Discerning A Discalced Carmelite Vocation - And Nervous

[graciandelamadrededios]

Its also called "fraternal correction"

[AnneLine]

A slightly different insight... but one that might help....

 

I help people in the Secular Order to which I belong learn the basics of each step of formation.  This includes learning how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, reading and really learning the Rule, Constitutions, Statutes, writings of our Saints, history and a lot of additional things.  Sometimes people are really good at learning things... for others, it just comes a lot harder.  But the work must be done.... and sometimes, well, there is additional learning that goes along with it!

 

Our Council often has had to suggest to someone that they would benefit from waiting an additional period of time before advancing to the novitiate, or going into first promises, or making their final commitments.  And sometimes we've had to tell people that they simply don't have the vocation, even though we know they WANT to have been given the vocation terribly.  (And most of us on Vocation Station can also see these things happen in religious communities, too....).   Other times we have to tell people that they are trying TOO hard, and that they need to just do what they are asked, which might not be what they want to do!

 

It can be a huge humiliation to some people to have it suggested that they might benefit from waiting a little longer, or that they need to repeat a section of the formation materials, or that they need to work a little harder at learning what we put in front of them rather than reading ahead or a different set of books.  But we wouldn't' be doing our job if we did NOT gently and lovingly tell people the truth.   And I have seen God do some pretty incredible things with the ones who are able to accept the humiliation of repeating a section, or waiting a little longer, or simply doing something purely for love of God even though they might not want to do it.  And I have benefitted from some firm and gentle corrections that have come my way!   But it is NOT an easy thing to accept them.... or to put them into practice.

 

I think the key is love for God and the ability to trust the superiors who speak for God.   If you trust them, you will be able to do what they suggest.