Thread for Women Discerning Religious Life

[Joyful_1]

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

No, I’ve never read that book. Who is the author? I might have to look it up. I’m always interested in conversion stories. Some how they never get old!

Have you thought about what name you want to take when you get there? I don’t know if it is common to be thinking about that at this point, but I think it would be interesting to find out what other people’s ideas are. Maybe it’s like thinking of baby names while you’re still engaged.

God Bless
Joyful_1

 

[KiraSana]

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

I haven’t read that one. I will have to track it down. I love conversion stories and especially love hearing the stories of men and women who convert to the Catholic Church and then are called to religious life. Thank you for the suggestion!

It was also suggested to me to read biographies and the writings of the saints who belong to the order in which I am interested (the Dominicans), so I am currently reading a biography about Saint Dominic; I also picked up a collection of early Dominican writings and plan to read that over Lent. So many books, so little time!

 

[Joyful_1]

So many books, so little time!

:yup: :yup: :yup: :yup:

 

[KiraSana]

Joyful -

I just noticed your sig and I commend you for fasting from computers! I have been weighing that out and can’t help but feel that if I have to weigh it out, it’s something should probably do.

 

[Klydewannab]

The Benedictine sisters of Perpetual Adoration are (mainly) in CLYDE, Missouri, hence Klydewannab’s name.

That’s true. My initials are KLY so it was a play on words, so to speak.

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).

Actually they do wear a habit, though not the traditional habit. It is called a simple or simplified habit. They can choose any combination of black and white blouses and skirts. Or they may wear a black dress or a white dress. Many of the sisters make their own clothes. Some of the older sisters still wear a scapular and veil. (Most people think of the scapular as the brown scapular --a little picture of Mary on one end and Jesus on the other, connected by string, that you wear under your clothes. The Benedictine scapular is the black scapular, and it is the strip of clothe that you see covering a nuns habit. The piece they put their hands under. I hope that’s clear, but I’ve gotten off topic. )

After postulancy, you receive your black and white clothes, and all of your other clothes are given away. Well, they do keep some slacks, jeans, sweats, etc. for gardening, working out, etc… I think that you can still choose a veil if you want to.

 

[Joyful_1]

Joyful -

I just noticed your sig and I commend you for fasting from computers! I have been weighing that out and can’t help but feel that if I have to weigh it out, it’s something should probably do.

Yes. It tends to consume a significant portion of my day and sometimes I miss prayer times because I am so wrapped up in a post or researching colleges or religious orders and studying or something else not near as important as prayer.

It will give me more time to pray besides being pretty hefty mortification. I will miss you guys, but it’s only 40 days:thumbsup:.

God Bless
Joyful_1

 

[Marilynclssc]

HI it’s me again, I have been researching communities online and have found several that take older, but most cut off at 40- 45. Howerver I am really intreagued by the Passionists in Clarks Summit PA.

Just what I wanted to do is move north. lol But I can see phone calls and possible visits in my future. Also on one of their sites it said no age limit. They are monastice and contemplative. Now I just need lots of prayer, from ya’ll and from me to God.

Blessings on ya’ll

 

[KiraSana]

HI it’s me again, I have been researching communities online and have found several that take older, but most cut off at 40- 45. Howerver I am really intreagued by the Passionists in Clarks Summit PA.

Just what I wanted to do is move north. lol But I can see phone calls and possible visits in my future. Also on one of their sites it said no age limit. They are monastice and contemplative. Now I just need lots of prayer, from ya’ll and from me to God.

Blessings on ya’ll

That’s wonderful! I will be praying for you.

 

[1234]

That’s true. My initials are KLY so it was a play on words, so to speak.

Actually they do wear a habit, though not the traditional habit. It is called a simple or simplified habit. They can choose any combination of black and white blouses and skirts. Or they may wear a black dress or a white dress. Many of the sisters make their own clothes. Some of the older sisters still wear a scapular and veil. (Most people think of the scapular as the brown scapular --a little picture of Mary on one end and Jesus on the other, connected by string, that you wear under your clothes. The Benedictine scapular is the black scapular, and it is the strip of clothe that you see covering a nuns habit. The piece they put their hands under. I hope that’s clear, but I’ve gotten off topic. )

After postulancy, you receive your black and white clothes, and all of your other clothes are given away. Well, they do keep some slacks, jeans, sweats, etc. for gardening, working out, etc… I think that you can still choose a veil if you want to

.*

Thanks for the clarification.

Your order has always been one of my favorites and I am glad that it has new candidates.

 

[Krissy1786]

It’s so nice to see that other young women are discerning…
I’m 21, Nursing major / Pre-med. I’m looking into the Religious Sisters of Mercy.

 

[KiraSana]

It’s so nice to see that other young women are discerning…
I’m 21, Nursing major / Pre-med. I’m looking into the Religious Sisters of Mercy.

That’s wonderful and welcome! How long have you been discerning?

 

[Krissy1786]

A couple months now… but I have been in a long distance relationship with this great guy (who isn’t Catholic) for 4 years… so it’s really complicated. Any suggestions?

 

[KiraSana]

A couple months now… but I have been in a long distance relationship with this great guy (who isn’t Catholic) for 4 years… so it’s really complicated. Any suggestions?

Knowing so little, I couldn’t presume to give much advice. I would urge you to continue discerning - do you have a spiritual advisor or a regular confessor you could talk to? If not, I would encourage you to look for one - this person would know you personally and is someone you could go into more detail with; consequently, they would likely be able to provide some valuable insight, especially with regard to your discernment process.

