Lilllabettt Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Hello pham. I've been sick with ulcerative colitis, so the Sisters dropped me off at my parents house last Thursday. Please pray for me, because I'm really scared. I've never suffered so much. physically or emotionally before. Last Wednesday I was a novice, wearing a full habit, fully expecting to live the rest of my life in the convent. I had Sisters and a confessor and a spiritual director, etc. And now I'm just so alone. I'm trying to keep it together and be a grown up about this, but I don't know what I'm gonna do. Pray for me. I don't think its prudent to sob on any of y'alls shoulders in public, but if someone willing to listen wanted to mail me that might really help. Love and Prayers.
29908 Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Prayers times a bunch! I'll say my favorite prayer for you today in Chapel! : )
phivan Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1459137' date='Feb 11 2008, 10:54 AM']Hello pham. I've been sick with ulcerative colitis, so the Sisters dropped me off at my parents house last Thursday. Please pray for me, because I'm really scared. I've never suffered so much. physically or emotionally before. Last Wednesday I was a novice, wearing a full habit, fully expecting to live the rest of my life in the convent. I had Sisters and a confessor and a spiritual director, etc. And now I'm just so alone. I'm trying to keep it together and be a grown up about this, but I don't know what I'm gonna do. Pray for me. I don't think its prudent to sob on any of y'alls shoulders in public, but if someone willing to listen wanted to mail me that might really help. Love and Prayers.[/quote] Oh...my poor but empathy prayers for you!
Benedicite07 Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Just a short note to say -- my deepest heartfelt prayers are with you. Julie
Alycin Posted February 11, 2008 Posted February 11, 2008 Of course I will mail you! E-mail or snail mail or messages through Phatmass... Just say the word and you can cry on my shoulder anytime!! I can't imagine how you must feel.... prayers for you, and let me know if you want to take me up on that pen-pal thing. *hugs*
Birgitta Noel Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 Oh dear, hang in there. Being sick is no fun at all. I spent two days in the hospital and determined that I am not a "good" patient. Then again, not many people are. One day at a time. Prayers!
By His Grace Alone Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 I am so sorry this has happened to you! That said, frankly I am at a loss to understand why they sent you home! I am also horrified by what, on the surface at least, appears to be their lack of compassion and callousness. Whatever happened to seeing Our Lord Jesus Christ in those around us who suffer? I am certain that I will catch a lot of flack for what I am going to say next, but I must say it.....their actions and how they treated you are deplorable and un-Christian. Ulcerative colitis can be helped by multiple therapies, sometimes helped enormously by a change in diet. I am sure that God will take care of you. Trust in that.
Lilllabettt Posted February 12, 2008 Author Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='By His Grace Alone' post='1459892' date='Feb 12 2008, 01:56 PM']I am so sorry this has happened to you! That said, frankly I am at a loss to understand why they sent you home! I am also horrified by what, on the surface at least, appears to be their lack of compassion and callousness. Whatever happened to seeing Our Lord Jesus Christ in those around us who suffer? I am certain that I will catch a lot of flack for what I am going to say next, but I must say it.....their actions and how they treated you are deplorable and un-Christian. Ulcerative colitis can be helped by multiple therapies, sometimes helped enormously by a change in diet. I am sure that God will take care of you. Trust in that.[/quote] Oh! You musn't think that the Sisters have done anything wrong to me. I would never want anyone to think that. They looked after me so well. I have been sick for so long, since November 2006. The doctor has tried so many things, and it hasn't gotten better ... so they thought maybe I could get better if I wasn't in the convent. Good health is a sign of a vocation, and I haven't got it right now. Jesus is asking me to suffer this. The Sisters, in asking me to leave, have shown me that this is what He wants for me at this time. I could not bear for anyone to think badly of the Sisters. I love them.
By His Grace Alone Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1459910' date='Feb 12 2008, 02:07 PM']Oh! You musn't think that the Sisters have done anything wrong to me. I would never want anyone to think that. They looked after me so well. I have been sick for so long, since November 2006. The doctor has tried so many things, and it hasn't gotten better ... so they thought maybe I could get better if I wasn't in the convent. Good health is a sign of a vocation, and I haven't got it right now. Jesus is asking me to suffer this. The Sisters, in asking me to leave, have shown me that this is what He wants for me at this time. I could not bear for anyone to think badly of the Sisters. I love them.[/quote] Then I stand corrected. Perception is everything, and the impression I got was different, apparently, from what you meant. It is not that I think badly of the Sisters, but I do take exception to their order and every other US order who promote the idea that unless you are under 35 and in perfect health, you do not have a religious vocation. It is a rediculous and self-serving position, and very American. A lack of good health is not a sign of a lack of a vocation unless the physical illness is caused by a psychological difficulty. That is a much more complex discussion which I will not approach here. We are human. We get sick, some of us more than others. We serve within our own capabilities. It is absolutely absurd to promote the notion that illness and physical handicaps are a sign that a person does not have a vocation to religious life. God gives us all the Graces we need to persevere. As ulcerative colitis is not a psychologically induced illness, you are no better off at home. If your being home from you Sisters in the convent leads to depression as a result, then you will, in fact, be much worse off.
brendan1104 Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 "By His Grace," yes bad health is a sign of the absence of a vocation. Please understand that the Sisters (as in any community) did what they thought was best. The superior/chapter's decision is always to be received as the will of God. Don't think "what if" or place blame where it doesn't need to be.
