Some of the orders that have caught my attention lately are:

the Nashville Dominicans here (Nashville TN)

the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ here (Prayer Town TX)

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist here (Ann Arbor MI)

The Religious Sisters of Mercy here (Alma MI)



actually... i dont really have an idea where i am called to... these are the orders (other than ann arbor) that i have come in contact with in the last month... if i had to chose right now it would be the Nashville Dominicans.... but i know i wont know until i visit, and thats not entirely possible for several years yet.

i was just curious as to your opinions of these orders, as i noticed that they aren't talked about often on this forum (except for the SMME).... and if you had any other suggestions for me to look into? i feel called to the apostolic life, rather than the cloistered...

thank you all so much for your comments! God bless!

I've seen a lot of good things about a lot of these Sisters! Sounds like a great bunch to be discerning with!

Maybe you can see the SMME Sisters and the Alma Mercy Sisters at the same time?

oh i should mention that my parents dont approve and i wont be able to do any visiting until college :P

but thank you, the lords sheep, that is definately how i'd do it...

i've met several of the sisters from alma, because one of them is from my diocese and three came to attend an ordination mass i went to

the nashville dominicans and the DLJC i met just this last week at a camp i attended

i dont think i've met an SMME...

just to clarify :D

I have known young women who have joined the Nashville and Ann Arbor orders and I can vouch for their awesomeness.

hehe... yay! :D

i know they are awesome... i'm just not sure if i'm called there. I have found peace in God's will, but its annoying that its so hard to find where you belong. I belong in the Church; i've always known that, but where is my earthly body supposed to be........

Can I say, Deus Te Amat, that I COMPLETELY understand! (about the parents anyway!)

My friend who joined the Nashville Dominicans was with them for over a year before discerning that she had a call to marriage (she now has a beautiful baby). My friend who joined the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist discerned that she was called to that order only after having visited for a time and after a period of uncertainty perhaps not dissimilar to your own.
I suppose my point is that it seems that most people only discover their true calling after they have acted on the desires that God has placed on their heart and for some the road that He has us walk is longer than others. But I think that in the end even the detours are a part of the plan that God has in forming us so long as we are walking on His path.

It sounds like you have some pretty clear impressions about where you may be called (apostolic life and such); the perennial advice about finding peace living in the present moment seems ever applicable.

I hope the doors are opened up for you beyond your expectations.

I highly recommend the Alma sisters. They have a very solid foundation and strong community life.

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I suppose a lot will depend on the Franciscan or Dominican charism. Keep in mind, too, that the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are a charismatic community. When thinking about the Dominicans, it is prudent to ask, "Am I called to be a teacher?"

Blessings!
V

p.s. All great sisters!

i love hearing about how through prayer and perseverence, parents eventually change their opinion and accept their childs calling... I can already see changes in my parents attitudes. Its quite wonderful :D

Thank you so much for your kind response

I feel that I'm called to college before entering. Because God has blessed me with a high ACT score and AP test results.... so chances are that I will get scholarships for college. Also, if i major in something my parents approve of, they would pay for what isnt covered by scholarships.... and then i would avoid debt after college but still have a degree useful to the community... whichever it is...

So i figure that i wont know what community i am called to until sometime in college, although at the moment i feel extremely called to the Dominicans,.. because i love to teach others about God's word and His love... so idk lol we'll see :D

I must add, for the benefit of happynun and philosobrat, that i also feel a small attraction to the Salesians.... :P


where has happynuns been lately anyway?

good girl

Well, if you like working with kids maybe the salesians would be a good idea.

Good thinking, deus.

Let us know what happens!

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FYI, Christendom College relieves the debt of their students that enter religious life.

I've never heard of this college? where is it?

At the moment i feel called to FUS.. but that might just be because they have a chapel in every dorm But mom wants me to "expand my horizens" by not going to such a conservative Catholic school... also, she is reluctant to send me to any school east of michigan... which is odd

I amlooking for an orthodox Catholic college.... I'm looking into Creighton, basically just for their Pharmacy School, which is extremly good,... I just wish i knew what to major in :P

I love the Nashville Dominicans. I live in Nashville and spend a lot of time with them, they are absolutley astounding women. Tried and true, since 1860...

Prayers for you in your discernment, please pray for me in mine!

thats amazing! i have met three of them personally, and i know another one that has entered.... or i know of her, i've never met her. she's in her fourth year i think :D

the ones i met though, are so full of joy and love! my heart sung just watching them... whether they were alone, or interacting with other people, they just radiated joy in the knowledge of God's love.....

lol did i ever mention i love religious sisters :P

I will most certainly be praying for you! thank you so much! :D