Holy Vocations

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity 2012 Spring Retreat

2012-01-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

You can visit their website here: http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/

Retreat Next Week in Phoenix

2012-01-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

In the past I have mentioned the need for donations to help finish the construction of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Arizona. Well, they are also home to a wonderful Ignatian Retreat House. I will be going on the silent 5 day retreat and gone from February 5th through the 11th. Please keep me in your prayers!

More information on the retreats through the retreat house are available here: Retreats through the SSPX.

Discernment Update: Eileen Lucia

2012-01-28T06:51:00.001-08:00

It's time....to move forward.

I began 2012 by reflecting on my plans. I have been asked when I was going go to a come and see retreat. I have been challenged by my spiritual director to move forward in the process. There is a part me that is frightened and yet motivated to follow the call.

The last two Sundays in Ordinary Time readings were about responding to the call and not wasting time. I did go to a Latin mass (the third Sunday of Epiphany, I think or it may be after Epiphany) after The Walk for Life West Coast and the readings were about healing and mercy.

Today is the feast day of a Dominican friar, St. Thomas Aquinas who wrote beautiful prayers and hymns such as Tantum Ergo Sacramentum. His love for the Real Presence was great. I am so thankful for the Eucharist...for the Lord Jesus Christ to call us to a deeper relationship with Him especially those women who are called to religious life.

January is finishing up. My guess the theme for this month is responding to God's call and do not be afraid. We heard how St. Paul after his conversion was called to preach to the Gentiles, we heard how many saints responded to God's call despite their flaws.

I ask that you pray for me as I move forward and my spiritual director is willing to help me.
I will be challenged by others for choosing a difficult path, a different vocation. Most would like me to stay same but when one hears the call of God and the focus is on Jesus then the worldly desires are fruitless and undelighful. The fruit of the Blessed Mother's womb is more satisfying. I will attend a come and see retreat before Lent. It's time.

Video Tour of Denton, Nebraska's FSSP Seminary

2012-01-27T07:53:00.001-08:00

Benedictine Monk from the Abbey at Le Barroux reflect on Conversion of Life

2012-01-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

A Benedictine Monk from the Abbey at Le Barroux ,France (linked to from our sidebar) reflects on the general 3 traditional Religious Vows associated within Benedictine 'Conservatio Morum' (Conversion of Life). This is speaking of common Religious vows, that the Benedictines themselves vow: Conversion of Life, Stability and Obedience.

Mother Mary Emmanuel of the Dominican Nuns of Avrille, France

2011-12-23T16:01:00.000-08:00

Have you any advice for a young woman old enough to ask about a vocation?

Our Lord answers her in the Gospel: “Come and see.”

Each soul has her own story; each soul has her own graces and wounds, each soul is a world of her own. Vocations are not commodities to be traded. We must consider the question soul by soul.

There are young women who come to us with a desire to be called or persuaded that they are called, but we do not discern this call or that the necessary aptitudes are lacking. Instead, we encourage them to turn toward other communities or to get married, if such is the Divine Will. These souls belong to God. All who leave are tranquil about it because they see that we seek the will of God with them and for them.

When God calls, He provides everything one needs to follow Him. The call can be very discreet, deep in the soul. This is why one must pray. God will sooner or later shed light on the situation if one is responsive to His first advances.

Regarding our cloistered life, one must have a certain thirst for God, a need for silence and prayer and the grace to understand that behind the apparent inactivity is hidden, in pure faith, an inexhaustible richness of life. In a more active life, that soul would wilt and waste away; she would not give all that she could give. It would seem to steal God from her.

If God is God, then it is very fitting that He predestines some of His creatures to occupy themselves only with Him in the name of all mankind. It is similar to the angelic hierarchies, where certain ranks are turned only towards the Thrice Holy God.

These young women know upon entering the cloister that they must sacrifice their natural instinct to be a mother?

Who is more of a mother than a consecrated virgin? In uniting herself to God, she births souls for Him for all eternity.

Click to read more and see the source.

Priests Can Alone Forgive Sins

2011-12-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI: "Christ has chosen us, dear priests, to be the only ones who can forgive sins in his name: Therefore, it is a specific ecclesial service to which we must give priority."

Is God calling you?

