OLAM Dad Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 17 2006, 08:13 PM']So I did it and told my parents after we got home from dinner. Unfortunately their reaction was pretty much what I'd expected, but it's not too helpful. They both don't want me to do it, mainly because it kinda kills their dreams of the future...having grandkids, living near me, and having me help take care of them when they get older, that sorta thing. My mom just kept saying she was disappointed. My dad just wants me to put off making a decision and think about it some more and he was like, well I'll always love you but I don't know if I'll ever be able accept it. I'm not too upset, because I was mentally preparing myself for that anyways. Mainly, I'm just sad that they can't understand why it is that this is something that I have to do and they can't see God's divine plan. [right][snapback]890852[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I'm so very sorry. Your mom is 'disappointed'? I just don't get that. I'll pray for them. I'm guessing that since they want you to give them grandkids that my pregnancy tactic wouldn't have been successful anyway. God Bless you.
shortnun Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 You've got my prayers.... perhaps there will be time over spring break (when we're supposed to be locked in the library studying) to catch up on things and really get to share and pray together!!
BurkeFan Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 17 2006, 07:13 PM']So I did it and told my parents after we got home from dinner. Unfortunately their reaction was pretty much what I'd expected, but it's not too helpful. They both don't want me to do it, mainly because it kinda kills their dreams of the future...having grandkids, living near me, and having me help take care of them when they get older, that sorta thing. My mom just kept saying she was disappointed. My dad just wants me to put off making a decision and think about it some more and he was like, well I'll always love you but I don't know if I'll ever be able accept it. I'm not too upset, because I was mentally preparing myself for that anyways. Mainly, I'm just sad that they can't understand why it is that this is something that I have to do and they can't see God's divine plan. [right][snapback]890852[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I don't know if you met Jessie or not during the Vocations Week, but she'd be good to commiserate with. Kathleen will surely tell you about her this coming weekend.
jswranch Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Have you considered giving them a copy of St. Therese of Lisieux's "Story of a Soul." You could tell them, "I want to be like this." A fear of mine: if atleast one of my kids don't grow up to take holy orders, I will have failed as a father.
HisChild Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='jswranch' date='Feb 17 2006, 11:31 PM']Have you considered giving them a copy of St. Therese of Lisieux's "Story of a Soul." You could tell them, "I want to be like this." A fear of mine: if atleast one of my kids don't grow up to take holy orders, I will have failed as a father. [right][snapback]891007[/snapback][/right] [/quote] That's beautiful! I pray that there are many fathers like you out there, encouraging religious life and the priesthood. God bless you.
jswranch Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='PCPA2Be' date='Feb 18 2006, 12:35 AM']That's beautiful! I pray that there are many fathers like you out there, encouraging religious life and the priesthood. God bless you. [right][snapback]891010[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Thank you for the compliment. I think he (Ven. Louis Martin of Lisieux, pictured on the left) is my patron even if he is not canonized at this time. Is that legal, I am a new catholic? After realizing my job as a dad and husband from Lumen Gentium, I stopped focusing on trying to be Mr. Saint-Superhero for God. It is my job to turn my little ones into Fr./Br./Mr. and Sr/Mrs Saint-Superhero for God.
HisChild Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 As you could see/read from reading about the Martins you can see that they too are holy and 'superheroes' even though married. God calls all of us to holiness, if we but listen and respond. I understand what you are saying, but all vocations are roads that lead to Him. Did you see Therese the movie? He was depicted as such an amazing man in the movie as well. God bless you.
magnificat Posted February 18, 2006 Author Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='BurkeFan' date='Feb 18 2006, 01:22 AM']I don't know if you met Jessie or not during the Vocations Week, but she'd be good to commiserate with. Kathleen will surely tell you about her this coming weekend. [right][snapback]891004[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I definately know Jessie! We run into each other at daily Mass, but usually I have to run off and go be studious soon after. And I'm not going up with Kathleen this weekend . So if you see either of them, tell them to drop me an email (Kathleen has it).
magnificat Posted February 18, 2006 Author Posted February 18, 2006 (edited) [quote name='jswranch' date='Feb 18 2006, 01:31 AM']Have you considered giving them a copy of St. Therese of Lisieux's "Story of a Soul." You could tell them, "I want to be like this." A fear of mine: if atleast one of my kids don't grow up to take holy orders, I will have failed as a father. [right][snapback]891007[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I don't think they'd read it . It's just very difficult because I know that telling them was the right thing because I do feel an odd sense of peace, yet there's no real way for me to convince them intellectually anyways. I suggested they speak to a priest friend who I've been talking to on and off at home, but they're convinced that all the priests are trying to do is to convince me that that's what I should do. But it's totally not like that (as I'm sure y'all know). It's more of an interior sadness, I guess. Edited February 18, 2006 by magnificat
stlmom Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 One thing we parents have to remember is that our kids are not our clones and we can't burden them with our own unfulfilled wishes. Really we are given stewardship of our children, and have to answer to God for how we helped our children respond to their vocations whatever they may be.
cmotherofpirl Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='PCPA2Be' date='Feb 17 2006, 08:18 PM'] I'm so sorry to hear that. My parents weren't all that happy, especially my mother and brothers. But after I actually chose a community and showed them how wonderful the community is? My mom is now helping sew my postulant's uniforms. It' s more about their having to get used to it. Most parents, sad to say, aren't active supporters at first. But when they see you'll be happy. That's all that matters, you know? Of course, I will keep you in my prayers. . ..that you will be able to persevere in your vocation. God bless you and keep you. Mary protect and guide you. Yours in Christ, Denise [right][snapback]890856[/snapback][/right] [/quote] We parents forget that our children are not extensions of ourselves, and have to re-learn this EVERY time our kids surprise us doing something new and unexpected. Forgive us and give us time. Parenthood is a lifelong learning experience that doesn't get any easier no matter how old your kids are. Time and love can win out in the end.
