A
Amata_Child
Guest
Hey everyone…
pray for me …I enter in 2 days!!! (Monday)
pray for me …I enter in 2 days!!! (Monday)
- Status
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Yaayy!:clapping: :dancing: :extrahappy:Hey everyone…
pray for me …I enter in 2 days!!! (Monday)
Congrats! I’ll be praying for you.
God bless you!
Joyful_1
K
Klydewannab
Guest
It was nice to find this thread.
I’m going to be 40 in a few days. I “discerned” in my head for about two years–that is, I mostly argued with God about whether I should or shouldn’t.
I finally picked up a phone and made some phone calls. Yes, it was a little scary. I was thinking, hey, I’m going to quit a job I’ve had for 17 years, sell my house, all my possessions, and enter into the land unknown. Then I realized that is exactly what Moses, Abraham, Ruth, and all 12 apostles did–not to mention many others. So, I said yes.
I explored many communities. Some by visiting, some by phone calls, some through the internet. I finally asked to join the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (BSPA) and I’m waiting for the final say so.
One thing I have learned, is that in larger communities, you are going to find a wide variety of thoughts. Some will be very traditional and orthodox, others may be more liberal, and some may even be a little new agey. You need to be concerned and pray about where God is leading YOU. Maybe He will want you to witness through your dedication to the Pope and the Magisterium. Maybe He wants you to grow in love, and to hear why someone thinks of the Catholic church differently than you or why they practice centering prayer. These women have a lot of wisdom. Maybe you’ll agree with them, maybe you won’t.
Having said that, I should also say, religious life is a little like getting married. You don’t pick a man thinking he’s going to instantly complete you or that you can change him into the man you want him to be. So, don’t pick an order thinking your going to achieve instant holiness or change it to conform to what you think it should be.
At the BSPA there was a plague on the wall that really made me think. It said, “There is everything here to make you a saint, just as it is.”
Sometimes putting up with people whom you don’t see eye-to-eye with–and still loving them-- is what will make you a saint. Though that may take me another 40 years or so.
I’m going to be 40 in a few days. I “discerned” in my head for about two years–that is, I mostly argued with God about whether I should or shouldn’t.
I finally picked up a phone and made some phone calls. Yes, it was a little scary. I was thinking, hey, I’m going to quit a job I’ve had for 17 years, sell my house, all my possessions, and enter into the land unknown. Then I realized that is exactly what Moses, Abraham, Ruth, and all 12 apostles did–not to mention many others. So, I said yes.
I explored many communities. Some by visiting, some by phone calls, some through the internet. I finally asked to join the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (BSPA) and I’m waiting for the final say so.
One thing I have learned, is that in larger communities, you are going to find a wide variety of thoughts. Some will be very traditional and orthodox, others may be more liberal, and some may even be a little new agey. You need to be concerned and pray about where God is leading YOU. Maybe He will want you to witness through your dedication to the Pope and the Magisterium. Maybe He wants you to grow in love, and to hear why someone thinks of the Catholic church differently than you or why they practice centering prayer. These women have a lot of wisdom. Maybe you’ll agree with them, maybe you won’t.
Having said that, I should also say, religious life is a little like getting married. You don’t pick a man thinking he’s going to instantly complete you or that you can change him into the man you want him to be. So, don’t pick an order thinking your going to achieve instant holiness or change it to conform to what you think it should be.
At the BSPA there was a plague on the wall that really made me think. It said, “There is everything here to make you a saint, just as it is.”
Sometimes putting up with people whom you don’t see eye-to-eye with–and still loving them-- is what will make you a saint. Though that may take me another 40 years or so.
K
KiraSana
Guest
Klydewannab,
I’ll be praying for you as you wait for a response from BSPA.
I turn 30 this year and am at the very beginning of actively discerning my vocation. I was raised and baptized evangelical Protestant, so I always assumed I would get married and have a family someday. However, most of the time, I loved being single and being free to serve God in the church. While my friends, siblings, etc. got married and have started families, I believe God gave me the grace to be content set aside for Him as a single person. I would occasionally dream about being able to serve God and others in full-time ministry, but there is no religious life in for most Protestants.
