HisChild Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 [quote name='Piobaire' date='01 November 2009 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1257099538' post='1994838'] It is so hard to 'let go and let God' but truly His timing is perfect and I think we are both examples of that. We may have tried a little too hard and God allowed us to enter communities that we were not called to all the while holding us up and gently guiding us. I think what you said about discovring what charism is already in us in some small way and then finding a community to match, NOT the other way around is essential in this whole discernment thing. I used to always look for the community I was created for but that dear Carmelite said it is really the other way around and the person comes first, the charism is at the service of the person and not the other way around....a charism is created to fit the person and not that a person has to force themselves into a charism. Hard to articulate! [/quote] You know, I once heard a quote that went something like this: If you want to hear God laugh, show Him your plans. Whether it's sooner or later, He'll eventually teach you the lesson that you need to do HIS will and not mould Him into your own creation. And as for me? Apparently I'm a wee bit down on the learning curve! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 God bless you both, Piobaire and HisChild -- reading your posts... wow, as silly as I may feel saying this, they've brought tears to my eyes. (In a very good way!) I think they've kind of put to words what I've been asking about in prayer a lot lately, especially in terms of discernment and charism. This hit the nail on the head: [quote]....a charism is created to fit the person and not that a person has to force themselves into a charism[/quote] and [quote]...that the only thing one should really focus on is the charism of the community. Grace builds on nature and there will be something about the charism that will resonate with you......the seed of the charism in some way is in the heart of the individual being called.[/quote] You both have given me a lot to really reflect on and for this, I am so very grateful. Like you, HisChild, I think I too am a "wee bit down on the learning curve"! (Perhaps there are "bonus points" in heaven for "effort"...) lc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChild Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 LC, If there are bonus points for effort, then my crown will be too heavy to wear! Seriously, though, eventually I'll get to the place where He wants me to be for my sanctity. Even if I say today I think I know what He's calling me to do, I keep my heart open to hear Him say, 'Here is the path that you should walk.' And most importantly, be patient and take it slowly, so that in your rush, you fail to hear what He's saying and instead are listening to your own voice. Because as you know, He speaks in silence and stillness of heart. I keep you in prayer. Yours in Christ, HC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlmom Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Piobaire, thanks for checking in and giving us an update. I was wondering what had happened to you. I hope at some point you will share the name of the community you are discerning your vocation. God bless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChild Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 [quote name='HisChild' date='01 November 2009 - 02:25 PM' timestamp='1257110711' post='1994886'] LC, If there are bonus points for effort, then my crown will be too heavy to wear! Seriously, though, eventually I'll get to the place where He wants me to be for my sanctity. Even if I say today I think I know what He's calling me to do, I keep my heart open to hear Him say, 'Here is the path that you should walk.' And most importantly, be patient and take it slowly, [b]so that in your rush, you fail to hear what He's saying and instead are listening to your own voice.[/b] Because as you know, He speaks in silence and stillness of heart. I keep you in prayer. Yours in Christ, HC [/quote] I have no idea what happened to that post! I meant to say, instead of the bold above, [b]because IF you rush...[/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awyers Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 [quote name='stlmom' date='01 November 2009 - 09:04 PM' timestamp='1257127491' post='1995005'] Piobaire, thanks for checking in and giving us an update. I was wondering what had happened to you. I hope at some point you will share the name of the community you are discerning your vocation. God bless! [/quote] I really felt called to step back and embrace the silence so-to-speak while I allowed God to work this great grace in my life but I had you all in prayer! I am going for a longer second visit with the nuns in a few weeks and, God willing, will complete the application process. Once I have a clearer idea of what God wills of me I will be happy to share the where and when of it all. For now I humbly beg your prayers for my second discernment visit as I still struggle with relinquishing control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Therese Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 As ya'll may know I made a live-in aspirancy with the Dominican nuns in Lockport. God willing I hope to enter there early next year along with several other young women. I've been discerning with them for several years; they're everything I was looking for in a community. They're so prayerful and reverent, its truly awesome. I would like to encourage anyone who might consider discerning with them not to be discouraged by any delays in communication. Living at Lockport,even for the short time I was there, was an awesome experience. I loved the way their whole life is centered around and punctuated by prayer. While I was there I followed the schedule of the novitiate and joined the sisters in choir for the office. Once again I'd recommend them whole heartedly to anyone who is considering Dominican monastic