This Was So Weird.......... Holy Spirit You Are Amesome!

[Kylie Spinelli]

So back in the fall, I had a phone convo with Sr. Virginia Joy of the Sisters Of Life. Much to my disappointment, she told me that I have to wait a long time to even discern with them because I had a reversion in 2011 (long story...). So I kept on discerning, much on my own since my mother is very against my Catholic faith. I have found other orders but none really struck me as THE ONE, ya know? But about a month ago, I found this tiny little order called the Franciscans of the Eucharist, founded just 3 years ago. (Perhaps you've seen their Sister, Alicia, in the Light Of Love trailer??) So I was kneeling before the Tabernacle after morning Mass on Monday, and I felt the urge to email them. So as I knelt there I composed an email on my phone and sent it out to them. I got a response that same day (in the evening). Sr. Alicia directed me to call Fr. Lombardi later in the week. I called and left a message on Thursday and got a call back on Friday evening. Again, I was disappointed. He told me that I would have to wait until I am nineteen to even discern with them, and even then I couldn't do more than a weekend visit every once in a while. Their entrance age is 21. 

I went to Adoration right after speaking with him, and I cried through the whole hour. I was so upset. I was begging Jesus to just tell me what He wanted me to do, to direct me where He wanted me to go, and make it plain and simple (I know it's rarely like that, but I was very upset)...

I got home and was sitting on my bed. I posted a status on FaceBook about being discouraged (without revealing a lot of details, obviously), and then I got a message from the vocations directress of the Salesian Sisters of John Bosco in NJ. She told me to call her right away.

She asked me what was going on, and I told her all about my discouragement. She asked me questions about if I was going to college, what I wanted to study, she asked me about my reversion, and about other general information. Then she made my day:

She told me that not only could I discern with them, I could enter as early as when I graduate from high school in 76 days! (but who's counting ;) )

Now, I'm not going to run off to join whatever order will take me, obviously, but I really feel called to the vocation and it makes me so happy that there's an order that will just let me discern already! 
The Holy Spirit must have really heard me this time!
How odd that this all happened when it did! God, You're amesome!

Just felt like sharing!!!!

God bless!!!!

[Kateri89]

Just remember that if/when you enter religious life, you'll take a vow of obedience and I'm sure that you'll need a lot of patience to live out that vow.  Use this time to practice the virtue of patience.  Offer up your suffering to Jesus and it'll all be worth it.  All the great saints suffered in some way and it helped them grow spiritually.  I am glad to hear that the Salesians are inviting you to discern with them!  They seem like a lovely (and very large) order   :proud:

[FutureSister2009]

Good for you! You'll enjoy the Salesians very much. They are a wonderful group of people!

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

Wow, that's so amazing and awe.some Kylie (almost said SSWW, jk!)

I thought I was called to the Salesians for awhile (because the idea of all the young sisters and ministering to youth seems very appealing) but God has different plans for me that in the long run, I am happy with. Nonetheless, I will always keep the Salesians in my prayers, especially if you join :)

Have you seen the John Bosco movie? It's on youtube. It's actually voiced over in English, but was filmed in Italian. I think you would enjoy it, if you haven't already seen it. I cried in some of the scenes because I watched it shortly after my conversion (and I still had a very high spiritual high!)

Anyway, God bless you in your discernment!

[maximillion]

Salesians ROCK!!!!!