Vocation and mental/physical wellness

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ziza

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Hello, all! First time post.

Anyways, I truly feel I’m being called to be a sister of some sort, but I’m a little worried about pursuing it.

I’m bipolar II. For myself, what this means is that without medication, I have mood swings. On my 1 medication (at an extremely low dose, mind you), I have NO problems whatsoever. I don’t have any issues in my past that necessitate therapy, merely a chemical issue.

Again, this is bipolar II, so I never experience mania, which is where most of the more “interesting” symptoms show up.

Would I automatically be barred from entering a convent? I do understand that it would be impossible in a fully cloistered situation, but I don’t feel that call.

I know God wouldn’t give me a situation truly beyond my capabilities, but I also know that the religious do have to look after the best interests of their houses.

–

ETA: While I’m a youngish person (23), I’ve actually had this since I was 4-5, so I’m fully aware of my disease and its effects and extents.
 
I can’t answer your question, but will be praying for you. Trishie 🙂

Do you have a religious Order in mind, or a particular apostolate?If you check with them directly?

In this forum there are existing posts that mention possiblilies for a consecrated life even from your own home if your health issue blocks you from entering some/most Orders.

Your ‘condition’ sounds well under control. Wishing you all the best!
 
I’m still…‘shopping’ is the wrong word, but exploring what apostolates are out there, mostly.

I’m just now graduating from college, so I’ve been concentrating on my studies pretty intensely, and I need to step back a bit and detox.

It’s just sort of distressing to see the note on the “who can be a sister” pages, when I do have my mind and body well in hand. I have all this passion to give, and it’s a bit disappointing to think I’m hamstrung at the start.

Thank you for your prayers. 🙂
 
ziza said:
I’m still…‘shopping’ is the wrong word, but exploring what apostolates are out there, mostly.

I’m just now graduating from college, so I’ve been concentrating on my studies pretty intensely, and I need to step back a bit and detox.

It’s just sort of distressing to see the note on the “who can be a sister” pages, when I do have my mind and body well in hand. I have all this passion to give, and it’s a bit disappointing to think I’m hamstrung at the start.

Thank you for your prayers. 🙂
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Hi Ziza…I see you are a new member. Welcome to CAF and I hope you will find it very rewarding and happy experience in every way:thumbsup: . Your Profile does not state your location. I am residing in Australia and am Australian by birth and will be praying for you too. Putting you into my Daily Intentions right now.

I suffer Bipolar Disorder also. The way to go probably is to contact the religious communities to which you are attracted and explain to them the full details of your own medical situation…and to stress that you do need medication in very low doses to maintain good mental health, and that you have a proven history of same providing you do take your medication.

It would be a good idea too prior to actually contacting Orders or any communities of religious life to ensure your doctor/psychiatrist (especially if of long standing)is willing to speak with the religious community you aim to contact either in person, via phone or by written communication. Written references from neighbours if they are long standing would be helpful also, parishioners too … and especially any priest or nun whom you have known well and over a long period willing to support your application as well as make a statement that your mental health has been known to them on a consistent basis over a long term, as well as give you a spiritual type reference or recommendation. Your parish priest would be another great source for recommendation spiritually and also to state your mental condition, known to him over a long term.
…and if you can collate the above or some of them, it might be a good move to mention that these are available when you first tell any community that you do suffer Bipolar etc.

While what I have stated in paragraph 2 above may not be strictly necessary - hard to know for sure as requirements may vary, this would be up to the community that you contact in every instance, but to have them ready to go if they would be necessary or helpful to any application you may make, would be a good move I think. Some Orders or communities may say an immediate “No” - dont let this totally discourage you - keep seeking and searching… others may be quite willing to hear you and to consider. The reason you are seeking and searching is because Grace is present to seek and search and re religious life.

I am in Australia and find that no religious order to my knowledge to this point would accept a sufferer of mental illness needing medication…such is my own only personal experience. I have made (of long standing) private vows and live a specific lifestyle under direction (priest confessor/director) as a secular person privately vowed. If I thought a monastic Order in Australia would accept me and allow me to take medication, I would be back at the “drawing desk” considering God’s Will for the rest of my life. I am also now 62years of age, and this is really pushing the mark here in Australia…even if I were of the “chronically normal”😉 . However, I still keep my eye on things re monastic life in Australia.

