Writing to a religious order

[bookish]

Hi, all!

I have only visited women religious who are contemplative/active, with apostolates in the world, and who have held organized retreats. I’m interested in learning more about a community of cloistered, contemplative nuns, and possibly asking to visit them. The only contact information they give is the address of the Reverend Mother Prioress.

I’m at a loss as to how to construct this letter (I’m a true daughter of the times—I only ever use email!). Anyone with experience here, I’d love your help. How did you word your letters to religious communities?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. God bless!

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

I’ve written letters before to cloistered communities. Most of them had only physical addresses, not email, so it was a challenge since I am so used to email. The reason that the addresses are only for Mother Superior is because she usually acts as both the Prioress and Vocations Director for the order.

When I contacted the orders I was really interested in, I usually gave a brief synopsis of my discernment and life thus far and explained why their order intrigued me. There is no standard way of writing it or any requirements. Just write from the heart, is my advice. If the Prioress needs more information, she’ll let you know when she writes back.

If you’re feeling a little hesitant, maybe it would help to talk to them over the phone to ease your concerns? When I was discerning a visit to a Carmelite monastery, I spoke with Mother about 5 or 6 times (I never went though because I discerned I probably did not have a cloistered vocation). She helped me, though, to see what the life would be like if I chose to enter there. I can’t thank her enough for the time she gave me.

BTW, if you are interested in the Carmelites, the monastery I speak of is in Buffalo, NY. Mother Miriam is a dear, blessed woman.

carmelitenunsstjoseph.org/Buffalo.htm

 

[bookish]

Thank you so much for this post! They are the very sisters I am interested in.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Thank you so much for this post! They are the very sisters I am interested in.

LOL, small world! I have a friend who is entering their order on March 25th this year (please pray for her). But Mother Miriam is a dear friend, and anyone who is nervous will be calmed by her holiness. God bless you!

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Also, if you would like to call them, since you only have their address, their number is:

(716)-837-6499

Leave a message on the voice recorder and Mother Miriam will call you back.

 

[anode]

Hi, all!

I have only visited women religious who are contemplative/active, with apostolates in the world, and who have held organized retreats. I’m interested in learning more about a community of cloistered, contemplative nuns, and possibly asking to visit them. The only contact information they give is the address of the Reverend Mother Prioress.

I’m at a loss as to how to construct this letter (I’m a true daughter of the times—I only ever use email!). Anyone with experience here, I’d love your help. How did you word your letters to religious communities?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. God bless!

There is a frequent poster on phatmass, ?CarmeliteGirl–I’m not sure–who is looking at them also. If you are a member, or maybe even if you’re not, you can search under 'Buffalo Carmel ’ and her posts should come up–she may be able to offer you information (or visa versa!)

 

[bookish]

Thank you both again so much! Y’all are awesome. :bowdown:

 

[anode]

There is a frequent poster on phatmass, ?CarmeliteGirl–I’m not sure–who is looking at them also. If you are a member, or maybe even if you’re not, you can search under 'Buffalo Carmel ’ and her posts should come up–she may be able to offer you information (or visa versa!)

The poster I am thinking of is “InHIsLove 726”, but she hasn’t posted since early Nov '09, as far as I can tell. The new "phatmass phorum "doesn’t appear to allow IMing posters and she has no email address posted. Posting on Vocation Station with the subject heading “Buffalo Carmel” may roust those interested in this carmel on phatmass.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

The poster I am thinking of is “InHIsLove 726”, but she hasn’t posted since early Nov '09, as far as I can tell. The new "phatmass phorum "doesn’t appear to allow IMing posters and she has no email address posted. Posting on Vocation Station with the subject heading “Buffalo Carmel” may roust those interested in this carmel on phatmass.

That’s actually my previous screenname. I decided I no longer wanted to post over in Phatmass for various reasons (mainly because I was spending too much time on the internet). I also used to post under the screename here as “CarmeliteGirl25.” I felt it best to change my screename because I am no longer discerning the call to the Carmelites.

 

[ForeverHis8827]

Thank you so much for this post! They are the very sisters I am interested in.

Dear Bookish,

The first time I wrote to Buffalo Carmel, I wrote about my conversion (I am a recent convert) and some of the reasons that made me believe I had a calling to the religious vocation; particularly to the cloister, and why I was interested in the cloister. Then I finished the letter with letting Mother know I would like to hear back from her and discern further with this community.

Mother Miriam is a very sweet, and kind lady. All the Sisters there are, and they are joyful. I will be entering March 25th. If there’s anyway I would be able to help you; let me know. I see on here that her phone number is posted; I would recommend calling her and asking her the questions you have. She would be more than happy to help you. You may have a better chance in getting in touch with her if you call. Most likely, when she gets your letter (and/or when you talk with her on the phone), she will send you the “Love Can Do All” book; it’s about the history of Buffalo Carmel and it has some pictures and talks some of what their daily life is like. It’s very nice and interesting.

Blessings,

Moriah.

