Hi, I was wondering if anyone has discerned with The Daughters of St. Paul, entered or is in formation there? They have an awesome apostolate and I Iove their charism. They are so vibrant and full of life.

I am excited to learn more about them! (I have made contact with one of their Sisters here in Chicago and I can't wait to meet them).

Just wondering.

hekc you know i have...but i will tell you anyways.....i was discerning with them for 2 yrs and not long before christmas 2 yrs ago....they requested me not to speak to the sisters anymore and not to discern with the community.....they never really gave me a reason why.....of course I was in Contact with Sr. carmen Christi...who is such a sweet heart...but Sr. margaret michael.....well i cant say what my thoughts are of her....


but eventually i last tlaked to her after graduation...she seemed alot happier with me.....but i still cant tlak to any of the sisters but her.....i still do anyways!!!!

I discerned with them. The Daughers of St. paul are so friendly and are a lot of fun to be around! They also impressed me with their knowledge of media studies (I was a media studies major so I looked into that order because of their devotion to sanctifying the media). You should talk to their Vocation Directress... she's wonderful

They are the grooviest of the groovy.

Well....??...what happened?

One of my really close friends dreamed about joining. But the summer camps are all in boston, and she is in Los Angeles. and she always had a tough time getting over there. In fact it was near impossible. And of course, her mom, and the rest of her family didnt want to help her out in any way. So she has kind of given up based mostly on the fact that things dont seem to be working out, she decided to not think about entering any more.

Please pray for her, i really think she has a vocation. I think she gave up, not under God's love and inspiration, but rather out of hopelessness.

SHALOM

Well, I felt called for awhile, then the desire went away. I don't have the desire to become a Sister at the moment. It's a beautiful way of life, and I trust that if God wants me to become a Sister he will fill me with the desire to do so. When I told this to Sr. Margaret Michael, she said that it is good to be open to all of the various vocations out there, including doing full time work in the media. At the time, i was doing an internship at a major news outlet so all of the Pauline Sisters were really excited about that and said that God can use me to sanctify the media. But they also said that if I were to feel called again to serve God in religious life through media evangelism, to let them know because it could be a sign of a Pauline vocation.

They also said that while they are living out their spirituality in religious life, it would not require becoming a Sister to incorporate aspects of Pauline spirituality into my life.

please check out several of the blogs that the Sisters have, they can be found on their website. Yell if you can't find them!
AliceM

I met some of the sisters from Charleston a couple of months ago at a book fair. They were so nice! One of the sisters chatted with me for a little while about life, jobs, etc. They all seemed very cool.

I love Sr. Bernadette's blog....thanks for the heads up on the blogs, I already knew about them though. I am in a blog ring with some of them already. They are just so awesome, I wish I knew of them before.

lol, i love the smiley lauren

Nope I never have, of course Im a guy so that wouldnt be right if I did................

Discerned with them...................?????????????

I KNOW them! Sister Donna Jean! She is currently in Rome getting ready to be perpetually professed in a few months. I'm going through a withdrawal with her being gone, I know their family, I rode with Sister Donna Jean and her mom to the (what do you guess!) Vocations Camp.

What I meant was...is anyone in discernment with the community?

Tell me about Vocations Camp....it's prolly for high school age people right? Or is it for everyone?

Well when I was there, there was everyone there lol. There were little kids, but it is primarily for High School Aged girls. ITS SOOOO AWESOME. Yes guys before yes they have their Priesthood Vocations Camp.

Its three days, and you do a million things in those three days then in a month! I made some blog posts, I will post them. Its gives you a slight glimpse:

So...I do remember my story that I was going to tell you so I hope you all came prepared for another exciting adventure that is full of rock! For reading is rocking! And when you read you ROCK! No matter what you rock to, you ROCK! So R®O(E)C(A)K(D)!!!! (That includes you Religious Sisters!)

So, on Wednesday June 29th, during lunch or rather after lunch we got dessert, which was Ice Cream! ((I have never had more ice cream in my entire life then I have had in the Year 2005, so I dont want ice cream for my entry into the Monastery!!)) Most of us had forgotten our spoons, and me once again the "Lucky One" was surronded by religious sisters on all sides. So we all got up and got our spoons and sat back down at the tables. To my far left hand corner was a camper who was putting her spoon on her nose in EVERY SINGLE WAY you could think of! I tried a few times, and finally I got it, and I wasnt the only one! ((I mean this girl started a fashion!!)) All the sisters ((who shall remain nameless as to spare them humilty!)) who were around me started doing it then two more sisters on the far back of the dinning room had them on their noses to. Well...I other then the girl was able to get my spoon on um backward where the mouth piece was on my nose and the rest of it was pretty much on my forehead.

