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littletherese3
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I’m scared because I’m scared of facing myself
But it’s got to be done some time I guess:blush:
But it’s got to be done some time I guess:blush:
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Bebekoualy
Guest
The most scaring thing is… disputes in cloistered life. I think you can’t bear people around you after many years with them… and nothing changing… 
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drewmartinez
Guest
H mm well after holy Thursday after I received my sign from God just for me according to Fr. before Holy Thursday I was hesitant about vocations and it was making me sick! thinking about it. My friends weren’t very supportive and my brother of all people really turned the conversation into a train wreck! And after a mix up with my friend that helped my so much with my faith, i was scrapping the idea all together. I remember the last thing i said. “God if I have a calling give me a sign but really i don’t need it, you don’t have to…” Then after the mass and during the hour of adoration The image of Jesus on the pew caught my eye and OUCH!! that was a 180 degree turn on the idea… What a sign! I Told Fr about it and he was really asking me like with a stern voice " what’s holding you back!! " “Its it worldly!!” “Drew its OK to tell God no!” What are you gonna do!!!" “Go visit the seminary!!” UGH SISTER I cant tell God NO! after being sick off and on for about 5 years! and now getting better especially with a heart disorder that took time to figure out. Is God trying to get my attention through illness? I told Fr that if I’m called my heart has to be in it the whole time and i know it would be… I could hardly care less if I don’t get married! I remember when I would hear when a non catholic saw a really good priest someone would say " gee what a waste" why is it a waste to be a priest!!! Its not a waste to pray and hold someones hand during their deathbed to pray for them because they might need someone to support them and show that they really count. Its a waste to get married and then divorce leaving behind a disaster with the kids involved… Its also a waste to abort a child. Someone that cant have children would adopt that child in their arms and who knows treat that kid special, Who knows one day one might reunite with that child one day. Love is not a waste… I need prayer sister, UGH I know some of my family members are gonna say that im doomed to hell if I become a priest. Theirs a lot of non Catholics in my family. i asked my cousin what she though of me being a priest. “I don’t know there’s a lot of bad things associated with priests.” I also saw my doctor and he recommends that I take a year off to think about it. My friend had a mix up with the diocese here and it seems that there was a mistake made with them. UGH lol thus far God has provided a sign to me so looks like i’m opening up the door to the idea… I think God is gonna call me to radio ministry of some kind, why do I think that? At work Ive had random customers tell me " why don’t you try to work in radio you have a great voice for it!" Is God telling me something ?? Satan is working soo hard to stop me and ill admit it its almost working.
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cheese_sdc
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I went to the seminary for four years. There is plenty to worry about.
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Gertabelle
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The only way to answer these questions is to start asking the superiors of the orders to which you are drawn. Every community has its own requirements regarding physical ability. I think more than your ability to hear or see, the community (especially a contemplative one) is going to be concerned with your overall physical strength and health. Religious life can be strenuous on the body.
It sounds like you are drawn to the contemplative life. While visiting will be essential before entering, most of your early discernment will be through letters. And you can visit a cloistered community over a weekend, since they won’t be letting you into the cloister itself and your visits will be taking place in the parlor – so no need to worry about limited vacation time
I enetered the monastery at 19, just after completing my second year of college. Two years later, God called me back into the world. The transition was a bit scary, and quite an adventure – but those two years of prayer had strengthened my faith, and God led me and cared for me in the transition. In other words, if you discern incorrectly (and personally, I don’t think I did at all) God will not abandon you. You can and must place all your trust in Him
God bless you. You’ll be in my family’s prayers.
Gertie
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BilanskyBrian
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Today I am going to my first interview to hopefully get accepted into the Permanemt Diaocanate. Do you have any advice for me?
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Gertabelle
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Pray.
Be truthful, honest, nothing hidden.
Pray.
Be open to the working of the Holy Spirit in you and your interviewer.
Pray.
Unite yourself with Christ and His Holy Will.
Pray.
