C
Camelite_love
Guest
Share with us your discernment so far or those who are entering a community.
Tell us alittle about your vocation search and live-ins so far
- Status
Share with us your discernment so far or those who are entering a community.
C
CarmeliteGirl25
Guest
My discernment has lasted about a year and a half, and the informal discernment has ended this past month! I finally found the community that I believe Jesus is calling me to after receiving many signs, inwardly and outwardly, that the convent was THE place. 
My home is with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Wauwatosa (Milwaukee), WI. Here is their website:
carmelitedcjnorth.org/
It took me about a year to figure out where Jesus might be calling me. There were several that I was attracted to, but nothing really settled right. I was constantly searching for inner peace and I hadnāt found it yet. Several of those communities were:
Sisters of Life, Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Religious Sisters of Mercy
I felt like I was ignoring my call to the Carmelites for a reason. I didnāt understand it like I thought. I felt like it was too involved for me and I was not worthy of it. Carmel is such a beautiful vocation and I felt like I had done things that made me unworthy to even be called to the life of a Sister. But Jesus spoke to me and said that I knew where Iād find my peace if only Iād just accept it. So, I prayed for Him to send me a sign of where to go. I had gone to a Vocation Retreat with my friend to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in St. Louis, MO, but didnāt feel pulled there, except when I was in the choir with the Sisters. I felt like I still needed to search. After three days of praying, I got a Christmas card on December 22, 2008 that had been mailed the day I started praying! It was from the Carmelite Sisters in Wauwatosa, WI, and it had a little card inside that said, āIs God gently calling you to āCome and Seeā?ā I didnāt need any other sign. I got chills and after a prayer, I contacted them by email to see when their next Vocational Retreat was. They hadnāt scheduled any yet, so I waited for God to make the next move.
I felt compelled to write a letter explaining my discernment process. I mailed it to the Motherhouse and waited to hear from them. I got a call from the Novice Mistress, Sr. Immaculata, and we talked about how I wanted to be a nurse and a Sister, and she explained that they pay for nursing school. She told me she would keep in touch by email so that when they schedule a retreat, she would let me know. About 3 weeks later, I got an email with a notification that the next retreat would be on February 20th, 2009. So I started praying for a way to get there. I have been unemployed for 2 years thanks to this wonderful economy 
so I didnāt really have any money. Then I got a notice in the mail that my Unemployment Compensation claim from 2 years ago was being extended! I didnāt even request it! 
So I signed up for the retreat and bought the tickets, and then waited.
The weekend finally arrived. I got to the Motherhouse and LOVED every minute I shared with the Sisters. I felt I could be myself around them and that they were one large family. The first night I got there, I played a board game with two of the other sisters and another discerner and we had a lot of fun. The next day, we took a tour of the boysā home (one of their apostolates) and listened to talks given by two novices and a visiting Deacon who was to be ordained in May. That day, it snowed and it was so beautiful! I live in Florida, and I hadnāt seen snow in 20 years! It looked like a Winter Wonderland outside. We celebrated Mass and said prayers with the Sisters from the Liturgy of the Hours. We prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet together. I loved it.
I was so sad that I had to leave on Sunday. I got my things packed really early, before Mass and went to the Chapel. I wanted to cry because I didnāt want to leave!
That morning was the most overwhelming because I received the biggest call Iāve ever received in my life! It was Jesus calling me to live this life for Him alone. I was moved to tears during Mass and Adoration. I knew I had to respond. On the way to the airport, I rode alone with the Novice Mistress and I asked her some important questions about health insurance, what the application process is like, etc. She offered me an application for admission and said that when I was ready, all I had to do was ask. I told her I would, very soon. Well, I got out of the car, walked into the airport, and went through security. I went to the restroom and cried my eyes out for about 3 minutes and they were tears of joy and relief. I called my mom and told her I was on my way back home and that I had some wonderful news to share. When I got home, I wanted to go back. I hated being apart from them and I knew that I couldnāt wait any longer to apply, so I emailed Sr. Immaculata and requested an application. I got it a week later and I sent it back on March 13th.
My soul longed for this separation from the world so that I could focus on my sanctification and my relationship with the Beloved. What I found so moving was that He wanted me to still be part of the world and take care of the elderly and the children who have lost their way. I donāt deserve this but I couldnāt and will not turn away from it.