Everyone took pictures of us! How humiliating....later after our ice cream someone had threatened to the sisters by saying that they were going to send pictures of them with spoons on their noses to their MOTHER SUPERIORS! ((Of course it didnt happen!))

So...I actually think that maybe the sisters threatened us campers, because a few of the SISTERS took pictures of us campers with the spoons on our noses, and I know for a fact! That one of the nameless sisters devoloped her camera when she left to Boston a few days after camp((Or so it seems or so it would be probably perhaps *Ponders*))
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Forgive the beginning of this one!

I just realized the article I posted, was posted on my birthday- okay attention, attention, may I have your attention please- You'll have to forgive my new buddy eventureman, he keeps track of all the events I've done and havent posted on my blog-or anywhere else for that matter!- shut! Okay so lets start with my birthday, which was unsuccessful. But turned out to be a great 16th Birthday! Oh, and before that I went to a reception at my parish for Sr Annie, and met her blood sister who is also a- She is a Sister who has a sister who is also a Sister- *Pushes eventureman off stage* Thank you event. Anyway, her blood sister is also a religious sister so that was rad, then up to this week I went on a Vocations Camp to Camp Vanasek, while in a car with a- la!-*looks back at the audience*- La!- With a sister-Laaaaaaaaaa!*Duct Tapes his mouth* I know, I am sorry I shouldnt of brought him. And for those religious reading this blog I'm not really like that towards others. So I will tell you one story of Vocations Camp (A cloud comes around the computer screen, flashback:)

The community and I were all sitting in the chapel at about 3 PM which time we would be playing games outside, Deacon Mike (aka: Pa, and director of the Camp and of the Diocese of Duluth MN) Came into the chapel and here is the beginning: "We have been issued for a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm, so if everyone would not panicle but quickly make there way up to the bathrooms." So, we all headed and walked fast up to the stone bathrooms, deep inside on top of a hill it took us about 5 minutes to close the bathroom windows, a million (28) people wanted to do the rosary which we had done earlier that day, and luckily I still had mine with me which was prayed and touched by Mother Mary Angelica of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. Very popular nun. It took us about a half hour to pray the rosary, and I was standing there, some of them were scared, some were breathing heavily, others had their eyes closed, but constantly as I was facing them someone would also look at me for about three minutes.

I was scared myself, because earlier I had found out that all the religious sisters were in the chapel (which wasnt the safest place) Both Franciscan Communities, the Dominican Community, Daughters of Saint Paul, Sacred Heart of Jesus. Finally during the 9th Hail Mary, Sister Mary Peter, Sister Carly, and Sister Anne Francis walked in, and I'm trying not laugh and two of the girls who I told my fear were smiling, and one of them put their hand on my shoulder while I'm trying to breath because I am so relieved that the sisters (well three out of the 9) were safe! I couldnt even finish the final Hail Mary!

So then after a few minutes of talking I went over to Sister Anne Francis of the Nashville Dominicans, and I told her this: "I was more concerned for the sisters and wanted them up here and I wanted to go to the chapel." (also getting that same thing from Sister Donna's mom) But I was sooooo stupid, and underestimated the power of God. For the simple response I got back was: "We were praying that the storm would pass, and me and a couple other sisters wanted to keep the campers company, the Lord was protecting us." After that blow of a moment we were asked to practice our skits, since we would be presenting them in front of the King and Court (Which will be a whole new story!) And my team being yellow we only had done a song which was required in the skit. So we did that for a few hours came up with a lot of things all of a sudden I hear this "Oh Oh.................!" Carrying on for a long time, and we tornado-ed around and were like "what the heck was that!" Then I see Sister Mary Peter and Sister Carly a few moments later walking out the same bathroom stall! I start laughing my head off, they go in a few minutes later again, "Oh Oh...................!" We hear again, I can barely breath and my face is beat red and my head is hanging on Sister Donna's mom's shoulder. The sisters come out again, then: Sister Mary Peter, Sister Carly, and Sister Anne Francis all walk into the same bathroom stall!!! "Oh Oh...........................!" And I am so sore in the stomach feeling like I'm going to explode and my face turns even a volcano red and I'm just sweating grasping onto the wall catching my breath. They all walk out at the sametime...

