FSM Sister Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 [font="Calibri"][size=3]Okay - I phreely admit that I don't "get" this "PH" stuff, or what inspired the name "Phatmass." I can only pray that, in my ignorance, I have not insulted The Seraphic St. Francis by spelling his name in this trendy sort of way! There was a point to this post - oh yes! A new community. Let me tell you about it. (On second thought, I'll just save some time and repher you to our website: [url="http://www.fsmcharism.net"]www.fsmcharism.net[/url] ) The site is still in the development stage, but the basic inphormation is all there. Here is some "Phrequently Asked Q & A." Phorgive me - I decided to go with standard English spellings (which are horrific enough) instead of "Phatmassing" it. Q: How long is each stage of formation? A: Our formation follows the same standards used in most communities; i.e., at least 6 months to a year as a candidate, 1-2 years of noviciate, then a period of temporary profession of at least three years. Presently, we take private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are made in the presence of all the sisters, and signed by the vicar for the diocese as the delegate of the bishop. According to canon law, we are described as "other forms of religious life." That is as it should be, according to our circumstances. We have a long ways to go, spiritually, legally, and financially, before we are ready to petition for canonical status as a public association with juridic person. We are relying heavily upon our Lady, St. Francis, and many other Heavenly intercessors! Q: What determines the length of each phase - candidate, novice, temporary professed? A: The particular formation of each individual candidate depends, in part, on her existing formation. Our first step is to develop the prayer life of the candidate and gradually introduce her to daily mass, daily adoration, liturgy of the hours, rosary, and chaplet of Divine Mercy. Whether this takes six months or two years is not important. What is important is that it takes root in a sincere and firm manner. Once those are solidly in place (some are already doing all of this when they join) we begin a course of scripture study, Franciscan studies, church history, and moral theology. All the while, we encourage reading lives of the Saints. We are all attracted to different Saints, however I have found that reading about Saints who were also members of religious orders is particularly helpful. Would I have persevered had it not been for the inspiration and intercession of Saint Bernadette, St. Margaret Mary, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Therese of Liseaux, Blessed Teresa Quevedo, St. Marguerite D'Youville, and of course Saint Francis? I think Saint Bernadette started it all. From her place in Heaven she reached down and took my hand and placed it firmly in the hand of our Lady, then she went around Heaven and drummed up support from the other saints I just listed. It took their combined efforts to take this lump of breathing clay and turn it into a Sister! (And they still have a lot of work to do!) Q: What is the age limit? A: Minimum age for candidacy is 18, although we strongly encourage at least a year of work or college after high school graduation. There is no upper age limit. Q: I feel drawn to religious life, but I'm not sure how to prepare myself for such a radical commitment. What do you suggest? A: Develop your prayer life, at a comfortable pace. Here are some suggestions: [size=2][img]http://forums.catholic.com/images/smilies/prayer/praying.gif[/img][/size] Daily Mass, if at all possible [img]http://forums.catholic.com/images/smilies/prayer/praying.gif[/img] Adoration, at least weekly [img]http://forums.catholic.com/images/smilies/prayer/praying.gif[/img] Rosary, daily [img]http://forums.catholic.com/images/smilies/prayer/praying.gif[/img] Chaplet of Divine Mercy You may also find it helpful to listen to spiritual music and avoid the "noise" that is so prevalent in today's society. Pay attention to what types of entertainment interest you, and avoid those that would not be appropriate for a sister. (The litmus test here is: have you ever seen a sister participating in this activity? Could you imagine a sister participating in this activity?) [img]http://forums.catholic.com/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif[/img] If you are called to follow our Lord and feel drawn to us, may our Lady draw you in the fragrance of her perfect and immaculate love. Sister Mary Margaret, FSM[/size][/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscerningSoul Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Thank you for your site. Good luck with the growth of your community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReginaCoeli Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Sr. Mary Margaret, thanks for your post. I am someone who feels drawn to religious life, but right now my calling is being a mother to two boys ages 16 & 17. I 38 years old, divorced, (annulment granted) and a convert. I have been looking into religious life because I love our Lord & our Church so much, I want to dedicate my life to serving them. I am glad that there are orders out there that will consider women such as me. I think your order sounds wonderful, as I have been to your website. One question, are you fu lly in line with Rome, and obedient to the Holy Father and the magisterium of our church? This is something that I feel is imperative. God Bless You Sister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 (edited) Edited June 3, 2008 by FSM Sister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 [quote name='ReginaCoeli' post='1555871' date='Jun 3 2008, 08:09 AM']Sr. Mary Margaret, thanks for your post. I am someone who feels drawn to religious life, but right now my calling is being a mother to two boys ages 16 & 17. I 38 years old, divorced, (annulment granted) and a convert. I have been looking into religious life because I love our Lord & our Church so much, I want to dedicate my life to serving them. I am glad that there are orders out there that will consider women such as me. I think your order sounds wonderful, as I have been to your website. One question, are you fu lly in line with Rome, and obedient to the Holy Father and the magisterium of our church? This is something that I feel is imperative. God Bless You Sister.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Excellent question!!!! Yes! We are completely in line with Rome, Vatican 2 (without going to the other extreme), and follow all church documents. We had to do sooooooo much research just to get to the point where we are... checking with several canon lawyers, religious superiors of established communities, etc. We usually have at least one sister represent us at the Institute for Religious Life (IRL) and Eucharistic Congress - although all of us are working, are not independently wealthy, and can't just go flying all over the country... But, we are learning "who's who" among religious communities and keeping our ears to the ground. Who will endure the test of time? We need to pray for all communities, because so many of the ones that have gone into numerology, anagramming, wiccan ceremonies, saving the whales, ordination of women, affirmation for the homosexual, and feminaziism once started as faithful, obedient communities. I watched my own aunt's order go from faithful to fluffy in 25 years. It is very disheartening! God willing, we will join the CMSWR once we have enough members, and stay the course. Maybe you'll be in our future! If you happen to run into us somewhere, do come by and say "hello!" Prayers, Sister MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycin Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Good luck sister!! I will keep you and your community in my prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 [quote name='Alycin' post='1555915' date='Jun 3 2008, 09:37 AM']Good luck sister!! I will keep you and your community in my prayers. [/quote] Thank you, Alycin! (I thought, after 20 years of teaching, I had seen every possible way to spell that name. Ha!) SMM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 We just had our annual retreat and chapter meetings. It was great to be together... ALL of us, for the first time in two years. Three of the sisters couldn't be with us last November, and one couldn't join us last June because her father was very ill. As he had been in good health all his life, his illness came very suddenly and unexpectedly. He died two weeks later. Anyway, we had two women visiting us on the last day of the retreat. One of them is seriously considering us, and the other is quite interested but not quite free of some existing obligations. When I returned home, two more women had written for information. The Lord is so good to us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 Just wanted to say "thanks!" for the e-mails! If anyone else is interested, go to our website and answer the questions on the "questions" page. When I update the site again, I'll change it to the "contact us" link, which makes more sense... Here is a link to our website: [url="http://www.fsmcharism.net"]http://www.fsmcharism.net[/url] and here is the direct link to our questions page: [url="http://www.fsmcharism.net/questions.html"]http://www.fsmcharism.net/questions.html[/url] We pray for our discerners every day! Sister MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramelonion Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Prayers to you, Sister and your Community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amor vincit omnia Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Prayers to you and your community Sister...where is the order located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM Sister Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Our main location is in the Peoria diocese in Illinois. We also have sisters in Cleaveland, OH Fort Wayne, IN San Antonio, TX Savannah, GA God's blessing to all, Sister Mary Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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