Be joyful
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Sister_Helena
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Now, young ladies and gentlemen, many of you indicated being scared of religious life because of some superficial reasons! Vocation should not be forced but if God is inviting you to an event, the least you can do is to show up! He has given us many blessings, doesn’t He deserve a little bit of our time and attention? No instant commitment, just an answer. We owe him that much.,
, many of you indicated being scared of religious life because of some superficial reasons! Vocation should not be forced but if God is inviting you to an event, the least you can do is to show up! He has given us many blessings, doesn’t He deserve a little bit of our time and attention? No instant commitment, just an answer. We owe him that much.,
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littletherese3
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ClareTherese
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** Hello Sr. Helena,
I love this thread, because one does not get a religious on this forum very often. My best friend of eleven years, is a cloistered, Carmelite Nun, in Georgetown, Ca. She has been like a mentor and spiritual advisor to me. She entered the religious life after college, at age 23. Now she is 33, and wise in her years. When I recieve mail from her, and the newsletters from the community, something exciting happens to me. I shine and glow all over.
I myself have heard God’s call for quite sometime now. In my late 30’s is when I heard the call. I was drawn to Mother Angelica’s order, but soon found out, I was “too old”. So, the Novice Mistress, now the Mother Vicar–Sr. Mary Catherine, gave me listings of communities, the Guide to Religious Ministries Book, and a Visions Magazine. Since 1995, I have recieved their newletters every month. Such a growing a beautiful community they are. Especially now, since they expanded out to Phoenix, and to San Antonio.
I love this thread, because one does not get a religious on this forum very often. My best friend of eleven years, is a cloistered, Carmelite Nun, in Georgetown, Ca. She has been like a mentor and spiritual advisor to me. She entered the religious life after college, at age 23. Now she is 33, and wise in her years. When I recieve mail from her, and the newsletters from the community, something exciting happens to me. I shine and glow all over.
I myself have heard God’s call for quite sometime now. In my late 30’s is when I heard the call. I was drawn to Mother Angelica’s order, but soon found out, I was “too old”. So, the Novice Mistress, now the Mother Vicar–Sr. Mary Catherine, gave me listings of communities, the Guide to Religious Ministries Book, and a Visions Magazine. Since 1995, I have recieved their newletters every month. Such a growing a beautiful community they are. Especially now, since they expanded out to Phoenix, and to San Antonio.
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Poor_Clare_tobe
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*If by nothing changing you mean your daily routine? On the face of it theThe most scaring thing is… disputes in cloistered life. I think you can’t bear people around you after many years with them… and nothing changing…
daily schedule which is built around prayer changes little. However there are always other tasks or situations that come up that make the each day a different part of your journey.
Yes there can be disputes in cloistered life… that is why you must take time in your discernment process as [most times] the cloister you enter is where you shall spend the balance of your life
Have you considered that perhaps your calling is to a more active order??? (If you are concerned with things “not changing?”
Just some thoughts.... I continue to pray for all who are considering a vocation. Peace and All Good!*
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Poor_Clare_tobe
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Just to add to what Sister said so very well! For those hesitant for whatever reason??? I would encourage you to begin your journey. One does not enter religious life “knowing” all there is to being a priest, deacon, brother, Sister, or Nun.Now, young ladies and gentlemen
Rather one brings ones gifts and is formed in the life of the community during Postulancy and Novitiate. What I am saying in agreement with Sister is if you feel even a little tug??? Won’t you answer???The journey takes time and if you are called there are those to help you along the way… If you find in the end you aren’t called… at least you won’t always wonder …“what if?”
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pasancharan
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I liked what someone said earlier about how God will never give us an impossible task, or an unanswerable calling. He always provides us with the grace we need to do His will, and when we are doing His will, we are ultimately as happy as we can be. It reminds me of a quote by St. Francis Desales (hrm…or maybe Xavier; I can’t remember 
): God weighs and measures the cross we are given, making sure it is not one inch too long nor one ounce too heavy.
I’m young (15) so I’ve got pleeeeenty of time to figure what the Lord wants of me, but I know that whatever it is I’m not alone in my discernment and as long as everything I do is a sincere effort to grow closer to Him, I don’t have much to be afraid of.
