Love is always exciting!

As for emotions: when they're properly (as in, disinterestedly) experienced, I think they can be good pointers in discernment (and life in general, no doubt). However, few of us are good at looking at our emotions impartially. So my advice, however little it may be worth, is to take your emotions and pray that they'll help you in your journey.

PP

I will pray for you as well, JesusITrustInYou. It is an exciting thing to be discerning one's vocation to the religious life.

I think I've experienced in the past what you are experiencing. When I first started discerning religious life, I very much felt the need to write to and then visit as many communities as possible, because I somehow thought that the 'perfect' community was out there! One wise sister said to me, If you chase too many rabbits, you'll catch none. Basically, if you're searching for the perfect community, you'll be standing in the field, looking around and realizing that you're alone.

There's also the 'grass is always greener' rut that some get stuck in. Once you do visit or make an aspirancy, or even enter, and you DO see that it isn't always (or at all) sweetness and light, romantic heroism at every moment, and you SEE that the sisters aren't holy, but striving for holiness in their own imperfections (as another sister once said, 'if you don't have any imperfect sisters in your convent, go out and wave them on in, because they're going to be the ones who will lead you to your salvation!'). You'll also see that these sisters aren't as exciting as you first saw them, and well, gee, that horarium that you LOVED when you first discerned, really IS the same thing day in, and day out. . .discouragement might be just around the corner waiting to peek its head in and drive you away. But let me just add. . .as an 'older; (35) vocation. . .I've lived in the world. Being in the world, working the same job, hanging out with pretty much the same people, well, it's just about the same. . .only a different way of life. Rarely is there something exciting going on. Oh, and if one is called to the married life? LOL You'll have to deal with his (or her, if you are a male, reading this) idiosyncracies just as much as dealing with a nun's.

In the end, both vocations, those that are more in the world, and those that are not. . .married life, single life, and the religious life. .. . each have people in your life with idiosyncracies, each have schedules that don't change all that much, and each have their various excitements.

If you are feeling called to the religious life, you could very well be called, because one of the biggest affirmations from our Lord is the very fact that He put this desire within you. As to which community? Very rarely does He give some sign that leaves one with no doubt. You could be called to the community 'in your backyard' because you feel 'home' with them. Sometimes it is hard to see that. We aren't to look and look until we find the place where we are knocked off our horse, per se, but look for the place which causes us to feel 'home' and 'at peace'. Those are your signs. (I was in a community where *I* thought I was home, but my body was not, it wasn't at peace, it was in turmoil almost the entire time, rebelling, with problems and illness, telling me I wasn't at peace. . .and it took my superior to see that, even though I fit in so well, also per her words. Listen to your inner self, it speaks volumes!)

And if you feel so comfortable with these sisters that you've known for so long?. . .that might be telling you something.

Now, I'm off to the airport for my 'retreat', my time to get away to listen to our Lord, to 'ponder these things in my heart.' God bless you on your journey, and know that I will be praying for you. Please keep me also in your prayers. I fervently need it!

Yours in Christ,
Denise

You should be very excited indeed, for you are falling in love with Our Dear Lord!!!
I wrote to many, many communities. Heck you can search on line to your hearts content and discover many different orders. You should explore all that you can. Eventually we find we are attracted to a Franciscan or a Dominican or a Benedictine charism...whatever, there are many.
You have a wonderful opportunity with these sisters you know. Take your time and see what they are all about, from a view of a potential vocation there. This sister seems to know you well, utilize that to your advantage. She has good insights.
Above all ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!! A year is just a blink of an eye in the real world. You have no hurry. Develop your prayer life, have some fun with your friends, learn to cherish your family. Go exploring other communities. There are many good communities who need new members, not only the PCPA's. Decide if you are more interested in the active or cloistered life or a combination of the two(like Visitation's).
We will all pray for you!
Alicemary

I can't add much more to all the words of wisdom here recently. So many good congregations are out there that have gone through reforms and changes over the years and still remained true to the ideals of religious life. It does my heart good to see some interest in the community in one's "backyard". Share your story, it helps and encourages more people than you know!

