What Do You Think You Will Love About Religious Life

[Nunsense]

What a neat topic! Yes, there are always fears, but it is so nice to focus on the positive side as well. I am so missing Carmel, and yet while I was there, I was very eager to be able to come back here and spend time with my sister, telling her all about it. Now that we have pretty much exhausted that topic of conversation (from her side I should imagine, I never get tired of it), I am starting to feel a 'homesickness' to get back to the community.

The things I like most? In no order of importance, they are...


The community itself - living with people who 'understand' my obsession with God
The Divine Office - I love praying it with others, especially the 'special things' like the Salve and the Litanies
The solitude and the silence - especially during the Great Silence at night
Thanksgiving after Holy Communion - spending time with God instead of the busy Parish socialization that often happens
Never missing a special feast day or solemnity - always knowing whose feast day it is
Being 'forced' to get up early and spend time with Jesus in meditation (against my very human self-indulgence to sleep in)
Great food!
Great parties!
Laughter, lots and lots of laughter at Recreation
Offering my life completely to God through His Church
Our cell - an oasis of peace
Making altar breads (and knowing that they will be used for Holy Communion)
and of course..... wearing the habit which feels like an embrace from God

[ameliabedelia]

one of the things im looking forward to is simply being called sister!

me: [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistle.gif[/img]

other person: "hi sister!" [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/wave.gif[/img]

me:

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/shocking.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile4.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dance2.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/nun.gif[/img]

"hi!"

lol (i think i had too much fun with the smileys)

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1282160336' post='2159669']
I'm merely answering from a "what if?" standpoint since my discernment has come to an end, but when I was discerning, the thing that I looked forward the most to was actually living close to Jesus in the Tabernacle. I was hoping to enter a community that had Perpetual Adoration so I could be with Him during the night. When I went on the "Come and See" retreat with the CFR Sisters, I made an extra point to reverence Jesus whenever passing Him going up or down the stairs, or doing chores. I loved that so much.

I'm sad that I can't discern anymore, but I know that Jesus will lead me to the way He wants me to go.
[/quote]
Oh, I'm really glad to see this thread resurrected. I have been meaning to post this here or somewhere. Mater, I remember you've mentioned that you are interested in becoming a Third Order Dominican. I just ran into this community the other day when searching for a DVD on Blessed Pier Giorgio and thought I should let you know about it - [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/139"]St. Martin de Porres Lay Dominican Community[/url] also .. [url="http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm"]http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm[/url]

They live in community and have their own chapel with the Blessed Sacrament and daily Mass! It does say under the qualifications, sound mental and physical health, but I am wondering if they might not be as strict on this as a religious community of sisters/nuns. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know. Of course this is a very specific & unique way to become and live as a Third Order Dominican, but again, I just thought I'd let you know. They look beautiful! God bless!

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1284702924' post='2174016']
Oh, I'm really glad to see this thread resurrected. I have been meaning to post this here or somewhere. Mater, I remember you've mentioned that you are interested in becoming a Third Order Dominican. I just ran into this community the other day when searching for a DVD on Blessed Pier Giorgio and thought I should let you know about it - [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/139"]St. Martin de Porres Lay Dominican Community[/url] also .. [url="http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm"]http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm[/url]

They live in community and have their own chapel with the Blessed Sacrament and daily Mass! It does say under the qualifications, sound mental and physical health, but I am wondering if they might not be as strict on this as a religious community of sisters/nuns. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know. Of course this is a very specific & unique way to become and live as a Third Order Dominican, but again, I just thought I'd let you know. They look beautiful! God bless!
[/quote]

I have heard that this Third Order Dominican lay community is AWESOME.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1284702924' post='2174016']
Oh, I'm really glad to see this thread resurrected. I have been meaning to post this here or somewhere. Mater, I remember you've mentioned that you are interested in becoming a Third Order Dominican. I just ran into this community the other day when searching for a DVD on Blessed Pier Giorgio and thought I should let you know about it - [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/139"]St. Martin de Porres Lay Dominican Community[/url] also .. [url="http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm"]http://www.newhope-ky.org/about.htm[/url]