Re any “Who can be a Sister” type page on religious order sites. Dont let what is stated therein discourage you if you are attracted…nor let any replies in the negative to an enquiry discourage you either. Keep your hopes and dreams in prayer always and The Lord will show you His Will for your life…it may be a journey but happen it will. “My Ways are not your ways”…nor His time etc. our time etc. neither.

Good luck:thumbsup: and may The Lord richly bless you in your seeking out His Will for your life…Barb:)
PS…If you around Reen 12! Reen, thank you for advising me that I am a year younger than I thought…and for that great term, which I frequently use and not only on CAF : “the chronically normal”…it does give some to pause and frown thoughtfully!
 
This ecumenical Order may interest you. We ca, as practising Catholic women, divorced, single, married or widowed, under Canon Law enter this Order and it is a most unusual one I think. It does mean one can live in one’s own home…anyway have a look at the website for interest sake:
thesacredcross.org/main.htm
http://www.thesacredcross.org/interface_support/header.jpg
The foundress and the sisters are certainly very highly thought of in many quarters indeed from what I have read here and there. We do have a couple of Servants of The Sacred Cross sisters here in Australia who are practising Catholic married women …and some of our Australian Bishops have been most supportive of this order of sisters. I have read that their formation and on an ongoing basis is comprehensive/intense and that their Rule of Life is towards very compehensive…although not overly so. Mind you I have neither sighted their Rule of Life, nor been in any sort of formation with them…I am merely deducing or concluding from what I have read here and there.
Having had some correspondence with their foundress, Mother Wendy James, I have a very high opinion indeed, indeed, of her in every way. I stay in touch with their website regularly. Mother Wendy is an oustanding woman and in every way to my mind and very approachable and helpful in every way. If you should contact her, her workload which I have concluded must be much - new foundations sound an aweful lot of work, may mean a bit of a delay in any reply…but she will reply.

Blessings and prayers…Barb:)

Something else just occured to me, have you heard of the Order of Virgins within The Catholic Church which would mean that you would be consecrated and as a nun, but can live in your own home as I understand things. It does ask that you be a physical virgin…not what is known as I hear a “reborn virgin”.
 
Ziza,

I know how you feel because I have a mental illness as well and just recently looked into the Trappist Order and they didn’t except me in. I’ve been to other orders as well and haven’t been excepted. But that is not going to stop me! I hope and pray one day I will find a Window! When all the doors are closed, God opens a window. Well, I will keep you in my prayers…I think we should start an order for people with mental illnesses…

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire!” --Saint Catherine of Siena
 
Diocesan Hermit according to canon 603 is what a lot of people with disabilities have embraced. I would think that one would be able to do this even with mental illness controlled by medication.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Welcome Ziza,
Illness especially mental illness can certainly be a barrier. However, with your long history and the fact that you can manage your symptoms quite well does stand in your favour.
As Barbara Therese recommended the best way to handle it would be to contact the communities that you are interested in and let them know right away about your situation. Have the documentation and doctors contact information in case they want to check it out first.
The health issues is a risk they have to weigh.
God bless!
 
Sister_Rose said:
Welcome Ziza,
Illness especially mental illness can certainly be a barrier. However, with your long history and the fact that you can manage your symptoms quite well does stand in your favour.
As Barbara Therese recommended the best way to handle it would be to contact the communities that you are interested in and let them know right away about your situation. Have the documentation and doctors contact information in case they want to check it out first.
The health issues is a risk they have to weigh.
God bless!
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Hi Sister Rose…Thank you for the inforamtion re Diocesan Hermit under Canon 603 and people with disabilities. Sister, can you give us please some link that might outline what exactly would constitute “hermit” under Canon 603, I have found that definitions seem to vary and my diocesan office is not very helpful unless it seems I lodge an offical application to be consecrated under Canon 603.
Blessings - Barb
 
“ecumenical Order” sounds dangerous to your soul and salvation. This is ecumenism taking way to far. We can talk to them, but not establish orders with them. The Orthodox are in schism, and the anglicans are so as well, and are on top of that heretics. May we rather try to convert them to the saving Church that Jesus founded, so that they may escape Hell.
 
