Franciscans

[osapientia]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='19 June 2010 - 10:57 PM' timestamp='1276999057' post='2131633']
+JMJ

I'm waiting to set an entrance date with the Poor Clare Colettines Those darn loans are my only obstacle right now...


[/quote]

FutureNun, not to be nosy but in a post not too long ago (thread Laboure Society) you mentioned you were going to call them. May I encourage you to do so if you haven't already? No answer required, as I said I don't want to be nosy. Cy Laurent (Executive Director) is a sweetheart of a man...and as of Sept 2009 they had assisted 186 men/women who were in various stages of formation for priesthood or religious life. You have to participate and it is some work, but they have been successful and they will give you a lot of support.

Pax,
Osap

[morostheos]

Oooh, count me in too!

With the name Claire and St. Francis' feast day as my birthday, it's destiny!

I'm discerning with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

[JTheresa]

Congratulations!!!! Prayers for your discernment!!!

[franciscanheart]

I was in NYC for three days and didn't get to see the CFRs. Sad!

[stlmom]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW8n-ApQ2Rc"]Sister Chiara's profession[/url]

Lovely video, hope to see more of these as summer rolls along- .

[JTheresa]

an essential part of any Franciscan thread:
[img]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa23/holymusic55/Saints/St%20Francis%20of%20Assisi/san_damiano_cross.gif[/img]

[Arco]

I was discerning with the Capuchins of New Jersey for a few years, but ultimately realized I was barking up the wrong tree. They're a great bunch of guys and I always liked hanging with them, and they do great work in feeding the hungry. In Delaware, they've got this killer little "dining room," they call it -- it's like a soup kitchen but it's something new every day. It's like a full-service restaurant with one thing on the menu, and they give away lots of bread -- last year I spent a day working there while on a discernment visit.

Anyway. I ended up figuring out I wasn't called there.

The thing to remember about discerning with *any* order is that what they're looking out for is a love of and hunger for [i]consecrated community life[/i]. That's the first order of business; anything else you bring to the table is a bonus. For me, my focus, my hunger, my call was always to the priesthood, and consecrated life was just something I sort of dug. I spent four years hemming and hawing over them because of that, never willing to make the commitment because, deep down, I think I knew it wasn't for me. Once I got that worked out, I applied to the Diocese and here I am, six weeks from seminary.

[JTheresa]

[quote name='Arco' date='14 July 2010 - 10:21 AM' timestamp='1279117278' post='2142500']
I was discerning with the Capuchins of New Jersey for a few years, but ultimately realized I was barking up the wrong tree. They're a great bunch of guys and I always liked hanging with them, and they do great work in feeding the hungry. In Delaware, they've got this killer little "dining room," they call it -- it's like a soup kitchen but it's something new every day. It's like a full-service restaurant with one thing on the menu, and they give away lots of bread -- last year I spent a day working there while on a discernment visit.

Anyway. I ended up figuring out I wasn't called there.

The thing to remember about discerning with *any* order is that what they're looking out for is a love of and hunger for [i]consecrated community life[/i]. That's the first order of business; anything else you bring to the table is a bonus. For me, my focus, my hunger, my call was always to the priesthood, and consecrated life was just something I sort of dug. I spent four years hemming and hawing over them because of that, never willing to make the commitment because, deep down, I think I knew it wasn't for me. Once I got that worked out, I applied to the Diocese and here I am, six weeks from seminary.
[/quote]

Congratulations!!!!

[Arco]

Thanks, but I wasn't trying to draw attention to myself.

[krissylou]

Will someone please discern with these folks?

(I think the community pictures are old and they do have some younger vocations now.)

[url="http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/PoorClares/"]http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/PoorClares/[/url]

They are within walking distance of my house and I'd like to meet you.

Obviously this should take top priority in your discernment.

[lookingforfaith]

[quote name='krissylou' date='14 July 2010 - 12:00 PM' timestamp='1279123205' post='2142562']
Will someone please discern with these folks?

(I think the community pictures are old and they do have some younger vocations now.)

[url="http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/PoorClares/"]http://www.stanthony...org/PoorClares/[/url]

They are within walking distance of my house and I'd like to meet you.

Obviously this should take top priority in your discernment. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]
[/quote]


I live in MA, and I was seriously looking at this community and talking to them. I'm not as much actively discerning right now, but I'm really starting to take another look at religious life.

[krissylou]

[quote name='lookingforfaith' date='14 July 2010 - 09:15 PM' timestamp='1279156530' post='2142806']
I live in MA, and I was seriously looking at this community and talking to them. I'm not as much actively discerning right now, but I'm really starting to take another look at religious life.
[/quote]

Oooh, nice!

[JTheresa]

Happy feast of Saint Bonaventure!!!! Doctor of the Church and best friend of our dear St. Thomas Aquinas!!

The stories of these two are endless. Father mentioned several during the homily at mass today.

Today's Magnificat meditation was written by him too. It was simply beautiful. Exactly what I needed to hear. I'll see if I can find it online...

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Arco' date='14 July 2010 - 11:21 AM' timestamp='1279117278' post='2142500']
I was discerning with the Capuchins of New Jersey for a few years, but ultimately realized I was barking up the wrong tree. They're a great bunch of guys and I always liked hanging with them, and they do great work in feeding the hungry. In Delaware, they've got this killer little "dining room," they call it -- it's like a soup kitchen but it's something new every day. It's like a full-service restaurant with one thing on the menu, and they give away lots of bread -- last year I spent a day working there while on a discernment visit.

Anyway. I ended up figuring out I wasn't called there.

[b]The thing to remember about discerning with *any* order is that what they're looking out for is a love of and hunger for [i]consecrated community life[/i]. That's the first order of business; anything else you bring to the table is a bonus. For me, my focus, my hunger, my call was always to the priesthood, and consecrated life was just something I sort of dug. I spent four years hemming and hawing over them because of that, never willing to make the commitment because, deep down, I think I knew it wasn't for me. [/b]Once I got that worked out, I applied to the Diocese and here I am, six weeks from seminary.
[/quote]

What a great insight (the bolded bit)!! I think that you've said there is spot on. I've always wondered how discernment between diocesan priesthood and the religious life goes for men.

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='krissylou' timestamp='1279123205' post='2142562']
Will someone please discern with these folks?

(I think the community pictures are old and they do have some younger vocations now.)

[url="http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/PoorClares/"]http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/PoorClares/[/url]

They are within walking distance of my house and I'd like to meet you.

Obviously this should take top priority in your discernment.
[/quote]

[MithLuin]

Very Franciscan myself, though I just mean personally, not discernment-wise. I hang out here at Vocation Station because of my relatives more than for myself. I have no clue about my own vocation and am essentially trusting that God will eventually hit me over the head with it. And yes, I realize that's not the wisest approach.

Anyway, I looooove Franciscans. I've spent plenty of time hanging out with them, starting with the Capuchins, and basically found them awesome. But being attracted to male orders is a little awkward. I've never met a group of female Franciscans that I had any interest in, for whatever reason. (Of course, I haven't met the Third Order group my sister joined yet, either) . But I concur with the close affinity to Carmelites!

I use one of St. Francis' prayers before my classes, and have for the past 4 years. Even though I currently teach at a Jesuit school .

'All Highest Glorious God,
Cast your light into the darkness of my heart.
Grant me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity
and profound humility with wisdom and perception,
O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen.'

Don't worry, I let St. Ignatius have at least equal time!

And I wanted to add a brief video (song/slideshow) about the Franciscan charism (sorta).

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvmtbmWsutw&feature=related[/media]

[franciscanheart]

i want to be in NYC RIGHT NOW.

[cmaD2006]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' timestamp='1295626126' post='2202519']
i want to be in NYC RIGHT NOW.
[/quote]
hughey!!!! We missed ya

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1295627817' post='2202523']
hughey!!!! We missed ya
[/quote]
missed y'all too!

[Tally Marx]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' timestamp='1295626126' post='2202519']
i want to be in NYC RIGHT NOW.
[/quote]

Hello hugheyforlife! I don't believe I have 'met' you before. My name is Tally!

I wish I was in NYC right now, too. I've been writing to the CFRs, but haven't yet been able to meet them, and I very much want to!