News About My Discernment

[Sarah147]

It feels good to have some hope in my discernment! Edited September 23, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[stlmom]

I don't know how helpful this information is, but the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County, PA allow for short or extended live ins up to a full year for women who are discerning religious life. While it's not the same as postulancy, one does get to work and pray with the community to see if monastic life is a good fit or not. They are a habited community, and what I like about their approach to ministry is that a variety of work is possible so long as it is compatible with their community and prayer life.

[Sarah147]

[quote name='stlmom' timestamp='1316737941' post='2308704']
I don't know how helpful this information is, but the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County, PA allow for short or extended live ins up to a full year for women who are discerning religious life. While it's not the same as postulancy, one does get to work and pray with the community to see if monastic life is a good fit or not. They are a habited community, and what I like about their approach to ministry is that a variety of work is possible so long as it is compatible with their community and prayer life.
[/quote]


Very interesting. How would it work with my monthly shot and medical appointments?

They don't mention when work would be and in what way a live-in would be working?

It might be very helpful for testing when I might be mature and stable enough to live as a Religious.

Edited September 23, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Sarah147]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1315859211' post='2303903']
[url="http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com/acts.htm"]The Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary[/url]
Contemplative order with acts of mercy as part of their charism. They are a new community, a private association of the faithful.
[/quote]

Oh, so your the wonderful person that shared that Order! God bless you!

They have a LOT of prayer as heard on the video, but they almost seem semi-contemplative in how they are not cloistered, and they get out and do some things.

I HAD thought that the cloister wasn't for me because I missed loved ones so much, I felt I needed more interaction, and I was still having anxiety and depression. Maybe if medicine corrects that, then perhaps the life just may be what is for me. My SD is often asking about the cloistered life, and I'm thinking maybe I should re-think. I will consider this Order if they say they are open to considering me. JMJ

Edited September 23, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316736942' post='2308699']
[url="http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com"]http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com[/url] -- Sister said they currently have a policy of no mental/emotional meds, and good health. BUT..... Sister said they might make an adjustment in the future and take on a case-by-case basis. No promises, but it's in talk. If I find the Order attractive, I'm supposed to contact them and they will keep me in mind. I just watched their [url="http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com/video.html"]video[/url]. BEAUTIFUL ORDER!! I'm still confused if it is a contemplative or semi !! So many questions!! I love love love that the Priests (?) and Sisters eat together, talk together, walk together, etc. I love the charism.


I'm going to have to do this...
[/quote]

I believe the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts is semi-contemplative. They get out of the convent for about an hour or two each day to do works of mercy. I contacted them once and, in my personal situation, I did not feel it was the right fit for me. It may be the right fit for you if they are able to make an exception in the future.

I don't know if you have contacted these communities, but here are some to consider:

[url="http://www.franciscansistersoftheimmaculateconception.com/"]Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception[/url] (do not state on their website what the requirements are)

[url="http://sacredheartsisters.com/"]Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart[/url] (my friend's fiance is a former member; they run several retreat centers)

[url="http://www.immaculateconceptionsite.org/index.html"]Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary[/url] (their primary work is retreats)

[url="http://www.cmswr.org/member_communities/SMMI.htm"]Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate[/url] (work with the youth, in summer camps, CCD, retreat houses, etc)

[url="http://www.crsisterschicago.org/"]Sisters of the Resurrection[/url] (just ask for sufficient health)

[url="http://www.franciscansistersfehj.org/index.html"]Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus[/url] (teach catechism and foster vocations; ask that any woman who is interested to contact them)

[url="http://www.exclusivesoftware.com/RoseGardenMission/default.html"]Franciscan Daughters of Mary[/url] (have no health requirements listed on their website)
[url="http://www.asspconvent.org/welcome.htm"]All Saints Sisters of the Poor[/url] (have no requirements listed; run retreats)

[url="http://www.saintbenedict.com/"]Sisters, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary[/url] (branch that is faithful to Pope Benedict XVI; run academy and retreat centers; no requirements listed)

[url="http://www.clsisters.org/default.html"]Sisters of Christian Love[/url] (no requirements listed)
[url="http://www.franciscansisters.net/index.htm"]Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother[/url] (no health requirements listed)

[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7xpo1/index.html"]Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary [/url](no requirements listed)
[url="http://www.ssmi-us.org/index.php?categoryid=1"]Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate[/url] (of Byzantine Rite; no requirements listed)

Just as a reminder, I know nothing personally about these communities. Each will have to be contacted about their individual requirements.