Frustrated but Hopeful

2011-11-08T14:02:00.001-08:00

I wondered about the possibility of visiting a prospective religious community but like some discerners, I am searching for jobs and finding ways to get by in a tough economy. Thankfully there is the Laboure Society, an organization that helps those who desire to enter religious life. I beg you to pray for those who are working to get rid of their student loan debt. Although, I have not been formally accepted to any religious community, I am finding ways to fundraiser such as making rosaries and chaplets. I desire to live a life of poverty so that means no more Starbucks.
The desire to become a sister is great. God willing, I will be visiting the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows next month. I looked at many communities in the past. Most of the communities were not following the Magisterium of the Church or they mentioned that wearing habits are optional. Optional?

Most of the communities accept single, unmarried women under the age of 30 or 35. I will be 34 next month. I can only find a few good active communities in the West Coast...for those who are much older.

But I am hopeful that God will provided for my needs. I am hopeful that God will let me know when to enter. I will wait patiently.

The Dominican Sisters of Wanganui, New Zealand

2011-10-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

In relatively recent news, the Dominican Sisters of Wanganui are pleased to announce that their community continues to expand and that the Lord blesses them with new vocations. In the above photos, two sisters leave their black veils for white ones as part of their profession ceremony. We offer our prayers for their continued growth in serving our Lord through prayer and teaching.

Please read their bulletin for news and information on joining their community. Below is the advice of their Mother Prioress.

In the meantime we continue to work and pray for Holy Mother Church and eagerly await and pray for a great harvest of vocations to work in the Lord’s vine-yard. My advice to young woman (and men) wondering what to do with their lives: Give your life to God! Give love for love and your reward will be very great in Heaven and your joy on earth a foretaste of what is to come, a joy which can only be experienced by those who are willing to sacrifice it. Come and taste and see how sweet the Lord is!

Finding a community

2011-09-18T16:44:00.001-07:00

Greetings fellow discerners!

I want to share with you my journey of finding a good community.

When I became Catholic in 2004, I thought that all sisters were the same. What I noticed was that I was disturbed by a few of the communities that didn't wear the full habit. Most of the sisters were involved in social justice activities.

Although social justice is very important in the Church, I am not called to this ministry. I believe I am called to educate others in adult faith formation programs. I would also like to teach English as well.

With that in mind, I must say that I receive suggestions of religious communities. However, I wish people would stop giving me suggestions and offer me prayer support. I have a spiritual director who challenges me to live the Gospel daily. He told me that many saints refused to please men. Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila is about having an authentic experience with the Lord provided that one does fall into pride...pleasing others to get attention.

I ask for your prayers that God would change my heart. I realize that sometimes I want attention from others because I am discerning a call. I don't want to please the world. I desire to please God alone.

I will be visiting a community in October. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in Oregon are traditional and they follow the Magisterium. The superior general, vocation directress, and a postulant will be on a Catholic radio station in Portland. Go to www.kbvm.fm for more details.

Pax et bonum!

The Redemptorists: Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Upcoming Chicago Vocations Event

2011-09-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Grace and Peace to you in Christ Jesus the Lord.

I hope and pray that all is well with you. I am writing to let you know about an up-and-coming event we are having in Chicago. It is a discernment weekend experience. During this retreat, we will also be attending the Perpetual Vows ceremony of one of our Theologians, Frater Ted Dorcey, C.Ss.R. It should be a very good weekend.

In the Redeemer,
Bro. Larry

--
Laurence J. Luján Angel, C.Ss.R.
Vocation Director

For the Feast Days of Sts. Monica and Augustine: Augustinian Life Lived

2011-08-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

There is a Christian hymn that goes, “There is a balm in Gilead, a balm that sets me free..." This popular song reflects the desire of many people’s hearts to be healed by Jesus Christ. As St. Augustine of Hippo reminds us in his Confessions, our hearts are restless until they rest in God.

St. Augustine of Hippo, a fourth century bishop, monk, and theologian, left the Western world his writings on God and on the moral life, as well as a guideline or Rule for women and men religious on how to live together in Christ. We Sisters of Rita, an Augustinian community remember him best for his Rule and his example of a good and virtuous life. His holy life, however, came after a long search and struggle. And much of the success in finding the God of his fathers and mothers was through the effort and prayers of his mother, St. Monica.

Continue here: http://www.sistersofstrita.org/

Help Support a Chapel in Honor of our Lady of Sorrows

2011-07-31T13:07:00.001-07:00

Our Lady of Sorrows was established in 1980 when a small group of traditionalists purchased the current church site from a Protestant denomination. Over the years, Sunday attendance has steadily grown to an average of 550 faithful.

