Signs Of Vocation

[beatitude]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1347246201' post='2480864']
All of mantellata's post, but definitely THIS. It can be hard to narrow down orders, which is recommended before making community visits, though I'm sure some discerners visit a 'hodge-podge' of communities before discerning a certain order. It is usually done the first way because most of us are pinching our pennies, so a community must be discerned as much as possible from a distance before a visit is made.

One thing that so helped me realize I was a Franciscan was not a fluttering heart when I thought of Saint Francis-it was that the Rule of Saint Francis and the general life of Franciscans is what will help me to be most perfect, as it emphasizes aspects that counteract my greatest sinful tendencies. I am naturally arrogant and ego-centrical. The Franciscan life of 'littleness' (Franciscans are the 'tiny poor people!') really speaks to me and my most grievous faults.. Not that other orders do not focus on humility, but there are nuances to the three vows and their daily application between the different orders. The religious is, after all, a life lived in the pursuit of perfection. All vocations point to this, but the religious life has this for its most immediate and direct aim.

I am having trouble thinking of analogies with other orders, but I am sure they are there! Maybe something like: If you lean towards laziness, the Missionaries of Charity will work you hard and form you into someone who perpetually gives of themselves (if that is where God is calling you!). Or if you lean towards superiority in knowledge, you could check out the Dominicans, who focus on learning not for themselves but to pass onto others so that the truth of Christ can be spread.

It may be helpful for you to do some soul-searching, humbly recognize your most basic faults, and research communities/orders with this in mind.
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This is a really good post and I'd triple-prop it if I could. It matches my own experience exactly. One of my biggest faults has been spiritual pride - wanting the longest and laciest mantilla, if not the broadest phylacteries. And I ended up pursuing consecrated single life 'in the world', as a member of a secular institute, which aims to be a truly hidden life. Members have nothing special to mark them out, and you aren't supposed to go chatting about your vocation to everyone you meet. No distinction or gratification for me. I know that had I been a nun there would have been a real risk of me seeking these out, trying to be seen as a 'holy' person. Another thing that interests me is that the spirituality I was drawn to (that of Bl. Charles de Foucauld) focuses quite heavily on manual work, taking low-paid and unskilled jobs in imitation of Jesus the carpenter and in solidarity with poorer people. Yet I myself have always been a very academic person and I prided myself on all my scholarships and achievements. Another source of pride that had to go.

It's important to be clear here that this isn't the same as turning your back on your skills and talents. God gave you those for a reason. But it does mean that you use them in his service rather than using them for your own gratification. I'm a PhD candidate now, but I volunteer in my spare time for the work that Bl. Charles recommended. My housemates and I have a rota for housework, and we can sign up for the tasks that fit with our schedule. In keeping with this spirituality, I try to sign up for the tasks that are most time-consuming and least enjoyed, knowing that it's a fundamental part of my vocation to do it. Laziness is a problem of mine, as is being overly proud, and this spirituality is a good remedy for both.

[TheresaThoma]

That is a good point knowing that you don't have to completely "fit" the spirituality. That maybe there are a few things that you would have to really work on.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='beatitude' timestamp='1347312968' post='2481089']
This is a really good post and I'd triple-prop it if I could. It matches my own experience exactly. One of my biggest faults has been spiritual pride - wanting the longest and laciest mantilla, if not the broadest phylacteries. And I ended up pursuing consecrated single life 'in the world', as a member of a secular institute, which aims to be a truly hidden life. Members have nothing special to mark them out, and you aren't supposed to go chatting about your vocation to everyone you meet. No distinction or gratification for me. I know that had I been a nun there would have been a real risk of me seeking these out, trying to be seen as a 'holy' person. Another thing that interests me is that the spirituality I was drawn to (that of Bl. Charles de Foucauld) focuses quite heavily on manual work, taking low-paid and unskilled jobs in imitation of Jesus the carpenter and in solidarity with poorer people. Yet I myself have always been a very academic person and I prided myself on all my scholarships and achievements. Another source of pride that had to go.

It's important to be clear here that this isn't the same as turning your back on your skills and talents. God gave you those for a reason. But it does mean that you use them in his service rather than using them for your own gratification. I'm a PhD candidate now, but I volunteer in my spare time for the work that Bl. Charles recommended. My housemates and I have a rota for housework, and we can sign up for the tasks that fit with our schedule. In keeping with this spirituality, I try to sign up for the tasks that are most time-consuming and least enjoyed, knowing that it's a fundamental part of my vocation to do it. Laziness is a problem of mine, as is being overly proud, and this spirituality is a good remedy for both.
[/quote]

Thank you for sharing. What a great example of living the Little Way of St Therese! I never thought of consecrated virginity in its 'everyday' aspects, like the hiddenness and humility you pointed out in your post. My favorite former professor is an Opus Dei numerary, and also a consecrated virgin (I only know this because people talk about her 'wedding' to Jesus). We have met multiple times to chat, and I assumed she never talked about these aspects of her life because she was a private person. After reading your post, it is obvious that the spirituality she is following is hidden and humble, and that is why she never spoke of this part of her life. She is one of the most remarkable people I know.

I really admire this way of life.

Edited September 11, 2012 by emmaberry