By His Grace Alone Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) [quote name='brendan1104' post='1460052' date='Feb 12 2008, 04:19 PM']"By His Grace," yes bad health is a sign of the absence of a vocation. Please understand that the Sisters (as in any community) did what they thought was best. The superior/chapter's decision is always to be received as the will of God. Don't think "what if" or place blame where it doesn't need to be.[/quote] Baloney. I stand by what I said. The notion that any man or woman does not have a religious vocation just because they got sick or have a physical handicap is absoultely absurd. It is more expeditious for a Community to send them home, but it is not the will of God. What a cop-out! Consider this...........Imagine what would have happened had St. Teresa de los Andes Superiors told her to leave and go home when she got sick with Typhus. Do you think she didn't have a religious vocation because she got sick? Edited February 12, 2008 by By His Grace Alone
Gemma Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='By His Grace Alone' post='1460066' date='Feb 12 2008, 04:32 PM']Baloney. I stand by what I said. The notion that any man or woman does not have a religious vocation just because they got sick or have a physical handicap is absoultely absurd. It is more expeditious for a Community to send them home, but it is not the will of God. What a cop-out! Consider this...........Imagine what would have happened had St. Teresa de los Andes Superiors told her to leave and go home when she got sick with Typhus. Do you think she didn't have a religious vocation because she got sick?[/quote] I think the sisters told her she could return should the ulcerative colitis got healed somehow. I have to agree with their decision to send her home. Having to deal with UC is enough, but to try to discern yourself spiritually when you've got that cross to bear is just too much. Our nerves show up through the gut. The saint in question getting typhus is different--that was pestilence. I still think Lillabettt has a vocation, but right now, she is being asked to share the cross with Jesus during Lent. I would recommend she join her ejection from the convent to Jesus being deserted by His followers after Judas' betrayal. As St. Paul of the Cross says, "See everything as coming from the hand of God, and you'll be able to handle it." Blessings, Gemma
Lilllabettt Posted February 12, 2008 Author Posted February 12, 2008 The Sisters have always treated me with so much generosity, patience and love. There are some people who ignore or reject sick people; my Sisters are NOT like that. They asked me to leave because they want me to get better. Please just pray for me.
Sr Mary Catharine OP Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='By His Grace Alone' post='1460066' date='Feb 12 2008, 04:32 PM']Baloney. I stand by what I said. The notion that any man or woman does not have a religious vocation just because they got sick or have a physical handicap is absoultely absurd. It is more expeditious for a Community to send them home, but it is not the will of God. What a cop-out! Consider this...........Imagine what would have happened had St. Teresa de los Andes Superiors told her to leave and go home when she got sick with Typhus. Do you think she didn't have a religious vocation because she got sick?[/quote] Teresa of the Andes was sick for only a short time and it was terminal. That's entirely different and no community would send someone home in those circumstances. However, Elizabeth has been sick since November of 2006. That's nearly a year and half. It's pretty much an indication that perhaps the life was nto for her and causing her stress and it was probably affecting her daily living of the life. Perhaps when you enter and live the cloistered life for awhile you will come to see this in a different light. Novitiate is a time of testing and you must look at this in a supernatural light. Perhaps the Sister Servants were simply not the community God had in mind for her. We don't know and it's really none of our business. I can't emphasis enough that superiors and those involved in formation do not make these decisions lightly. We lose sleep over these things and it's the hardest part of the office. They do have a "grace of office" that helps them see circumstances in the light of God's will in so far as possible. Of course we make mistakes! But discernment goes both ways. No one has a right to live the religious life. It is a grace. I think it would be best if we cease this part of the discussion and support Elizabeth with our prayers and love right now. This is a very difficult time for her but the Lord permits all things for a reason. Elizabeth you have my prayers and support. I hope you will get well soon! Live in the present moment, trusting that the Lord loves you and doesn't permit anything to happen to you without a reason. A community, a habit, a spiritual director, etc. are all very wonderful and helpful but in the end they are not what makes it possible for Jesus to dwell intimately in you. He alone is what really matters. Everything else is but a means to communion with Him.
Lil Red Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [color="red"]a reminder that this is the Vocation Station and therefore NOT the debate table. if you'd like to make a thread about the topic of not having/having a religious vocation if you're sick, then please do so. but don't do it here. God bless, Lil Red (a moderator)[/color] prayers to the OP.
By His Grace Alone Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1460087' date='Feb 12 2008, 04:46 PM']The Sisters have always treated me with so much generosity, patience and love. There are some people who ignore or reject sick people; my Sisters are NOT like that. They asked me to leave because they want me to get better. Please just pray for me.[/quote] Of course, we are all praying for you. Actually, I think this discussion has balooned beyond your particular situation. My replies are not limited to the SSEW. I am sure they are all as lovely as you say that they are. However, it is common practise in this country to send men and women home if they get sick, whether they have ulcers, cancers, whatever. My main point to you was that it does not mean you do not have a vocation. I say this country because this would be unlikely to happen in, let's say, England. To Gemma: Semantics! Sickness is sickness. Typhus is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is a sickness like any other. I was only surprised that she was the only Sister who got sick. Typhus is no more a "pestilence" than yellow fever, dengue, or malaria.
Starets Posted February 12, 2008 Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1460087' date='Feb 12 2008, 04:46 PM']Please just pray for me.[/quote] Certainly, sweetheart
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