I am going to their East Chicago, IN home for girls and children to work and pay off my debts to the bank so that I can enter when and if the Lord wills it. I am so excited! I get to live and work very closely with the Sisters and I will be living in the convent (kind of like a live-in, but itās not cloistered). Iāll be there from May 16th-June 26th, and I cannot wait!!! Some of my Sisters have told me that I will most likely hear whether Iām accepted while Iām there since I have not met the Provincial Superior yet, and she works at the home. Iāve emailed the Superior several times and she is very warm and cordial, so I donāt foresee a problem. I am over the moon that I took this leap of faith!
My home is with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Wauwatosa (Milwaukee), WI. Here is their website:carmelitedcjnorth.org/
It took me about a year to figure out where Jesus might be calling me. There were several that I was attracted to, but nothing really settled right. I was constantly searching for inner peace and I hadnāt found it yet. Several of those communities were:
Sisters of Life, Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Religious Sisters of Mercy
I felt like I was ignoring my call to the Carmelites for a reason. I didnāt understand it like I thought. I felt like it was too involved for me and I was not worthy of it. Carmel is such a beautiful vocation and I felt like I had done things that made me unworthy to even be called to the life of a Sister. But Jesus spoke to me and said that I knew where Iād find my peace if only Iād just accept it. So, I prayed for Him to send me a sign of where to go. I had gone to a Vocation Retreat with my friend to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in St. Louis, MO, but didnāt feel pulled there, except when I was in the choir with the Sisters. I felt like I still needed to search. After three days of praying, I got a Christmas card on December 22, 2008 that had been mailed the day I started praying! It was from the Carmelite Sisters in Wauwatosa, WI, and it had a little card inside that said, āIs God gently calling you to āCome and Seeā?ā I didnāt need any other sign. I got chills and after a prayer, I contacted them by email to see when their next Vocational Retreat was. They hadnāt scheduled any yet, so I waited for God to make the next move.
I felt compelled to write a letter explaining my discernment process. I mailed it to the Motherhouse and waited to hear from them. I got a call from the Novice Mistress, Sr. Immaculata, and we talked about how I wanted to be a nurse and a Sister, and she explained that they pay for nursing school.
She told me she would keep in touch by email so that when they schedule a retreat, she would let me know. About 3 weeks later, I got an email with a notification that the next retreat would be on February 20th, 2009. So I started praying for a way to get there. I have been unemployed for 2 years thanks to this wonderful economy so I didnāt really have any money. Then I got a notice in the mail that my Unemployment Compensation claim from 2 years ago was being extended! I didnāt even request it! So I signed up for the retreat and bought the tickets, and then waited.The weekend finally arrived. I got to the Motherhouse and LOVED every minute I shared with the Sisters. I felt I could be myself around them and that they were one large family. The first night I got there, I played a board game with two of the other sisters and another discerner and we had a lot of fun. The next day, we took a tour of the boysā home (one of their apostolates) and listened to talks given by two novices and a visiting Deacon who was to be ordained in May. That day, it snowed and it was so beautiful! I live in Florida, and I hadnāt seen snow in 20 years! It looked like a Winter Wonderland outside.
We celebrated Mass and said prayers with the Sisters from the Liturgy of the Hours. We prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet together. I loved it.I was so sad that I had to leave on Sunday. I got my things packed really early, before Mass and went to the Chapel. I wanted to cry because I didnāt want to leave!
That morning was the most overwhelming because I received the biggest call Iāve ever received in my life! It was Jesus calling me to live this life for Him alone. I was moved to tears during Mass and Adoration. I knew I had to respond. On the way to the airport, I rode alone with the Novice Mistress and I asked her some important questions about health insurance, what the application process is like, etc. She offered me an application for admission and said that when I was ready, all I had to do was ask. I told her I would, very soon. Well, I got out of the car, walked into the airport, and went through security. I went to the restroom and cried my eyes out for about 3 minutes and they were tears of joy and relief. I called my mom and told her I was on my way back home and that I had some wonderful news to share. When I got home, I wanted to go back. I hated being apart from them and I knew that I couldnāt wait any longer to apply, so I emailed Sr. Immaculata and requested an application. I got it a week later and I sent it back on March 13th.My soul longed for this separation from the world so that I could focus on my sanctification and my relationship with the Beloved. What I found so moving was that He wanted me to still be part of the world and take care of the elderly and the children who have lost their way. I donāt deserve this but I couldnāt and will not turn away from it.