The property is 10.8 acres. It is primarily comprised of the current Protestant-designed church, a growing K-12 Catholic school for 75 students, and a 34-room retreat house.

Retreatants come from across North America to attend one or more of fourteen retreats each year. Phoenix also annually hosts one of the two priests' retreats. More than 35 priests and usually a bishop are in attendance.

The site also has a priory, other living quarters, a large athletic field, and an orange grove.

Four priests reside at Our Lady of Sorrows. They serve the parish as well as nearby missions.

With fundraising nearing the end, I would like to promote this initiative so that a chapel may be built in honor of our Lady under the title, Our Lady of Sorrows. Please visit the site to help them in this noble cause.

Introductions: Eileen Bellamy

2011-07-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings and salutations!

I converted to the Catholic faith in 2004 after being a Baptist for quite sometime. The thought of being a religious sister popped into my mind before I became Catholic. I wanted to do something exciting for the Lord and share my faith with others.

Since I come from a Protestant background, my blood relatives' thoughts on my Catholic practices are mixed. Some of my relatives don't like organized religion while others believe in Sola Scriptura (Scripture only). At this time due to other personal issues, I haven't told them that I wanted to be a sister. God will tell me when it is the right time to do it.

I am currently in contact with a Franciscan community in Oregon. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows could be a good match for me, but I won't know until I meet them in person. That opportunity will happen in October for a come and see retreat. I am looking forward to it!

My home parish (over 7000 parishioners) is like a second family to me....a huge and diverse Catholic family! Staffed by Dominican friars and lay faithful, this place is where I get my faith/spiritual formation and training. Although I am still a lay person involved in a couple of ministries, I do have struggles now and then. I have been learning about my identity as a daughter of God with unique gifts and talents. I decided in order to use my gift of writing by contributing to this blog. I believe that this blog is a great avenue for those discerning, spiritual directors, vocation directors, and those in formation. It is good to share information with others and that is what we are called to do. Talents and gifts are not to be kept in a vacuum. God asks us to share stories and our gifts (charisms) with one another. Thanks be to God that my home parish is doing that!

Keep me posted on your experiences and I will definitely share with you of my experiences and findings as well.

Pax et bonum!

I am His Bride Now

2011-07-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

The below reflection is from one of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, in Justice, IL, who was recently professed in her community along with another sister. Her spontaneous affection for Christ is refreshing. It was a beautiful ceremony.

In the ordinary silence of the convent life, an excitement began to reverberate through the hallways as family and friends from near and far traveled to witness the wedding day of two new brides of Christ. After an early morning of silence, prayer and reflection with the Lord Jesus and with our community, we dressed in our brand new bridal gowns—the black and white Dominican habit. Mother Provincial came to our quarters to adorn our heads with a wreath of greens upon our white novice veils. She and Mother Mistress of Novices prayed a decade of the Rosary with us kneeling before our crucifix and gave us her blessing. Our Mother Superiors led us down the stairs and through the long corridor of the convent to a private room to greet our parents and receive their blessing before the Holy Mass of Profession.

With tears and excitement, our proud parents glowed as we all made our way to the chapel to begin Mass. Words cannot express the joy, intimacy and gratitude of the day I made my First Profession of Vows to the Lord Jesus. I am His bride now, and He is my faithful heavenly Husband. I am so grateful for the gift of my vocation, to the Lord Jesus Christ who called me. I live for Jesus, my most intimate friend, in the Holy Eucharist. May the grace of my First Profession continue to touch the hearts of all my loved ones who celebrated that special feast with me in presence and in spirit. I offer it up as a gift in service to Holy Mother Church and to the Order of Preachers. May Jesus Christ be praised!

(April 29, 2011)

Wow

2011-07-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

So God's been really busy in my life lately. Surprisingly not a lot has happened in regards to my vocation to religious life but He has been teaching me quite a lot about my present vocation to being a college student in love with God and loving the world. He has also been teaching me a lot about trust.

I am starting a new job, moving out, starting a new semester with a new teacher, new classmates, and new experiences with needing internships. All this has gotten me a little bit apprehensive about the fall.

