HisChild Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 [quote name='Domine ut Videam' date='Mar 28 2006, 03:22 PM']My parents’ reaction to my vocation has been a long, ongoing process. I first told my parents about my discernment the week before Christmas this year. I am a Junior in HS now, and I have been discerning a call to the religious life since freshman year. Now, when I first told them they were nothing but supportive. Saying things like: “Oh, we thought that you felt this way.” and “that is awesome!” But after our initial conversation they pretended like everything was normal and that I was just some normal kid who wanted to go become a lawyer or something. They completely avoided the subject; and it freaked me out. I know that I probably scared my mom because I told her that I was almost 98% certain that I was called to the contemplative lifestyle. And I might have slipped in the word cloistered, and I think that is what made her clam up. I didn’t bring it up again for at least three weeks because I thought that they would be anti-vocation. When I did, I told my parents that I was seriously considering going to only one year of college and entering after that. And my mom keeps saying that she thinks I am “growing up to fast.” I think she is having a hard time letting go of me, because she doesn’t understand how much I want to be completely God’s and how much I want to go to Him. She doesn’t understand how much joy this idea brings me. I try to show her…..but we have some miscommunication issues. And that is where the trouble comes in. I think she is in a state of mourning right now. Because really, when a daughter enters a convent the family is in a sense “losing” them. Of course they are gaining something even greater…but right now she is mourning the thought of losing me I think. And as for my dad……I have no clue….we don’t really talk. But I think that he is really supportive, just sad at the prospect of losing me. I will be praying for you all. What orders are you considering? I am feeling very strongly called to the Community of St.John (their contemplative sisters in Princeville, IL), and the Carmelites in St.Louis. -Yours in Christ Lauren [right][snapback]925632[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Lauren, We have another Lauren! There's Laurentina1975 who's from Chicago, then there's Sr Lauren, who entered the PCPA in Hanceville, Alabama. OLAM dad is her dad. First, Thank you so much for posting your story. There are a lot of threads on Vocation Station with various stories of which order we're considering and/or entering. Me? I'm entering the PCPA in Portsmouth, OH (www.stjosephmonastery.com), a monastery re-established by two of Mother Angelica's sisters. I tried to look a little at the Sisters of St John's website but there wasn't much information, when I was looking, which was over a year ago. I visited the Carmelites in St Louis, when I was living there in 2002. They have a lovely chapel. I will pray for you as you continue your vocational journey. God bless you! Denise
Domine ut Videam Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 This website has the most information: [url="http://www.stjean.com/EN/Jeu_accueil.php3"]St.Jean.com: The Contemplative Sisters[/url] -Yours in Christ Lauren P.S. Thanks for the Welcome!
Domine ut Videam Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 okay it didn't do what i wanted.... sorry. Click on the community section on the lefthand side, and then scroll down to the bottom: in the middle of the page there should be an arrow pointing to the right. Click on it. Then scroll down to the contemplative sisters and click on more details.... that should get you there.
OLAM Dad Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 [quote name='Domine ut Videam' date='Mar 28 2006, 04:22 PM']Because really, when a daughter enters a convent the family is in a sense “losing” them. Of course they are gaining something even greater…but right now she is mourning the thought of losing me I think. [right][snapback]925632[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Welcome to Phatmass, Lauren. You fit right in, I hope you can become a 'regular'. Michael
HisChild Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Yes, that's the site I was on, but there's a lot of info about the brothers/friars, but none really about the sisters. At least, nothing that I could see, except the french article that showed what they looked like, when meeting His Holiness.
HisChild Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Nevermind, I found it after I saw your directions The scroll button works REALLY well, Denise! There were there, at one time, in the back of my mind. I can't recall if I ever did try to write to them or not. God bless you!
zunshynn Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 I don't know. I haven't worked up the courage to ask yet. I'm not looking forward to the conversation: Hey mom, you know how you got to be okay with the idea of me being a sister? Well, actually, now I think I have a call to contemplative life... which means you won't see me that much, but we'll be closer through prayer! She's going to think I'm abandoning her, and that I'm trying to escape, and that I'm too young for that. O Lord, give me courage and greater confidence that this is your will. Give my mother an understanding heart.
magnificat Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Welcome to the new Lauren! I'm going to get very confused very fast!! Something else that might be helpful for those of us who have parents who are not so supportive...when I spoke to Mother Agnes when I visited the Sisters of Life, i asked her if she had any advice with the "parent thing." She suggested that I ask them to talk to someone else (like a parish priest, etc.) about their feelings since I can't do much to help them. I've been thinking and praying a lot about it and I talked to one of my priest friends back home this afternoon. He's going to meet with them next week (actually apparently my parents did take my advice to set up an appointment with him, praise God!). His advice to me was to think of the story of Peter walking on the water (one of the root stories of both his & my vocations). He said that what I need to do is to keep my focus on Jesus, like Peter did because when he saw the waves all around him, he began sinking. He told me to keep praying and focusing on Christ in the Eucharist and not to worry about my parents, (i.e. the others in the boat). I just need to concentrate on the graces I need to get out of the boat and keep walking. It really was such a wave of relief to hear that from him and to know that he's there to help my parents deal with their fears/issues, particularly since I'm in a different state from them. Just wanted to past that story along, perhaps it might help y'all to do something similar....
