Active/contemplative Or Cloistered How Do You Know Which Is For You?

[mantellata]

[quote name='LittleWaySoul' timestamp='1345424169' post='2470344']
I personally think I have a passion for the Truth, and making the Truth known. I'm friends with many atheists, and I have this desire to spread the love of Christ to as many people as possible who don't recognize his existence. I'm very interested in theology and Church teaching. I think, if I am to be a sister, I will be an active one
[/quote]

The Dominican motto is "Truth"

Just saying..............

Edited August 20, 2012 by mantellata

[LittleWaySoul]

[quote name='mantellata' timestamp='1345424530' post='2470349']
The Dominican motto is "Truth"

Just saying..............


[/quote]
Are the Dominicans contemplative? Or cloistered?
If so, how are they able to directly communicate to the uninformed or misinformed atheist or secular civilian? That's what I want to do. I heard of an order of nuns who literally walk the streets of a certain city, just speaking to people and sharing their joy. That's something I'd love to do

[Strictlyinkblot]

There are both Dominican nuns who are cloistered, and Dominican sisters who play a more active role.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='LittleWaySoul' timestamp='1345427121' post='2470373']
Are the Dominicans contemplative? Or cloistered?
If so, how are they able to directly communicate to the uninformed or misinformed atheist or secular civilian? That's what I want to do. I heard of an order of nuns who literally walk the streets of a certain city, just speaking to people and sharing their joy. That's something I'd love to do
[/quote]

Are the Sisters you mention from Rosalind Moss's new community? Daughters of Mary Mother of Israel's Hope, I think. There are both cloistered and active Dominicans. The active most popular Sisters are usually school teachers though. I don't know how much street evangelizing they do.

Edit: You may also look into the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word, who's active apostolate is catechesis retreats. They are very enthusiastic about Church teaching and learning how to pass its beauty onto others. They are semi contemplative, though.

Edited August 20, 2012 by emmaberry

[mantellata]

The Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville) and the Sisters of Mary (Ann Arbor) are active-contemplative Dominican communities. Their primary focus of evangelization is in teaching. At least with the DSMME's (not sure about Nashville - though I believe they do as well) there is also opportunity for other forms of evangelization including retreats, theology-on-tap and summer missions to parishes.... as well as various talks to University campuses.

I just saw your affection for the proclamation of the Gospel, and being slightly biased towards Dominican spirituality, I couldn't help but throw my two cents in.

As far as how the Dominican nuns preach (after-all they are part of the Order of Preachers) and yet are cloistered - I would point you to the following:
[url="http://nunsopsummit.org/life-mission/common-life"]http://nunsopsummit.org/life-mission/common-life[/url]
and
[url="http://nunsopsummit.org/life-mission/hearing-studying-and-keeping-the-word-of-god"]http://nunsopsummit.org/life-mission/hearing-studying-and-keeping-the-word-of-god[/url]

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='LittleWaySoul' timestamp='1345424169' post='2470344']
I personally think I have a passion for the Truth, and making the Truth known. I'm friends with many atheists, and I have this desire to spread the love of Christ to as many people as possible who don't recognize his existence. I'm very interested in theology and Church teaching. I think, if I am to be a sister, I will be an active one
[/quote]

Just out of curiosity, have you checked into orders like the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma or the Dominicans in either Ann Arbor or Nashville? You sound like a Dominican at heart.