I will be working at and living at a home for the dying. I have never worked in hospice or health care of any type so is a little bit scary for me. I'm also going to be starting a very intense year of school. It will be my last year before graduating, God willing, and is a very different experience then the first year classes. School is also going to be very time consuming as you need a lot of outside the classroom experience.

There's a lot of anticipation and apprehension but even in the midst of it I'm totally at peace. God has made it so clear that this is where He wants me. I'm not in any way expecting it to be easy but I do know that it will be amazing. His peace has flooded my heart. Even when I start thinking about all the "what if"s" and the "why me's" there is still an intense peace in my heart.

So like I said at the start of this post my "which convent?" search is kind of on hold right now and I'm focusing on trusting Him and being a student and employee but I am still head over heels in love with God and I know that's something that won't change.

That's been my life for the past few months. You are all in my prayers.

JMJDTF+

~Betsy

The Key to Discernment - Remember Who You Are

2011-07-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Note: The following post is an excerpt from Sister Marie Kolble's recent post on Discernment.

Discernment does not require me to project my life out into the future so as to figure out what I am “supposed to do”, though my future is definitely at stake. NOR does it suffice for me to plot out my future following the model of life that someone else has lived, however beautiful that model might seem, or however highly the Church might esteem that model. Even St. Francis understood this, for near the end of his life he declared to his brothers that he had done what was his to do, and that they were now to do what was theirs to do.

Rather, the task of discerning one’s vocation is that of remembering who we are . . . of being able to “read” that “word” which God spoke when he created us and re-created us in baptism. When we grow in discernment, we grow in our capacity to “read” within our lives the meaning that God intended when he “spoke” us in the first place.

The process of discerning one’s vocation, then is three-fold: first I must desire to know the meaning God has spoken in creating me; second I must pay attention to the facts of my life; third, I must pay attention to how the facts of my life make me feel and to my interior desire for what is good and beautiful. This entire process necessarily happens within the context of prayer and a life lived in the presence of Christ, THE WORD, who “reveals us to ourselves” and makes our calling clear!

Discovering one’s vocation, then, is not primarily about discovering where we will best fit in the Church and in the world, though it will surely lead us to that place. Nor is it primarily about deciding what we think we would like to do and then going for it, though if we follow the longing of our heart, we will certainly find ourselves doing that which we love. Discovering one’s vocation is the process of discovering or figuring out who it is that God created us to be from all eternity, of discovering what kind of loving word the Father wishes to speak to the world through us. When we let the Lord sing this word in us, we become powerful instruments within the Church and the world for bringing about God’s Kingdom.

First Priestly Blessings: 2011

2011-06-24T10:23:00.001-07:00

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek it while tasting life's woes.

When we come to this world we are sinful,
The greatest as well as the least.
And the hands that make us pure as angels
Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness
Their dignity stands alone.

For there in the stillness of morning
Ere the sun has emerged from the east,
There God rests between the pure fingers
Of the beautiful hands of a priest.

When we are tempted and wander
To pathways of shame and sin
'Tis the hand of a priest that absolve us.
Not once but again and again.

And when we are taking life's partner
Other hands may prepare us a feast
But the hands that will bless and unite us,
Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress,
What can a poor sinner do better
Than to ask Him who chose them to bless

When the death dews on our lids are falling,
May our courage and strength be increased
By seeing raised o'er us in blessing
The beautiful hands of a priest.

Source: SSPX Ordinations in June 2011

Prayer for Priests

2011-05-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep all Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may harm them. Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious priesthood. Let Thy holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they have ministered be here below their joy and consolation and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

Artist: Charles Bosseron Chambers (1882-1964)
Title: Alter Christus (Latin for 'Another Christ')

Life of Cistercian Nuns of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin

2011-04-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

The Cistercian Nuns of Prairie du Sac lead a cloistered life. This slideshow gives a glimpse of the daily life of these Wisconsin nuns. Photos by Sam Lucero

Upcoming: Life Awareness in Archdiocese of San Antonio

2011-04-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

When: Friday June 3 - Sunday June 5.

What: An series of events for single men and women from Ages 18-50. We will join with priests, religious men and women, seminarians, postulants, and our new Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller in prayer, fellowship, discussions, and meals.

Contact: To learn more about this particular opportunity, please contact Fr. Johnathan Felux, Vocations Director of the Archdiocese of San Antonio via email at jonathan.felux[at]archsa[dot]org or via telephone at (210) 735-0553

Live Franciscan Sisters Vocation Chat

2011-04-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the Live Franciscan Vocation Chat organized by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity!

