"Tug" at my heart...could be

[Paris_Blues]

Hey guys,

I couldn’t wait any longer so had to e-mailed the archdiocese here in town to ask about vocation discernment. I told them about what was happening, feeling a “tug” at my heart, etc. and they told me that I could have a possible vocation but still need to discern. One priest told me that we are called even BEFORE we’re Catholic! He was called to the priesthood and he wasn’t even Catholic! He was in the seminary a year after he was baptized and converted into the Church. Amazing!

They told me to contact this one person who is in charge of vocations to the archdiocese and I did and she used to work in the vocations office and helps young woman dicern and she told me that she was happy to know that I had a love for our Lord. She also told me to keep on discerning still being in RCIA as well as my career field because it’s better to be Catholic for two years at least before I enter.

She is sending me some reading material so that should help as well.

Guys, PLEASE pray for me because I truly need to know my path! I don’t want to wait longer and longer. I need to take action!

 

[RyanL]

Three Hail Marys and an Our Father going heavenward right now…

 

[E.E.N.S]

Dominican Prayer for Vocations

Ever present God,
Be with me as I choose you each day
to show your presence to the world.
Inspire me to generously respond
in love to all people.

Responsive to your call,
I pray also that the
sons and daughters of St. Dominic
may be faithful to their heritage of
common life, study, prayer and ministry
so that other men and women
will join them
to praise, to bless, to preach
the message of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

[Montie_Claunch]

Yes, indeed. I shall pray a rosary today for you. Congratulations and good luck.

 

[cardenio]

See? See? We can get more priests without opening the priesthood up to women.

 

[JCPhoenix]

One thing you are going to need to continue working on is patience…clearly this is a problem for you. It is for me, as well.

I am also discerning, and this is LONG PROCESS, so do not expect any immediate answers.

A Vocation is not like a career…it is a way of life, and sometimes women enter one order only to be called to another. It is not easy, it is not quick, and generally, it costs women a lot more than men to figure out where we belong.

Are there communities around you which you can visit? Have you attended any discernment retreats?

If you haven’t. you may be interested in attending a retreat in Ann Arbor, MI, the weekend of October 22, it’s 24 hours, Saturday into Sunday. Check out: www.sistersofmary.org

Do you have any communities near you, even ones you are not drawn to? Do they have a prayer life similar to one which interests you? If so, then spend a weekend or some week days with them and see if their lifestyle fits you.

I have a friend who recently chose her community and she revealed that after she had visited a few, she saw where the pieces fit and where they did not, and she learned where she belongs.

Even if you think you are called to cross the world, check out what’s on your doorstep first, just to take the first steps.

There is very little in my own area, but there are a very few good orders and I hope to at least visit them to learn more. I also hope to go to the retreat I listed above, but it is also an order which very much draws me. I would like to be a Dominican teacher! And they have perpetual adoration and a solid contemplative lifestyle.

There is also an active/contemplative Carmelite order in both CA and in Wisconsin, so I hope to visit one or both of them.

I live in MN, but as you see, the cost can really grow if one needs to fly to where they feel called, in order to see the community first hand. It takes money and time, and this time is not OUR time…it’s GOD’s time, and his timing is perfect.

So breathe…pray…wait, and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. I will also pray for you. I understand your pain!

 

[Paris_Blues]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help with prayer.

I know there’s a Carmelite convent about two minutes away from my apartment! I’m not quite sure if I’m called to that or not.

I want to wish all of you who are discerning yourself on a vocation and hope that our Lord will guide you!