[OnlySunshine]

You might want to also check into these order
[quote name='LittleWaySoul' timestamp='1345427121' post='2470373']
Are the Dominicans contemplative? Or cloistered?
If so, how are they able to directly communicate to the uninformed or misinformed atheist or secular civilian? That's what I want to do. I heard of an order of nuns who literally walk the streets of a certain city, just speaking to people and sharing their joy. That's something I'd love to do
[/quote]

You might want to also check into these active/contemplative orders who preach the Gospel:

[url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/387"]Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal[/url] (work a lot on the streets with the homeless)

[url="http://www.clavermissionarysisters.org/?page_id=315"]Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver[/url]

[url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/21"]Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate[/url]

[url="http://www.cmswr.org/member_communities/DLJC.htm"]Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ[/url]

[url="http://www.cmswr.org/member_communities/SLVM.htm"]Servants of the Lord and Virgin of Matara[/url]

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345311327' post='2469738']
This may be something that has been discussed before but its something I have been wondering about. How do you know if you are being called to an active community or one that is cloistered/monastic? Can this change as you research and learn more about yourself and draw closer to Jesus. I have been discerning for a little over 2 years for the first year and a half I thought I was called to an active/ contemplative community and I was sure I knew where it was. But a few months ago it became apparent that this community was not where I was called. Because of this I had to do some serious thought and prayer about what my true vocation is, and now I feel more drawn to the cloistered life. So how do you know for certain which type of community you are called to? Is it just an undeniable certainty like when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are called to the religious life?
[/quote]

Luckily for you, my spiritual director and I just had this talk. He said to not put them against each other like this. Instead of asking "Contemplative, cloistered or active?", ask "How am I supposed to love God?" We love God through our vocations, and each vocation has a special way of loving God. Ask God and discern which way you are to love him instead of putting them at odds with each other.

Also, when discerning he said to imagine the ugliness of each vocation. We can make anything seem like Rainbow Land in our mind, but nothing is Rainbow Land, especially when it comes to vocations. If you are drawn to Carthusians, for instance, think not just about the great things in it, but think of the not-so-great things. You will pray in solitary confinement for hours each day, almost never getting to talk except to pray, and worst of all, as is the worst with every Community, you have to live with [b]other people[/b]. This is not a particularly bad thing, but a Saint once said the hardest thing in Religious life is living with other people. "Bingo!" a Benedictine Monk on EWTN once said about that quote. Religious life seems great when we think about living with nice easy-going people, but personality clashes, differences in opinion, sometimes going to absolute loathing for another person, this is all a part of Religious life. Do you feel your prompting go out when you think about these things, or can you see past these things? The same goes for active life, but I must say the Rosary soon so I cannot type up an example. Just think about these things and be open to God's will, for only in His will can we be happy, even if this means we must give up our original plans.

[TheresaThoma]

I briefly discerned cloistered life with a Benedictine community and a Cistercian community. Both times it didn't just "click", I really appreciate the beauty of the life but I just couldn't see myself there.
It really helps to get in touch with both types of communities to get a better idea of where you might be called to. Remember as St Thomas Aquinas said, Grace builds on nature. Really get to know yourself, what style of prayer you find the most fruitful, what are your strengths and weaknesses. All of these will help you discern where you are called.

[LittleWaySoul]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1345430249' post='2470411']
Are the Sisters you mention from Rosalind Moss's new community? Daughters of Mary Mother of Israel's Hope, I think.
[/quote]
Yes! That's the one

Also, thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I haven't really looked into many orders at all yet, but I'll keep those in mind when I do! Your help is greatly appreciated!

[Mary's Child]

Thank you all you have been very helpful.
When I consider my personality I am very much of an introvert and quickly becoming more so. Often I have felt guilty about wanting to go somewhere quiet to pray etc after only a few hours of visiting with a friend. Also I have begun a weekly holy hour recently after it was recommended to me by a priest I spoke with, at first an hour seemed like a long time but now I usually spend at least 2 hours and dont want to leave.
One thing I wonder about is I do often need to talk to someone about problems I am experiencing and I have questions about how this would work out.