Benedict XVI: Priesthood Is a Vocation, Not a Job

2011-03-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

The priesthood is not a profession, to be engaged in part-time, but a full-time and perpetual vocation, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope affirmed this on Thursday in a traditional meeting with priests of the Diocese of Rome held annually at the beginning of Lent, Vatican Radio reported.

"One is not a priest for part of the time; we are so with our whole soul, with our whole heart," he said.
The Pontiff added that "this being with Christ and being an ambassador of Christ, this being for others is a mission that penetrates our being and must penetrate ever more the totality of our being."

Service, he pointed out, requires a humility that is not an exhibition of "false modesty," but rather love for the will of God, for proclaiming without "creating the idea that Christianity is an immense package of things to learn."

The priest, in fact, "does not preach a Christianity a la carte, according to his own tastes, preaching a Gospel according to his own preferred ideas, according to his own theological ideas," the Pontiff said.

He continued, "He does not exempt himself from proclaiming the whole will of God, also the uncomfortable will, also topics that personally do not please him so much."

Source: Zenit

Unique First Communion Invitations

2011-02-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Unique First Communion Invitations

With the approaching springtime, many children will receive their First Holy Communion in the coming months. This is a joyous occasion for family, friends, and the church community. The First Communion is a monumental time in our lives, establishing our connection with Christ and the Church. To help facilitate your planning process, I am pleased to recommend Communion invitations from Storkie Express.

Storkie has been helping families for over 20 years with unique, custom-printed invitations and cards. They are committed to providing high quality stationery at affordable prices, and a fantastic customer experience. Storkie also has the best selection of First Communion announcements around, with over 400 different designs to choose from. I was super impressed with their turnaround time, most orders ship within 1-2 days; so whether you are getting an early start or are down to the last minute, you can easily get custom invites out quickly.

Here are a few of my favorite girl Communion invitations:

And here are a few of my favorite Communion invitations for boys:

In addition to a wonderful selection of invitations and announcements, Storkie also has the best selection of Communion thank you cards – so your son or daughter can thank guests for attending the First Communion ceremony or celebration of this special event. Perfect as general social stationery, personalized notecards are always nice to have and I’m sure your child will feel very special with their name printed on the cards.

Let me be the first to wish you and your family congratulations! On behalf of our entire community, we look forward to welcoming your child into the family of Christ.

Discern Your Vocation with the Benedictine Monks of Norcia, Italy (July 4 - 29)

2011-02-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

Click Image for Larger Print

Poor Clare Professes Living the Gospel in Poverty

2011-01-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

Solemn Profession of a Poor Clare Nun from St. Louis Review on Vimeo.

The sign of a woman’s true strength is not a measure of independence or success, but rather her persevering love.

Just ask Sister Mary Christiana of Our Eucharistic King, who recently made her final solemn profession as a member of the Poor Clare nuns.

A native of Ste. Genevieve, the 25-year-old made her final profession at a Mass Jan. 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, after six years of formation with the cloistered, contemplative Franciscan community of women religious located in South County, off Telegraph Road.

At that moment, Sister Mary Christiana left behind everything she had — including a culture that encourages women to be independent, successful individuals — and professed for the rest of her life the four vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and enclosure, so that she might live the Gospel in entire poverty, just as Christ did. It was exactly as St Clare did when she founded the community almost 800 years ago in Assisi, Italy.

Born Camille Marie Schwent, the 2004 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School, began considering a religious vocation in high school, after her mom became involved as a youth minister through their parish, St. Agnes in Bloomsdale, and began taking her daughter to various activities.

Continue Reading...

Celebrating Sunday: Vocations - Cardinal Rigali

2011-01-09T17:13:00.001-08:00

Midnight Mass at the Benedictine Monastery of Norcia

2011-01-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

Holy Vocations has written previously on this community and has listed them in our sidebar list on links to religious congregations for men. Take a minute and watch this video and contemplate the silence and tranquility of the religious life. Take a few minutes to pray for vocations and, if you think you are called to the religious life, continue to pray for the Lord's will to be done.

Diaconal Ordinations for the Apostolic Administration

2011-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

The Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney was established on 18 January 2002 by Pope John Paul II for the traditionalist clergy and laity within the Catholic Diocese of Campos, Brazil, who had followed their beloved Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer in opposition to modernism within the Church. It is the only Personal Apostolic Administration in the Church at present. The current Apostolic Administrator is Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan.

