Hey guys!
For some time now I've been discerning, and I've always felt drawn to active communities, those that serve Christ in the community. However, for the past few weeks, the contemplative spirituality has been tugging at my heartstrings. I'm so confused as to where the Lord is calling me! I dont really know why I'm posting this, i think my heart is just... confused.

Discernment is exactly that... you are to consider the paths and choose the one that is best for you.
And yet, I really understand your sentiments. It can be really disconcerting to feel drawn down a different path than the one you had originally thought. I had always thought there was no way I was called to missionary work, and now that it's becoming more of a likely possibility, I some wonder why I was so adament against it. Even I (and I have discovered that I am MUCH better suited for the active life in religious if God blesses me with that vocation) have felt the pull toward a more contemplative life: one lived hidden in His heart in deep prayer with Him. It's important that even if you are not called to that vocation, you have an appreciation for it and its beauty, just as you should for a beautiful marriage or a holy lay person.
In short, don't let yourself get too confused. Just try to be open to the Lord.

In Jesus and Mary,
Lauren

ps- Have you considered any of the active-contemplative communities like the Sisters of Life or the SMME or the SsEW? Just a thought!

Don't get too worried about it (yet, anyway). Just open your heart to Jesus' tugging, wherever it may lead you. If you've made effort to search things out and don't feel like you know exactly where you're going, it's OK. In those times, pray for PEACE and PATIENCE. I've been learning that the hard way for the past 9-10 years. God has a plan for you, and it may well involve learning to wait on Him to act in His time. BTW, God is very patient and VERY STUBBORN. AND IT'S ALL FOR YOUR GOOD.

(BTW, tell my sis hello!)

I'm in the exact 110% same situation. Hahah.

I would consider contacting cloistered or contemplative communities so that you can get a taste of their life and know a little more about what it's all about

Don't be afraid to consider the contemplative life as a possibility! Take it from someone who NEVER thought she'd be in a cloistered monastery. And I think I was the last one to find out that this is where God is calling me!

If you have a spiritual director talk to him about it, too. Don't be afraid.

Write some communities that attract you, too.

Usually, if someone is called to the contemplative life communities like the DSMME's and SV's isn't enough. It's hard to explain this, it just is.

You are in my prayers and PM if you wish!

In Christ and Mary,
Sr. Mary Catharine, OP

I discerned with cloistered communities for a while. You need to look at all your options. Don't be afraid!

Yup and as a matter of fact I just got back from a Cloistered community a few days ago, if you'd like your more then welcome to pm and I can give you some information.

Thank you all for your replies. Please continue to pray for me as I will for you :]

I will take all of your advice to heart.

And remember it is just not the destination that is important, it is the journey. Enjoy this time of exploration and enlightenment. Leave your soul open to the promptings of the Spirit, and dwell on the Annunciation...Mary said Yes and each day you need to echo that in your life.
We will pray for you
alicem

When I began to discern seriously I thought that the most important thing was to find a precise community to fit me. I was so bewildered by the variety of communities and their different charisms that I got all confused. Apostolic or contemplative? Enclosed or not? I flitted from community website to community website, trying to find something that resonated, but all I just became steadily more confused.

Now I see that the important thing in discernment is not to find the precise place, strange as that may sound. As alicemary has written, discernment is more about the journey than the destination - what happens inside you, your growth in patience, your love for our God, your strength, your courage. Over recent weeks I have realised that the best step in discernment that I could possibly take is to start living more simply - spending less money, not relying so much on worldly goods, sorting out clothes and other possessions to give to charity. This does not seem explicitly related to finding a religious community, but I know that it is crucial for me to do it. I've been looking at the LiveSimply campaign for some ideas.

I've also realised that I should stop talking about religious topics so much with other people. It's hampering my discernment. Sometimes talking about prayer can become a substitute for actually getting down on your knees and praying. So I have reduced my time on Phatmass and I find other topics of discussion when I'm with my friends. This, too, is a crucial part of my discernment.

I am not suggesting that you do exactly the same things. The Lord will invite different people to do different things at different times. The important thing is that you realise that discernment is not solely (or even mostly) about pondering which kind of order to join.

God bless!