azaelia Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 Sooo...how badly did y'all miss me? This weekend was amazing...many of you already know I've been off at the Journey 2004 Retreat (otherwise known as Youth 2000) run by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal since Friday. It was my fifth year attending, so I was prepared for everything that usually happens at these retreats. I spent many hours in adoration, and felt a peace I've been longing to feel for months now, but have never been able to obtain. It was just.... Now, you're probably wondering why I need prayers. Welll...I thought I was prepared for everything, but really you can't be prepared for [b]everything[/b]. And I really wasn't, at all. During the big adoration/procession last night I prayed for peace as I thought about my future, something I'm struggling with. Something entered my mind that night that I didn't even recognize until this morning during mass. I can't even explain it. For years I've been going to this retreat, and each year I've contemplated religious life, just to find out if I have any desire, if maybe God's calling me. And I've never felt a real desire to enter such a life. So when they'd call up those who felt a call to religious life, or had even thought about it before, I never stood up. This year, something changed. I looked at the Sisters of the Renewal, saw their vitality, their joy, their strength, and my outlook changed. I began to picture myself in that life, in a way that made me desire it. So I stood up when they asked for all those who felt called to such a life. I stood with the other youth and adults (freaked my sisters out ) with some of my friends, and thought to myself [i]'What am I doing?'[/i] So after we were applauded, they said a prayer over the group, and I was standing next to Brother Simon (see the avatar :hearts: ) and he kept looking at me with this beaming grin on his face. When they prayed for us, he came over to me, put his hand on my shoulder, and prayed over me. As if that wasn't enough, when I gave him a hug goodbye he said to me "You'll make a beautiful Sister someday." And all I could think was [i]'What is going on?'[/i] I've never thought this before, and to tell you the truth, I'm completely torn. I've always had the desire to be a wife and mother. To me, motherhood would be the greatest joy God could bestow on me. But now I'm confused, and I'm not sure where I'm supposed to be. So I need prayers. Lots of them. I had an awesome experience, even if it was so very confusing. And I missed my Phatmass :group:
gonzaga Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 (edited) thats pretty cool, it would be even cooler if u entered the religous life, its a question i ask myself a lot. I'l be thinkin bout ya. Edited November 15, 2004 by gonzaga
IcePrincessKRS Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 I'll be praying for you for sure. :wub: One of my best friends went back and forth between wanting to be a wife/mother and wanting to be a nun. Eventually (well, not really "eventually" she was only 22 when she decided!) she realized she was called to be a sister after visiting a particular order's convent, so now she's happily living the life of a nun (www.sisterservants.com). I've known alot of people who've gone the opposite direction, too, but Annie is proof that God shows you the way at the most opportune times.
DancesforLove Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 (edited) We missed you!! You have my prayers dear!! :group: Edited November 15, 2004 by DancesforLove
the_rev Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 You have my prayers. Thinking I was called to this way of life, but then really wasn't I will pray for your vocatoin.
littleflower+JMJ Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 wow thats so beautiful and AWESOME to hear!! Jesus in the eucharist is soo wonderful to us!! adoration will give us Jesus' love in our hearts that will allow us and call us to go deeper--to seek Him take this obvious gift--this seed--and plant it! water and grow it by praying and listening for God's will and it will blossom before you, whether religious, single or married life, it will!! :wub: :hearts: keep listening and trusting as you put one foot in front of the other, do not look, nor ignore what you are feeling a tug too-and you will find yourself where you need to be!! this is truly wnoderful to hear AZ and you have my prayers!! i too think you would be an awesome nun, but we all know its all up to God's will so thats where prayer comes in.... i know just thinking about vocation of being a sister is so foreign to many of us today but i agree--their joy and wonderful life being lived for God can never be overlooked--for it calls all of us to do that same... keep it up, foster your vocation and trust! God is calling all of us to answer our vocation--we just have to pray..... and in front of Jesus in adoration is the perfect time--"Speak Lord, your servant is listening" PAX.