If you do discern you are called to marriage, is this a guy you could see yourself marrying? You mention that he is not a Catholic; how would he feel about raising your children in the Catholic Church? How would you feel about not sharing your Catholic faith with your spouse? God cautions us in the Bible to not be unequally yoked, so I would urge you to discern carefully. That being said, I know many couples that have made it work, despite the extra challenges of being members of different faiths (though it is by far the exception to the rule, as the marriage stats indicate).

I certainly wouldn’t expect you to answer any of these questions in this forum - I merely pose them for you to consider (though you likely have already) as they are ones I would pose to a friend in your situation.

I will be praying for you!

 

[Cran]

It has been silent here… still alive?

I spent Easter with some Sisters of the OP. they are quite different in their apostolate, they wear their habit only on high feats like Easter, and work (as long as they are not retired) in different jobs… And they are in DESPERATE need of new vocations, they are down to four Sisters, all of them are 60 or up.

They have an English webpage, too: dominikanerinnen-angermund.de/englisch_start.htm

They had a special offer for young women to spent some days with them, we were two, the other one was much younger than me and is not in discernment. I felt very “at home” there and the sister who would be responsible for the Noviciate if they had one was very good-natured and we had some in-depth talks about vocation in general.
She thinks I should finish my education first (I agree strongly), and wait about 1,5-2 years more until I enter, because then my conversion will be 5 years in the past. But she invited me to continue disceerning with them in the time, so I’ll join them for a week or so in summer, to see some more of their daily life and work with them, too.

I am a bit diappointed that she thinks such a long wait appropbiate, but on the other hand, then I could finish not only my diploma but also my doctorate before entering. And if I entered there, I could work and wouldn’t face the rather awkward situation of haven’t worked for, say, four years, then discovering that it isn’t my vocation anyway and try to find a job again… well, strange second thoughts, I admit it.

 

[1234]

It has been silent here… still alive?

I spent Easter with some Sisters of the OP. they are quite different in their apostolate, they wear their habit only on high feats like Easter, and work (as long as they are not retired) in different jobs… And they are in DESPERATE need of new vocations, they are down to four Sisters, all of them are 60 or up.

They have an English webpage, too: dominikanerinnen-angermund.de/englisch_start.htm

They had a special offer for young women to spend some days with them, we were two, the other one was much younger than me and is not in discernment. I felt very “at home” there and the sister who would be responsible for the Noviciate if they had one was very good-natured and we had some in-depth talks about vocation in general.
She thinks I should finish my education first (I agree strongly), and wait about 1,5-2 years more until I enter, because then my conversion will be 5 years in the past. But she invited me to continue discerning with them in the time, so I’ll join them for a week or so in summer, to see some more of their daily life and work with them, too.

I am a bit disappointed that she thinks such a long wait appropriate, but on the other hand, then I could finish not only my diploma but also my doctorate before entering. And if I entered there, I could work and wouldn’t face the rather awkward situation of haven’t worked for, say, four years, then discovering that it isn’t my vocation anyway and try to find a job again… well, strange second thoughts, I admit it.

I think that the vocation directress is very correct in her advice.

Do they have a website with a frequently updated News/Newsletter and lots of photos, a blog, or a video for YouTube or whatever is most popular in Germany?

There is no question that the internet is THE way to go to increase vocations.

Maybe you could help with this.

 

[KiraSana]

Hello all!

Sounds like a wonderful time with the sisters. A year or two seems like a long time to wait, but it sounds like you are moving forward with your education and discernment in the meantime. I’ll be praying for you!

I have a while to wait as well. I just entered into full communion with the Church this Easter (yahoo!!! ). However, I have been discerning whether I am being called to religious life for several months and have sought out a spiritual advisor. Additionally, I have a couple communities I would like to visit starting in the fall. Nonetheless, I have more than a couple years to continue discerning.

 

[Joyful_1]

Hello All!!
I’ve been gone for Lent, but I’m back now.

Congrats KiraSana!! That is so exciting! Welcome Home!:hug3:

 

[wina]

Here’s a question for all the ladies that have posted so far and for those who might join us later: Have any of you felt equally called to life as a religious and a life of marriage and children? I used to be quite certain that God would lead me to marriage and a family (especially pre-conversion). During the time that I was studying Catholicism and post-conversion, I began to feel fascinated by and drawn to the life of the religious and a life of Christian service as a sister or nun. One moment I think that I want a husband and children and I want it with all my heart. The next I think that I want to devote myself to religious life and I want that with all my heart. I suspect that one of these desires will turn out to be the desire of my own heart and not God’s true calling, but how do I find out which is which? At this point in time, neither holds greater sway over the other and so I’m feeling rather confused. Have any of you ever felt equally pulled in opposite directions? Any insight/advice you might have to offer is greatly appreciated. I do so hate uncertainty.

HI lady, actually I feel the same I mean although It’s not the same exactly. I’ve been trying to find and learn more about religious life and the orders but I’m still engaged. And I’m planning to find spiritual director and start my discernment with prayers…

 

[nicolep]

Hello all, may I join you?

I am in the early stages of discerning. I am going to a monastary on June 27th for a visit (Benedicts of Ferdinand, In). I guess I’ve been discerning off and on for several years, but have “gotten serious about it” the last six or seven months.

I am 27 years old and the longer I live in this secular world, the more I want to make a break into religious life. I’m really looking forward to the week at the monastary. I’m sure there will be a lot of questions answered.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

God bless,
Nicole

 

[Joyful_1]

Hello, Wina and Nicole.

Welcome.

Wina, I’m glad you’re getting spiritual direction. I think that is very important. If you are engaged it is even more important that you figure out what God is calling you to do before you commit.

Nicole, I know what you mean about wanting a break. I am always feeling like I have way too many things going on to focus properly on what is important.

God Bless,
Joyful_1