Us Little 'uns And Our Vocations

[MarieLynn]

As one of the 'really ancients' on VS, who was introduced to the Order at 13 as a volunteer, became an Aspirant at 16, entered at 17, then spent a number of years in RL but left after Final Vows, I just want to add my 2c, for what it is worth.

When I entered at 17, I was so sure that I would be in RL for the rest of my life. I had no idea that eight years down the track I would be back in the world. The thought never entered my head. What I am trying to say is 'Man proposes, but God disposes'.

Just as some of the younger VS members are experiencing, at 13 I also came under the guidance of some really great Sisters who helped to foster my fledgling vocation to RL, encouraged me to put my trust in God, and let Him show me the way He wanted me to go. I also met up with some Sisters who dismissed me out of hand, saying I was far too young to know my own mind and to forget about it. However, I persevered, remaining a volunteer with the Order until I was almost 16, spending more and more of my free time working alongside the Sisters. Then the Mother Superior felt I was ready to take the next step, - as an Aspirant. I remained an Aspirant until my 17th birthday, when I wrote requesting admission as a Postulant, and after waiting the mandatory 6 months I entered the Postulancy.

To put it all in prospective, if you think you may have a vocation to RL at a young age, then persevere with it. Age is but a number after all. There are young vocations, just the same as there are older vocations, and they face the difficulties of their youth, the same as the older vocations and their age. Don't give up, just ask God the way He wants you to go, and all will be revealed in the fullness of time. In the meantime, live life, have fun and do the things that are particular to the younger ones, things that we 'ancients' can only remember and smile about.

[mysisterisalittlesister]

[quote name='MarieLynn' timestamp='1328820760' post='2384393']
As one of the 'really ancients' on VS, who was introduced to the Order at 13 as a volunteer, became an Aspirant at 16, entered at 17, then spent a number of years in RL but left after Final Vows, I just want to add my 2c, for what it is worth.

When I entered at 17, I was so sure that I would be in RL for the rest of my life. I had no idea that eight years down the track I would be back in the world. The thought never entered my head. What I am trying to say is 'Man proposes, but God disposes'.

Just as some of the younger VS members are experiencing, at 13 I also came under the guidance of some really great Sisters who helped to foster my fledgling vocation to RL, encouraged me to put my trust in God, and let Him show me the way He wanted me to go. I also met up with some Sisters who dismissed me out of hand, saying I was far too young to know my own mind and to forget about it. However, I persevered, remaining a volunteer with the Order until I was almost 16, spending more and more of my free time working alongside the Sisters. Then the Mother Superior felt I was ready to take the next step, - as an Aspirant. I remained an Aspirant until my 17th birthday, when I wrote requesting admission as a Postulant, and after waiting the mandatory 6 months I entered the Postulancy.

To put it all in prospective, if you think you may have a vocation to RL at a young age, then persevere with it. Age is but a number after all. There are young vocations, just the same as there are older vocations, and they face the difficulties of their youth, the same as the older vocations and their age. Don't give up, just ask God the way He wants you to go, and all will be revealed in the fullness of time. In the meantime, live life, have fun and do the things that are particular to the younger ones, things that we 'ancients' can only remember and smile about.
[/quote] thank you very much (: