Joan Marie Wandel Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Have any of you written your Autobiography? If so how did you start it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) After I wrote what appears below, it occured to me that probably you need to write an autobiography as part of your application or entry process for religious life since I am now in the Vocations Forum. Something similar to below might be helpful in some way, while it would be a far more condensed autobiography than mine. If it is for religious life, other posters will be far more helpful than I. And of course, you could lay out rough chapter headings in a Word document such as I suggest below and then eliminate the chapters before submission and just ensure that each chapter flows on to the next (not strictly necessary with retaining chapter headings) I have only ever [u][b]had[/b][/u] to write my life story for my annulment. With the forrmer (rejected on my first attempt as not having sufficient detail) and certainly with an application re religious life or similar, it is important I would think that the development of your spiritual life etc. is included. God bless your autobiogrpahy [u]Mine is not for publication. It is my personal document - and for my sons after I am gone and they can do with it whatever they wish. My son asked me years ago to leave to him absolutely everything I write and to never throw anything away.[/u] My personal diaries go back probably 10 years at least and began (before I had a computer) in exercise books. Once I got a computer, I continued in Word. To bring things up to scratch to when my diaries began, I have simply written my life story to that date. I do not find it easy (it is stil in process). I am making it as brutally honest and revealing of myself as I can be. have broken it into Chapters, with each Chapter commencing with some major life event or turning point in my life and one way of beginning is to write these Chapters as one's guide. Once I started a Chapter, I found the rest just flowed. The wonder of the computer is that it is easy to stop wherever one wants to stop, and to edit to one's heart's content - even the chapter headings. I dont write all that often into my life story (and will finish where my diaries start) And I read back some of it before continuing. I do find that in the reading back memories will come back and it is easy to edit. If something occurs while writing about one's early life, that happened in one's teens. It is easy to go to that Chapter heading if you make rough chapter headings initially into the Word Document - and just make quick notes where appliable, so memory will not fail again. These are an example only of what I mean. [u][b]Early Life[/b][/u][list] [*]Earliest Memories [*]The Family [/list] [u][b]School[/b][/u] [u][b]Teen Years[/b][/u] .........and so on and so forth. Doubtless for every person, the subheadings will be different. Edited October 28, 2012 by BarbaraTherese Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan Marie Wandel Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 thank you and yes its for entering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Best suggestion I can give you, Joan, is to take it to prayer. Ask our Lord to help you to think about the people, places and things that have been a big part of your life. You'll want to talk about where you were born, went to school, a little about your parents and other family & friends that have been significant in your life. If you've been involved in Church or other activities, mention those. This might help: I had to do an essay that was kind of like this when I entered counseling school, but they put it in this way: What were the people, experiences, and things that have led you to apply to go to XYZ counseling school at this time. THAT is really what the Sisters want to know -- what has happened in your life that is making you decide to apply to this community and at this time. If you want to PM me with a draft, I'll be happy to look at it.... wrote a couple of those at various times when I was discerning communities..... Blessings, AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I think AnneLine has the right approach here - write about those things that led you to this point in your life where you are discerning rle eligious life and why. It wouldn't hurt to address any issues that might concern them as well (if you have health problems that might affect you in religious life or things like that) and explain why you think these things are not an obstacle. If you are thinking them, they might be too. I have always had to address the issue of my age, but this isn't a problem for young discerners. Don't stress about it because they are going to be more interested in getting to know you in person - this is just the introduction and some background information for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaberry101 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 [quote name='Joan Marie Wandel' timestamp='1351397935' post='2498977'] thank you and yes its for entering [/quote] So EXCITING! Definitely pray beforehand, and depending on your age, the timeline of your life should start to lay itself out quite nicely in your mind. I say depending on age because I only had two decades to review when I wrote my essay, so it was simple gathering up the main events. Someone older or who just had more going on in life might have to put forth more effort to track down the basic timeline.. but like I said, this was not my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I'm still discerning... but how long should something like this be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) [quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1352402164' post='2506603'] I'm still discerning... but how long should something like this be? [/quote] I good guideline is 3-4 pages. Edited November 8, 2012 by MaterMisericordiae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pax_et bonum Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 On my papers it says a "succinct autobiography," and then they gave me an extensive outline to follow. I'll type up the main points, and if anyone is interested in a specific point, say which and I'll type up the questions under that point. 1.Describe your living situation, past and present. 2. Describe your academic background and interests. 3. Describe your extracurricular activities in school or elsewhere. 4. Describe your employment history. 5. Describe the kind of person you have become. 6. Describe your religious formation and practice. 7. Discuss your discernment of a vocation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaberry101 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) The autobiography I was asked to write had 23 basic questions under a couple different categories. My final copy ended up being exactly 4 pages long. I no longer have the application form so I can't say exactly what it said, but the questions were: Background 1 Talk about your schooling. 2 How would you describe your personality? 3 What are your weaknesses and your strengths? 4 What are your hobbies? How do you feel about poetry, music, sewing, etc? 5 Do you know any other languages? Personal 6 How often do you attend Mass and Adoration? 7 Confession? 8 Who do you go to when you have problems? 9 Talk about your circle of friends. 10 Have you dated? 11 Speak about your contribution to your community through volunteering. 12 Do you enjoy learning? 13 Favorite subject? 14 Least favorite subject? 15 Have you had academic problems in school? Vocation 16 What is your ideal in life? (ie what are you trying to accomplish?) 17 How do you feel about marriage? 18 Talk about the plans, if any, you had before you began discerning. 19 What is your conception of religious life? 20 Talk about how your discernment began. 21 What do you think you will get out of becoming a religious? 22 Are there any obstacles that would impede you from committing you to this life? 23 What attracts you to the Poor Clare way of life? Edited November 9, 2012 by emmaberry101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I find it interesting that there's a question "have you dated". Does it matter if you have or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaberry101 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) [quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1352426919' post='2506868'] I find it interesting that there's a question "have you dated". Does it matter if you have or not? [/quote] I had not, and they still let me in! Really, the dating question, along with the 'how do you feel about marriage' question, are to make sure you aren't one of those "I'm going to be a nun because I am asexual/hate marriage/hate men/don't want to deal with children/etc." If this question shows up on an application for the community you are applying to, it is best to keep the answer short, simple, and effective. I say 'effective' because the Superior does not want to hear all about your love life-she is trying to learn more about your background and your views on marriage. If you are curious, I said, "(10) I have never dated. I told myself I would not date until college, and then a week into the school year I began seriously discerning, so that was that! " Also, my vocation story contains strong elements of me wanting to get married and being very resistant to a religious vocation, so if your story has similar elements, let the nuns know! Overall, the autobiography is to ascertain your proper motive and a general feel for your personality. Having a normal desire [s]from[/s] for marriage lets them know that you are not entering the convent to escape deeper issues with marriage or the opposite sex or anything else. In short, no, whether you have dated or not does not matter. Here is a snippet from an [url="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1870&dat=19791223&id=iVEfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C9IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3118,3727738"]interview[/url] with Mother Francis that relates what Superiors look for in candidates: [img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOPRCrQ0MXs/UJx_2L-SapI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ZDkwkiOVJvE/s317/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.53.21%2520PM.png[/img][img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s7QbUqbF2Do/UJx_2J8IBCI/AAAAAAAAAh0/PURbp3jqyKo/s232/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.53.32%2520PM.png[/img][img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FLpHJBJMxwk/UJx_1Yh-zkI/AAAAAAAAAho/7XOlK1lONWM/s242/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.54.04%2520PM.png[/img] Edited November 9, 2012 by emmaberry101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) [quote name='emmaberry101' timestamp='1352433876' post='2506908'] I had not, and they still let me in! Really, the dating question, along with the 'how do you feel about marriage' question, are to make sure you aren't one of those "I'm going to be a nun because I am asexual/hate marriage/hate men/don't want to deal with children/etc." If this question shows up on an application for the community you are applying to, it is best to keep the answer short, simple, and effective. I say 'effective' because the Superior does not want to hear all about your love life-she is trying to learn more about your background and your views on marriage. If you are curious, I said, "(10) I have never dated. I told myself I would not date until college, and then a week into the school year I began seriously discerning, so that was that! " Also, my vocation story contains strong elements of me wanting to get married and being very resistant to a religious vocation, so if your story has similar elements, let the nuns know! Overall, the autobiography is to ascertain your proper motive and a general feel for your personality. Having a normal desire [s]from[/s] for marriage lets them know that you are not entering the convent to escape deeper issues with marriage or the opposite sex or anything else. In short, no, whether you have dated or not does not matter. Here is a snippet from an [url="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1870&dat=19791223&id=iVEfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C9IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3118,3727738"]interview[/url] with Mother Francis that relates what Superiors look for in candidates: [img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOPRCrQ0MXs/UJx_2L-SapI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ZDkwkiOVJvE/s317/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.53.21%2520PM.png[/img][img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s7QbUqbF2Do/UJx_2J8IBCI/AAAAAAAAAh0/PURbp3jqyKo/s232/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.53.32%2520PM.png[/img][img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FLpHJBJMxwk/UJx_1Yh-zkI/AAAAAAAAAho/7XOlK1lONWM/s242/Screen%2520shot%25202012-11-08%2520at%25209.54.04%2520PM.png[/img] [/quote] I like the newspaper clipping. Mother Mary Francis seemed very practical and I'm sure the community benefited immensely from having her as an Abbess. I was asked about the dating and marriage thing when I had my psychological evaluation. The psychologist said that most seminaries and communities need to make sure that you are entering with the best intention of serving God. You had it right on the money. Edited November 9, 2012 by MaterMisericordiae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 When I wrote mine for application it was EXTREMELY difficult. my Archbishop wanted no more than three pages from childhood, thru young adult, school, family friends, major life experiences, the whole shebang. I basically started out and thought of my life in sections, early childhood, elementary school, middle school, highschool, college, military life...in each section I tried to detail then those relationships and experiences expressly mentioned. After that it was the "simple" task of pruning the 24 pages down. I took it to friends I trusted my Spiritual Director ect. I asked is this necessary? How can I say the same thing in less words? I took Mark Twains famous P.S. to heart " I'm sorry for the length of this letter, but I didn't have time to write a short one." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks for the replies! I have never been in a relationship, because in high school I was sort of introverted, and then in university I began discerning and it just didn't feel right to date. I was afraid for a bit that it would be an impediment for a community... I understand how they want to make sure the motives are correct, and it's not just running away from marriage because it's seen as something evil, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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