Now that I am entering into full communion with the Catholic Church this Easter, a few months ago starting actively considering my vocation. It’s kind of ironic, the first question my mom asked me when she found out I was converting was whether I was going to become a nun. I hadn’t considered it at that point (and, honestly, didn’t really want to), but I couldn’t promise her it wouldn’t happen. She asked me three times over about a month; each time I gave her the same response. Some other things happened around the same time, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Because I am just now entering the Church, I am trying to be very careful in discerning between the excitement of conversion and the possibility of a true calling. I know this process will most likely take years, and I am good with that. As you said, you wouldn’t run right out and commit the rest of your life to someone in marriage without getting to know and love them. Similarly, I believe there are many ways to parallel discerning whether I am called to religious life to dating/courting to discern marriage.
I’ll be praying for you as you wait for a response from BSPA.
I turn 30 this year and am at the very beginning of actively discerning my vocation. I was raised and baptized evangelical Protestant, so I always assumed I would get married and have a family someday. However, most of the time, I loved being single and being free to serve God in the church. While my friends, siblings, etc. got married and have started families, I believe God gave me the grace to be content set aside for Him as a single person. I would occasionally dream about being able to serve God and others in full-time ministry, but there is no religious life in for most Protestants.
Now that I am entering into full communion with the Catholic Church this Easter, a few months ago starting actively considering my vocation. It’s kind of ironic, the first question my mom asked me when she found out I was converting was whether I was going to become a nun. I hadn’t considered it at that point (and, honestly, didn’t really want to), but I couldn’t promise her it wouldn’t happen. She asked me three times over about a month; each time I gave her the same response. Some other things happened around the same time, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Because I am just now entering the Church, I am trying to be very careful in discerning between the excitement of conversion and the possibility of a true calling. I know this process will most likely take years, and I am good with that. As you said, you wouldn’t run right out and commit the rest of your life to someone in marriage without getting to know and love them. Similarly, I believe there are many ways to parallel discerning whether I am called to religious life to dating/courting to discern marriage.
K
Klydewannab
Guest
Amen, KiraSana
By the way, welcome to the Church!
When I was younger, I thought I would be married too. Not really because I wanted a man in my life–I was way to independent for that
--but I really wanted children.
Well, God always answers the desires of your heart. I became a teacher, and I have loads of children–none of whom I have to clothe, feed or send to college–but they do fill my heart.
Surprisingly, I’m not being called to a teaching order, but a comtemplative order.
By the way, welcome to the Church!
When I was younger, I thought I would be married too. Not really because I wanted a man in my life–I was way to independent for that
--but I really wanted children.Well, God always answers the desires of your heart. I became a teacher, and I have loads of children–none of whom I have to clothe, feed or send to college–but they do fill my heart.
Surprisingly, I’m not being called to a teaching order, but a comtemplative order.
K
KiraSana
Guest
I know what you mean. I thought I wanted to be married and have a family - I really wanted children. I have four nieces and nephews and LOVE them to pieces! I love spending time with them and teaching them things. So when I couldn’t shake the thought about entering religious life, I was grieved at the thought of not having children. Then I heard a young sister say she had similar thoughts and feelings until another sister reminded her that by following God’s call for her life, she would have many more spiritual children. It was then I realized my primary reason for wanting children was to love them, teach them about God, and raise them to be holy. After that, I was at complete peace with the idea of remaining single and devoting myself exclusively to loving and serving God.
Up until now, I have worked in the legal field. I have always loved studying, researching, and using that knowledge to help others. However, I also have a love of sharing with others what I know. Now, as I discern my vocation, I am very much drawn to the Dominicans - their balance between active and contemplative, study, prayer, and preaching is very appealing to me. Specifically, I am very interested in those communities that have a teaching apostolate. We shall see!
Up until now, I have worked in the legal field. I have always loved studying, researching, and using that knowledge to help others. However, I also have a love of sharing with others what I know. Now, as I discern my vocation, I am very much drawn to the Dominicans - their balance between active and contemplative, study, prayer, and preaching is very appealing to me. Specifically, I am very interested in those communities that have a teaching apostolate. We shall see!