I am going to their East Chicago, IN home for girls and children to work and pay off my debts to the bank so that I can enter when and if the Lord wills it. I am so excited! I get to live and work very closely with the Sisters and I will be living in the convent (kind of like a live-in, but itās not cloistered). Iāll be there from May 16th-June 26th, and I cannot wait!!!
Some of my Sisters have told me that I will most likely hear whether Iām accepted while Iām there since I have not met the Provincial Superior yet, and she works at the home. Iāve emailed the Superior several times and she is very warm and cordial, so I donāt foresee a problem. I am over the moon that I took this leap of faith!
C
Camelite_love
Guest
How are things going in your discernment CarmeliteGirl you never updated us? or maybe you have entered already!
or maybe you have entered already!
D
DaughterOfMary6
Guest
I am formerly CarmeliteGirl25. Since last year, a lot of things have changed. I am no longer discerning with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus after being with their apostolate for 3 days and feeling uneasy (it wasnāt for me). I came home and re-evaluated my plans. I went on another vocation retreat with another community, but right now, I am taking some time away from discernment to work full-time. I am not sure anymore if I am called to religious life. Please pray for me.
L
littlequestion
Guest
You know, DaughterofMary, I went through something like that, and I was upset that the order I discerned had not even answered my letters (never mind finding me unfit for their community) and then, guess what? When I went looking for some other information online, some links popped up that showed me that the community had gone in a completely different direction from what it was when I knew them, some years ago. So it wasnāt about me or my āfitnessā at all.Since then I have poked around the whole idea with other communities because my discernment of a consecrated life has not left me, but what the Holy Spirit is showing me is that there are more ways for us to serve than in an existing community. I pulled back from a conscious pursuit of that life and started just constructing my life around a consecrated center and suddenly among my friends and new aquaintances there is a blossoming of community.
I had no idea my best friendās protestant church includes devotion to saints until she happened to see my devotional booklet about Ste Therese and exclaimed her own love of that saint. And she prays the Rosary. Then I was basically sent to a particular school to get my training (told by my emplooyment counselor that the school I wanted was not right and sent to the one he wanted) and discovered that it is run by a devout Catholic couple. Now this was not at all expected, because the employment counselor is not Catholic at all and is one of those infuriating bureaucrats who keep me in the Confessional line for sins against patience and forbearance, etc
and he does not know I am Catholic.So sitting here going over an inventory of the people I spend time with, I can see that the Catholic community of prayer and service that I hoped to join is forming itself around me.
I now seek only to keep a solitary path in this lovely garden that seems only to bloom when I leave it aloneā¦
So I will pray for you in my rosary this evening and I hope that my words are encouraging to you while you work and wait for answers.
J
Jennifer_G
Guest
Havenāt had any live-ins yet, but Iām -->.<-- this close to being pushed over the edge to start sending letters to Carmel (Rochester, Port Tobacco, Flemington to name a few). Iāve been informally discerning since about a half year before I became Catholic, and learned a lot during that time, but I feel a certain sense of āurgencyā (besides the fact that Iām 33ā¦) to join a convent. Not the best word for it, but more of a stronger pull (or push).
Iāve discerned both the spiritual and logical (secular, maybe? I found something like this looking at the Lafayette Carmel discernment site.) aspects of it.
Spiritually -
Iāve always felt called lead a more prayerful life since I was a teenager
I feel closer to Jesus the more I see the immorality of the world
I feel like I can do something āmoreā than what Iām doing now (computer programmer, but itās administrative work)
Iāve felt this whisper or pull ever since RCIA
I have a devotion to the Rosary and brown scapular (probably the very first things about the Catholic faith that I learned about. I think Mary led me to it. It was Our Lady of Mt. Carmel).
I enjoy prayer
Iām always meditating on scripture - even at work!!!
I feel āat homeā in front of the Blessed Sacrament
A more logical viewā¦
Transportation (long story short, disability. I donāt drive) would eat up a good chunk of my day since Iād have to worry about who can take me where, how much ābuffer timeā do I give myself incase the ride comes early/late, and so on.