iviking said:
“ecumenical Order” sounds dangerous to your soul and salvation. This is ecumenism taking way to far. We can talk to them, but not establish orders with them. The Orthodox are in schism, and the anglicans are so as well, and are on top of that heretics. May we rather try to convert them to the saving Church that Jesus founded, so that they may escape Hell.
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Thank you for sharing your opinion, Iviking.
There is nothing in Canon Law to prevent a practising Catholic woman from entering the Servants of The Sacred Cross (ecumenical Order) and such Catholic woman do make a promise to be faithful to The Catholic Church and magisterium. Their foundress has had communication with Rome (extracts taken from their website):
**“His Holiness (Pope Benedict XVI) will remember you and the Sisters in his prayers, and he invokes upon you the sustaining grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
**The Vatican, Secretariat of State.

**"(We are) highly appreciative of the Community’s commitment to prayer for the oneness of all Christ’s disciples….such spiritual ecumenism is the heart of the search…" **
The Vatican, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

I am sure that if Rome thought anything dangerous to the Faith re the SSC, they would state it and advise Catholic woman not to enter this Order, and state so publicly for the good of the faithful.

Blessings and regards…Barb:)
 
brother_sun said:
Ziza,

I know how you feel because I have a mental illness as well and just recently looked into the Trappist Order and they didn’t except me in. I’ve been to other orders as well and haven’t been excepted. But that is not going to stop me! I hope and pray one day I will find a Window! When all the doors are closed, God opens a window. Well, I will keep you in my prayers…I think we should start an order for people with mental illnesses…

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire!” --Saint Catherine of Siena
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Hi Brother Sun…Will be keeping you in prayer in the hope that you will sight an open window and soon!👍 …putting you an your hopes into my Daily Intentions Book.
If you happen to found a religious order for those who suffer mental illness and start a female branch, do let me know.👍

When I read your quote from St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese immediately occured to me who certainly lit a fire in the Church for one and remained all her life a humble nun in a then unknown Carmelite monastery in France. We are all called to be saints and so if we become who we should be, then we will be saints…and there is that saying, that I often quote: “saints are sinners who don’t give up”.
Blessings and my regards…Barb:)
 
BarbaraTherese said:
Hi Sister Rose…Thank you for the inforamtion re Diocesan Hermit under Canon 603 and people with disabilities. Sister, can you give us please some link that might outline what exactly would constitute “hermit” under Canon 603, I have found that definitions seem to vary and my diocesan office is not very helpful unless it seems I lodge an offical application to be consecrated under Canon 603.
Blessings - Barb
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BT-- I was the one who brought that up. We can correspond off-forum about this if you wish.

The Guidebook to Eremetical Life, which was published by the Diocese of LaCrosse, WI, mentioned something about those with disabilities taking up Diocesan Hermit. You’ll have to prolly go straight to your bishop to talk to him about it–the vicar for religious isn’t usually cooperative.

I know for a fact that there’s a Diocesan Hermitess on the vocations forum. I hope she pops up soon, because I can’t remember which “Sister” she is!

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Cloisters said:
BT-- I was the one who brought that up. We can correspond off-forum about this if you wish.

The Guidebook to Eremetical Life, which was published by the Diocese of LaCrosse, WI, mentioned something about those with disabilities taking up Diocesan Hermit. You’ll have to prolly go straight to your bishop to talk to him about it–the vicar for religious isn’t usually cooperative.

I know for a fact that there’s a Diocesan Hermitess on the vocations forum. I hope she pops up soon, because I can’t remember which “Sister” she is!

