[littlesister]

THere is a Western U.S. vocation coordinators meeting tomorrow. Any suggestions on ways to
attract young people to the beauty of consecrated life? What did it for you?

[the lords sheep]

Just seeing women who are authentically joyful in the consecrated life is what really helped me to see myself as a religious.
There aren't any gimmicks or sales pitches you can give that will convince them: just your beautiful witness to the beauty of being Christ's spouse!

[juchu]

What fascinated me most was that they are so authentic, living their life like a beautiful liturgy - And that they are human. That they are not just "like angels", but that they have the capacity to argue, to discuss, to comunicate and to reconciliate.

Also what for me personally was great, that there are first "informal" possibilities of getting to know a community, like volunteer programs, where you take part in the sisters life and their prayer, work with them, but still live with other volunteers who might be there just for a "time out" and not as people contemplating that lifestyle for themselves.

[EAnn246]

For me, it was a lot of little things that kind of grew into me finally realizing that God just might be calling me to religious life.

the authenticity.
the joy.
community.
love (of people, of the Gospels, of Jesus).
prayer/liturgy.

[Maria_Faustina]

EAnn246, on Jun 29 2009, 09:59 PM, said:

For me, it was a lot of little things that kind of grew into me finally realizing that God just might be calling me to religious life.

the authenticity.
the joy.
community.
love (of people, of the Gospels, of Jesus).
prayer/liturgy.

Yes. That's all it really can be. I think once I started realizing the pure joy religious had (I hadn't known many at all growing up) it really makes you wonder what they have. And then you find out--God Himself as their Spouse, and Lord, and completely--and it makes perfect sense. Also, the way religious seem to develop such distinct personalities--I think because you're made to look into yourself in the convent/monastery, it brings you to your fullest..you. :) (Which leads people to say some religious are crazy...but in the good and inspiring way, of course!)
For a specific example, the Sisters of Life came to speak at my school last semester. The way Sr. Gabriel talked about God, and His Love was amazing--but what both I and my friends all noticed separately of each other was the way she said the Name of Jesus. It nearly took my breath away every time, because each she said it, it was with complete love. It was beautiful.

[VeniteAdoremus]

Yes to all of the above. Especially to the human-ness :)

I loved my community instantly because I could see how all sisters are completely different personalities, who all share the peace of being where they belong. It taught me that there's no such thing as "the" sister, which meant that I didn't have to try and squeeze into something I'm not!