When Did You Tell Your Parents?

[the171]

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1320969395' post='2334597']
Thank you, I am glad someone is in the same situation. I was so excited and so I would just blurt it out. Now a days, I don't tell anyone new unless they ask about my plans for the future. This is part of the reason I had a week long "dark night of vocation" because I was worried if I was only doing this for the people who expected this of me or even myself. Now I have realized through the help of my Confessor that "If God wants me to be all His, He will not let anyone else get me and no one can change that. Not family, not friends." Period. I was actually concerned that if the time comes along and I am 20 and meet a guy and realize that this wasn't my call all along, I don't want certain people to be "upset" of course, there are those who do not want me to enter the convent and who think I am insane, but it is my own fault for telling them. I can't take back what's been done, and all I can do is run to the arms of my Beloved. This is what my sponsor told me yesterday that has brought me peace of mind at least in mine and her relationship:

[i][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"Whatever vocation you choose in life will make me happy, if watching you become a mom instead of a nun will make me happy, then I get grand babies (well, kind of). WHATEVER you choose to do I will ALWAYS support unless you decide to do something very stupid then we will have a battle at hand. [/font][/size][/i][i][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I know you want to go to the convent now and you can not, period. It is was it is. So enjoy the ride called the next 5 yrs of your life, really enjoy it."[/font][/size][/i]

That really helped me, and that was only yesterday. What the future holds, I can't be sure, but I hope I end up in solitude with my Lord and my God (the cloister!)
[/quote]

It goes by quickly. It feels like I was your age just yesterday. Next year, I'll be graduating.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

Thank you for telling me that, it actually means a lot, because now I can tell people that it is NOT that far away.

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1320894093' post='2334121']
- when you decided you're called to religious life even if you don't know which order
[/quote]
That one

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1320974569' post='2334652']
Thank you for telling me that, it actually means a lot, because now I can tell people that it is NOT that far away.
[/quote]
Seriously, it goes by so fast! Don't be too eager to wish away the last years of childhood. Enjoy them as much as possible!

[the171]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1320976907' post='2334666']

Seriously, it goes by so fast! Don't be too eager to wish away the last years of childhood. Enjoy them as much as possible!
[/quote]

This. I made that mistake. I really wish I would've soaked in more. I did what I thought was best at the moment. hahah

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

[quote name='the171' timestamp='1320979119' post='2334692']

This. I made that mistake. I really wish I would've soaked in more. I did what I thought was best at the moment. hahah
[/quote]
What is there to soak in? Maybe I am confused. I just wish I were making my live-in next week or entering or something. BTW, I think I am going to shoot an e-mail to your Lafayette Carmies tonight...

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1320980362' post='2334704']
What is there to soak in? Maybe I am confused. I just wish I were making my live-in next week or entering or something. BTW, I think I am going to shoot an e-mail to your Lafayette Carmies tonight...
[/quote]
Soak in the nonsensicalness of childhood! The older you get, the more responsible you have to be--meh, not as much fun (as I speak from my infinite wisdom of 18 years ). There is a time for everything. You will make your live in and enter, if that is God's will, in its own time. Right now, it's your time to enjoy your teen years. Go to football/basketball games, dances, hang out with friends, get involved in clubs, go out of your comfort zone. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," is the Dumbledore quote I like to use.

[Lil'Monster]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1320981629' post='2334716']
Soak in the nonsensicalness of childhood! The older you get, the more responsible you have to be--meh, not as much fun (as I speak from my infinite wisdom of 18 years ). There is a time for everything. You will make your live in and enter, if that is God's will, in its own time. Right now, it's your time to enjoy your teen years. Go to football/basketball games, dances, hang out with friends, get involved in clubs, go out of your comfort zone. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," is the Dumbledore quote I like to use.
[/quote]

how wise

[savvy]

The bible verses that bring me so much comfort is this.

Mark 10: 28-31

[b]28[/b] Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." [b]29[/b] Jesus said,"Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, [b]30[/b] but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions ; and in the age to come, eternal life. [b]31[/b] "But many who are first will be last, and the last, first."

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

[quote name='savvy' timestamp='1320982700' post='2334730']
The bible verses that bring me so much comfort is this.

Mark 10: 28-31

[b]28[/b] Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." [b]29[/b] Jesus said,"Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, [b]30[/b] but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions ; and in the age to come, eternal life. [b]31[/b] "But many who are first will be last, and the last, first."
[/quote]
One of my all-time favorites!

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1320981629' post='2334716']
Soak in the nonsensicalness of childhood! The older you get, the more responsible you have to be--meh, not as much fun (as I speak from my infinite wisdom of 18 years ). There is a time for everything. You will make your live in and enter, if that is God's will, in its own time. Right now, it's your time to enjoy your teen years. Go to football/basketball games, dances, hang out with friends, get involved in clubs, go out of your comfort zone. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," is the Dumbledore quote I like to use.
[/quote]
Haha, "infinite wisdom of 18 years" I do get what you are saying. I am thirteen, and you are only 5 years older than me and 171 is only two years older than me. I have just been gifted with the lovely gift of impatience. It's something I struggle with...

