Orders Open To Those With Mental/emotional Weakness?

[HopefulBride]

In my experience, it has as much to do with God calling to that particular community/order as it has to do with their openness to accepting young women with mental/emotional weakness. For example, early in my discernment I felt a very strong call to a particular community (because of their spirituality) and after speaking on the phone with the SD, she suggested that I rethink religious life because of my past struggles. Another community, not related to them but loosely affiliated with them (same spirituality) yielded the same results. The SD I was initially in contact with was very encouraging even though she knew of my past struggles, I even spoke with the superior who was supportive. However, the new SD suggested that I rethink religious life and consider marriage strongly (I was pretty much engaged prior to that so of course I considered it) these hurt a lot as they happened almost in sequence.

I felt discouraged and thought that I would never find a place to live out the vocation I felt God was calling me to. Later on, I came accross the SMMCs while planning a silent retreat (ironicaly the retreat was so that I could figure out what God truly wanted of me and WHERE He was calling me) I visited the sisters with the primary intent of doing a silent, spiritual retreat and almost two years later, I am making preparations to enter. I was open with Mother Kathryn and shared with her the same information I shared with the others.

I now see that God allowed me to go through these difficult, hurtful periods of rejections so that I could truly learn to let go of my own plans and trust in His will for me. Now I look back and see God's Divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit's guidance in speaking to me through these SDs, especilly in light of the fact that others with somewhat similar experiences as mine are discerning with those communities. I also know deep down that I could not have lived out their apostolates and be a happy religious.

I guess what I am saying is that as important as it is to look at communities that are open to those with Mental/Emotional weakness, it is also important to be sure to look for a community whose charism resonnates within you. A place where you can live out your [b]yes [/b]to the Lord in the most profound way. No matter your past Emotional/Mental troubles; once the Lord has guided you to your home, you and the community will both know.

God Bless you all for your courage in continuing with your discernment despite the obstacles; it is a true testament of your love for Him. I know in my case I truly had to lay it all down, let go and say "thy will be done" it took a lot of faith and courage for me to continue to trust in Him and be open to the possibility of more hurt and rejection. As JPII said, "Do not be afraid" Just trust the Lord and He will guide you to the perfect community where you can grow spiritually.

Pax,
Hopeful

[b]ETA: [/b]I did not meean for this to be so long!

Edited March 15, 2011 by HopefulBride

[OnlySunshine]

HopefulBride,

You have such beautiful insights.

At the beginning of my discernment, I looked at so many religious orders, but at the time, I thought for sure I was called to a cloistered Carmelite community. I cannot count how many I wrote, but none of them really felt like the right fit. There was the one in Buffalo which I was in contact with for a long time, but I eventually stopped calling them because my path led a different way. I honestly don't think I'd be good in a cloistered community. I cannot see myself living that life. I do remember one monastery prioress telling me she believed I had a vocation, but with the reasons I listed at the time, she did not think I belonged in Carmel. At the time, I just thought that she was mistaken.

I don't know how many times I've written about it here, but I applied to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in 2009 after one visit with them (in the Northern Province). Now, when I look back, I think the only reason I chose to apply was because the application was offered to me and because they were willing to accept me in spite of my depression. It didn't work out, though. I never formally entered because I voluntarily withdrew my application since I discovered that I didn't feel at home there. I know better now that those reasons are not good enough to enter a community.

Funnily enough, when I started contact with the Carmelite DCJ community, it was because I received a Christmas card with a little note inside that said to contact them if I felt called to religious life. I took it as a sign, but I shouldn't have because I received a packet of information from the Religious Sisters of Mercy that very same day! That was 2 years ago, though, and I hope that I have matured since then.

I do feel an attraction to the Religious Sisters of Mercy, but I've always been so chicken to actually call them, just like I have with other communities. Also, I just don't want to call them out of the blue without first taking some advice from my parish priest. I want to make sure that I'm making this decision out of real attraction to them and not just because they might accept me.

I do, indeed, ask for your prayers. I really want to make an informed and mature decision regarding my vocation. If the Sisters are open to it, I hope to make several visits with them while finishing up my degree. I think this would give me enough time to gauge if I truly am called there since it would be about 2 to 3 years before I am done with school. Of course, if God calls me sooner than that, I'll know, but I really don't want to rush. It's never a good idea to make important decisions in haste.

Edited March 15, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Chamomile' timestamp='1300045056' post='2220506']
Amen to the beautiful words in the two previous posts

[b]I think we'll find out that many, many Saints struggled with these issues... and that those who were in religious life probably endured them before entering and after entering. They just didn't have the same names we give them (and to some degree, they might have had a deeper understanding of God's healing power and mercy than we do in this current age).[/b]

And just look at the number of views this thread has gotten - now almost to 1,300! So obviously people are struggling with this now or are at least wondering what those issues mean in the larger picture of eternity and doing God's will.
[/quote]

Forgive me, I just saw this post. I think that's true, too.

[Sarah147]

Hello,

I just wanted to add some helpful links to this thread:

[quote]
[size=2][color=#ff0000][b]Discernment information:[/b][/color][/size]
[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=113619"][color=#0f72da]"Discernment - Head and heart"[/color][/url]


[b]Great places to search Orders:[/b]

[url="http://www.cmswr.org/"][color=#0f72da]http://www.cmswr.org[/color][/url]

[url="http://www.religiouslife.com/"][color=#0f72da]http://www.religiouslife.com/[/color][/url]

[url="http://womenreligiousordersapos.blogspot.com/"][color=#0f72da]http://womenreligiousordersapos.blogspot.com[/color][/url]


[b]Orders open to those with medical issues:[/b]
"[url="http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=572250"][color=#0f72da]WIll my medical disabilities prevent me from entering a convent?[/color][/url]"


[b]Help for paying medicines:[/b]

[url="http://needymeds.org/"][color=#0f72da]http://needymeds.org[/color][/url]
[url="http://managedrxplans.com/"][color=#0f72da]http://managedrxplans.com/[/color][/url]


[b]Organizations for paying debts:[/b]
[b][url="http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=8009511#post8009511"][b][color=#0f72da]"Question about being a nun"[/color][/b][/url][/b]

[/quote]

[Sarah147]

Sorry to bring up old cobwebs but I had to share this info...


[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1315091099' post='2299763']
Hello,

I just wanted to add some helpful links to this thread:
[/quote]


WARNING ABOUT "MANAGED RX"....

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1331750207' post='2400675']
I've been unable to use the card because I'm using a discount card from the manufacturer... So I still can't vouch for it.

I tried to use managed Rx but my doctor's office said the website didn't post their address and it wasn't ssl secure, so they wouldn't trust it and refused to use it and I agreed. Then I came across this...

http://m.citysearch.com/review/7544049

Thank God!


I'm pretty suspicious now.

The only safe bet is "needy meds" because it just lists discounts straight from the drug manufacturers. I'm using one discount plan straight from the estrogel drug website along with a major insurance, and it cuts the copay down to $20/month at CVS.


Sorry for posting stuff with such ignorance!!
[/quote]



If you can get on a state insurance due to low income or disability, it can cover all the copay on most medicines, and at least some of the fees in other states.

Supplemental insurance is available such as AARP.

Edited March 14, 2012 by JoyfulLife