Spiritual Health (could go in the other list). I live with my family. One is Lutheran, but is a bit on the liberal side (ELCA). One was Catholic, but now I donāt know how Iād classify him (religion isnāt important to him). The other is a self professed āanimistā and has a Muslim colleuage (unnoficial āboyfriendā) thatās been to our house frequently. The three (family members) also have odd common beliefs, like reincarnation. I donāt think itās healthy to be around thatā¦
Constant distractions from being pulled away to fix a computer they broke, to hearing the Lordās name used in vain (even crude jokes heard on some adult cartoons), reading of horoscopes, to laughter and carrying on, to hearing jokes about confession and the sacraments (aimed towards me, usually after going to church or confession. This person usually takes me to church since thereās no one else to do so.). Much of this while Iām trying to pray. Never seems to failā¦
In a way, what concerns me is that I donāt want to go off to a Carmel as a form of escape. Thatās why Iām still on the fence.
With the said transportation issue above, my schedule would be so tight, that Iād feel rushed with my prayers.
Personal drivers and/or taxis are expensive.
I donāt think Iād find retirement life fulfilling, either.
Iāve discerned both the spiritual and logical (secular, maybe? I found something like this looking at the Lafayette Carmel discernment site.) aspects of it.
Spiritually -
Iāve always felt called lead a more prayerful life since I was a teenager
I feel closer to Jesus the more I see the immorality of the world
I feel like I can do something āmoreā than what Iām doing now (computer programmer, but itās administrative work)
Iāve felt this whisper or pull ever since RCIA
I have a devotion to the Rosary and brown scapular (probably the very first things about the Catholic faith that I learned about. I think Mary led me to it. It was Our Lady of Mt. Carmel).
I enjoy prayer
Iām always meditating on scripture - even at work!!!
I feel āat homeā in front of the Blessed Sacrament
A more logical viewā¦
Transportation (long story short, disability. I donāt drive) would eat up a good chunk of my day since Iād have to worry about who can take me where, how much ābuffer timeā do I give myself incase the ride comes early/late, and so on.
Spiritual Health (could go in the other list). I live with my family. One is Lutheran, but is a bit on the liberal side (ELCA). One was Catholic, but now I donāt know how Iād classify him (religion isnāt important to him). The other is a self professed āanimistā and has a Muslim colleuage (unnoficial āboyfriendā) thatās been to our house frequently. The three (family members) also have odd common beliefs, like reincarnation. I donāt think itās healthy to be around thatā¦
Constant distractions from being pulled away to fix a computer they broke, to hearing the Lordās name used in vain (even crude jokes heard on some adult cartoons), reading of horoscopes, to laughter and carrying on, to hearing jokes about confession and the sacraments (aimed towards me, usually after going to church or confession. This person usually takes me to church since thereās no one else to do so.). Much of this while Iām trying to pray. Never seems to failā¦
In a way, what concerns me is that I donāt want to go off to a Carmel as a form of escape. Thatās why Iām still on the fence.With the said transportation issue above, my schedule would be so tight, that Iād feel rushed with my prayers.
Personal drivers and/or taxis are expensive.
I donāt think Iād find retirement life fulfilling, either.
C
Camelite_love
Guest
I think I remember you from Phatmass, I am not a member there but have looked at some posts in the past. Glad to hear your discernment is going well. Once in a while people ask for you on that other phatmass thing if your the same person I am reading off? Inhislove or something like that?
C
Camelite_love
Guest
heres a new video of that the community you said you where discerning with.
youtube.com/user/carmeliteangel#p/a/u/0/_zHdPVflyoE
youtube.com/user/carmeliteangel#p/a/u/0/_zHdPVflyoE
A
anode
Guest
I think that you would be helped by visiting Carmels as soon as you can get an invite and the cashāI think that such visits would help to clear up the good reasons and less-good reasons why youāre interested. And, as they say in the movies, there is probably a Carmel near you!Havenāt had any live-ins yet, but Iām -->.<-- this close to being pushed over the edge to start sending letters to Carmel (Rochester, Port Tobacco, Flemington to name a few). Iāve been informally discerning since about a half year before I became Catholic, and learned a lot during that time, but I feel a certain sense of āurgencyā (besides the fact that Iām 33ā¦) to join a convent. Not the best word for it, but more of a stronger pull (or push).
Iāve discerned both the spiritual and logical (secular, maybe? I found something like this looking at the Lafayette Carmel discernment site.) aspects of it.