 

[ForeverHis8827]

LOL, small world! I have a friend who is entering their order on March 25th this year (please pray for her). But Mother Miriam is a dear friend, and anyone who is nervous will be calmed by her holiness. God bless you!

It’s nice to see you on here! What a choice for your new username.

I hope all is well.

Blessings,

Moriah.

 

[nunsense]

That’s actually my previous screenname. I decided I no longer wanted to post over in Phatmass for various reasons (mainly because I was spending too much time on the internet). I also used to post under the screename here as “CarmeliteGirl25.” I felt it best to change my screename because I am no longer discerning the call to the Carmelites.

I would tease you about not discerning with the Carmelites anymore, but I don’t want you to take it seriously by accident! Your phriends at phatmass have been missing you and wondering how you are! I am glad that all is well and that you are happy. Prayers for you.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

I would tease you about not discerning with the Carmelites anymore, but I don’t want you to take it seriously by accident! Your phriends at phatmass have been missing you and wondering how you are! I am glad that all is well and that you are happy. Prayers for you.

Thank you for your prayers. I am very happy with the direction my life is going. Through a recent miracle, I am able to pay off most of my debt (with only $100-200 left, if that!) in preparation for religious life. I am also going to visit a community on the 13th-17th to discern my vocation to their order. I don’t want to reveal which order just yet because I’ve made the mistake of saying I was called to a different order and then it turned out to be different than what God had in mind. I may post over there if and when I apply and/or get an entrance date. Right now, I’m just taking it one step at a time.

It’s nice to see you on here! What a choice for your new username.

I hope all is well.

Blessings,

Moriah.

Hehe, I love the Blessed Virgin and I made a consecration to the Immaculate on Dec. 8th, 2009 (I don’t remember if I told you in the email). This year, I’m really stepping up my consecration to her through the Rosary and other prayers.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Correction! I will have enough to pay all my debt off! I thought I’d have some debt left, but I just added everything up and I’ll have enough to pay everything off! YAY!!! :extrahappy:

Sorry for hijacking the post. I just couldn’t resist sharing my exciting news!!!

 

[anode]

Correction! I will have enough to pay all my debt off! I thought I’d have some debt left, but I just added everything up and I’ll have enough to pay everything off! YAY!!! :extrahappy:

Sorry for hijacking the post. I just couldn’t resist sharing my exciting news!!!

  Many congrats on getting rid of that debt. I think that many would-be discerners go to Catholic colleges for their faith, not thinking of the debt they are accruing, which has to be paid off before entering. Better to go to a cheaper school and live at home and then be able to enter without being hindered by a huge debt.

 I am glad that I 'flushed' you out, bec I wondered where you had gone.

Good luck in your ongoing discernment!

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Many congrats on getting rid of that debt. I think that many would-be discerners go to Catholic colleges for their faith, not thinking of the debt they are accruing, which has to be paid off before entering. Better to go to a cheaper school and live at home and then be able to enter without being hindered by a huge debt.

 I am glad that I 'flushed' you out, bec I wondered where you had gone.

Good luck in your ongoing discernment!

LOL.

My debt was actually accrued through personal credit cards and a line of credit. It’s also important, especially in this day and age where we use credit cards WAY too often (a society of instant gratification) instead of keeping track of the money we spend. I have learned a very difficult but very valuable lesson in financial necessities.

 

[Sister_Rose]

Hello bookish,
This is a response to the original post. I think there are probably many young people who get nervous at the prospect of writing a letter like that.
DaughterofMary6 has it right about what you should write in the letter. The Superior will want to see that you are open and honest and that you took some care in writing the letter. The content is what is most important.

It may help you though to have a guide on how to format a personal letter if you haven’t written one in a while. This would be a personal letter, not a business letter, that you would want to write.

This website has a nice little guide that might help you to format the letter.
readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/

God bless you.

 

[joamy]

LOL.

My debt was actually accrued through personal credit cards and a line of credit. It’s also important, especially in this day and age where we use credit cards WAY too often (a society of instant gratification) instead of keeping track of the money we spend. I have learned a very difficult but very valuable lesson in financial necessities.

Congrats on getting it paid off!!! (I’m in a similar situation and am almost there.)

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Congrats on getting it paid off!!! (I’m in a similar situation and am almost there.)

It was a miracle, my friend. I pay you have the same miracle granted to you. God bless.

 

[KEVIN_WILCOX]

When we stand on Holy Ground we have to take off our shoes. Get rid of affectation.
It’s the Holy Spirit who shines a light on vocations to the Religious Life or lack of one. Our Lord didn’t attempt to convince anyone - he was just being himself. And that’s the hardest thing of all, to “just be ourselves” when we spend most of our time trying to be someone else, hiding our face from God. Whever you go, God will call you, and walk alongside you until you get there. Trust Him, lean on Him. The spiritual life is all about abandoning false idols and finding out who you are.
“Bookish” - hope not, put books aside for a while: The life of saints such as St Teresa of Avila can be seductive; in the end we have to realise we are someone else.