I’m Sarah, and I am 17 years old and a junior in high school.
). So I’ve had experience and contact with at least one type of religious order. And I love those nuns down there…they are so fun and full of life! 
I have asked Him, a few times. And haven’t really been sure of His reply to that particular question. I do know this, however. If I had entered religious life… or married and had a family… I probably wouldn’t have been available to care for my mother, when she became ill. She was dx’d with Alzheimer’s a couple years ago… and is now in my care. (Perhaps, that IS Our Lord’s reply?); I love my mom, dearly. She is such a blessing from God.
). But the Lord and I have discussed it… and I hope, at some point later, to become a Lay Carmelite. This may be a “2nd” invitation from Our Lord. Only time will tell, I guess.Thank you, Sister. Your words have helped me… greatly. God bless you.It’s a pleasure to meet you! I had just replied to your posts in the other threads.
We will never know what could have been. But we believe in what St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans 8:28-“To those who love God, everything turns out for the good.” A call is an invitation, a pure gift. One is free to accept or reject without negative repercussions. The God you want to serve in religious life is the same God who gave you your mother to care for. In a way, you answered in the way that was right for you at that moment.
Being a Lay Carmelite is not second best. It is a true vocation to union with God while remaining in the world.
Dear SisterI am interested to know what some of you out there think of religious life. Do you know something about it? Do you have questions or opinions related to this particular life? are you open to the possibility that God may be calling you to become a Priest, Sister or Brother? Are you willing to share your dreams and hopes for your self and your future?
What are you thinking?
Pleasure to meet you, John. I hope to have you as a regular poster!Dear Sister
You are a nun are you. I would love the monastic life but it cannot be. I would not pass the health exam. I’m happy where I am though. That’s where God wants me.
God bless and peace to you
Thank you for your honesty. I’m sure you have very good reason to justify your negative feelings and assessment of religious life. It is truly a serious challenge God has given to us Religious to live up to this noble calling. It is very sad indeed when our imperfections and sins stain this beautiful gift from God.
Sister, your words bring to mind certain passages in the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux… “The Story of a Soul”. St. Therese herself, struggled greatly during her religious life with some of the traits and personalities of her sisters in the cloister. Through trial and perseverence, she managed to overcome her own difficulties with others, and make great strides in holiness.
Religious life is a difficult life. The difficulties specific to it is the fact that people of different personalities, educational background, spirituality and level of maturity, chose to live together to answer a call. You choose who you marry, you can quit a job if you don’t like it, or remain in the world as a single person with your own plans and endeavors. But not in religious life. But it is a CHOSEN life. One chooses to be a religious. Everybody is here with the same goal- to follow God and grow in holiness- but the problem however lies in the fact that everybody sees holiness in different ways, relates to God in different ways and lives the Gospel invitation in different ways.
Nice post.
I hear of classes, like Bible Studies, for example, in which they either praise the Bible or attempt to tear it apart to prove it wrong. I’d like to look and teach it as a literary work, thank you very much. )
Dear “LoverofChrist”. Are you aware of the new Order which has been founded by Rosalind Moss ? The Order will be accepting women of any age… provided they are able to follow the Rule of the Order. Check the link below… for more info. God bless.