They live in community and have their own chapel with the Blessed Sacrament and daily Mass! It does say under the qualifications, sound mental and physical health, but I am wondering if they might not be as strict on this as a religious community of sisters/nuns. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know. Of course this is a very specific & unique way to become and live as a Third Order Dominican, but again, I just thought I'd let you know. They look beautiful! God bless!
[/quote]

Thank you, Chiquitunga. I've thought about them after I came across them while doing a search on IRL for Dominican communities, but I really don't think I am called to live in a lay community. I am aware of a Third Order Dominican group somewhere in my diocese, but I have yet to figure out what Church it's at. They are the only one I know of around me and it's so hard to find information.

[Sarah147]

This thread has me so happy! I'm going to think about this and post later. Love the question! Edited September 18, 2010 by JoyfulLife

[juchu]

[list]
[*]being with my sisters without having a departure date. (I always leave on the last day before I have to go to university, etc. the next day ...)
[*]walking up the stairs to the chapel at least five times a day to pray.
[*]singing psalms in french
[*]The most beautiful liturgy ever.
[*]Eucharist.
[*]The compline. Singing "En tes mains, Seigneur, je remets mon esprit"
[*]The great silence from compline to chapter.
[*]The company of my sisters, their joy, love and forgiveness.
[*]morning meditation in the chapel while it gets light outside with the novitiate
[*]having a "male" haircut underneath the "female", "elegant" veil.
[*]Being in contact with the guests. Maybe in the future accompanying guests in their own spiritual journey.
[*]The big kitchen, cooking for 70 people
[*]doing a lot of things which I never thought I would be capable of! (Like working in the garden or painting fences or making tea or ....)
[/list]

This makes me so homesick! I just came back from there again and it just feels so right and I have to wait until I graduate... Lord, grant me patience!

Edited September 18, 2010 by juchu

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='juchu' timestamp='1284828747' post='2174264']
[list]
[*]being with my sisters without having a departure date. (I always leave on the last day before I have to go to university, etc. the next day ...)
[*]walking up the stairs to the chapel at least five times a day to pray.
[*]singing psalms in french
[*]The most beautiful liturgy ever.
[*]Eucharist.
[*]The compline. Singing "En tes mains, Seigneur, je remets mon esprit"
[*]The great silence from compline to chapter.
[*]The company of my sisters, their joy, love and forgiveness.
[*]morning meditation in the chapel while it gets light outside with the novitiate
[*]having a "male" haircut underneath the "female", "elegant" veil.
[*]Being in contact with the guests. Maybe in the future accompanying guests in their own spiritual journey.
[*]The big kitchen, cooking for 70 people
[*]doing a lot of things which I never thought I would be capable of! (Like working in the garden or painting fences or making tea or ....)
[/list]

This makes me so homesick! I just came back from there again and it just feels so right and I have to wait until I graduate... Lord, grant me patience!
[/quote]


Wow ... can you say what community it is or is it a secret ? ;-)

[vee]

What do I think I would like about religious life IF I ever became a religious? Well it would be a miracle, or almost one anyway if I ever made it but here is what I would like.

To be able to give Him my heart, my all and to let Him make something that pleases Him out of the pile of excrement that I am.
To take the spikes out of His hands and feet which He did not deserve and have them in my own, which deserve them faaar more. To take the thorns, the beatings, the hatred and by doing so give Him some relief, some comfort, something other than to add to His agony which is what I used to do. He is innocent I am guilty I deserve His sentence, so in religious life I could do my time in a more consecrated way than now.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1284832771' post='2174287']
Wow ... can you say what community it is or is it a secret ? ;-)
[/quote]

Ooo.. I'm guessing the [url="http://www.icrsp.org/Adoratrices/Adoratrices.htm"]Adoratrices[/url]!!

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' timestamp='1284838601' post='2174307']
Ooo.. I'm guessing the [url="http://www.icrsp.org/Adoratrices/Adoratrices.htm"]Adoratrices[/url]!!


[/quote]


I think thats a good guess. But do they have a big kitchen for 70 people?