On 14th November last, Bishop Rifan ordained two new Deacons, the Reverend Deacon Renan Menezes and the Reverend Deacon Bruce Júdice, for the Apostolic Administration.

Under Construction

2011-01-04T21:49:00.000-08:00

The blog is currently undergoing some much-needed updates. These updates should be completed by the end of this week. Your feedback on the improvements as they take place is much appreciated. Please leave your remarks in the comment box below.

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

2011-01-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles are a traditional monastic community, in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The sisters recently moved to their new priory located just north of Kansas City. Above is an image of the new altar via Kansas Catholic.

Prayers for Vocations

2010-12-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

Prayer for Vocations:

O Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, To You We Commend our Young People, In Particular Those Called to Closely Follow Your Son. You Know the difficulties, the Struggles, the Obstacles They Must Face. Assist Them to Answer "YES!" to the Divine Call, As You Did at the Invitation of the Angel. Draw them near to your heart So that They Can Understand the Beauty and the Joy that Awaits Them When the Lord Jesus Calls Them Into His Intimacy, To Be Witness of His Love in the World.

Prayer for Priestly Vocations:

O Lord, God of power and majesty, you said that the harvest is great but the laborers are few. Send forth, we beseech thee, laborers into your vineyard to forgive sins, celebrate the Eucharist, baptize, and above all make us a people worthy of thee. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Parent's Prayer for Vocations:

Dear Heavenly Father, You Have Blessed Us With Children. We Sometimes Forget that They are Not Ours, But Yours, And that You Have Asked Us to Bring Them Up in Your Ways. 0 Gracious and Loving God, We Pray that Our Children Will Discover And Respond Enthusiastically To Your Desire for Them Whether It Be to the Vocation of Consecrated Religious or Single, Sacramental Marriage, or Ordained Life. Please Help Our Children To Have Open Hearts and Minds to Your Call. Help Us to Support and Encourage Our Children To Seek Your will in Choosing a Vocation. We Offer this Prayer in the Name of Jesus through the Power and Grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Guest Post: "Why Be Just a Brother" by Br. Pat Douglas, SJ

2010-12-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Note: We are very pleased to have these words of Br. Pat Douglas, SJ. He is a member of the St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, South Dakota. St. Francis is a ministry of the of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) among the 20,000 Lakota people on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in south-central South Dakota. The Mission is a not for profit organization founding in 1886, whose mission is to serve the spiritual, educational, and physical needs of Lakota Catholics and those who are un- churched on the reservation.

We have many programs ongoing at the mission – schools, recovery, religious education, a radio station and a museum.

“Why would you just be a Brother?” This is the most common response I get when people learn about my vocation. This comment hurts to hear because “just” denotes some kind of lesser than or lacking. This question however seems to reflect many people’s thoughts on vocation in the Catholic faith. There seems to be a mentality that if one wants to serve God it can only be done through the Priesthood. One’s vocation does not denote his/her service to God but one’s desire does. For if I feel called to serve God and I accept that call, the importance lies in the accepting, not in the vocation. The vocation in which I am called to is how I serve God, and can be done as married, lay, religious etc. If God is the focus of one’s life it can never be a “just” or lacking in any way.

As I prayed and thought about this desire to serve God, I found myself called to a vowed life, though not through marriage. I began speaking with the Jesuits and going on discernment retreats. It was through this I felt confirmed in my desire to serve God, and realized it would be as a Jesuit.

I am often asked why not a Jesuit Priest, why a Brother? It is hard to put into words because it is difficult to articulate movements in one’s heart. It is similar to why I do not serve God through the married vocation, it simply is not in me. Most people will respond, “How do you know?” I guess one never fully knows and that is where faith comes in, but I do know what makes my heart happy and my soul sing and that is being a Brother. As a Brother I serve God in my prayer, work and in community life. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience free me to help make this happen. Though a priest or a married man might have some things in common with a Brother, they also have priorities specific to their vocation, such as sacramental ministry or children. Without this additional priority the Brother is free to focus all his energy on his prayer, work and community life.