Mary-Kathryn Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 15 2006, 10:42 PM']Hi y'all, Just wanted to ask for your prayers this weekend. My parents are coming in to town to visit and I'm planning on telling them that God's calling me to be a sister. They have no idea that I've been discerning at all, so I'm sure it'll be quite a shock to them. Lord, grant me the strength and courage to share the work You have been doing in my life with my parents. Grant me the wisdom to speak Your words to them, that their hearts may be open and that they may have the grace to appreciate my vocation. Amen. [right][snapback]888915[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I know that both of your parents are practicing Catholics, so this isn't exactly the same situation. However, I thought this nun's words would give you comfort in knowing that someone else had a similar struggle with family. [url="http://www.olamshrine.com/olam/nuns_benedicta.htm"]http://www.olamshrine.com/olam/nuns_benedicta.htm[/url] Perhaps the good Sister, would even encourage you if you could correspond with her? Prayers, Mary-Kathryn
HisChild Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Oh, I've read that story often as well, and it gives me encouragement that it will bring my parents and brothers back to the Faith. Perhaps that will happen with you as well? Your vocation will continue to be a grace for your family, if you persevere in it? Our lives, especially if we have problems in the beginning of our discernemnt and vocation (with families etc.) are like little sacrifices to our Lord. At least that's how my spiritual director showed me to look at it. hope that helps.
BurkeFan Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 18 2006, 07:55 AM']I definately know Jessie! We run into each other at daily Mass, but usually I have to run off and go be studious soon after. And I'm not going up with Kathleen this weekend . So if you see either of them, tell them to drop me an email (Kathleen has it). [right][snapback]891079[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Awesome, both are coming over to my place tonight to watch "A Man for All Seasons." You're more than welcome to come if you'd like! I will definitely tell them to drop you an e-mail.
Birgitta Noel Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Oh Magnificat, I'm so sorry to hear that. (I just saw this thread this am) You will be in my prayers. I cannot imagine how you feel right now. On a side note, I had no idea how many of us there were from STL on here!
magnificat Posted February 18, 2006 Author Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='Mary-Kathryn' date='Feb 18 2006, 10:53 AM'][url="http://www.olamshrine.com/olam/nuns_benedicta.htm"]http://www.olamshrine.com/olam/nuns_benedicta.htm[/url] Perhaps the good Sister, would even encourage you if you could correspond with her? [right][snapback]891168[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Mary-Kathryn, Thanks so much for sharing that! It nails my situation (almost)to a T. I'm actually in law school right now too. Do you know how I can get in contact with the sisters?
magnificat Posted February 18, 2006 Author Posted February 18, 2006 [quote name='BurkeFan' date='Feb 18 2006, 12:20 PM']Awesome, both are coming over to my place tonight to watch "A Man for All Seasons." You're more than welcome to come if you'd like! I will definitely tell them to drop you an e-mail. [right][snapback]891210[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I don't think that'll be a good plan since my parents are still visiting. Have a good time though!
Mary-Kathryn Posted February 19, 2006 Posted February 19, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 18 2006, 01:43 PM']Mary-Kathryn, Thanks so much for sharing that! It nails my situation (almost)to a T. I'm actually in law school right now too. Do you know how I can get in contact with the sisters? [right][snapback]891251[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I am not sure if you know OLAM DAD who posts here. I think he may have even posted in this thread. His daughter is a postulant at Our Lady of Angels Monastery in Hanceville. If anyone knows about addresses, all the correspondance rules,etc... I am sure it would be him! Why don't you privately mail him and see if he can get you going in the right direction with the mail? I'll be praying for you! Mary-Kathryn
HisChild Posted February 19, 2006 Posted February 19, 2006 [quote name='magnificat' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:43 AM']Mary-Kathryn, Thanks so much for sharing that! It nails my situation (almost)to a T. I'm actually in law school right now too. Do you know how I can get in contact with the sisters? [right][snapback]891251[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I saw what Mary Kathryn wrote and I have to also put in my $.02. Mother Delores Marie at the PCPA monastery in Ohio said that she not only saw that 'phenomena' while she lived with Mother Angelica but then also since she's re-established the monastery in Ohio, that once parents see how much you are enjoying your time there, how much you fit in and are meant to be where you are, they will 'come around'. They will understand God's calling a little more, and feel His grace. You can always talk to her as well. See www.stjosephmonastery.com for contact information (there's also a video on there of the sisters!) God bless you. Denise
magnificat Posted February 19, 2006 Author Posted February 19, 2006 Thank you everyone for your prayers and comforting words. I know that it will definately take my parents a while to get acclimated to the idea...I guess it's a good thing that God's calling me to finish school (which is another 2 years!). :/ I am even more convinced now that this really is God's call for me because of the peace I have on my heart, despite the sadness I feel for my parents. However, I'm also a little scared because I know that they will continue to tempt me away from my vocation for the next 2 years. As awful as this is, I can't help thinking of the Gospel passage where Christ says to Peter, "Get behind me Satan."
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