Spiritually -
Iāve always felt called lead a more prayerful life since I was a teenager
I feel closer to Jesus the more I see the immorality of the world
I feel like I can do something āmoreā than what Iām doing now (computer programmer, but itās administrative work)
Iāve felt this whisper or pull ever since RCIA
I have a devotion to the Rosary and brown scapular (probably the very first things about the Catholic faith that I learned about. I think Mary led me to it. It was Our Lady of Mt. Carmel).
I enjoy prayer
Iām always meditating on scripture - even at work!!!
I feel āat homeā in front of the Blessed Sacrament
A more logical viewā¦
Transportation (long story short, disability. I donāt drive) would eat up a good chunk of my day since Iād have to worry about who can take me where, how much ābuffer timeā do I give myself incase the ride comes early/late, and so on.
Spiritual Health (could go in the other list). I live with my family. One is Lutheran, but is a bit on the liberal side (ELCA). One was Catholic, but now I donāt know how Iād classify him (religion isnāt important to him). The other is a self professed āanimistā and has a Muslim colleuage (unnoficial āboyfriendā) thatās been to our house frequently. The three (family members) also have odd common beliefs, like reincarnation. I donāt think itās healthy to be around thatā¦
Constant distractions from being pulled away to fix a computer they broke, to hearing the Lordās name used in vain (even crude jokes heard on some adult cartoons), reading of horoscopes, to laughter and carrying on, to hearing jokes about confession and the sacraments (aimed towards me, usually after going to church or confession. This person usually takes me to church since thereās no one else to do so.). Much of this while Iām trying to pray. Never seems to failā¦
With the said transportation issue above, my schedule would be so tight, that Iād feel rushed with my prayers.
Personal drivers and/or taxis are expensive.
I donāt think Iād find retirement life fulfilling, either.
A
AidanM32
Guest
Hello there,
Iām 15 years old and i have a feeling that God is calling me to become a priest, but as you know iām still young and i have a lot of time to think about this.
This past year I have been having strong feelings; God is calling me to pray, i have been trying to pray the Rosary dailyā¦ but some times miss a few days, and i find the religious life very interesting, and I look at the priests at mass and say to myself ādo I want to be a priest and live a holy lifeāā¦ but I do think about getting married and having children, but maybe God wants me to think about my life, and make the right choice for myself.
But i just hope that God leads me in the right direction in life.
Aidan
Iām 15 years old and i have a feeling that God is calling me to become a priest, but as you know iām still young and i have a lot of time to think about this.
This past year I have been having strong feelings; God is calling me to pray, i have been trying to pray the Rosary dailyā¦ but some times miss a few days, and i find the religious life very interesting, and I look at the priests at mass and say to myself ādo I want to be a priest and live a holy lifeāā¦ but I do think about getting married and having children, but maybe God wants me to think about my life, and make the right choice for myself.
But i just hope that God leads me in the right direction in life.
Aidan
J
Jennifer_G
Guest
Nope, I use the same nick on both forums.I think I remember you from Phatmass, I am not a member there but have looked at some posts in the past. Glad to hear your discernment is going well. Once in a while people ask for you on that other phatmass thing if your the same person I am reading off? Inhislove or something like that?
C
Camelite_love
Guest
Sorry I was referring to Daughter of Mary 6!!
C
CDNowak
Guest
I spent 10 months in a Cistercian Monastery. It was very useful time for me spiritually and as far as my vocational discernment.
The community was very small, mixed nationalities (ie, no more than two from the same country until 4-5 months in, when a third American joined). It was a āmixedā life as well, as the monks ran a parish (on -]the same/-] āadjacentā property).
In the end it was a little too mixed for me, to much conflict between the sublimity of the monastic vocation (which part of me wants to pursue to the desert) and the paternity of the parochial vocation (which, having prayed about is where I seem to be headed).
The community was very small, mixed nationalities (ie, no more than two from the same country until 4-5 months in, when a third American joined). It was a āmixedā life as well, as the monks ran a parish (on -]the same/-] āadjacentā property).
In the end it was a little too mixed for me, to much conflict between the sublimity of the monastic vocation (which part of me wants to pursue to the desert) and the paternity of the parochial vocation (which, having prayed about is where I seem to be headed).
- Status