savvy Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Joyful, Even if you get rejected, God might still be calling you to religious life. You might just be called to be more patient, and deepen your prayer life, before God can unfold his plans for you. I have a learning disability too and take medication. I was rejected by several orders who though their life might be too hectic for me. To be fair I was also not completely at peace when I was with them. I dropped the idea of religious life, then at the Life in the Spirit Seminar, the call back back. I needed to spend time in prayer and just getting closer to God. And just have faith and trust in Him. None of my attempts at relationships worked out, because obstacles would just come up along the way. It was very mysterious. I am now discerning with a community, that I totally fit into, despite their active lifestyle. They said that because I have a very low dose, they will consider me, and need to spend time getting to know me. So don't lose hope. Just keep praying. God works in His time, and will surprise you when the time is right.
Sarah147 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) I don't believe I have a vocation IF the RSM and FSE tell me God isn't calling me. As I've contacted all the semi-contemplative orders, and it's a no-go. I'm not for the totally active nor non-veil, and the full cloisters totally frown upon depression and mental issues because there isn't much outlet to release steam there. But I did forget the Los Angeles sisters; they are semi and wanted to talk on the phone, but I'm pretty sure they don't have the resources to care for me. Edited December 2, 2011 by JoyfulLife
savvy Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 [quote]I don't believe I have a vocation IF the RSM and FSE tell me God isn't calling me. As I've contacted all the semi-contemplative orders, and it's a no-go. I'm not for the totally active nor non-veil, and the full cloisters totally frown upon depression and mental issues because there isn't much outlet to release steam there. But I did forget the Los Angeles sisters; they are semi and wanted to talk on the phone, but I'm pretty sure they don't have the resources to care for me. [/quote] I will keep you in my prayers, so that God will show you want he wants for you. Just be open to different orders, provided they are faithful to the church. You never know sometimes until you try. I had a list of things that I wanted, but when I came across the communities that had those things, I was not totally at peace.
Nunsense Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 JL and MM - sometimes it is a good idea to take a step back from discerning to be quiet, inside and out. Whatever happens, your efforts to come closer to God are pleasing to Him. If you get indicators that you need to stop discerning for awhile, then maybe that's what you need. JL, I know you haven't heard back definitively from your communities yet but be gentle with yourself, whatever the responses. I took a break from discerning for a little while when I needed time for prayer and a little alone time with God. It was like letting the land lie fallow for a season. It refreshes the soul to just be still and listen for His voice. Our prayers are with you as you and MM (and any others who are currently going through some confusing times).
OnlySunshine Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 [quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1322874463' post='2343828'] JL and MM - sometimes it is a good idea to take a step back from discerning to be quiet, inside and out. Whatever happens, your efforts to come closer to God are pleasing to Him. If you get indicators that you need to stop discerning for awhile, then maybe that's what you need. JL, I know you haven't heard back definitively from your communities yet but be gentle with yourself, whatever the responses. I took a break from discerning for a little while when I needed time for prayer and a little alone time with God. It was like letting the land lie fallow for a season. It refreshes the soul to just be still and listen for His voice. Our prayers are with you as you and MM (and any others who are currently going through some confusing times). [/quote] Yes, I am definitely taking a step back from discernment right now. I'm sure that is what any good spiritual director would recommend I do so that I can get rid of any negative feelings and be able to think again with a clear head. Now is just not the right time to be making any important decisions concerning my vocation and I'm OK with that. Whatever the Holy Spirit wills! I'm sure He'll nudge me again when it is time. I just have to keep praying so that I move in the right direction!
Sarah147 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Life sure is confusing. And it's rough having to wait to hear back. And it's a little scary thinking I might be entering sooner than I expected, but at the same time, I feel kind of excited about everything, especially since I'm finally getting my health conditions figured out in time.