[Chiara Francesco]

The Benedictines of Jesus Crucified take women with illness and physical frailty: [url="http://www.benedictinesjc.org/aboutUs.html"]http://www.benedicti...rg/aboutUs.html[/url]

History page says: [i]"[font=Book Antiqua]In a number of young women coming to him for spiritual direction, Father Maurice Gaucheron, a priest on the staff of the Basilica of Montmartre in Paris recognized a call to the monastic life that, for reasons of insufficient health, remained unfulfilled. Fragile health necessarily excluded these young women from existing monasteries[/font] [b][font=Book Antiqua][color=#663300]F[/color][/font][/b][/i][font=Book Antiqua][i]ather Gaucheron believed that monastic life could and should be open to young women such as these. In illness and physical frailty he saw a means of following Jesus into the mystery of his Pasch."[/i][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua]On their About Us page, it says,[i]"[/i][/font][i][color="black"]We embody the [url="http://www.benedictinesjc.org/Lexicon.html"]Paschal Mystery[/url] in a monastic life that brings together sisters in good health and sisters in fragile health or with a physical handicap.[/color]"[/i]

[font=Book Antiqua]On their Fraternal Charity page, it says, [i]"[/i][/font][i][b][font=Book Antiqua][color=#663300]A[/color][/font][/b][font=Book Antiqua][b]ll the sisters, handicapped or in good health,[/b] put their potential, their talents and their weaknesses in common for all "carry their treasure in earthen vessels"[/font][/i]
[i](2 Cor 4:7).[/i]
[i][b]W[/b][font=Book Antiqua][b]hatever our physical condition may be[/b], it is one of the means by which we follow Christ in his Passover to the Father. [/font][b][font=Book Antiqua][color=black]I[/color][/font][/b][b][font=Book Antiqua]t is not in spite of our handicaps and weaknesses that we go to God, but with them."[/font][/b][/i]


[font=Book Antiqua]A lot like St. Francis de Sales' reasons for founding the Visitation order.[/font]

Edited September 23, 2011 by Chiara Francesco

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Chiara Francesco' timestamp='1316755516' post='2308822']
The Benedictines of Jesus Crucified take women with illness and physical frailty: [url="http://www.benedictinesjc.org/aboutUs.html"]http://www.benedicti...rg/aboutUs.html[/url]

History page says: [i]"[font=Book Antiqua]In a number of young women coming to him for spiritual direction, Father Maurice Gaucheron, a priest on the staff of the Basilica of Montmartre in Paris recognized a call to the monastic life that, for reasons of insufficient health, remained unfulfilled. Fragile health necessarily excluded these young women from existing monasteries[/font] [b][font=Book Antiqua][color=#663300]F[/color][/font][/b][/i][font=Book Antiqua][i]ather Gaucheron believed that monastic life could and should be open to young women such as these. In illness and physical frailty he saw a means of following Jesus into the mystery of his Pasch."[/i][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua]On their About Us page, it says,[i]"[/i][/font][i][color=black]We embody the [url="http://www.benedictinesjc.org/Lexicon.html"]Paschal Mystery[/url] in a monastic life that brings together sisters in good health and sisters in fragile health or with a physical handicap.[/color]"[/i]

