When To Make The Jump?

[Sister Leticia]

Anselm - a friend of mine entered with her community about 25 years ago. There were 3 novices already in the novitiate and within a few years another 4 had entered. One left as a postulant, the others all made first vows. NONE of them made final vows, except for my friend. So in less than 10 years she went from having a peer group to being alone in her "generation". It was several more years before someone else entered and stayed.

 

Luckily, my friend hadn't entered with this order because of their full novitiate, or because she loved their habit (in fact, she was delighted when that changed a few years later!) or anything else which changed over the years. No, she joined them because of their charism and prayer and understanding of community and service, and because she felt so strongly that here was where God was calling her to be. And that's why she stayed, despite being rocked by all the departures.

 

And that's the only reason anyone should enter anywhere. Not because of anything which can so easily change (like personnel, location, externals etc), but because of the things that are timeless, because they are the only things that will endure. It's about building your house on rock rather than shifting sands.

 

So I'd say it isn't really to do with 7 v 90 or teaching v book-binding or location A v location B any of which can easily change within a few years, but about the things which are enduring and at the heart of the community.

 

What is it about the monastery that is enduring and timeless and has made your heart leap and say "yes, this is the place God has prepared for me!" ?

 

 

[marigold]

Anselm - a friend of mine entered with her community about 25 years ago. There were 3 novices already in the novitiate and within a few years another 4 had entered. One left as a postulant, the others all made first vows. NONE of them made final vows, except for my friend. So in less than 10 years she went from having a peer group to being alone in her "generation". It was several more years before someone else entered and stayed.

 

Luckily, my friend hadn't entered with this order because of their full novitiate, or because she loved their habit (in fact, she was delighted when that changed a few years later!) or anything else which changed over the years. No, she joined them because of their charism and prayer and understanding of community and service, and because she felt so strongly that here was where God was calling her to be. And that's why she stayed, despite being rocked by all the departures.

 

And that's the only reason anyone should enter anywhere. Not because of anything which can so easily change (like personnel, location, externals etc), but because of the things that are timeless, because they are the only things that will endure. It's about building your house on rock rather than shifting sands.

 

So I'd say it isn't really to do with 7 v 90 or teaching v book-binding or location A v location B any of which can easily change within a few years, but about the things which are enduring and at the heart of the community.

 

What is it about the monastery that is enduring and timeless and has made your heart leap and say "yes, this is the place God has prepared for me!" ?

 

This, a hundred times. I need it stapled to my face.

[Sister Leticia]

Marigold - please don't staple anything to your face - it will only hurt!! Just tuck it into your heart, where God already is, and he will do the rest :)

[Luigi]

This, a hundred times. I need it stapled to my face.

 

Too much enthusiasm.

 

 

I agree with Sister Leticia.

[Archaeology cat]

I've a soft spot for Benedictines, as my parish in Liverpool was run by Benedictines from Ampleforth Abbey. My prayers are with you as you discern God's will, whatever that may be. :)