Nunsense Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1322917176' post='2344032'] Life sure is confusing. And it's rough having to wait to hear back. And it's a little scary thinking I might be entering sooner than I expected, but at the same time, I feel kind of excited about everything, especially since I'm finally getting my health conditions figured out in time. [/quote] JL - I'm sorry but I'm a little confused - probably the result of so many people on here discerning, visiting, entering etc but -- are you waiting to hear if you can go for a first visit, or to hear if you can enter? You say you might be entering sooner than expected, but I didn't realise you had even gone for a first visit yet. You do know that these things take time, don't you? It could be six months to a year from time of first visit to actually entering. Look at faithcecelia's journey this past year and she isn't inside yet -- just doing a live-in. So I am just hoping that you aren't counting your chickens before they're hatched here? I wouldn't like to see you get too disappointed by building up your expectations - that's all. If I am off base, I apologise.
Sarah147 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 It's true, I haven't even visited yet.
Lil'Nun Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Joyful. Just to add a possibility to the debate. You know I sent a very, very brief email to the VD of the RSM? I just asked if they considered older vocations.I have not had a reply at all as yet either. So, it may well simply be that the VD is busy - particularly with it being advent as well.
TheresaThoma Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Joyful and Lil'Nun I'm not sure how long it has been but it seemed to take at around two weeks for the VD of the RSMs to get back to me. It was about 20 days between the time I e-mailed her for the first time and when she got back to me. Her emails to me also tended to be in the evening too. So if it has only been a week or so I wouldn't worry too much.
Sarah147 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Thank you both soooo much for sharing that! I'm much more relieved!
OnlySunshine Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 It does take them a lot of time sometimes. The VD is very busy with being a Church Financial Administrator (I can't remember the exactly title). The only reason she got back to me when she did is because she was updating their website with the retreat dates (erasing the November ones).
Sarah147 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Very good to know. I put so much out there in my email to vd that it makes me nervous what others think. Edited December 3, 2011 by JoyfulLife
TheresaThoma Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Joyful when I was first contacting communities I was a bit nervous when communities weren't getting back to me within a few days.A good Jesuit friend reminded me that nuns and Sisters run on "convent time". Which is often much different (slower) than "normal time". Also "convent time" varies between communities but you eventually figure out what is normal for them.
AnneLine Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 Another thing about 'Convent Time' - many if not most communities cut back on snail mail (and possibly/probably) email during Advent and Lent. (In many communities, the sisters' mail is saved up until Christmas or Easter!!!) Most likely that wouldn't apply to vocation directors, but it could still mean that she (or he) may be a lot slower to get through backed-up mail during these times. Another example of 'if God wants you in, nothing on earth will keep you out, but if God doesn't want you in, nothing on earth will get you in. So be at peace, listen carefully and move slowly." Still some of the BEST vocation advice I have ever heard - thank you, SO much, Fr. Bonaventure (of happy memory!). It's hard doing that waiting, JoyfulLife.... but Advent is a wonderful season to be asking for the grace to do 'joyful waiting'' -- not to hear from a human vocation director, but for the voice of God calling you closer to him in love.... I'll keep on praying that grace for you.... for all of you!
Lil'Nun Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1323025007' post='2344419'] [/quote] What?
Sarah147 Posted December 4, 2011 Author Posted December 4, 2011 I'm just agreeing with all the advice and feeling positive and excited about Christmas and RSM. I'm normally kind of hyper anyway from ADHD.
TheresaThoma Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1323026298' post='2344434'] I'm just agreeing with all the advice and feeling positive and excited about Christmas and RSM. I'm normally kind of hyper anyway from ADHD. [/quote] Its Advent its normal to be hopeful (read excited/hyper)! In three weeks we will be celebrating Our Savior's birth, what is more exciting than that?
Sarah147 Posted December 10, 2011 Author Posted December 10, 2011 Well, I heard back from the FSE and they didn't offer any advice. They just said that based on my health and the rigors of their life, they couldn't consider me. So now it's just the RSM and the LA order.
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