[font=Book Antiqua]On their Fraternal Charity page, it says, [i]"[/i][/font][i][b][font=Book Antiqua][color=#663300]A[/color][/font][/b][font=Book Antiqua][b]ll the sisters, handicapped or in good health,[/b] put their potential, their talents and their weaknesses in common for all "carry their treasure in earthen vessels"[/font][/i]
[i](2 Cor 4:7).[/i]
[i][b]W[/b][font=Book Antiqua][b]hatever our physical condition may be[/b], it is one of the means by which we follow Christ in his Passover to the Father. [/font][b][font=Book Antiqua][color=black]I[/color][/font][/b][b][font=Book Antiqua]t is not in spite of our handicaps and weaknesses that we go to God, but with them."[/font][/b][/i]


[font=Book Antiqua]A lot like St. Francis de Sales' reasons for founding the Visitation order.[/font]
[/quote]

Unfortunately, they do not accept women with mental illnesses like depression. I contacted them a while back and they said they would only accept candidates who had physical ailments or disorders. You had to be in tip-top shape emotionally, though.

I also contacted several Visitation monasteries about a year ago. All of them said the same as the Benedictines did. It's just as well, because I don't believe I am called the life of a cloistered nun or Benedictine anyway. I'm happy discerning with the RSMs.

From the Vision Network listing on the BJC order:
[quote]

[b]Benedictine Sisters of Jesus Crucified[/b]
Founded in France in 1930, the Roman Catholic Order of Benedictines of Jesus Crucified is one of the few religious orders that widely accepts women with physical disabilities. The order maintains a U.S. presence in the Connecticut Monastery of the Glorious Cross, a fully accessible facility that is currently home to 21 sisters. Sister Mary Zita, O.S.B., vocation director, says the community is able to accept women who are blind, have heart conditions, diabetes, orthopedic conditions, post-polio conditions, and spinal bifida. They do not accept women with [b]mental[/b] or neurological disorders.[/quote]

Edited September 23, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[MithLuin]

Why a phone call rather than an e-mail?

Several possible reasons.

One, e-mails leave a paper trail. They can be printed out, shared on the internet, etc. In person or phone conversations have a greater expectation of privacy. Not that I think that is the reason here!

Phone calls, being in 'real time', give you a better feel for the person you are conversing with. As far as 'getting to know you' stuff goes, moving to phone calls is more helpful than sticking with e-mails. So, yes, this allows the VD to get a better idea of who you are as a person. Doesn't mean she's gonna do a mental health evaluation over the phone or anything!

It's possible her order has some rules about what is or is not acceptable in a candidate, so she'd like to have a dialogue with you to learn more about your particular situation. Talking on the phone makes that a lot easier than sending a bunch of e-mails back and forth.


As for whether the request for a phone interview means they're open to your vocation? WEll, there's one way to find out....CALL! Not necessarily right this second. There's no need to rush this process. You can keep them on your 'maybe' list, and then call when you're ready. I say this because...you're finding out that it's easy to accumulate a lot of quick 'no's, and that much rejection in one day can be a lot to handle. So, pace yourself, and just keep reminding yourself that you don't need a ton of orders to choose from - just ONE that will be open to you and a good match. I'm sure Jesus will help you find them.

[Sarah147]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1316745477' post='2308768']

I believe the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts is semi-contemplative. They get out of the convent for about an hour or two each day to do works of mercy. I contacted them once and, in my personal situation, I did not feel it was the right fit for me. It may be the right fit for you if they are able to make an exception in the future.
[/quote]

They sure do seem semi.

May I ask why it didn't seem to be a good fit? I'm still trying to learn more about them.

I will have to check if I've emailed the Orders you just posted. Thank you.

[Sarah147]

I just contacted every Order you posted, except the non-habited Order; Sisters Minor (no email listed); the [url="http://www.franciscansistersfehj.org"]http://www.franciscansistersfehj.org[/url] don't have a working email form; the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and [url="http://www.clsisters.org"]http://www.clsisters.org[/url] don't have apostolates that attracts me; and I'm not attracted to the Byzantine Rite.

[Sarah147]

So, so far...

