jezic Posted June 22, 2005 Posted June 22, 2005 like do you have times set aside for serious prayer that you just wait and long for and see as the summit of life outside the Eucharist?
crusader03 Posted June 22, 2005 Posted June 22, 2005 Thank you for those words on waiting, anchoress, and please keep me in your prayers as I strive to follow that this summer, as Entrance is a mere two months away. God bless and Mary keep you!
anchoress Posted June 22, 2005 Posted June 22, 2005 Crusader03; you and all of you are in my prayers every day and many times a day.. And it is fine to PM me. Angels walk with you and watch over you all... jezic. I understand now; thank you. No, not in the way you are meaning. It is very different for me, not being out there. I can remember way back feeling as you describe, before Evening Prayer at Church. Excited then yes. Now, Prayer runs through all I do alone here so it is different. I don't "have" to wait for a set time now to Pray.... I can stop whenever He calls me into PrayerI.And as in all MOnastic life, all becomes Prayer. Maybe Sister Materdei can answer tthat one better; if you are living physically in community, then you need set times as I think you mean. While we all base our Prayer on the Divine Office, my day is more fluid here. So Jesus sets the pace, and surprises me often. A book you might enjoy and find enlightening on all this is "Nazarena; American Anchoress" by Thomas Matus... Blessings this summer night.....
Marieteresa Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Hey I have another question If one applied to an order which was out of the country would the Mother Superior consider having the person come visit or would the Mother Superior recommend that they found an suitable order in there own country? Lets say I live in the US and wanted to enter an order in Ireland or Italy. In Jesus, Our Blessed Mother, and Joseph, S. Brooks
materdei Posted June 27, 2005 Author Posted June 27, 2005 [quote name='jezic' date='Jun 22 2005, 01:30 PM']alright cool [right][snapback]619338[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I think that the order would ask you to come visit. People enter communities in other countries all the time; it is not that unusual at all! By the way, I think it's cool you are interested in communities outside of the country!
materdei Posted June 27, 2005 Author Posted June 27, 2005 sorry I qouted the wrong post I meant to respond to Maria Teresa, oops!!!
anchoress Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Ah, we could surely use a few young Nuns over here... Renewal is not happening....... How about it! The world is so small these days ..... Blessings this perfect summer morning......
Noel's angel Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 what we need over here are good, faithful nuns
materdei Posted June 30, 2005 Author Posted June 30, 2005 "pray to the Lord of the harvest taht He may send laborers into the harvest."
let_go_let_God Posted July 4, 2005 Posted July 4, 2005 Materdei- Hi there sister! How did you know that God was calling to the Religious life instead of Holy Marrage, and what did you "do" in discernment? God bless- LGLG
materdei Posted July 8, 2005 Author Posted July 8, 2005 [quote name='let_go_let_God' date='Jul 4 2005, 04:35 PM']Materdei- Hi there sister! How did you know that God was calling to the Religious life instead of Holy Marrage, and what did you "do" in discernment? God bless- LGLG [right][snapback]631618[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Well, I entered pretty soon out of highschool. I am the type of person that sooooo wants to do what God wants of me, and so I probably didn't "discern" in the most ideal way, but Jesus knows each of us, right? I just felt a stirring within me to be a sister- and I jumped and did it. I thought about maybe 6 mths before telling anyone. Those were difficult days, but after visiting a convent my youth- director suggested, I entered. I knew the community a total of 4 mths before joining them. Probably not the wisest approach, but as I said Jesus knows. I never really weighed marriage vs. religious life, personally. I would say, that is always wise to look at religious life first- if you are not called you will know. Besides religious life is the only vocation you can live and discern at the same time. I think I read on another thread that you are dating, and that you feel called to marriage, that is beautiful, we need faithful and holy married couples.
let_go_let_God Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 Thanks for the answer sister, I have always admired those women (like yourself) who have fully devoted themselves to the Church in the religious life. Like you said [quote] religious life is the onle vocation you can live and discern at the same time. [/quote] Also I agree with you on [quote] I would say, that is always wise to look at religious life first- if you are not called you will know. [/quote] I actually (not fully knowingly) started discerning the religious life in 7th grade ( I am now a sophmore in college) When I really started thinking about the religious life and how great it would be to be a sister, it felt like God hit me over the head with a 2 x 4. I truely admire you sister even though we haven't met. I guess I always have a tendency to ask most of the sisters I meet the same questions I asked you. I guess going to a Catholic college with a monestary on campus just makes me more interested in how the sisters I know felt about entering the religious life. Thank you so much sister! God bless- LGLG
materdei Posted July 19, 2005 Author Posted July 19, 2005 No problem LGLG! I have read some of your thoughts on other threads. Hang in there, trying to figure out our path in life can be terribly scary and confusing, but it doesn't have to be- T RUST!!! It always helps me to remember God WANTS me to know His will, He isn't playing hide and seek with me, and He wants my happiness. Sometimes things can take on a better perspective when we can step back, take a deep breath, and take God's hand knowing He will take us where He wants us; where we will be most fulfilled. Whatever direction you decide to take, whether it be religious life or marriage, He will be with you in your decision. Take the first step and He will lead you by closing or opening doors; it is the initial move that is most difficult! God bless you!!!
Ave Maria Totus Tuus Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 Sister, Do you have any suggestions of books to read or prayers to say for a woman discerning the Religious life? Any other advice during the time of discernment? Thanks! ~Mallory
jgirl Posted July 20, 2005 Posted July 20, 2005 I think on of the best discernment books for girls/women is "And You Are Christ's..." by Fr. Dubay. Amazing, amazing book!
materdei Posted July 21, 2005 Author Posted July 21, 2005 Mallory, There are so many good books out there! It kind of depends on the type of reading you are accustomed to. For instance, [u]Christian Totality, The Theology of the Consecrated Life[/u] is a great book but is a bit too scholarly for the beginner. I would suggest reading lives of the saints, and particularly: [u]Story of a Soul[/u] and [u]The Last Conversations[/u] of St. Therese of Lisieux Writings of the saints, such as: [u]Introduction to the Devout Life[/u] and [u]Thy Will be Done[/u] by St. Francis DeSales Books on growth in spiritual life in general, for example: [u]The Practice of the Presence of God[/u] by Brother Lawrence [u]A Handbook of Spiritual Perfection[/u] by Philip E. Dion Or there is also Church Documents: [u]Vita Consecrata-Consecrated Life[/u] [u]Congregavit nos in unum Christi Amor-Fraternal Life in Community[/u] [u]Redemptionis Donum- To Men and Women Religious[/u] As far as prayer, I would really make an effort to go to daily Mass, pray the rosary daily, and try to commit to Adoration weekly if not daily. Also you might consider getting a spiritual director, if you don't already have one, someone to walk with you on your journey to Christ. If you would like further suggestions in prayer as far as meditation, etc. E-mail me and we can personalize your prayer time a bit.
materdei Posted July 21, 2005 Author Posted July 21, 2005 j-girl, I agree, that is a really great book!!!
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