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Here is something my dad said to me when I was talking to him about my possible vocation. I thought it was really good so I’m sharing it with you. He said,“Seek the Lord with all your heart, then follow your heart.”
It was a really good thing to say to someone like me whose mind is all in a tizzy over what I’m supposed to do with my life. If you just seek God, you are bound to find Him because He wants to be with you more than you want to be with Him.
The secret of the Lord is with them that seek Him and He will show them His covenant.:bowdown:
God Bless
Joyful_1
It was a really good thing to say to someone like me whose mind is all in a tizzy over what I’m supposed to do with my life. If you just seek God, you are bound to find Him because He wants to be with you more than you want to be with Him.
The secret of the Lord is with them that seek Him and He will show them His covenant.:bowdown:
God Bless
Joyful_1
K
Klydewannab
Guest
A very wise father!
Here was my thought this morning as I was driving to work. Do you sometimes think of entering religious life, or a particular community, because you feel that it offers something you lack? I don’t want to say “it completes you” because that is a little passive and romantic sounding–plus a little too Jerry McGuire. I’m just saying, one of my spiritual weak areas is social justice. The community I’ve asked to join does land conservation, they’ve allowed wind turbines to be installed on their property, even though they may not directly benefit, they do a lot of recycling, they have soup once a week and give money that would otherwise be spent on a larger meal to the poor, and probably other things too. So, I guess I see it as a place where I can grow in holiness, to continue growing in my strengths, but also a community where my weaknesses will be challenged and given a chance to grow. Anyone feel like that?
Also, I would like to know if any of you have had any difficulty finding spiritual direction. I am having an awful time.
Here was my thought this morning as I was driving to work. Do you sometimes think of entering religious life, or a particular community, because you feel that it offers something you lack? I don’t want to say “it completes you” because that is a little passive and romantic sounding–plus a little too Jerry McGuire. I’m just saying, one of my spiritual weak areas is social justice. The community I’ve asked to join does land conservation, they’ve allowed wind turbines to be installed on their property, even though they may not directly benefit, they do a lot of recycling, they have soup once a week and give money that would otherwise be spent on a larger meal to the poor, and probably other things too. So, I guess I see it as a place where I can grow in holiness, to continue growing in my strengths, but also a community where my weaknesses will be challenged and given a chance to grow. Anyone feel like that?
Also, I would like to know if any of you have had any difficulty finding spiritual direction. I am having an awful time.
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Hmmm. I sometimes think I am trying to choose a religious community that does the things I want to do. I’ve never really thought about trying to challenge myself. That is a good idea, though. I will have to keep that in mind. I wonder what I would need to challenge myself to do?
YES!!! I have been having a very hard time figuring out how to find a really good spiritual director. Part of the reason for that is I live quite a ways from any significant civilization so I would have a hard time meeting with anyone very frequently. There is a priest, though, that lives about 30 mins. from here who I suspect would make an exellent SD. I just need to find a good reason to have my dad drive me down there (he won’t let me make a special trip).
There is a really good thread on that subject called The logistics of finding a spiritual advisor that helped me a lot!
God Bless
Joyful_1
K
KiraSana
Guest
I do know what you mean about being drawn to communities that challenge you. I find that the deeper I go in God, the more I want so much to share Him with everyone around me. However, my human tendencies is to be more laid-back and not being too outspoken. I am finding myself being continually challenged by being put in positions where I must stand up and speak! Now as I discern my vocation, I find I am drawn to the Dominicans, which were formed to preach and teach. I suppose if we continue the analogy between religious life and marriage, it wouldn’t be surprising to be called to a community that would be challenging to our weak areas. I have heard many married couples say that, though they have a common foundation, they are often different in ways that balance the other out.
I too am still considering who to approach for spiritual direction. I have met with one of the priests at my parish a couple times. While I feel comfortable talking to him and have had some wonderful guidance on issues so far, for various reasons, I haven’t approached him directly about being a spiritual director.
