ForHimAlone Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I just wanted to see whose parents supported their vocation. I'm having a hard time with this right now. I've been seriously discerning the cloistered life for awhile, and my dad is completely against it. He says he doesn't understand how Christ could break up a family like that with the limited visitations. He says he doesn't understand the purpose of that kind of life and thinks that it's ridiculous. I would never want to hurt him, but I feel within that this might be where I'm supposed to go. What are your experiences or thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daugher-of-Mary Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 My parents are pretty supportive, but like you, I feel called to cloister. I spend time with the Carmelites a few times a year, and every time I go to visit I can see my mom struggling..it breaks her heart to see me go. My family is pretty tight, and my eventual entrance will be very, very difficult. I'm trusting good God to be my constant strength, because I can't do it on my own. A lot of cloistered Sisters I've talked to say they are closer to their families as nuns than they were still living at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duc_In_Altum Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I know my father would fully support me in whatever religious vocation i choose. He's all for God's will and orthodoxy. My mother is another story. She's got some beefs with the authority of the Church and the way that some Catholics conduct themselves. She is a parish nurse for both a Catholic parish and a Lutheran parish and sometimes i think she's more Lutheran than Catholic. She also wants a lot of grandchildren too. There was a while there that i believed that if i entered the seminary or monastic life, she would seriously rewrite her will and excommunicate me from the family. But lately i dont know. I think she's starting to think that the clergy could really be my vocation whether she likes it or not. We don't really talk about it but she's been reluctantly implying she's a lot more open to it lately. Blessed be God! I love her so much and wouldn't want to go against her. I certainly would if i felt the calling though. I have an amazing family that i think would ultimately be accepting of my vocation el paz, -Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea348 Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I'm not sure exactly what my parents think. We don't talk about it at all. My family doesn't really talk about our feelings or anything deeper than surface level. I wish I knew what they thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 My mom fully supports my vocation, I'm not completely sure about my dad yet though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForHimAlone Posted December 11, 2004 Author Share Posted December 11, 2004 [quote name='daugher-of-Mary' date='Dec 11 2004, 01:04 PM'] My parents are pretty supportive, but like you, I feel called to cloister. I spend time with the Carmelites a few times a year, and every time I go to visit I can see my mom struggling..it breaks her heart to see me go. My family is pretty tight, and my eventual entrance will be very, very difficult. I'm trusting good God to be my constant strength, because I can't do it on my own. A lot of cloistered Sisters I've talked to say they are closer to their families as nuns than they were still living at home. [/quote] That was really beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. I, too, am feeling very drawn towards the Carmelite life, and nothing brings me greater joy than to think of living that life hidden in the wounds of Christ. I just don't know what to do about my father, though. But I know that as much distress as it may cause, if my life is meant to be at Carmel or another order it will be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daugher-of-Mary Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 [quote]That was really beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. I, too, am feeling very drawn towards the Carmelite life, and nothing brings me greater joy than to think of living that life hidden in the wounds of Christ. I just don't know what to do about my father, though. But I know that as much distress as it may cause, if my life is meant to be at Carmel or another order it will be worth it. [/quote] Praying for you and your dad especially! I know our Beloved will look after our families and overcome all oposition if it is His will...in the meantime, all this provides quite an opportunity for us to have something to offer Him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinx Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 I'm not really sure what my parents think, i have had some interesting conversations with my mom about it... kinda hinting at it... My principal told my mom that i would make a good religious. So that led to some conversations. Lately i think that she is more open to what ever God will for me. I really wish that I could talk about it more openly, but I really don't know what God is calling me to do. peace of Jesus Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rev Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 My grandma does, but my mother kind of does... when I told her I wasn't considering preist hood as much, she was happy, I haven't told her, that I think that is the main option... Heck 1/2 of the tuituon in College! Who'd complain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathoholic Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 My mom is very supportive, though she told me she doesn't see me as a priest but more as a family man... I think I agree, but I have to be sure before I can move on to whatever God is calling me to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duc_In_Altum Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 [quote]My principal told my mom that i would make a good religious.[/quote] My vocations director back home told me that the best parents would make the best religious and the best religious would make the best parents. I don't know. I thought that was kinda neat. el paz, -Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaustinaVianney Posted December 13, 2004 Share Posted December 13, 2004 My parents do not support a Relgious Life vocation at all, but they are non-Catholic, so one cannot completely blame them. I love my parents with all my heart and soul, but I cannot go against what I believe God is calling me to do. God needs me to do a certain job in life and that is what my goal is to do. God must come first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveybe Posted December 13, 2004 Share Posted December 13, 2004 I have the support of parents and most of the extended family as well. I'm blessed in that we already have a priest in the family - my uncle is a T.O.R. - so the usual unknowns and family fears were not a factor. A few cousins who've left the faith think i'm nuts, but hey whadda they know My heart goes out to all who do not have family support. I admire the courage you show by continuing to discern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McKenzie Posted December 13, 2004 Share Posted December 13, 2004 My mother is pretty supportive of anything I feel God wants of me. She may not act like so at first, but she normally comes around, and now she is even practically encouraging me to become a sister! She really surprises me-- I don't know why though-- God always works things out. I firmly believe that if we have a true vocation, He will fix everything for us to obey Him; all we have to do is submit. It is so beautiful to watch Him work and see how He has ordered things for me. He is so amazing. :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piccoli Fiori JMJ Posted December 14, 2004 Share Posted December 14, 2004 My parents do not support my vocation it seems... My mother is most against it... I've been told, mostly because she feels like she is losing me... But she won't! I feel torn between being His bride and my family... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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