And so......after about another two hours in the bathroom we were free to go, and we went to our cabins to practice our skits. (We were the Peasants) So we may present them to His Majesty the King, and Her Majesty the Queen.


Authors Note: They werent actually in the same stall. There is this blue curtain that comes down, and in the left and right there are bathrooms, also note that this happened in REAL LIFE on the evening of Wednesday June 29th.

So please get ready for next time on Vocations Camp: Stories from the Vanasek

Next blog's story is: "A Rocky-Rockin' Court"
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Review: Stories from the Vanasek: They were all stranded in a bathroom for about five hours, after the rosary and practing their skits to present to the King and Court, they were finally able to go to their cabins and practice, but then...it was time:

As the story continues we were tucked away in our cabins after pleading to go since the storm had cleared. We were in a hurry, unware of the fame we would be presenting to. We threw our ideas into the fire to try and see what we could come up with. If you remember, we were the peasents the most lower class in the Medieval Ages. We worked and slaved in the fields. Here is how the skit goes:

Fields: Two women were working on the sacks of hay, scratching from the hot blazing sun, sweating. While two were cutting down a tree, another person came over to one of the women working with the hay: "We're going to the palace!! We're going to the palace!!" The women's partner dropped a sack of hay onto the other womens foot, she danced around crazily in pain, but excitedly as well. In the meantime the horses were excited, and the tree fell: "Timber!" Calls another woman, the tree lands on her: "Ouch." They all got ready to go to the palace, it was the Kings birthday. As soon as they arrived to the palace most of the women ran and stopped a few feet before the King and Queen, while the others ran into the women that stopped. We were looking for the final girl who wasnt there, but a moment later she burst threw line and tripped into a bowing postition: "Shes bowing! We should to!" They all tripped over each other into a bowing postition. As soon as they all got up four women presented the gifts to the King and court which was rocks, some of faith, some of generositiy, and one of the four presented a tree branch.

The four quickly whirled around, as everyone tried to get into their postitions for the entertainment for the King. They seperated into three sections. "We'd like to present our entertiainment to the King and court." Most of them muttered, "right, right." "Whats it called?" One of the girls asked. "The Thingamagiggy" They all mummered, "Yeah! Yeah!":

"Razel, dazzel, haymenassity, nickity nackity, watchamaquality, willabewallabe, mow, mow, mow." Verse: "Holy Mary Mother of God pray for the King and Queen." The left side and right said jump saying this: "Na! Na!" Chours: "Razel, dazzel, haymenassity, nickity nackity, watchamaquality, willabewallabe, mow, mow, mow." "Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na." Verse: "Holy Mary Mother of God we pray for you everyday." The left side and right said jump saying this: "Na! Na!" They all put their hands together in a pray motion, : "Hail Holy Queen enthorned above Oh-Ma-ri-a! Hail Mother of Mercy and of love Oh-Ma-ri-a!" "Razel, dazzel, haymenassity, nickity nackity, watchamaquality, willabewallabe, mow, mow, mow." Then one of the girls jumps out in front of the middle section: "Na na na na na na na na na!" The peasents all scramble off the stage except for two: "We are the phasents." The other girl looks at her, "Its Peasents!" The other girl runs off the stage, "Hey! Wait!" THE END!

Authors Note: Note while doing this skit, it did not take place during the Medieval Ages, the yellow team did get hurt since the floor in the meeting room to present to the King and court, was slippery-er when doing their bows and runs.

~eventuremen

EDIT: The author also told me to tell you all that the yellow team aka: Peasents won the skit award and beat the Nobility and Guilds.

CREDIT: Goes to, Sister Carly-King, Sister Mary Peter-Queen, the seven religious sisters who were the judges, the community for watching.

The Hay Sackers: Amanda, Josie. Also in the skit: Angie and Sam, Jacinta, and all those names I forgot that were in the skit as well. Also credit goes to Amanda for her solo act when popping out in front of the middle section with the "Na, Na." Part.



And a couple pictures: http://www.sistersofreparation.org/images/...r/CarlyGame.JPG
http://www.sistersofreparation.org/images/...er/CampGame.JPG
http://www.sistersofreparation.org/images/Summer/MNTalk.JPG
http://www.sistersofreparation.org/images/...GirlsAtCamp.JPG

That is so cool that they do that for young people. I am 30, so I am old and can't attend because...well I am old...but I think it is so cool that the Sisters do that for the younger people. Whether or not a younger person has a religious vocation, the experience is there. I think all young people need to have access to religious because religious life is a viable option.