I too am still considering who to approach for spiritual direction. I have met with one of the priests at my parish a couple times. While I feel comfortable talking to him and have had some wonderful guidance on issues so far, for various reasons, I haven’t approached him directly about being a spiritual director.
C
Cran
Guest
Oh no, that didn’t go to well yesterday… my mother lnows that I am thinking about religious life (she is not christian herself), and was always ok with that. But yesterday I told her that I would visit the dominicans I like most over easter (they know I am discerning), and she suddenly felt like she would loose me if i entered… and started crying 
Well, it IS kind of loosing me, but it would be the same if I married… don’t think I choose the right path in consoling her by telling that many, many people found out during discernment/postulat/noviciate that it’s not their way…
Well, it IS kind of loosing me, but it would be the same if I married… don’t think I choose the right path in consoling her by telling that many, many people found out during discernment/postulat/noviciate that it’s not their way…
K
KiraSana
Guest
Cran,
I will be praying for you and your mother. My family does not yet know I am discerning - it’s been a hard enough adjustment for them that I am entering the Catholic Church! My heart goes out to you both.
I will be praying for you and your mother. My family does not yet know I am discerning - it’s been a hard enough adjustment for them that I am entering the Catholic Church! My heart goes out to you both.
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Wow, KiraSana!! That’s two difficult things to break to them in the same year!! You and Cran are in my prayers as far as parents.
I was fortunate that my parents both entered the Church at the same time I did and I would never have joined if it weren’t for them. My mom isn’t all that excited about me having a vocation, but my dad is quite pleased. She wasn’t all that whoopie about entering the Church either so go figure.
I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble from my mom until I get to the point that you are at, Cran. I guess it just kind of hits home when an actual date is set.
God Bless
Joyful_1
K
Klydewannab
Guest
I really encourage all of you to visit a few monastery/ convents/ communities. Once you start going you will find out if it’s something you need to continue doing, wait and do later, or continue doing and praying about. Plus, the women there are usually very open. I say that because I know some of the sisters I have met also had problems helping their families understand.
The Rule of St. Benedict begins, listen my child to the masters teaching with the ear of your heart. I think that’s good advice. Ask lots of questions and listen. Spend some time being silent. Continue praying.
I’ll remember you all in my prayers.
The Rule of St. Benedict begins, listen my child to the masters teaching with the ear of your heart. I think that’s good advice. Ask lots of questions and listen. Spend some time being silent. Continue praying.
I’ll remember you all in my prayers.
K
Klydewannab
Guest
Joy,
Thanks for the thread link. It drives me nuts how hard it can be to find a spiritual director. Luckily I have many friends who are always willing to give me sound advice. Sometimes I think they are my spiritual directors. Hmmmm.
Thanks for the thread link. It drives me nuts how hard it can be to find a spiritual director. Luckily I have many friends who are always willing to give me sound advice. Sometimes I think they are my spiritual directors. Hmmmm.
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Well . . . Now my dad says that I should wait to get a spiritual director until I’m graduated from Highschool. He says I should just pray like crazy and get close to the heart of God for the next year or so and go from there. He says that since I’m already under his and Mom’s authority, I shouldn’t need extra direction. I know he is right in a way because he and my mom are very spiritual people, but I feel like the ‘just pray’ part would be way better if I had a SD helping me.
This is one of those lessons in obedience that I’m always asking God for. St. Faustina went through a time in her novitiate when she had no SD and she really needed one! She just prayed and asked God to send her one and in the mean-time He was her SD. That would really nice if I could understand what God was telling me!! I guess what I am going to have to do is just be obedient (it’ll be good practice) and wait on the Lord. He will send me someone in His own time.
Sorry if I ramble. I don’t keep a diary so this is the next best thing.
God Bless
Joyful_1
This is one of those lessons in obedience that I’m always asking God for. St. Faustina went through a time in her novitiate when she had no SD and she really needed one! She just prayed and asked God to send her one and in the mean-time He was her SD. That would really nice if I could understand what God was telling me!! I guess what I am going to have to do is just be obedient (it’ll be good practice) and wait on the Lord. He will send me someone in His own time.