The decision for me to become a Brother came to me later in life. I was in my late 20's and had been working as a social worker with at risk youth and violent perpetrators. It was work I loved and felt God had given me skills and grace to do it, however, I had to keep God separate from my work. As a Jesuit Brother I am able to bring my love of God into my work, and dedicate all my work to God. In addition I have been encouraged to get more education in counseling to use those skills to serve God's people. Currently I am on the Rosebud reservation counseling and mentoring young men who are incarcerated, and I am able to do this fully as a Jesuit Brother and as a counselor. The work can be difficult at times, and this is where my devotion to prayer and being in community with other Jesuits helps to sustain me.

To be a Brother is like any vocation, it is a way to serve God. The Jesuit Brother takes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and serves God in prayer, work and community life. Similar to other vocations it comes equipped with joys and struggles specific to this way of life and is a way some are called to serve God. For me, serving God as a Jesuit Brother provides me with a life in which I can live a simple, prayer centered life with others who can support and challenge me in this way of living for God. I also feel I can use the talents God has given me in my work to glorify God and serve God’s people.

Br. Pat Douglas, SJ

Pope Benedict XVI: God's Word Guides Vocations

2010-11-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

Recent words from the Holy Father:

Speaking of ordained ministers, he noted that "bishops, priests, and deacons can hardly think that they are living out their vocation and mission apart from a decisive and renewed commitment to sanctification, one of whose pillars is contact with God's word."

The priest "needs to approach the word with a docile and prayerful heart so that it may deeply penetrate his thoughts and feelings and bring about a new outlook in him," Benedict XVI stated.

Speaking to permanent deacons, he recommended that they "nourish their lives by the faith-filled reading of sacred Scripture, accompanied by study and prayer."

The Pope next noted that "those aspiring to the ministerial priesthood are called to a profound personal relationship with God's word, particularly in lectio divina, so that this relationship will in turn nurture their vocation."

He added that "it is in the light and strength of God's word that one's specific vocation can be discerned and appreciated, loved and followed, and one's proper mission carried out, by nourishing the heart with thoughts of God, so that faith, as our response to the word, may become a new criterion for judging and evaluating persons and things, events and issues."

"Great care should be taken to ensure that seminarians always cultivate this reciprocity between study and prayer in their lives," the Pontiff said.

Consecrated life

Addressing some words to those in the consecrated life, the Holy Father noted that "both old and new expressions of special consecration are called to be genuine schools of the spiritual life, where the Scriptures can be read according to the Holy Spirit in the Church, for the benefit of the entire People of God."

He affirmed that contemplative men and women in particular, "by their lives of prayer, attentive hearing and meditation on God's Word, remind us that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Benedict XVI spoke next of the lay faithful, "who live out their specific vocation to holiness by a life in the Spirit expressed in a particular way by their engagement in temporal matters and by their participation in earthly activities."

Source: Zenit

Who are you called to be?

2010-09-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity invite you to a Vocation Discernment Retreat

to spend time allowing Jesus to love you
to be strengthened by our Sisters' prayers for you
to meet other young women also searching for God's will in their lives.

November 12-14 at Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc WI

For Young Adult Catholic Single Women age 18-30

Time for communal and personal prayer, the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, bonfire, hikes, music outreach, time with the Sisters, also an opportunity for new friendships with other discerning young women.

Visit www.fscc-calledtobe.org for more information

“Direct your attention and affection with your whole being to the one thing you are asking of the Lord, so that you are not so much praying as becoming yourself a prayer”( St. Francis of Assisi, according to Thomas of Celano)

Review: Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life

2010-09-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

JMJ

Review: Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life

“The affairs of God are accomplished little by little and almost imperceptibly. The spirit of God is neither violent nor hasty.” –St. Vincent de Paul

Deacon Steve Lumbert and Karina Lumbert Fabian’s, a father and daughters’ co-authored book; Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life, aptly opens with the above quote of St. Vincent de Paul. The quote poignantly summarizes the aim of the book, in recognizing God’s hands in the “little things,” and in our daily lives, as this is most normally how we experience God.

The authors share their personal journeys, and everyday experiences in the deepening of their faith. Yet rather than be mundane, or routine, as other books or testimonials, it is a fresh and candid recount of their treasury of graces, and the many signs and blessings God bestows upon us throughout life. With a smart intertwining of meditations, quotes, and sections from the Catechism strategically placed before each entry, it serves as an impetus for the individual to search deeper, while remaining at a level that all may comprehend without being vacuous.