The Daughters of St. Paul rock.

I'll let everyone know how my meeting and movie with them goes on Friday the 3rd.

Whooo hooo....

In JMJ...
L.

Sister Donna Jean... I think I might have spent some time with her.... was she in the Manhattan convent? I used to spend a lot of time hanging out with those sisters in their bookstore.

Sr. Donna Jean was in St. Louis before she was sent to Rome!!!! I met her in St. Louis over 3 yrs ago!!!!! She was hte Kewlest and so was Sr. Denise!!!!! Sr. Raymond was the kewlest too!!! I miss them all!!!! i'm bout to cry!!!!!

They rock!

Not no more they dont!!!!

What do mean by your comment?

AWESOME! I know, she is so adorable...I want to cry, I actually did after I called Sister Donna Jean who was packing on that day I called her.

+JMJ+

Sr. Bernadette is there now and she has a blog about her studies in Rome (it's soo cool).

Sr. Bernadette's Blog!

I love their apostolate and their charism!



Peace...Lauren

what i mean, was when i was discerning with them, i thought they were the kewlest and awesome people that i woudl ever meet. well that changed after i really got to know them after 2 yrs!!!!! i still consider them as kewl people but after how they treated me, i honestly dont consider them as the greatest people i know.

thats all, i kinda get jealous at people who are discerning withthem because they have seomthing i dont.

Would that having anything to do with their music sixtina? Just askiing, no harm done.

What anything to do with their music??? HA, thats the funniest thing i have ever heard!!!!! I love their music and i havea few of their CDs!!!!! I for one love music and that not a reason for me. the reason is more on a personal level.

They my daughters man!

lauren since you are going on friday...i dont have to work...i should go to....um...HOLD your hand?.....yeah....Hold your hand!!!!!!! Because i know you will need that little sister support from yours truly!!!!

I have heard of it, but of course, I have not discerned with them.

trfr415

Back when I started college, I looked into them because I was a journalism major (for a semester), and their work seemed to be the same kind of work I wanted to do. I was on their mailing list for the longest time, but I just didn't feel called to them.

Sr. Donna Jean is a sweetheart. I met her when I stayed for a summer mini-session in Steubenville. She (and a bunch of other Sisters from various orders) lived in the dorm and took classes.

jgirl, that is really cool. I see that you are from the Midwest....by any chance you from Illinois?...Chicago...? Just wondering.

What did you end up majoring in? Wait a minute....I remember, you are Jenny in a bottle on blogger right? I just checked your profile and I remember your blog, I loved it! Do you remember me? AWESOME! How are you....?...

Peace and may God Bless you.
In JMJ,
Lauren

I'm a Jenny in a Bottle, indeed!

I live about an hour outside of St. Louis, but I have a place in Normal, IL, and I have spent quite a bit of time In Chicago because my sister goes to DePaul and I am friends with a lot of the Communion and Liberation people up there.

I ended up majoring in French and Theology, and I have my Masters in French literature.

We have Daughters of St. Paul in Missouri. They have days for people discerning from time to time. I don't know who the vocations director was I spoke with in 2000, but she was really nice, too.

Jenny,

Thanks for your email and support. I appreciate it very much!
If you are near DePaul, email me sometime, I live very close to there...and if you happen to be in Chicago February 16, 17 and/or 18th, the Catholic Festival of Faith is going on. I will be going on Saturday with a Daughter to help her at her booth! I can't wait, I am sure it will be a great experience!

In JMJ,
Lauren

Thats so awesome! Yeah on her blog: Sister Donna Jean In Italy!

She just renewed her vows!!!

I think that is a sad story. I haven't been keeping up with this thread and I started it! YIKES!

Anywhoo, I went to visit them last Friday and met w/Sr. Helena who is the cooolest of the coool. She was asking me lots of questions, so I don't know too much about them yet. I went back down to their awesome book center on Monday and she gave me some literature to read. So, as I read, I'll know more.

All I can really do is read it, sit with it and pray. I can visit with them too and see what is what. But if anything ever comes of it, I may feel compelled to visit Boston and see more.

There is something really cool about them, can't pinpoint it exactly. Also, I don't know them all that well. My first impressions have been nothing but peace-filled and joyful! Sr. Helena has a great sens of humor with an intellectual twist.

Yeah....so anywhoo....

I dunno anymore....

u dont know what??? ru still trying to figure out if you should discern with them??

