Are you thinking about religious life?
FIRST STEPS:
If you wonder about religious life and wonder if you might be called to be a religious sister, it’s important to take some time to reflect.
As you do this, lots of thoughts will arise.
When you think about your sense of call, your feeling that you may have a vocation to religious life, it’s not unusual to experience questions and doubts. In fact, it’s a very healthy sign - part of what’s called discernment!
You might find yourself asking question after question after question.
* Questions about yourself:
why me? am I suitable? am I worthy? what if I’m not very holy? what if I don’t know a lot about faith? what if I don’t know a lot about praying? why would God call someone like me? is that even possible? have I got what it takes? can I be happy if I choose this way of life? how will I know? where do I find answers?
* Questions about the people in your life who are important to you:
what will my family and friends say if I tell them? will I be able to keep in contact with my family? will I lose my friends? what will other people think?
* Questions about religious life and other career paths:
what does it take to be a sister, a brother? what do I need to do? where do I need to go? how do I choose between all the different congregations? how can I tell which one is a fit for me? is it ok to be attracted to more than one community? what might I be working at and where will I be living? are there any younger sisters or brother? is it still a valid life choice? do people still become religious sisters or brothers today? why do they do that? why would anyone become a religious today? does this life choice bring happiness and fulfilment?
GOOD TO KNOW:
Having questions like these is good. Welcome the questions and remember that finding the answers can take time. What’s more, something finding answers will bring further questions. But that’s ok; that’s discernment!
SO - welcome the questions and remember:
God calls us as we are.
God doesn’t call us because we are especially good or holy or worthy or different or anything else.
God calls us because God loves us.
God calls us because God knows us.
God calls us to the way of life that allows us to best live as the person God created us to be, that helps us to live our best lives.
As you explore your sense of call to religious life, you will discover if this is what God desires for your life and if it is what you desire for your life – you will discover if this is the life that will bring you the greatest peace, joy, fulfilment, contentment, sense of living authentically as yourself while deepening of your love for God and for God’s creation.
MORE QUESTIONS AND SOME ANSWERS:
IF you choose this radical following of Jesus in an exclusive love relationship as a Dominican Sister:
* Will there be hardships? … At times, yes.
* Will there be difficulties? … At times, yes.
* Will you be lonely? … At times, yes.
* Will you miss family and friends? … At times, yes.
* Will community life be a challenge? … At times, yes.
AND MORE:
* Will you grow as a person? … Yes!
* Will you develop as a disciple of Jesus? … Yes!
* Will you be able to share your faith? … Yes!
* Will your life have relevance in today's world? ... Yes!
* Will you discover peace and joy at a deep inner level? … Yes!
* Will it be worth it? … YES! ABSOLUTELY YES!
AND ONE MORE:
* Will you have to do this alone? … NO, certainly not!
* All through this journey, God will walk with you.
* All through this journey, you will have sisters, sisters who have walked the road for longer than you have and who will walk with you, accompany you and support you.
TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
Is God is calling you?
Is God is calling you to live as a Dominican Sister?
WHAT NOW:
Is God is calling you? Your answer may be very tentative ‘maybe’ or it may be a very certain ‘yes’ or it may be somewhere in between.
Sit with the question and with your answer. Bring it to prayer. Ask God to guide your steps. God invites but God will wait for you to respond.
It might be helpful to make note of your thoughts and feelings and you may want to talk with someone about these – perhaps with a Spiritual Director or wise friend.
You are very welcome too to speak with, Sr Eileen, our Vocations Director.
Even if your answer is still a bit ‘fuzzy’ and you’re not sure if you’re called to Dominican Sisters, you are very welcome to speak with Sr Eileen. She will support and guide you as you explore your questions and as you search for where God is calling you. Meeting with her will help you to get to know us, to learn more about us and our way of life, and to see if being with us is where you feel at home.
To make contact with Sr Eileen:
email: vocationsirl@dominicansisters.com
phone: +353 89 4585708
We are the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Catherine of Siena, Cabra. You can learn more about us here: dominicansisters.com
Adapted from: https://catholicozvocations.org.au/Home/My-Vocation/Discerning-My-Vocation/
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