For Guest Annie: Accepting vocation

[Anya]

Hi Guest Annie,

My brother is a Benedictine monk, although not cloistered.  While his sister cannot accept his decision, it might help to lovingly remind your daughter that he is an adult capable of his own choices and it would greatly hurt him if his sister or any family member did not support him as it is his life and his decision to make.  To hold him back based on her own misgivings is a very selfish act.  There is no guarantee that anyone will continue to have the same vocation 10 or 20 years from now, after all.  But the way she supports (or not) him now will be remembered by him as he goes through his life journey.  Be blessed and I'm praying for you and your fam.

Quote

Guest Annie

Lurker

Report post

 

Posted October 13

Hi, I hope someone can help.  My son is entering an enclosed Benedictine monastery.  His sister cannot accept his decision - I find it difficult. What do I say to my daughter? Thank you.

 

 

Edited November 11, 2018 by Anya
Missing a word

[littlesister]

To add to Anya's comment, I would just suggest that you encourage your daughter to give it time.   Very often family members who are hesitant come around when they meet the community (even an enclosed one) and realize that they too have become part of a new family, and see how happy their loved one is in this new life with them.   Over many years, we see this happen time and time again.