Spill your guts Lauren...what happened with the Daughters? We are anxious to hear!

woah. hang on. In the interest of vocation station peace and tranquility! ...before this conversation goes any further, please go back and read the pinned thread the mods put up.

daughter-of-mary is right. That doesn't mean, however, that Laurentina shouldn't tell us what she was hinting at if she wants to. We all need to be careful and charitable, but we also want to be able to share with one another what we feel and learn. Mayhaps Laurentina just doesn't feel called to the Daughter's of St. Paul for some reason. I think discussing that is probably appropriate. For example, Sr. Lauren visited the Daughters for many years but in the end didn't feel called there. She was called to a more contemplative life. She prefers a full habit. Etc. I think these things are helpful for others to know.

On the other hand... Sr. Soandso is a hypricrite or Sr. Youknowwho wears shorts under her habit that say 'Sexy' across her bottom probably wouldn't be helpful to others discerning and should remain one's personal secret.

Wow, I missed the posts in here.
Nothing big, just miss the Franciscans is all.
I like their spirituality and maybe I don't know enough about Pauline spirituality. I've been raised by the Franciscans all my life, so I just feel so drawn to that spirituality.

Nothing big. The Daughters are a great group though. I am still going to visit and be involved in their various "goings on" they offer those in the Chicagoland area, like the Lenten Bible study and all.

I am so glad I visited though. It really made me see that I love the Franciscans and this is the first time I have made contact with any other groups outside of the Franciscans!

No worries! I still love the Daughters....!!!...

Sr. Helena called me this morning (she is so awesome)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think they are going to let me discern with them!
This is so good because I will be able to see if I am really called to live in a Franciscan community or to the Pauline spirituality...

Praised be Jesus!

(sorry still excited)....teee heee...God is soooo good.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

yay Lauren,
I am so happy for you. You are in my prayers.

It's really a blessing. We'll see what God has in store in due time.
All I know is I truly love Him and want to serve Him, that is my center. I am rooted in Christ and whatever plans He has for me are alright with me! I trust in Him and know He will lead me well.

I just love the Daughters, I haven't really prayed with them and I guess that is kind of what I am waiting for. I am curious to how they live out their lives. Also, maybe I will do some volunteering with them at the bookstore...we'll see.

I just really need to get to Boston sometime to meet Sr. Margaret Michael, I haven't really even spoken with her yet.

Please keep me in your prayers!

I love Sr. Margaret Michael, she is wonderful! I know you will love her too. I would like to go up to see their motherhouse sometime... I hear they give great retreats.

That is what I hear too....

I wanted to bring this topic back up because I need my phellow phatmassers advice.

I really like the community (Daughters of St. Paul). The Sisters in Chicago are really all I know. Like I have never been to Boston, so I cannot really say I know them all that well.

However, there is this thing with the age and stuff. I am really confused about it. I was told I would be considered an exception, since I am right on the cusp, or whatever.

My issue is that I feel "leery" about being old. The DSP's formation is long (not that it really matters to me, it is what it is)...but I don't know if I should continue with my discernment with them.

I get really bummed when I think that I shouldn't and although they said they would let me discern because I am on the cusp of the age thing...it's bothering me. (The age part).

I've been praying about it and I don't get any really clear signs that I shouldn't discern with them. I just have some uneasiness with my age and stuff. I almost think that I wouldn't have as fair of a chance as someone who is younger, because that is what the community likes and that is what their formation is geared towards...

What does everyone suggest besides "pray about it". Because I have been praying about it.



any sound advice would help.

Why not discern with more then just one community? You are not tied to the daughters, why not search around as you try and learn more about them. You havent even been to the Motherhouse yet, nor spend extended time with them. You really don't know what they are all about yet. Certainly spend time with them, on the local level that is, but you must get yourself to Boston and see the community en masse.
Go around and visit other communities. Spend time with them too. In time you will be able to tell if you really feel a call to the Daughters or it is just a superficial thing.
As I told you before, you have to let the age thing die. If a community will not consider you because of your age, advanced as it is at 30, then move on. You don't need them either. Didn't the Lord start His work at age 33??? I guess they would have rejected Him too. If a community wants 20 year olds to enter only, or younger, then do you really want to be a part of that? I dont think so.
Go out and have some fun with this...go exploring. People on phatmass get too serious too soon about things. And be yourself, you are a wonderful women so don't be afraid to present yourself not what you believe a community wants.
Only my opinion, such as it is.
AM