I live in a secular, single-parent (divorced) household and my parent, a depressed, suicidal, atheist, borderline alcoholic, lapsed Catholic, has some very very hostile attitudes towards religion. I am also an only child. I know well the fear of not wanting to disappoint a parent, but I pray every day that God will work through me in getting through to my mother and helping to bring her back home to Him. And maybe the answer to these prayers has something to do with the strong tug I am feeling towards the religious life.
): God weighs and measures the cross we are given, making sure it is not one inch too long nor one ounce too heavy.I’m young (15) so I’ve got pleeeeenty of time to figure what the Lord wants of me, but I know that whatever it is I’m not alone in my discernment and as long as everything I do is a sincere effort to grow closer to Him, I don’t have much to be afraid of.
I live in a secular, single-parent (divorced) household and my parent, a depressed, suicidal, atheist, borderline alcoholic, lapsed Catholic, has some very very hostile attitudes towards religion. I am also an only child. I know well the fear of not wanting to disappoint a parent, but I pray every day that God will work through me in getting through to my mother and helping to bring her back home to Him. And maybe the answer to these prayers has something to do with the strong tug I am feeling towards the religious life.
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Sister_Helena
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You are full of wisdom for someone so young! I’m glad you wandered into this siteI liked what someone said earlier about how God will never give us an impossible task, or an unanswerable calling. He always provides us with the grace we need to do His will, and when we are doing His will, we are ultimately as happy as we can be. It reminds me of a quote by St. Francis Desales (hrm…or maybe Xavier; I can’t remember
I’m young (15) so I’ve got pleeeeenty of time to figure what the Lord wants of me, but I know that whatever it is I’m not alone in my discernment and as long as everything I do is a sincere effort to grow closer to Him, I don’t have much to be afraid of.
I live in a secular, single-parent (divorced) household and my parent, a depressed, suicidal, atheist, borderline alcoholic, lapsed Catholic, has some very very hostile attitudes towards religion. I am also an only child. I know well the fear of not wanting to disappoint a parent, but I pray every day that God will work through me in getting through to my mother and helping to bring her back home to Him. And maybe the answer to these prayers has something to do with the strong tug I am feeling towards the religious life.
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Sister_Helena
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Not all seminaries are the same. There are a number of them which are orthodox and reliable.
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dplusr
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Sadly for me there is no superficial reason that I am hesitant. I am terrified of my past, I try to think of the Apostle Paul and how he was chosen despite the fact that he persecuted Christians. However, I still can’t get over that. I also can’t help the feeling that I am deceiving the orders that I am visiting by not disclosing my past.Now, young ladies and gentlemen
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Sister_Helena
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The aim of religious life is not so much to change what is around us as much as to be changed for the better and be transformed in the person God made us to be. Disputes do happen in religious life just as in any relationship of people. Monotony is a reality in religious life also because things can get to be “habitual.” But when God becomes part of our lives, every moment of it is lived out with a purpose and difficulties are made bearable by His grace These are all sacrifices we choose to embrace for love of Him…The most scaring thing is… disputes in cloistered life. I think you can’t bear people around you after many years with them… and nothing changing…
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Sister_Helena
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Even if you don’t end up entering an Order, you need to go through healing so you can be whole again and serve God with freedom and joy. I’ll keep you in prayers.
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cheese_sdc
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That’s not the problem.
I graduated from the minor seminary (but did not go on to theology) with 16-18 guys. Half of those didn’t enter theological studies. Of the half that did enter theology, maybe 2/3rds finished and where ordained (not quite sure of those numbers).
The problem is those that were ordained were the power hungry, ultra conservative, dictatorial types. They weren’t in the seminary to lead souls to God, they were there to have power over other people. Those that were finally ordained thought nothing of using sacraments as a means of control. They’d be perfectly happy if Vatican II never happened.
In fact, there is one diocese in my state that seemed to have more of these types than the others - I swore that I’d never attend a mass in that diocese again.
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dakotagirl
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I WANT a religious vocation. I just don’t think I have one. I just thought I would throw that out there. Religious are so lucky. Like Sr. said, God is ALWAYS a faithful spouse.
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