CatholicAndFanatical Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 [quote] As if that wasn't enough, when I gave him a hug goodbye he said to me "You'll make a beautiful Sister someday." And all I could think was 'What is going on?' [/quote] That was a beautiful story AZ, but I must confess. I havent been here for awhile so I wasnt sure if you was a Man or a Women (Your avatar made me think you was a guy) Anyway, when I read my quote above I couldnt help but bust out laughing. I thought maybe they were calling up just women, and you being a guy missed that part and went up anyway. And your friend came up and said this too you to be a smarty. lol ok, it was funny in my head. Its so awesome how God calls people. One thing is for sure, you are going to question for a long time. God knows you are and He already has a plan for you. All this im sure you know already but just wanted to say it. I will pray for you tonight during my night prayers. God Bless
daugher-of-Mary Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 WOW!!! That is wonderful!!! You'll definitely be in my prayers. May Our Lady and Mother watch over you and your vocation and guide you to her Son. [quote]I'll be praying for you for sure. One of my best friends went back and forth between wanting to be a wife/mother and wanting to be a nun. Eventually (well, not really "eventually" she was only 22 when she decided!) she realized she was called to be a sister after visiting a particular order's convent, so now she's happily living the life of a nun (www.sisterservants.com). I've known alot of people who've gone the opposite direction, too, but Annie is proof that God shows you the way at the most opportune times. [/quote] Annie (err...now Sr. Mary Catherine)! I know her...she's such a beautiful person.
Andrea348 Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 [quote name='azaelia' date='Nov 14 2004, 08:20 PM'] I've always had the desire to be a wife and mother. To me, motherhood would be the greatest joy God could bestow on me. [/quote] I've got two words for you: Spiritual Motherhood It's been said that one cannot be a good sister unless they could be a good mother. As a sister you are called to be the spiritual mother of all...which is like you said, a great joy. My prayers are with you. Discerning a vocation is definately , but God will lead us all to where he wants us to be. We just need to be patient even though it's tough.
Thy Geekdom Come Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 Andrea is right, the same goes with priests and fatherhood. You could not be a good nun if you couldn't also be a good mother. At the same time, you must realize that if you actually want to be a mother, you probably wouldn't be a good nun. The reason I left seminary is because I wanted to be a husband and father. Now, I knew that a good priest would make a good husband and father, but had chosen instead to be celibate and married to the Church. However, when I examined my reasons for wanting to be a priest, I didn't find that they were that I wanted to administer the sacraments. Instead, my motives were to do social justice issues, counseling, teaching, and working with youth. Those things which called me to the priesthood were not exclusive to the priesthood, but those things which called me to marriage were exclusive to marriage, and I could still do those things which called me to priesthood (in fact, one could say on the other hand that unless you would also make a good priest, you wouldn't make a good husband and father, and if you actually did want to be a priest, you probably wouldn't be a good father). Examine your motives and whether the things which call you to either life are exclusive to either life. Prayers.
Lounge Daddy Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 [font="Courier"]oh wow you def have prayer God bless you maybe you're being gently lead by the hand a bit – spiritually speaking?[/font]
azaelia Posted November 15, 2004 Author Posted November 15, 2004 [quote name='CatholicAndFanatical' date='Nov 14 2004, 11:31 PM'] That was a beautiful story AZ, but I must confess. I havent been here for awhile so I wasnt sure if you was a Man or a Women (Your avatar made me think you was a guy) Anyway, when I read my quote above I couldnt help but bust out laughing. I thought maybe they were calling up just women, and you being a guy missed that part and went up anyway. And your friend came up and said this too you to be a smarty. lol ok, it was funny in my head. [/quote] That is rather funny Thanks for your prayers everyone. I'm going to let it mull about in my heart for a while. I'm glad I have you guys to give me a better perspective of things. It helps :group:
IcePrincessKRS Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 [quote name='CatholicAndFanatical' date='Nov 14 2004, 11:31 PM'] That was a beautiful story AZ, but I must confess. I havent been here for awhile so I wasnt sure if you was a Man or a Women (Your avatar made me think you was a guy) Anyway, when I read my quote above I couldnt help but bust out laughing. I thought maybe they were calling up just women, and you being a guy missed that part and went up anyway. And your friend came up and said this too you to be a smarty. lol ok, it was funny in my head. Its so awesome how God calls people. One thing is for sure, you are going to question for a long time. God knows you are and He already has a plan for you. All this im sure you know already but just wanted to say it. I will pray for you tonight during my night prayers. God Bless [/quote] :rotfl: Thats hysterical.... but her avatar is a rose on my screen...
azaelia Posted November 15, 2004 Author Posted November 15, 2004 [quote name='IcePrincessKRS' date='Nov 15 2004, 03:28 PM'] Thats hysterical.... but her avatar is a rose on my screen... [/quote] If you refresh the page it will change
IcePrincessKRS Posted November 15, 2004 Posted November 15, 2004 [quote name='azaelia' date='Nov 15 2004, 03:34 PM'] If you refresh the page it will change [/quote] Ah... that did it... Thats a great avatar! I've been on and off phatmass several times since you first posted this topic and its always stayed a rose, I couldn't figure out what I was missing out on. lol
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now