that God will give you the grace to discern your vocation or take the next step in discernment. It is not always as simple as a sudden voice from heaven saying “be a nun” but it is a series of steps taking you from your current state in life to wherever God intends for you.

Pray the rosary daily and, since you are discerning entering a convent, pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
Read the Bible every single day and read it meditatively, allowing God to enter your heart through its words.
Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration every week and dedicate your prayers during it to listening to God’s will in your life.

Also, I would like to recommend for you to read some various spiritual writings which may help. The Diary of St. Faustina is a wonderful work of a nun who was set aside for holiness. It is well worth your time. As well as The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, and the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.

God bless you and I will keep you in my prayers!

 

[itsjustintime]

Recently I found a podcast speaking about vocations. One of the really powerful ideas from this podcast was the importance of paying attention to the dispositions a person has when receiving their sacraments, particularly their first communions. These periods are powerfully laced with God’s graces and oftentimes the seeds of vocation first surfaces during these sacraments (i.e. First Communion, Reconcillation, Confirmation).

Utilizing the sacraments on a recurring basis help to align our desires with those of God’s, so spending time before the blessed sacrament, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation (required annually, recommended monthly or even weekly), and continually practicing a penitential life (atonement for sins through the sacrifices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving). These are all things that draw our hearts closer to that of Jesus, the heart wherein the truth of our vocation, love, and salvation lies.

 

[_Gemma]

Hi Carmen
I’m 22 and converted and was baptized when I was 21.
I first felt called to religious life early in my conversion but I was unsure, so I prayed, read Catholic books, read about saints, found out about orders of Nuns and Religious sisters, prayed the rosary, went to adoration, prayed a lot and attended daily mass when I could.
The last two months I felt an overwhelming desire to be a Sister, so I contacted the Order I’m interested in to find out more. I have to wait at least another year before being considered since it’s a general rule to wait 2-3 years after being confirmed.
So this is just my story, I’m set on being a Sister so just pray, pray pray is the best advice I can give and research and visit orders you are interested in to find out if you like the lifestyle .