And The Next Step Is...

[brightsadness]

Glory be to God!

Hi Pham,

I'm back from the Monastery and in my last month at work. Originally I was to work through June but they decided to let me leave a month early so I will be staying with my folks in Illinois for most of the summer. My entrance day has been scheduled for August 15.

Please keep me in your prayers as I reach an ending of my life in Oregon and prepare for a new beginning. My live-in experience was just what I needed. Enough difficulty to provide insight into what my growth areas in community (at least for now) will be. It's amazing how easily one gets used to doing things"my way" when living alone. But most of all I experienced a way of following the Lord with other like minded women whom I hope to be like in time. Good and gentle, humble and kind. Free from the pride and ambition that marks our world. Not perfect, but growing in the fruits of the Spirit as they live together.

SO please pray for me and my family as I move into the next step. You are all in my prayers. And if you wish, share what your next step is. So we can all pray together.

with love in Christ,
Anya

Edited May 8, 2010 by brightsadness

[Tridenteen]

JMJ
Oh Anya, I am so happy for you! Would you like us here at VS to send you a letter now and then?

[OnlySunshine]

Congratulations!! What a beautiful feast day for your entrance!! I was baptized on the Feast of the Assumption and will be celebrating 27 years of being a Catholic this year. . God bless you!

[JTheresa]

Congradulations!!!! That is a huge step to take. The transition will be a little hard but know that there are sisters who have done it too and they all will help as much as they can. Plus you have all of us PMers praying for you!!!

I'll be entering on (I think) September 5. I'm really nervous and excited but really scared of how I'll handle the transition. I'm only 18 and I've lived with my mom my whole life. Never been away for more than three weeks, and even then I had a phone call with her like every day. i'm sure I'll be fine. It just sounds scary right now.

[brightsadness]

[quote name='Tridenteen' date='08 May 2010 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1273349537' post='2107096']
JMJ
Oh Anya, I am so happy for you! Would you like us here at VS to send you a letter now and then?
[/quote]


I would like letters. I've emailed Mother to ask about non-family letters but I'm pretty sure I can receive them. Will let you know as soon as i hear.

[brightsadness]

[quote name='JTheresa' date='08 May 2010 - 09:10 PM' timestamp='1273378252' post='2107471']
Congradulations!!!! That is a huge step to take. The transition will be a little hard but know that there are sisters who have done it too and they all will help as much as they can. Plus you have all of us PMers praying for you!!!

I'll be entering on (I think) September 5. I'm really nervous and excited but really scared of how I'll handle the transition. I'm only 18 and I've lived with my mom my whole life. Never been away for more than three weeks, and even then I had a phone call with her like every day. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif[/img] i'm sure I'll be fine. It just sounds scary right now.
[/quote]


Congrats to you!! WWhat community are you entering? I'm guessing that every sister we ever met was scared at this point in her life.[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img]

[sistersintigo]

And the next step is to ask the chaplain to send a letter of reference about me to the prioress.
Now, why does THAT scare the !@#$%^&* out of me?

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='brightsadness' date='08 May 2010 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1273346463' post='2107052']
Glory be to God!

Hi Pham,

I'm back from the Monastery and in my last month at work. Originally I was to work through June but they decided to let me leave a month early so I will be staying with my folks in Illinois for most of the summer. My entrance day has been scheduled for August 15.

Please keep me in your prayers as I reach an ending of my life in Oregon and prepare for a new beginning. My live-in experience was just what I needed. Enough difficulty to provide insight into what my growth areas in community (at least for now) will be. It's amazing how easily one gets used to doing things"my way" when living alone. But most of all I experienced a way of following the Lord with other like minded women whom I hope to be like in time. Good and gentle, humble and kind. Free from the pride and ambition that marks our world. Not perfect, but growing in the fruits of the Spirit as they live together.

SO please pray for me and my family as I move into the next step. You are all in my prayers. And if you wish, share what your next step is. So we can all pray together.

with love in Christ,
Anya
[/quote]

I am so happy to hear about your "next step", Anya! This is wonderful -- and like others have said, what a BEAUTIFUL day for your entrance! Be assured Our Lady is with you every step of the way!

I will be praying for you, and all of our VSers making their "next steps"!

As for myself, I will not know about my "next step" until next month.

If this thread is still around in a month, I'll add an update.

[elizabeth09]

Congratulations!!