life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChild Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 [quote name='Saint Therese' date='02 November 2009 - 09:22 PM' timestamp='1257222140' post='1995556'] As ya'll may know I made a live-in aspirancy with the Dominican nuns in Lockport. God willing I hope to enter there early next year along with several other young women. I've been discerning with them for several years; they're everything I was looking for in a community. They're so prayerful and reverent, its truly awesome. I would like to encourage anyone who might consider discerning with them not to be discouraged by any delays in communication. Living at Lockport,even for the short time I was there, was an awesome experience. I loved the way their whole life is centered around and punctuated by prayer. While I was there I followed the schedule of the novitiate and joined the sisters in choir for the office. Once again I'd recommend them whole heartedly to anyone who is considering Dominican monastic life. [/quote] How many sisters are there now? They seem like a lovely community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomist-in-Training Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Piobaire, I love your comment about making reparation! That always seemed appealing to me and I just figured "well, active sisters do that too, to an extent." But God willing, like you, I'm to be a contemplative and have that as part of my main work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freudentaumel Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 (edited) I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but their latest [url=http://www.sistersofmarymotherofthechurch.org/zlcms/editor/uploads/files/ChristmasNewsletter.pdf]Newsletter[/url] has the stories of their three postulants. Edited February 14, 2010 by Freudentaumel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulBride Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 (edited) Allison, Good to know I am not the only aspiring SMMC. How are you doing with reducing your finances? [quote name='Piobaire' timestamp='1257086114' post='1994785'] Hello all I have been away from phatmass from some time enjoying the silence and stillness of our Lord but I do check in from time to time...nice to see you are still thinking of me lol I had applied to enter SMMC but was unable to enter due to finances. Our Lord is so good to us and especially gentle towards those of us lost in the world of perpetual discernment. Although that door seemed to be closing and I felt lost and confused He helped me to see what I believe to be my true calling and I am now discerning with a community of cloistered nuns which, God willing, I will be entering sometime in the next few months. As some of you may know I was with the SMME for some time before leaving and since then visited MANY active orders, some of which I loved and felt called to enter. However at each junction something would come up that would close the door be it immigration issues or finances like above. I can now see that all my struggles were because I was not truly surrendered to our Lord and open to His will. I kept trying to 'force' the active vocation and convinced myself I could never be called to the cloister. The best advice I ever received from a dear Alhambra Carmelite (which may seem obvious but somehow got lost on me in the perpetual hunt for my 'home') is that the only thing one should really focus on is the charism of the community. Grace build on nature and there will be something about the charism that will resonate with you......the seed of the charism in some way is in the heart of the individual being called. I cant really do justice to what she said and maybe I am not called to as it was a word for me personally but maybe it will help someone else as well. From someone who has lived the life and struggled greatly discerning over the years I find we can sometimes get so caught up in what on order wears and all kind of little details which can confuse us. When I sat down and asked myself what I truly wanted in one or two sentences or better yet, what I believe God wanted of me, what my greatest desire or inclination was I knew it was a life of reparative thanksgiving and perpetual adoration. Once I articulated that the rest fell into place and I realised that this was my hearts desire all along and trying to 'force' a fit with a teaching order or a nursing order or whatever it may be was simply foolish even though I was telling myself I was totally open to our Lord's will. How God must chuckle at our hard headedness at times! Whew, dont know where all that came from lol! Thank you for thinking of me and please keep me in your prayers as I do all of you! God bless, Allison [/quote] Edited September 5, 2010 by HopefulBride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulBride Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 On August 22nd, 4 postulants became novices. Please keep them in your prayers!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 [quote name='HopefulBride' timestamp='1283726308' post='2168495'] Allison, Good to know I am not the only aspiring SMMC. How are you doing with reducing your finances? [/quote] From what I understand, Piobaire is no longer discerning with this order. She stated in the letter that she was discerning with a cloistered order instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulBride Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1283733309' post='2168598'] From what I understand, Piobaire is no longer discerning with this order. She stated in the letter that she was discerning with a cloistered order instead. [/quote] OH, I missed that. Neverless, I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulBride Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 (edited) Some pictures of the 4 new SMMC novices. [img]http://i51.tinypic.com/13zso55.jpg[/img] [img]http://i56.tinypic.com/1j8375.jpg[/img] Edited September 6, 2010 by HopefulBride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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