Blessings,
Cloisters
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Thank you Cloisters…I have had a look at our diocesan website and there is no mention even of an option under “Vocations” to be consecrated under Canon 603, nor anywhere else on our diocesan website mentioning this vocation. I have heard that some Bishops are reluctant to consecrate into the eremetical life under C603 unsure of what they are getting themselves into apparently. Nor am I able to find anywhere on the internet anything that actually outlines the lifestyle requirement to qualify as living the eremetical life and thus a potential candidate for C603.
I have read on a couple of sites on the web that C603 consecration is an option for those who do suffer disabilities…if, it would seem, one’s Bishop is willing to undertake the responsibility.
The lack of information on the web is a hindrance to actually beginning a discernment process before involving one’s Bishop and I know ours in particular is under much stress and workload with our growing shortage of priests. I was talking to a priest today who said that in our diocese at some future point parishes will be without a priest and Sunday Mass even is under thread in some parishes at a near future date…hence I am reluctant to take up His Grace’s time unless I am sure I want to proceed after a discernment process.
Having a history of mental illness, the moment I mention this with any sort of authority within The Church (including religious orders here to date) the tone of any response triggers embarrassment in me that I had the audacity to ask in the first place.
I might contact you via PM at a later point. Thanks heaps for the (name removed by moderator)ut and responding to my Post…Blessings and my regards…Barb:)
 
Dear BarbaraTherese:

I wanted write and thank you for the information on (and defense of) the Servants of the Sacred Cross. I have sent a completed application to Rosalind Moss for the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel’s Hope, but I hold little hope for myself there as I have student debts to pay on my Master’s Degree (yes, at my age!) and I have also taken medication for MINOR depression since my “husband” left in 1984 for another women. Now I have an annulment for that “marriage.” Praise God! But the application from Rosalind asks about medications, and even though I sent a very detailed explanation about how I have had a successful career AND completed my Master’s Degree at the same time while taking my medications, I am afraid I will not be considered.

I am going to meet with the Franciscan Sisters of Mary (Peoria) on June 11th, but last week I talked to their “Director for Inquiries” (?), Sr. Mary Margaret, and she told me that the student loans and the medication might also be a problem for them. :crying: Still, Sister was very kind, and we spoke about the opportunity that might arise to live in community while being unable to take vows or wear their (simple, more modern) habit. Sr. MM is very knowledgeable–yet firm–and I am hoping that there may be a way for her association to work with me (especially as I live so near to four of the sisters). Please pray for me on the 11th!

Now, to the original reason for this reply! Just yesterday I picked up this thread because of the heading on vocations and mental illness (although I don’t consider myself to be mentally ill!). Then, I found your post on the Servants of the Sacred Cross. I actually got chills up and down my spine as I read their site! It was like finding a little piece of heaven on earth 🙂 ! And I was so glad to see the quotations from the Vatican Secretariet of State and the Vatican Council on Christian Unity, AND the two RC bishops–one a former president of the US Council of Catholic Bishops no less! If the Fransicans Sisters of Mary turn me down, I’m definitely going to contact the Servants of the Holy Cross–in fact, I may contact them anyway. They have a beautiful chrisim–and they wear a lovely traditional habit!. I just want to know more about their relationship with the Holy See. I would never want to put myself in the place of doing something that the Holy Father does not approve of.

By the way, in our parish we have a priest (married and with two grown sons) who was a former Anglican priest. It was Pope Benedict (when he was Cardinal) who gave permision for this priest to become a Catholic priest after he converted from the Anglican Church to the Catholic Church. This priest is a wonderful scholar, and his homilies are awesome! I am going to ask him what he thinks about the SSC. I’m sure his (name removed by moderator)ut will be helpful.

I truly believe the Lord led me to your posts, BarbaraTherese! Thank you, thank you, thank you! and Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Continue to pray for me as I discern where the Lord wants me to serve Him!
 
Servants of the Sacred Cross do not except all Anglicans, only traditional anglicans who believe in the True Presence. The Traditional Anglican Communion is waiting to hear if their application for unity with Rome has been accepted;it is expected that it will be. I believe most of the Anglicans within SSC are in this communion.
 
Cloisters said:
BT-- I was the one who brought that up. We can correspond off-forum about this if you wish.

The Guidebook to Eremetical Life, which was published by the Diocese of LaCrosse, WI, mentioned something about those with disabilities taking up Diocesan Hermit. You’ll have to prolly go straight to your bishop to talk to him about it–the vicar for religious isn’t usually cooperative.

I know for a fact that there’s a Diocesan Hermitess on the vocations forum. I hope she pops up soon, because I can’t remember which “Sister” she is!

Blessings,
Cloisters
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Note that LaCrosse had removed that Guidebook from their web site and no longer has specific information on hermit life.