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1320984191' post='2334738']
I have just been gifted with the lovely gift of impatience. It's something I struggle with...
[/quote]
the 171 and I both, among countless others, struggle(d) with impatience, and that's fine. The only way to grow patient is to be patient in times where we want to be impatient. God's funny like that So that's my challenge to you, from one who began discerning at your age, be a kid and a saint now and a sister and a saint later.

[Lil'Monster]

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1320984191' post='2334738']
Haha, "infinite wisdom of 18 years" I do get what you are saying. I am thirteen, and you are only 5 years older than me and 171 is only two years older than me. I have just been gifted with the lovely gift of impatience. It's something I struggle with...
[/quote]

you are a youngster

[Totus Tuus]

My parents knew I was discerning from a young age. When I decided to enter the monastery (which I obviously did not remain at forever), I told my mom over the phone during the visit when the community agreed to accept me. She told my dad. Although these anecdotes from others can be helpful/reassuring, it's important to remember that everyone is different and the way you are called to tell your parents is something that's between you and God

[PhuturePriest]

I told my sister immediately the first time I felt called to the Priesthood. In fact, so immediate that it probably wasn't even an hour after I first felt it. I was about eleven at the time and I brought her to a swing-set, and I immediately told her. She was so happy for me, and was so excited. "Seriously!" She said, "If you become a Priest I will love you!". She loves me now, of course, but she was trying to be a bit funny I suppose. We then went on a walk and talked about it, she said that she expected me to become Pope one day so I would call her on the phone and she would be able to say to everyone, "It's the Pope.", and about what it was going to be like. She's been supportive since day one, and I'll never forget that.

I then told my mom and dad eventually, in which they seemed indifferent about it. I was young at the time, and I changed my mind every five seconds, so they didn't take it too seriously. And they were right, as I soon felt my vocation was to marriage, as I payed the bills by being a big time Rock God. Well, after a few years, I realized that wasn't going to cut it, and when I had my Renewal of Faith, I felt called not to be a Rock Star, but to become a Priest once more. At first, I thought that this was maybe just a phase again, but it if it's a phase, it's a heck of a long phase, as none of my other phases have lasted near this long. They usually went away within a week at the most, but mine is here to stay.

Once I had my Renewal of Faith, I then told my parents and everyone once more, and at first they were indifferent again, but once they realized I was so serious about it that I was actually attempting to apply myself in school, they soon came to the realization that this time it may be for real. Hopefully, it will be.

Edited November 11, 2011 by FuturePriest387

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1320984967' post='2334747']
the 171 and I both, among countless others, struggle(d) with impatience, and that's fine. The only way to grow patient is to be patient in times where we want to be impatient. God's funny like that So that's my challenge to you, from one who began discerning at your age, be a kid and a saint now and a sister and a saint later.
[/quote]
Thank you. That actually really helps. And I will try. I just found out from the NM I have been talking to that they want you to have work experience or maybe 2 years of college before entrance, and I thought, "I can't stand to wait 5 years, there is NO WAY I am waiting 7!" I didn't tell the NM that, but I was thinking it. The NM told me that the wait will make me stronger and that she knows because it made her stronger as she was discerning from a very young age. That also helped me.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1320981629' post='2334716']
Soak in the nonsensicalness of childhood! The older you get, the more responsible you have to be--meh, not as much fun (as I speak from my infinite wisdom of 18 years ). There is a time for everything. You will make your live in and enter, if that is God's will, in its own time. Right now, it's your time to enjoy your teen years. Go to football/basketball games, dances, hang out with friends, get involved in clubs, go out of your comfort zone. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," is the Dumbledore quote I like to use.
[/quote]

Exactly! While three years seems SO FAR AWAY, I am so happy to be where I am right now. Don't be afraid to do the normal teenage-y things--nothing illegal or immoral, though!

With time, your impatience will eventually go away, and you will receive the grace of patience. It is wonderful to pray for patience everyday!

[MarieLynn]

I did not actually tell my parents. When I turned 16, the Mother Superior of the Order approached them and asked if I could be in the next intake of Aspirants, as she felt I had a vocation and a strong affinity to their way of life. (I had been working as an Auxilliary at their Hospital at weekends and after school since I was 13) Thats how my parents learned of my desire to become a religious.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

[quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1321027479' post='2334925']

Exactly! While three years seems SO FAR AWAY, I am so happy to be where I am right now. Don't be afraid to do the normal teenage-y things--nothing illegal or immoral, though!

With time, your impatience will eventually go away, and you will receive the grace of patience. It is wonderful to pray for patience everyday!
[/quote]
Okay, thanks. 5 years seems a very long way a way, but also a very short time, and I guess it IS both. I will try hard to gradually grow into my vocation, but at the same time relish my last years of childhood.

[Strictlyinkblot]

[quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1321037777' post='2335010']
Okay, thanks. 5 years seems a very long way a way, but also a very short time, and I guess it IS both. I will try hard to gradually grow into my vocation, but at the same time relish my last years of childhood.
[/quote]

Well, I have at least 3 years and probably more before I'm free to enter. Its hard but God knows what he's doing. He doesn't want us to enter until He's ready for us to enter.

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='Lil'Monster' timestamp='1320985161' post='2334750']

you are a youngster
[/quote]
you are an oldie