Recently, we sat down with some of our Sisters to ask them what they would say to anyone who is considering a vocation to religious life. They gave some great advice!
Sister Kathleen Thomas suggested, “First of all, begin in prayer. Take it to God and try to listen to what God is saying and to what your heart is saying back.”
Sister Mary Augustine also underlined the importance of prayer. “Say three Hail Marys in the morning and three Hail Marys at night that God will give you the grace to know what he wants for your life. Start with the Blessed Mother, she is the best vocation director!”
Sister Mary Peter shared her own experience of what happens when prayer and relationship with God comes first. “One of the mainstays of my life, and of all of us as religious, is the Hour of Adoration, daily Mass, and the other sacraments. That chance to be intimate with Jesus in the Eucharist is our lifeblood. Jesus Master is there, telling me what to do, even if sometimes I forget to listen. To me, that Eucharistic time with Jesus each and every day is one of the most beautiful things about our life.”
The Sisters also spoke about what to do when there are obstacles on the path of vocational discernment.
Sister Mary Peter said to “focus on Jesus and let him take what you’re going through and use it. When we give ourselves to Jesus, it’s not a halfway thing—we let him use it all.”
Sister Lupe shared very honestly, “One thing I have learned is that no matter what vocation you have, there will be struggles. When you pray for the grace to say ‘yes’ to God’s will, make sure to also pray to say ‘yes’ to all the hardships that might come with it, too.
“But,” she added, “remember that the grace of God will be there to support you along the way. Every day of my life in the convent, I have relied on the words of encouragement that Jesus spoke to Father Alberione, which are written on the walls of all our chapels: Do not be afraid. I am with you.”
Sister Kathleen Thomas spoke about a specific challenge: “One hurdle can be talking to our parents about vocational discernment. Even for my own family it was not easy. Take it slow, be gentle with your family, and pray for the grace that they need along their journey.”
Lastly, the Sisters encouraged joy, courage, perseverance, and gratitude when discerning a vocation to religious life.
Sister Mary Augustine shared the importance of gratitude: “Sometimes I just wonder, why did God call me? Why me, out of all these people? Why is God so good to me? It is all his grace.”
Sister Lupe and Sister Peter both encouraged taking a step in the direction God is drawing you to. Sr Peter said simply, “Give God a chance!” And Sr Lupe added, “I think the best way to give yourself a chance to find out if it’s for you is by coming for in-person experiences. After that, all that matters is letting Jesus take over.”
Sister Kathleen Thomas mentioned that we have to keep listening day after day. “We just have to listen to God’s voice. And it’s every day, not just once in a lifetime!”
Finally, Sister Alice Marie, with a smile, shared these wise words: “Just keep smiling. God loves you!”
Prayer for the Grace to Follow Your Vocation
Your dream, O Jesus my Master, is to lay hold of me,
to change me with your divine life.
Your dream is to fill me with your charity,
to make me love the Father
and all my brothers and sisters just as you do.
Your dream is to bind me to you with the closest bonds,
to bind our hearts together as one.
Your dream is to make me strong,
to impart to me your divine power
so that I can overcome evil and be constant in doing good.
Your dream is to enflame me
with an untiring zeal to spread your kingdom in the world.
Your dream is to possess me
in this life and in the life to come.
O Master, may your dream come true.
May I be able to give all you ask of me. Amen.(From the writings of Blessed James Alberione)