[Nunsense]

[quote name='brightsadness' date='09 May 2010 - 05:21 AM' timestamp='1273346463' post='2107052']
Glory be to God!

Hi Pham,

I'm back from the Monastery and in my last month at work. Originally I was to work through June but they decided to let me leave a month early so I will be staying with my folks in Illinois for most of the summer. My entrance day has been scheduled for August 15.

Please keep me in your prayers as I reach an ending of my life in Oregon and prepare for a new beginning. My live-in experience was just what I needed. Enough difficulty to provide insight into what my growth areas in community (at least for now) will be. It's amazing how easily one gets used to doing things"my way" when living alone. But most of all I experienced a way of following the Lord with other like minded women whom I hope to be like in time. Good and gentle, humble and kind. Free from the pride and ambition that marks our world. Not perfect, but growing in the fruits of the Spirit as they live together.

SO please pray for me and my family as I move into the next step. You are all in my prayers. And if you wish, share what your next step is. So we can all pray together.

with love in Christ,
Anya
[/quote]


How wonderful for you. Praise God in His mercy and kindness. Prayers for you. I will still be doing my live-in in Carmel when you enter, so I will keep you in my prayers on August 15th.

[Jennifer]

Congratulations Anya. This is a wonderful day to enter and my prayers are for
you

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='sistersintigo' date='10 May 2010 - 06:30 PM' timestamp='1273527010' post='2108283']
And the next step is to ask the chaplain to send a letter of reference about me to the prioress.
Now, why does THAT scare the !@#$%^&* out of me?
[/quote]
Keeping myself accountable: just posted the formal letter to the chaplain, asking for a letter of reference to be sent to the prioress at the monastery. Now, giving it over to God. Detachment and letting go, those really are the hardest things.

[Starets]

Congratulations, Anya, and you too Jtheresa. Big bountiful Benedictine bearhugs to you both

[brightsadness]

[quote name='Staretz' date='13 May 2010 - 12:16 PM' timestamp='1273778182' post='2110058']
Congratulations, Anya, and you too Jtheresa. Big bountiful Benedictine bearhugs to you both [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/characters_monk.gif[/img]
[/quote]


Thank you. Love those Benedictines.

Triddy -- I can receive letters and will pm you my mailing address.

ALso a few more details in place. The nuns are taking in Sr. Teresa's postulant dresses for me. That makes sense as she barely wore them and I will probably destroy them in 6 months to a year. Also there is a chapel cape and a black veil and small cross. The white collar is much like Sr. Kaylas but not as wide.

I will receive the veil and cross at a private entrance ceremony in the Monastery Chapel. It will be a bit crowded as my parents, my three brothers and their wives and my 7 nieces and nephews are all attending. Also both my grandmothers, my Godparents and my Spiritual Father. I believe a few family pets will be in the yard (just kidding[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol_roll.gif[/img].)

If you've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", that's my family only they are slavs. The sisters probably won't have to cook or buy food for a week.

My parents and I are visiting the monastery together the first week of June. Please keep us all in your prayers.

Anya

Edited May 14, 2010 by brightsadness

[DameAgnes]

Many prayers for your intention, Anya.

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='sistersintigo' date='13 May 2010 - 03:56 PM' timestamp='1273776970' post='2110052']
Keeping myself accountable: just posted the formal letter to the chaplain, asking for a letter of reference to be sent to the prioress at the monastery. Now, giving it over to God. Detachment and letting go, those really are the hardest things.
[/quote]
What's the next step for me?
waiting...waiting...arrrrgh....

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='brightsadness' date='14 May 2010 - 02:54 PM' timestamp='1273866867' post='2110679']
Thank you. Love those Benedictines.

Triddy -- I can receive letters and will pm you my mailing address.

ALso a few more details in place. The nuns are taking in Sr. Teresa's postulant dresses for me. That makes sense as she barely wore them and I will probably destroy them in 6 months to a year. Also there is a chapel cape and a black veil and small cross. The white collar is much like Sr. Kaylas but not as wide.

I will receive the veil and cross at a private entrance ceremony in the Monastery Chapel. It will be a bit crowded as my parents, my three brothers and their wives and my 7 nieces and nephews are all attending. Also both my grandmothers, my Godparents and my Spiritual Father. I believe a few family pets will be in the yard (just kidding[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol_roll.gif[/img].)

If you've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", that's my family only they are slavs. The sisters probably won't have to cook or buy food for a week.