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1284859711' post='2174432']
I think thats a good guess. But do they have a big kitchen for 70 people?
[/quote]



Ooooh... good question.

This requires further pondering...

[Indwelling Trinity]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' timestamp='1284859839' post='2174436']
Ooooh... good question.

This requires further pondering...
[/quote]

sounds beautiful... benedictine maybe?

[Indwelling Trinity]

[quote name='vee8' timestamp='1284834360' post='2174292']
What do I think I would like about religious life IF I ever became a religious? Well it would be a miracle, or almost one anyway if I ever made it but here is what I would like.

To be able to give Him my heart, my all and to let Him make something that pleases Him out of the pile of excrement that I am.
To take the spikes out of His hands and feet which He did not deserve and have them in my own, which deserve them faaar more. To take the thorns, the beatings, the hatred and by doing so give Him some relief, some comfort, something other than to add to His agony which is what I used to do. He is innocent I am guilty I deserve His sentence, so in religious life I could do my time in a more consecrated way than now.
[/quote]

How beautiful and profound my sister... I too ditto what you say. Come to Carmel....

[juchu]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1284832771' post='2174287']
Wow ... can you say what community it is or is it a secret ? ;-)
[/quote]

oh so much guessing Actually I would like to keep it a secret, at least "in the public". But I will write you a private message

And for everybody, no it are neither the Adoratrices nor Benedictines. But pretty monastic, although not with a strict enclosure (they eat with the guests in the common refectory and I as an aspirant can walk in the enclosure)

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='juchu' timestamp='1284928167' post='2174670']
oh so much guessing Actually I would like to keep it a secret, at least "in the public". But I will write you a private message

And for everybody, no it are neither the Adoratrices nor Benedictines. But pretty monastic, although not with a strict enclosure (they eat with the guests in the common refectory and I as an aspirant can walk in the enclosure)
[/quote]


So I am guessing they are in France... Can we know the geographical location? (or a city/town close by?)

[HopefulBride]

Ok what I think I will love about Religious Life
[list=1][*]Being able to go sit with Jesus anytime (day or night)[*]Saying the Liturgy of the hours in choir[*]Living with others who understand what I mean when I talk about being completely in love with our Lord[*]Saying the Rosay in Latin[*]Wearing my bridal gown everyday[*]Not having to worry about what to wear cause it's the same habit (well youu know what I mean)[*]Evangelizing others and not feeling weird about it.[*]Praying the rosay in the middle of the day without having to hide what I am doing with non-religious around.[*]Not stressing about checking facebook or emails.[/list]

[Sarah147]

Wow!

Being in a Catholic environment with Jesus in the Tabernacle, all day! The constant attention and prayer to Jesus.

Praying and singing together.

Mass and Adoration everyday.

The freedom and joy of poverty, obediance and chastity.

Having a structured day (this will be difficult at times).

Community and fellowship.

Putting hearts desires and talents to use in apostolate.

Knowing I'm always DOING THE WILL OF GOD at every moment.

All the help I need to grow as a person, being more who I truly am, and growing in Holiness.

The joy and laughter!


I'll probably be adding more later.


I love making lists. Lists are so helpful.

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1284945703' post='2174763']
Wow!

Being in a Catholic environment with Jesus in the Tabernacle, all day! The constant attention and prayer to Jesus.

Praying and singing together.

Mass and Adoration everyday.

The freedom and joy of poverty, obediance and chastity.

Having a structured day (this will be difficult at times).

Community and fellowship.

Putting hearts desires and talents to use in apostolate.

Knowing I'm always DOING THE WILL OF GOD at every moment.

All the help I need to grow as a person, being more who I truly am, and growing in Holiness.

The joy and laughter!


I'll probably be adding more later.


I love making lists. Lists are so helpful.
[/quote]

aah the Joy and Laughter

Edited September 20, 2010 by HopefulBride

[Lilllabettt]

The deep sense of satisfaction and completeness.

Although I have many doubts and torture myself a lot, the memory of that experience is what has kept me from giving up on discernment.