HisChild Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Praise be Jesus that your parents have accepted the grace to see a priest. May their eyes be opened to His will for you.
Laurentina1975 Posted March 29, 2006 Author Posted March 29, 2006 This has turned into a fantabulous thread and I have found everyones input very helpful... Ok carry on...
HisChild Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 So, Lauren Mary. .. any thoughts about what you're gonna do about your parental units and your conservative brother, insofar as support goes? This is me:
FutureScholastica Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 I don't mind at all that some of you suggested counselling in relation with my moms reaction to me becoming a nun. In fact I think it makes a lot of sense. I won't approach the subject out of the blue, but the next time we discuss my vocation and if she's still very upset, I think I'll suggest counceling. I want whats best for my mother and if some professional help can help her find some peace of mind, that'd be wonderful. OLAM Dad, I have heard of Mother Angelica and I've read some of her story. I must say that what I read really resonated with me, and it also gave me much hope for the future. I would very much like to know more about her. Do you know if there are any books written about her? Pax
Mary-Kathryn Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 [quote name='Peccator' date='Mar 28 2006, 08:44 AM']To be totally honest....no. My mother's side of the family (including my mother) is ferociously Protestant and violently anti-catholic. When I converted to the Church they totally lost it...my mother seems to have calmed down, however I haven’t heard from the rest in quite a while. My fathers side doesn't speak to one another and I haven’t seen them in 10 years, my father is a agnostic/atheist and hates the Catholic Church...and he vocalises it whether I'm there or not. Now to make things even more difficult…I told them I was going to apply for the seminary when I finish my degree…lets just say they were less than enthusiastic. [right][snapback]924864[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Peccator, I am a convert of 17 years and I understand where it is you are coming from. I grew up among many fundamentalist beliefs. I was mocked, abused verbally by some in the community, and felt pretty much shut out. When I converted, my brother was a minister. He came over to confront me one day and asked to see "The Catholic Bible." He looked through it and saw a typo. God was typed as "god." That did it for him. Along with all the other misconceptions he had been taught [ I would be worshipping Saint Joseph since I attended St Josephs Church, and other crazy off-the-wall stuff] He did not speak to me for 3 years. At the end of those 3 years, I unexpectedly received a letter. I had moved to another state by then and had been married for awhile. He did not come right out and say "I am sorry for attacking you and your faith", he only asked forgiveness. We are close now and he even accepts gifts [a crucifix for his wall, a prayerbook etc...] that he might have once burned. Keep your eyes fixed on the heavens. Jesus has asked you to walk with Him awhile along the uneven path. I know very well the pain you are feeling. It is difficult, but remind yourself of Whose company you keep. Prayers for you Mary-Kathryn
HisChild Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 [quote name='FutureScholastica' date='Mar 29 2006, 07:32 AM']I don't mind at all that some of you suggested counselling in relation with my moms reaction to me becoming a nun. In fact I think it makes a lot of sense. I won't approach the subject out of the blue, but the next time we discuss my vocation and if she's still very upset, I think I'll suggest counceling. I want whats best for my mother and if some professional help can help her find some peace of mind, that'd be wonderful. OLAM Dad, I have heard of Mother Angelica and I've read some of her story. I must say that what I read really resonated with me, and it also gave me much hope for the future. I would very much like to know more about her. Do you know if there are any books written about her? Pax [right][snapback]926670[/snapback][/right] [/quote] The book that was recently written about her is called: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles by Raymond Arroyo. Here it is on Barnes n Noble: [url="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=0385510926&itm=1"]http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearc...385510926&itm=1[/url] It's a great book. LOL It's been read by all the sisters in my monastery, and I'm sure the other two monasteries have read it or are reading it as well.
Laurentina1975 Posted March 29, 2006 Author Posted March 29, 2006 [quote name='PCPA2Be' date='Mar 28 2006, 10:36 PM']So, Lauren Mary. .. any thoughts about what you're gonna do about your parental units and your conservative brother, insofar as support goes? This is me: [right][snapback]926299[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Actually he is a liberal democrat. Like suppppper ultra liberal, to the point of thinking that the omega point theory explains God. Yeah..... He needs prayers folks.
HisChild Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Well, I was being facetious. . .considering you told me all about him when we met
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