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345498438' post='2470811']
Thank you all you have been very helpful.
When I consider my personality I am very much of an introvert and quickly becoming more so. Often I have felt guilty about wanting to go somewhere quiet to pray etc after only a few hours of visiting with a friend. Also I have begun a weekly holy hour recently after it was recommended to me by a priest I spoke with, at first an hour seemed like a long time but now I usually spend at least 2 hours and dont want to leave.
One thing I wonder about is I do often need to talk to someone about problems I am experiencing and I have questions about how this would work out.
[/quote]

That's how I felt when I first felt my calling to contemplative life. I found myself wanting to spend more and more time in prayer. I felt that longing in my heart for a life dedicated to prayer, and when I thought and prayed about it I realised only contemplative life would fulfil that longing.

[Mary's Child]

Ok so what your telling me is I should pursue the direction of contemplative life. Yeah I was leaning that way. I was wondering about visiting any other active communitites I guess Ill put that off for now I may not visit any more of them which wouldnt bother me.

[cmaD2006]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345500175' post='2470832']
Ok so what your telling me is I should pursue the direction of contemplative life. Yeah I was leaning that way. I was wondering about visiting any other active communitites I guess Ill put that off for now I may not visit any more of them which wouldnt bother me.
[/quote]
It depends

For example ... (just an example) the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are an active/contemplative community, that are quite contemplative. They leave occasionally for apostolates (not on a daily basis).

Another community I know who also is active/contemplative have daily apostolates ... so these are two different flavors of active contemplatives.

One may be "just right" for one person, and yet "not it" for another.

For me personally when I was actively discerning (I don't even know what to call my discernment state anymore lol) I initially looked at strictly active communities, then active-contemplative communities. I entered one -- which was not the right mix of active-contemplative. The second that I entered was the right mix (but other things happened).

I *think* that I am not called to a cloistered community due to my personality. But -- I do have an ease of prayer when separated from the world (i.e. on retreat) and there is much fruit when on retreat (Maximilianus says that I am always on retreat lol).

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345500175' post='2470832']
Ok so what your telling me is I should pursue the direction of contemplative life. Yeah I was leaning that way. I was wondering about visiting any other active communitites I guess Ill put that off for now I may not visit any more of them which wouldnt bother me.
[/quote]

Trust your heart. Obviously no-one else can know where God is calling you, but from what you've said it sounds like you feel pulled in the contemplative direction. If you do, then it's worth giving it some thought - even if just to discover "no, this definitely isn't it". After all, you have nothing to lose.

[VeniJesuAmorMi]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345498438' post='2470811']
Thank you all you have been very helpful.
When I consider my personality I am very much of an introvert and quickly becoming more so. Often I have felt guilty about wanting to go somewhere quiet to pray etc after only a few hours of visiting with a friend. Also I have begun a weekly holy hour recently after it was recommended to me by a priest I spoke with, at first an hour seemed like a long time but now I usually spend at least 2 hours and dont want to leave.
One thing I wonder about is I do often need to talk to someone about problems I am experiencing and I have questions about how this would work out.
[/quote]

Please don't feel guilty about that. It's not unusual to be drawn to spend more alone time with Our Lord. It means that your listening to Him asking you to be with Him, and when we are alone with Him in prayer, whether it be vocal or silence, any time with Him also will help those you love. Its a great grace of the contemplative.

About needing to talk to someone about problems your experiencing, I can tell you by experience as I was in a cloistered community, that even though you have Reverend Mother and the Novice Mistress to talk with and help you they are not there to "replace" Our Lord. Its something to be very careful of, especially for detachment and spiritual growth. They will expect that even though you may go to them, and they are there for you for everything, that you will also have the spiritual maturity and detachment to be able to bear them in silence and go to Our Lord for your help in those situations.

Please pray for me also.

[Mary's Child]

[quote name='VeniJesuAmorMi' timestamp='1345501328' post='2470846']
About needing to talk to someone about problems your experiencing, I can tell you by experience as I was in a cloistered community, that even though you have Reverend Mother and the Novice Mistress to talk with and help you they are not there to "replace" Our Lord. Its something to be very careful of, especially for detachment and spiritual growth. They will expect that even though you may go to them, and they are there for you for everything, that you will also have the spiritual maturity and detachment to be able to bear them in silence and go to Our Lord for your help in those situations.