Sorry if I ramble. I don’t keep a diary so this is the next best thing.
God Bless
Joyful_1
N
Neophyte_Rose
Guest
Hi
I just wanted to introduce myself and ask for your prayers. I promise to pray for all of you as well.
I’ve only been baptized for about ten months, so even if I were sure about my vocation I would have to wait at least one more year before I could get started…
as it is, I am looking into various orders and thinking a lot. I’m attracted to the study and teaching aspect of the Dominican charism, but other than that I think I am more attracted to something Franciscan-leaning… I would love to work to help feed the hungry, to be amongst the poorest of the poor.
I feel called to work in something like missions, dealing with real physical poverty, but I get a sense that there is real need for people to combat the spiritual poverty that has taken hold over western civilization. yet, the more I consider working in such a field the more challenged I feel because… well, only God can convert a heart.
I mean, I can make a can of soup and feel like I participated, you know? it’s more tangible, something that I can see how I may have helped it get done.
conversions and healing of spiritual poverty is much more difficult to see how or even if we played a part in helping to effect it. Though perhaps indeed we may be used by God to such an event, ultimately the only one who converts anyone is God Himself. We can only help, oftentimes in ways that we won’t even know who or if we help at all.
anyways, I have to run. will be back later. I’m looking forward to reading more than the first and last page of this post 
Pax Christi,
Esther
I just wanted to introduce myself and ask for your prayers. I promise to pray for all of you as well
.I’ve only been baptized for about ten months, so even if I were sure about my vocation I would have to wait at least one more year before I could get started…
as it is, I am looking into various orders and thinking a lot. I’m attracted to the study and teaching aspect of the Dominican charism, but other than that I think I am more attracted to something Franciscan-leaning… I would love to work to help feed the hungry, to be amongst the poorest of the poor.
I feel called to work in something like missions, dealing with real physical poverty, but I get a sense that there is real need for people to combat the spiritual poverty that has taken hold over western civilization. yet, the more I consider working in such a field the more challenged I feel because… well, only God can convert a heart.
I mean, I can make a can of soup and feel like I participated, you know? it’s more tangible, something that I can see how I may have helped it get done.
conversions and healing of spiritual poverty is much more difficult to see how or even if we played a part in helping to effect it. Though perhaps indeed we may be used by God to such an event, ultimately the only one who converts anyone is God Himself. We can only help, oftentimes in ways that we won’t even know who or if we help at all.
anyways, I have to run.
will be back later. I’m looking forward to reading more than the first and last page of this post Pax Christi,
Esther
J
Joyful_1
Guest
Hey, fellow neophyte!Hi
I just wanted to introduce myself and ask for your prayers. I promise to pray for all of you as well
I’ve only been baptized for about ten months, so even if I were sure about my vocation I would have to wait at least one more year before I could get started…
as it is, I am looking into various orders and thinking a lot. I’m attracted to the study and teaching aspect of the Dominican charism, but other than that I think I am more attracted to something Franciscan-leaning… I would love to work to help feed the hungry, to be amongst the poorest of the poor.
I feel called to work in something like missions, dealing with real physical poverty, but I get a sense that there is real need for people to combat the spiritual poverty that has taken hold over western civilization. yet, the more I consider working in such a field the more challenged I feel because… well, only God can convert a heart.
I mean, I can make a can of soup and feel like I participated, you know? it’s more tangible, something that I can see how I may have helped it get done.
conversions and healing of spiritual poverty is much more difficult to see how or even if we played a part in helping to effect it. Though perhaps indeed we may be used by God to such an event, ultimately the only one who converts anyone is God Himself. We can only help, oftentimes in ways that we won’t even know who or if we help at all.
anyways, I have to run.
Pax Christi,
Esther
I just joined the Church this past April as well and KiraSana here is working on joining this year. I just love the Easter Vigil!:extrahappy:
The things you mention are the reasons that I have been looking at the Missionaries of Charity lately. I saw a show or blip or something on EWTN about the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica and I thought,“That’s what I want to do!” Of course they are all men, but it is the same idea as with the Missionaries of Charity. The only obstacle I came up against with them was that the active sisters don’t have an official website. I’m going to have to call or something because I still have questions.
The Fraciscans are great, too. I guess the fun part is deciding where you fit.
God Bless
Joyful_1
1
1234
Guest
The Benedictine sisters of Perpetual Adoration are (mainly) in CLYDE, Missouri, hence Klydewannab’s name.
This order is one of a number of Benedictine communities which don’t wear a habit but, despite this, are experiencing increase in numbers of people entering. (This isn’t really ‘growth’ as the totals overall continue to decrease).
Others are the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn --7 in formation- and the Sisters of St. Benedict in Cottonwood, Idaho, who have had about 10 in formation in recent years. Many are in final profession now. Because the women entering these orders are older, and are often well educated professionals, they have more to ‘lose’ by entering—jobs, apts or houses, cars, lives—and so discern very carefully before entering, as the orders do with them. A high percentage of those entering appear eventually to take final profession.
This order is one of a number of Benedictine communities which don’t wear a habit but, despite this, are experiencing increase in numbers of people entering. (This isn’t really ‘growth’ as the totals overall continue to decrease).
Others are the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn --7 in formation- and the Sisters of St. Benedict in Cottonwood, Idaho, who have had about 10 in formation in recent years. Many are in final profession now. Because the women entering these orders are older, and are often well educated professionals, they have more to ‘lose’ by entering—jobs, apts or houses, cars, lives—and so discern very carefully before entering, as the orders do with them. A high percentage of those entering appear eventually to take final profession.
It was nice to find this thread.
I’m going to be 40 in a few days. I “discerned” in my head for about two years–that is, I mostly argued with God about whether I should or shouldn’t.
I finally picked up a phone and made some phone calls. Yes, it was a little scary. I was thinking, hey, I’m going to quit a job I’ve had for 17 years, sell my house, all my possessions, and enter into the land unknown. Then I realized that is exactly what Moses, Abraham, Ruth, and all 12 apostles did–not to mention many others. So, I said yes.
I explored many communities. Some by visiting, some by phone calls, some through the internet. I finally asked to join the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (BSPA) and I’m waiting for the final say so.
One thing I have learned, is that in larger communities, you are going to find a wide variety of thoughts. Some will be very traditional and orthodox, others may be more liberal, and some may even be a little new agey. You need to be concerned and pray about where God is leading YOU. Maybe He will want you to witness through your dedication to the Pope and the Magisterium. Maybe He wants you to grow in love, and to hear why someone thinks of the Catholic church differently than you or why they practice centering prayer. These women have a lot of wisdom. Maybe you’ll agree with them, maybe you won’t.
Having said that, I should also say, religious life is a little like getting married. You don’t pick a man thinking he’s going to instantly complete you or that you can change him into the man you want him to be. So, don’t pick an order thinking your going to achieve instant holiness or change it to conform to what you think it should be.
At the BSPA there was a plague on the wall that really made me think. It said, “There is everything here to make you a saint, just as it is.”
Sometimes putting up with people whom you don’t see eye-to-eye with–and still loving them-- is what will make you a saint. Though that may take me another 40 years or so.
N
Neophyte_Rose
Guest
Wow… :bounce: this is great :bounce:
A couple of fellow newbie Catholics (newbie to cover both neophytes and candidates/catechumans) who are discerning or feel called to discerning a religious vocation! :heaven:
Have you ever read the book Twice Called? The Vocations Directress at the first community I called sent that book to me at Easter, and it is really inspiring. It’s a grouping of testimonies from converts who are now religious sisters or nuns.
Pax Christi,
Esther Rose
A couple of fellow newbie Catholics
(newbie to cover both neophytes and candidates/catechumans) who are discerning or feel called to discerning a religious vocation! :heaven:Have you ever read the book Twice Called? The Vocations Directress at the first community I called sent that book to me at Easter, and it is really inspiring. It’s a grouping of testimonies from converts who are now religious sisters or nuns.
Pax Christi,
Esther Rose
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