My parents and I are visiting the monastery together the first week of June. Please keep us all in your prayers.

Anya
[/quote]

I just looked at the Basilian Sisters Web site. It's a beautiful monastery. I particularly like that, while the Order is mainly contemplative and enclosed, the Sisters do leave the monastery at times when it is necessary for ministry to others, and they welcome visitors.

You mentioned Sister Teresa above as having left. I know I shouldn't feel sad, because I'm sure Sister Teresa did what God was calling her to do. But, with such a small group of Sisters, the loss of a novice must have been very difficult, especially after such a large, elaborate clothing ceremony. It wasn't clear, but did she leave just a few months after being clothed as a novice, or in the second year of her novitiate? (If this question is too personal, feel free not to answer.) I guess it's one argument for having a very private ceremony with only the nuns (and possibly immediate family) when a postulant is clothed as a novice. On the other hand, having a large ceremony lets a broader group celebrate, and support the new novice and the Order. I also strongly suspect that clothing ceremonies are so moving that they help influence other young women to follow a religious vocation, whether with the Basilians, or with some other Order.

It looks like a place where you can be happy. And, I think it's wonderful that your parents are so supportive.

Enjoy the next couple of months with your family without the stresses of work. As I said in my status note the other day, don't think of yourself as unemployed. You are simply in a transition between careers (or callings).

Edited June 1, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[JTheresa]

[quote name='brightsadness' date='10 May 2010 - 03:30 PM' timestamp='1273519806' post='2108198']
Congrats to you!! WWhat community are you entering? I'm guessing that every sister we ever met was scared at this point in her life.[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img]
[/quote]
Thanks!! I am entering the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. I'm nervous, but it seems to me that the three other girls that I'm entering with are too excited to be anything else. Maybe they are too, but I just don't know cuz we don't all see each other much.

What about you? Which community are you entering?

[quote name='Staretz' date='13 May 2010 - 03:16 PM' timestamp='1273778182' post='2110058']
Congratulations, Anya, and you too Jtheresa. Big bountiful Benedictine bearhugs to you both

[/quote]
Thanks Staretz!! Bearhugs are a sure remedy in situations like this!!!!!

A little update; I talked with Sr. Marysia, the psychiatrist, almost two weeks ago. She was really sweet, and I'm scheduled to go and meet her in person for a full day appointment on June 8th!! A week from tomorrow!!! It's just to see what things will be more difficult for me personally in adjusting to religious life and some tips on how to get through them. They know that I'm not crazy (at least that's what they think... ) so the appointment really has no way of going badly. The next day (June 9) I'll meet with our provincial superior , get fitted for my postulant uniform , and discuss the next step with my VD.
I'm sure everything will be fine, I'm just being dramatic.

[brightsadness]

[quote name='JTheresa' date='31 May 2010 - 07:42 PM' timestamp='1275360167' post='2121830']
Thanks!! I am entering the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. I'm nervous, but it seems to me that the three other girls that I'm entering with are too excited to be anything else. Maybe they are too, but I just don't know cuz we don't all see each other much.

What about you? Which community are you entering?


Thanks Staretz!! Bearhugs are a sure remedy in situations like this!!!!! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/D.gif[/img]

A little update; I talked with Sr. Marysia, the psychiatrist, almost two weeks ago. She was really sweet, and I'm scheduled to go and meet her in person for a full day appointment on June 8th!! A week from tomorrow!!! It's just to see what things will be more difficult for me personally in adjusting to religious life and some tips on how to get through them. They know that I'm not crazy (at least that's what they think... [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/crazy.gif[/img] ) so the appointment really has no way of going badly. The next day (June 9) I'll meet with our provincial superior [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/eek.gif[/img] , get fitted for my postulant uniform [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/yahoo.gif[/img] , and discuss the next step with my VD. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/think_chin.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/saint.gif[/img] I'm sure everything will be fine, I'm just being dramatic. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/twitch.gif[/img]
[/quote]


Enjoy being fitted for the uniform. It is so much fun!! (Prayers for the psych eval. Fear Not!)

[JTheresa]

I WAS OFFICIALLY ACCEPTED AS A POSTULANT TODAY!!!!!!!

I talked to our Provincial Superior and she officially accepted me!!!!!!

AAAHHHHH!!!!!!!

[size="1"]I'm really, really, excited. [/size]



Now for the patience to wait till September...