Please pray for me also.
[/quote]

Yes I know I need to learn to turn to Our Lord alone with the things that are on my mind. Its probably the main thing I am struggling with in my spiritual life. Do you have any suggestions for improving in this?
@ CMariaDiaz I have actually visited the Disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ although I didnt end up getting to spend a lot of time with them since I got sick and ended up qaurantined in my room but it just didnt feel right. I have also visited several other active/contemplative communities including the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. So I have really seriously looked at the more active life.

[VeniJesuAmorMi]

[quote name='Mary's Child' timestamp='1345504279' post='2470888']
Yes I know I need to learn to turn to Our Lord alone with the things that are on my mind. Its probably the main thing I am struggling with in my spiritual life. Do you have any suggestions for improving in this?
[/quote]

I struggled with the same thing and my suggestion is prayer. I believe Humilty is key here. Meditate on Our Lord and His silence during His Passion, and the same with Our Blessed Mother when She was standing at the foot of the Cross. It takes humility to be silent, and sometimes to speak also. I have found though that there is strength in suffering when it is carried in silence and nobody is aware of it. When you see the suffering as being offered to you by Our Lord so that you may show your love for Him, it actually becomes precious and initmate because its something that you share only with Jesus. In some cases then you wouldn't want it to go away! .... because you renew your fiat to the suffering He permits you to have and for as long as you have it then you pray that through it you may bear it with greater virtue and greater love for Him. Then, the more you do this it will make you detached from creatures, dependent on God alone, and you will become closer to Him. It also will help you give yourself for others in a very selfless way because you won't think much of yourself anymore, but rather how you may be able to love and please Him more.

[Mary's Child]

I really need to concentrate more on keeping silent since I have developed the habit of saying whatever is on my mind. At times it is a struggle but I have found when I ask Jesus or Mary to help me the unnecessary comments die on my lips and there is a peace. Its amazing.
Yes I have reached the point where I am doing well with suffering and accepting it without wanting it to go away. But in other cases I still find myself complaining a lot and wishing it would be over. In time I hope that I can accept any suffering peacefully and in union with Christ without wishing that things were different.
Thank you so much you have been very helpful.

[emmaberry]

Mary's Child: I read a blog that was posted on VS about a girl who discerned she was called to marriage. She said one way to discern between vocations is: when you get that itch for communion with God and spiritual nourishment, does a retreat or quiet day of prayer successfully recharge you to go into the world on fire for the greater glory of God? Through this method, she discerned her call was to marriage, because that itch that we all feel was, for her, adequately filled by retreats and things of that nature.

This method may help your discernment between active and contemplative life. When you spend your weekly time in adoration, does it fill you up adequately to go out into the world and work for His glory? I heard my calling in adoration, and immediately knew the contemplative life was the only option, because no amount of adoration and other spiritual things filled me up, so to speak. There was insatiable thirst for God. Unlike the active Dominican sisters, who describe their morning and evening schedule of prayers as fuel for their apostolate of teaching, contemplatives aren't satisfied or adequately filled by limited prayers. This is why they throw themselves into the heart of God and His Church. It is for the saving of souls, but it is also to quench the thirst for God and God alone that He places in the heart of a contemplative. When I started spending 5 hours a day in adoration, and it still was not ENOUGH, I knew I had to discontinue my degree and allow God to show me the right convent.

This refrain of 'enough' is something you will often hear contemplatives say-or more like, "not enough!" The world, lovely as it is, is just not enough for someone who has been created for the contemplative life-not to say that it is enough for the active or married, rather, it is that they often find they are sufficiently quenched by their apostolate or kids and spouse. Like I said before, this is highlighting the beauty of the contemplative life because that is all I know. I do not mean to put down the active life or married life in anything I have said. These comments are meant only to describe the overwhelming joy of the cloister.