[url="http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com"]http://www.heartsofjesusandmary.com[/url] -- waiting to hear back, and they may be open to me one day. I really like this Order a lot. I just may be called to that kind of life.

Sisters of Christian Charity -- Sister was open to discussing, and I just told my conditions, but waiting to hear back if at all.

Solis Sisters in Canada -- Same as SCC

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles -- Sister wants to talk on the phone about everything.

Religious Sisters of Mercy, Alma, Michigan -- they are open to considering me, but I don't know if I'm calling to that much activity and college. They are not out of the question entirely though.

Edited September 23, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Sarah147]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316739033' post='2308709']
I HAD thought that the cloister wasn't for me because I missed loved ones so much, I felt I needed more interaction, and I was still having anxiety and depression. Maybe if medicine corrects that, then perhaps the life just may be what is for me. My SD is often asking about the cloistered life, and I'm thinking maybe I should re-think. I will consider this Order if they say they are open to considering me. JMJ
[/quote]

I was just remembering back today. The only cloistered Order I visited was the Visitation/Visitandines. I was off the medicine I had been prescribed (with doctor approval) and I suspect that played a part in my health. I was also not as mature and stable as I am now, especially through counselling. I remember I didn't like how they were so confined, formal, almost un-natural, proper, historical, etc. But the HJM are open; they get out and meet people, they have no grills, they talk with the Brothers/Priests, they have some of an apostolate besides prayer, they are newer, they are in more of an open farm area. They just are different in many good ways for me, as compared to the Visitation. Maybe things would be different for me with them.

Also, I had done a retreat with a Benedictine cloister back in 2010, and I remember I enjoyed it much more than past try-outs and retreats. I'm growing and maturing, and my health (the main issue) has been stable. At the time my depression and anxiety was good, too. I remember telling my SD that maybe I was called to the cloister, but I thought not because of the things that got to me about the Visitation. But this Order is fresh and new in the ways I want. I sure hope I can discern with them in the future.

[Sarah147]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316818939' post='2309036']

They sure do seem semi.

May I ask why it didn't seem to be a good fit? I'm still trying to learn more about them.

I will have to check if I've emailed the Orders you just posted. Thank you.
[/quote]

I just re-watched their video and boy do they do a lot of prayer!

Have you seen it? Do the Brothers and Sisters seem un-natural and like they are trying to be different or something? Something seems different. Maybe it's just me.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316818939' post='2309036']

They sure do seem semi.

May I ask why it didn't seem to be a good fit? I'm still trying to learn more about them.

I will have to check if I've emailed the Orders you just posted. Thank you.
[/quote]

I just didn't feel called to it. It sounds perfect for what you are looking for because they mostly stay in the monastery. I was looking for something with more of an active apostolate. Plus, the Sisters thought that I should look elsewhere first.

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316820909' post='2309048']
I just contacted every Order you posted, except the non-habited Order; Sisters Minor (no email listed); the [url="http://www.franciscansistersfehj.org"]http://www.franciscansistersfehj.org[/url] don't have a working email form; the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and [url="http://www.clsisters.org"]http://www.clsisters.org[/url] don't have apostolates that attracts me; and I'm not attracted to the Byzantine Rite.
[/quote]


Which non-habited order are you talking about? The Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart? If that's the one, they actually are habited, but they don't wear a veil. Each and every Sister wears the same two piece uniform with the Sacred Heart on the lapel.

[url="http://sacredheartsisters.com/vocations/indexvocations4religioushabit.html"]About the habit of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart[/url]

Edited September 24, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[Sarah147]

Oh, I meant habit + veil when I say habit. But now that I read about them, I'm going to email them, too.


I'm going back and forth in my mind as to whether it's for me or not (HJM). I don't feel fit for total active living, but I also don't know about sitting in Church praying most of the day. I need a balance, with some getting out and some interaction. I need to do a little something. How much and what? I'm still unsure to be honest.

The SsEW has the balance I thought best for me. But that's hard to find.

Edited September 24, 2011 by JoyfulLife