I’m glad I printed it out aeons ago. It was a big package and discussed more the practical details of setting oneself up than about the spiritual aspects of hermit life.

I would advise *A Way of Desert Spirituality *by Eugene C. Romano as a good intro to the spirituality of hermit life.

But however you go about this, you will likely have to pass what I call “the bishop’s looney test.” Hermit life is not a catch-all for people who can’t function around other people. But y’all KNOW that!
 
Thank you for the information, Stars! I do know that there is an “Anglican Use” that is now in full communion with Rome. Is this the same as the Traditional Anglican Communion you speak of ??? :confused: The Anglican Use have more than one parish is the US. One of them is Our Lady of the Atonement in San Antonio, Texas (Sr. MM of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary is at the school at this parish). Here is a link to the parish site where there is a lot more information on the Anglican Use. It is very beautiful, very traditional, and very Catholic!

Also, Mother Angelica has just sent five of her nuns to found a new convent of cloistered Poor Clares at this parish. There is more info on this at their website. If it’s good enough for Mother Angelica, it’s good enough for me! 🙂 She would never allow her sisters to go anywhere that was not approved of by the Holy See.

atonementonline.com/index.php

The following is a quotation from the site:

*Our Lady of the Atonement
Catholic Church

A Brief Description and History

Our Lady of the Atonement Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and is the first of several “personal parishes” erected in the United States for the Anglican Use Liturgy. This parish has no affiliation with the so-called “Continuing Anglican Movement,” nor with any branch of the Episcopal or Anglican churches. Rather, its members, many of whom are converts from the Episcopal Church, have been granted permission to retain some elements of the Anglican liturgical heritage while being fully Roman Catholic. Throughout the world the Catholic Church has numerous liturgical rites all under the authority of the Roman Pontiff, and the Church has always taught that there can be legitimate diversity in unity. While the liturgy used at Our Lady of the Atonement Parish is not a separate Rite, it is the only approved variation of the Latin Rite in the United States.

Pope John Paul II greets Fr. Phillips The creation of the “Anglican Use” parishes stemmed from the statement made by Pope John Paul II in 1980, as a result of a proposal from the bishops of this country to develop terms under which former Episcopal clergymen and other members of the Episcopal Church could be admitted to full communion in the Catholic Church while still retaining some elements of their liturgy, tradition and devotional life. On August 15, 1983, a small group of converts from the Episcopal Church was received into the Roman Catholic Church by the Most Reverend Patrick F. Flores, Archbishop of San Antonio, in the Cathedral of San Fernando. At the same ceremony, the Reverend Christopher G. Phillips, also a convert to the fulness of the Catholic Faith, was ordained by the Archbishop to be their pastor. These eighteen people were the founding members of Our Lady of the Atonement Parish. For the first time in the history of the Western Church a group of Protestants was welcomed into the bosom of Holy Mother Church with a Pastoral Provision which includes the right to seek the establishment of Personal Parishes under the authority of diocesan bishops, a unique liturgical use, particular devotional practices, and a married clergy on a limited basis. *

If anyone out there knows any further information about The Traditional Anglican Communion, I would love to know about it. Thanks! 👍
 
No, it is not the Anglican Use which is currently in communion with Rome. I think they were formed about 40 years ago as liberalism started creeping into anglican church. I believe there are about 700,000 members throughout the world. sorry, I can’t tell you more.
 
Thanks, Stars. I just got back from daily Mass, and Fr. Addison Hart, our priest who is a former Anglican, was the celebrant. I asked him if he had heard of the Servants of the Sacred Cross, and he said no. However, he has heard of the group they are affiliated with, Forward in Faith, and he says they are quite reputable and in very good standing with the Holy See. He said if the Servants of the Sacred Cross are associated with Forward in Faith, then they are perfectly acceptable. 👍 He knows about the Anglican Use and is friends with the Priest at Our Lady of the Atonement in San Antonio. He had very nice things to say about their liturgy. He is also aware of the Traditional Anglican Communion and says they are in negotiations with Rome at this time, but no decision has yet been made. I also found a site on EWTN that corraborated that.

I am sooooo happy 😃 that the Servants of the Sacred Cross are kosher (sorry about the mixed metaphor!). Jesus just keeps opening doors! God is so good! 🙂
 
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