Lisa Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) Hi ya'll as a few of you might know (or maybe I'm just thinking that you might care), I was in St. Louis this weekend with four other women getting a whirlwind look at religious life. This will be a brief-but still rather long- summary if you are interested. If you don't want to read, all you need to know is "wow" and "beautiful" and "I LOVE SISTERS!" We ended up visiting wayyyy more communities than we anticipated or probably should have. But despite our poor attempt at planning this thing, it was perfect. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work, and we could feel the prayers of our church. Brief synopsis: Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at their retreat house and "Hill" apostolate. Over brownies and ice cream, we talked about vocations, discernment, and all sorts of funny topics. These are truly beautiful women religious- actually,. I'm going to say that about every community, so you can just assume that will be the ending of my story of each visit. They take the call to be an Apostle very seriously, and talk amazingly about the Sacred Heart... how this devotion comes from the beloved disciple resting on the heart of Christ at the Last Supper... how to know the Sacred Heart is to know the heart of God- to know Love. ahhh. They are also really, really funny. And they love gelato NDs mission convent: Saw them pray morning prayer, went to Mass- a deacon intoned Gregorian Chant in honor of Gregory the Great's feast day. Oh, and, the church put the holy water fountain right about a very powerful air conditioner. My skirt blew wayyy up, Marilyn Monroe style... except I didn't catch it in time. In other news....just to let you all know: they do play practical jokes on each other. One of the Sisters in particular was quite devious, in a very holy way. It was amazing to see these Sisters, but it helped so much to know that while I admired them intensely, I don't think I'm called to that... so that clears up some lingering questions Little Sisters of the Poor: It was great to actually get a chance to work in the apostolate, though it's not really work to just visit and talk to the residents. Though, according to a very sweet old lady, I ask too many questions. These sisters are such an example of poverty of spirit... giving all for the Lord. Missionaries of Charity: nuf' said. Prayed with them, helped them with Sunday school and went to Mass... maybe not enough time with them, but enough to know that I was in the presence of Saints-to-be. Then I hugged one of them. As soon as I was going in for the reach/wrap, I quickly realized that they don't hug. I was mortified. I can't help it- I'm affectionate!!! Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George (or something like that): wow- their motto is to make the merciful love of Christ visible. What vibrant, joyful sisters. One of them that spoke with us had just made vows, and she was totally still glowing. Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus: One of the Sisters was coming back from a short home visit, and there was so much joy and so many hugs as she and her mom were welcomed back! Carmel of St. Joseph- actually, I think these were the most joyful, happy Sisters on the whole trip. These nuns didn't stop smiling the whole time, they told funny stories, and gave us honey- they have beehives!!!!!!!!!!!! The beekeeper in me was ecstatic! Seriously, I haven't heard much about this Carmel from all ya'll discerning the Carmelite vocation, and I admit I know very little about 1990s/1991 etc, but if I were you, I WOULD CHECK THEM OUT!!!! ok, that came out a little awkward. Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters: PINK!!!!!!!!!! Adoration, Jesus, a quiet calm, inner joy, and cookies. They all tried (and succeeded) to feed us way too much. Other things: Adoration!!!!!!!!!! JESUS!!!!!!!!!!! Basilica/Cathedral!!!!!!!!!!!!! Broken down van- and Mother Mary coming through in a HUGEEEEEE way!!!!!!!!! I might post more on these later, but I'm sure you want me to hush up right now. My thoughts: I am in love and so, so happy. When I saw my priest today his words were "Your cheeks are cracking from smiling so much" These Sisters helped my conviction that I am called to Religious Life, that I want to be a Sister. I am almost 100% certain that the Lord is not calling me to these communities, but there was some fruit or lesson gathered at each one Edited September 7, 2011 by Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Do you think you might visit any of the orders for a longer visit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamMyBeloveds Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'm so excited you got to visit the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus in St. Louis! That is my second home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MithLuin Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 What an amesome whirlwind trip! I hope this was a helpful experience for you and the girls who went with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1315356953' post='2301321'] Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Do you think you might visit any of the orders for a longer visit? [/quote] At this point, I don't think so. But you never know what God's plan has in store for me. [quote name='MithLuin' timestamp='1315358238' post='2301338'] What an amesome whirlwind trip! I hope this was a helpful experience for you and the girls who went with you. [/quote] It was- hearing Sisters talk about discernment, prayer, silence... I think we all came away refreshed and ready to give ourselves fully to Christ (in whatever vocation he calls each one to). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='IamMyBeloveds' timestamp='1315358128' post='2301332'] I'm so excited you got to visit the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus in St. Louis! That is my second home! [/quote] She actually visited the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Wauwatosa, WI (where I applied in 2009) earlier this year, too, so that is rather cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlmom Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'm glad you mentioned our local Carmelite monastery. It has one of the most beautiful public chapels I've ever seen. Hope your trip will inspire more nun runs to St. Louis! Next time, maybe include the Poor Clares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MargaretTeresa Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Yay! I only wish that y'all had been able to do the run earlier... I might have been able to drive up and meet y'all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Aaah STL! Such a wonderful place. I love the Apostles of the Sacred Heart, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. Plus the Pink sisters are wonderful! I'm glad you got the chance to go. PS Isn't the Basilica GORGEOUS? I went to my first Easter Vigil there and with the candles..... so amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i<3franciscans Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 That is so exciting! I am quite jealous!!!!! I have been volunteering at a home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in New York for almost seven years now. They are wonderful!. Let me know if you ever have any questions!!! I know too much about them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSister2009 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 That's great. I'm happy for you (and let's not forget jealous) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i<3LSOP Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 (edited) Wow! It must have been great to meet all of the Sisters and to see religious life! I volunteer at the Little Sisters home in NY and love the Sisters and residents! I suggest not asking me any questions about them though cause I don't know to much about them except that their razzle dazzle! Edited September 30, 2011 by i<3LSOP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InPersonaChriste Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 (edited) This is wonderful! I am sure you and all of the young ladies on the trip are filled with joy! I only wish that I could have been there. For it certainly sounded like tons of fun! Edited September 30, 2011 by InPersonaChriste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulBride Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 This sounds like a great fun time was had by all. I'm actually trying to schedule a nun run with one my girlfriends (so far I have the visitation convent in AL, the SSEWs and possibly the NDs) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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