Hey do any of you happen to be any only child???

Just curious. I am and it is really hard on myparents that I most likely will be entering religious life. They are doing pretty good with it, they still have some time to adjust because I don't graduate from college until December this year so the earliest I will be entering is August/september of next year. My time to pray for them and for God's will.

I'm off to my Carmel for a retreat in 9 days!!!!!

The Carmel is in Denmark, Wisconsin.

This is going to sound blasphemous, but it's not meant that way. Sometimes I think God is nuts in what He seems (I place a big chuck of cheesy emphasis on the word "seems") to be asking of me.

Please pray for me! Please please please please. That I can keep my nerve more than anything else!

Love and prayers,

PP

Do any of you also feel a pull to stay where you are sometimes? I live near a little parish that is struggling and sometimes feel that God wants me to be where I am right now to help them regain their strength, and contribute there as much as possible. Thanks and God bless!

Hi all,

I just want to say that it really helps to read all your posts and to recognize some of my own struggles in them! I've been discerning for about a year and now am in the process of applying. I think I resisted the call for a while and now am dealing with the frustration of wanting to be there now. But it cannot be yet as I still have a student loan to pay off. I'm trying to focus on deepening my prayer life and reading/knowledge, and even to focus on learning to sew since the sisters sew vestments.

Do any of you also feel a pull to stay where you are sometimes? I live near a little parish that is struggling and sometimes feel that God wants me to be where I am right now to help them regain their strength, and contribute there as much as possible. Thanks and God bless!

i wish i could feel that way my parish got a new pastor last year
but i know what you meanabout wanting to stay
by the way i new here and have been exploring the site i'm struggling with the fact that i am being call to the religous life please pray for me i need peace with my vocation or i will go crazy

I was just wondering if y'all could keep me and my parents in your prayers.
this whole "nun thing" as they keep refering to it as is really hard on them. I spent time with my parents last weekend and it's just really hard. They are just really hostile toward religion in general especially the Catholic Church. I keep praying and will continue and I know the Lord is right there beside me and them but it still makes it difficult. they are in denial that God is calling me to this life and keep trying to set me up with guys. They are really sad about the not having grand children thing and keep bringing that up. they like to say how can you deny us the right to grandchildren when we've done everything for you. I know that I have to do what God is calling me to. The order I'm discerning with keeps telling me that when God calls someone to this life he also pours out the grace of the vocation on them as well. they also said that once my parents see me in the community and the joy and peace I havethere and once they meet the sisters they will settle in to the idea a bit better. Anyways that's a little bit about my situation. Any prayers would be greatly appreciated especially for my parents their names are Mike and Sue

Welcome to Phatmass and more precisely to Vocation Station. I am not one to give vocation advice, but I did want to encourage you, to admire you, and to offer my prayers. As a parent of a religious (and a devout Catholic) I can appreciate the uncertainty you are experiencing.

I heard a very holy priest say a short time ago: (I'm paraphrasing) "If you even have the idea, or the notion, or the thought that you might have a vocation to consecrated life, then you should ASSUME that you do have a vocation and move forward and pursue it." Take the position that you ARE being called to this life of union with God for the sake of the Church. The only question at hand is: where does He want me. The call to a religious vocation is really not yours to make. God gives the call by His providence (and being worthy has nothing to do with it). God will normally work through your desires so if you do, He did. Leave the discernment of your vocation to your directors, cuz it is really up to them to see it or not. And God ultimately directs them. So the bottom line (if you have the desire): You have a vocation. Now, how does our dear Jesus, your spouse, want you to serve the Church, His mystical body.

Oh, on the other issue, the fact that you also feel called to marriage and motherhood is a good sign, it is normal and natural and in reality a sign that you have a religious vocation if the desires are still in your heart.

Sorry, I did not want this to sound like advice but this is my idea of encouragement.

God love you, future bride of Christ,
Mr. Ray
Sorry, I meant my post in response to your post Lost and Confused"