The writing style of Karina and Deacon Steve’s personal reflections compliments their message, as it sheds light upon the hand of God in their lives, making the experiences personal to the reader. It is most certainly an exposition readily identified with by the reader, in its juxtaposition of life, humor, and grace.

In our culture today and its suppression of the idea of God, many people, if they choose to believe, tend to search for God in extremes. This is one of the major detriments to a quest for God, in that it is taught that God is to be found in great and mystical occurrences, and unexplained phenomena, which indeed at times He is. However, what differentiates Christianity from other faiths is precisely that God is transcendent, that He is a part of our everyday lives, that He loves us and desires to be united to us, so much so, that He became one of us, and so touched our humanity and every aspect of it, forever. “The Lord was not in the earthquake…and after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a still small voice (1 Kings 9:12).” Deacon Steve and his daughter Karina, wonderfully illustrate this in their book.

The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

2010-09-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem were founded in 2002. They are a beautiful order dedicated to the Extraordinary form of the mass, and are currently in-residence at St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, CA. Never have I attended an Extraordinary form of the mass as beautiful as the way the Canons carry-out the liturgy. They stick to what the Church teaches, and by all its rubrics, and promote the participation of the faithful as appropriate, and as it was intended. One can attend mass said by the Canons on Sundays at 7:00am, at the John Paul II Cultural center in Yorba Linda, CA. It is completely worth the early rising.

NEW FSSP Vocations Video

2010-08-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

A Priestly Vocation ~ Life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary from Father Joseph Lee, FSSP on Vimeo.

DENTON, Nebraska – 27 August 2010 – The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is pleased to announce the completion of a 28 minute DVD entitled “To God Who Giveth Joy To My Youth.”

The title, taken from the opening words of Mass in the Extraordinary Form, embodies the essential goal of priestly formation in the Fraternity of Saint Peter. This new video explores in particular the work of priestly formation in the Fraternity's English-speaking seminary in Denton, Nebraska.

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter presents through this DVD an introduction helpful for generous young men discerning a priestly vocation. At the same time, the film will provide everyone with a thorough portrait of daily life at the seminary.

In the Church, the members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter have the fundamental charism of sanctifying themselves through the faithful celebration of Holy Mass and the Sacraments in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. At the same time, they offer to souls the fruits of the graces of their vocation by making the liturgy in the Extraordinary Form available to all Catholics. Throughout the seminary's intensive seven year program, each of the various elements and stages of formation has as its purpose the formation of priests whose union with God is pursued through the traditional liturgy

Viewers are invited to see how the Fraternity seminary, drawing on the Church's rich tradition of priestly formation, forms zealous priests through the study of Thomistic philosophy and theology, Latin, Gregorian Chant and also through the elements of community life including spiritual direction, manual labor and recreation.

Discover how one seminary receives a man and prepares him for his transformation into an Alter Christus, “Another Christ” for the glory of God and needs of souls.

Media Contact
Father Joseph Lee, FSSP
Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
7880 West Denton Road
Denton, Nebraska 68339
phone (402) 570-2707
emailjlee[at]gmail.com

Traditional Catholic Religious Orders

2010-08-27T14:05:00.001-07:00

Holy Vocations links to many of these communities in our sidebar. If you wish more information on any of these in particular, please post a comment below and we can put you in contact with the order that you wish to contact.

Video: Final Profession of Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R

2010-08-27T09:15:00.001-07:00

Institute of the Angelus

2010-08-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

From the Traditional Vocations Blog...

Having informed readers of the foundation of the Little Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the sister congregation of the Institute of the Good Shepherd, and also the first reception of the veil, we have the greatest pleasure in informing you of another excellent initiative of the Institute of the Good Shepherd, a congregation of brothers, the Institute of the Angelus, as an house of formation for brothers ad experimentum under the moderation of M. l'Abbé Regis Spinoza.

We have added a link to the Institute of the Angelus to the sidebar.

Ordinations of Four Monks of Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz

2010-08-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

This video features the recent ordinations of four monks of the Austrian Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz to the deaconate.

Institute of the Good Shepherd, July 2010 Ordinations

2010-08-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Institute of the Good Shepherd have some photos from recent ordinations in Courtalain (France) which occurred this month. A full photo gallery is available at the website of their seminary, the Seminaire Saint Vincent de Paul.

Via Traditional Vocations Blog

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Seek New Community in Darlington, England

2010-08-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Joseph Shaw at the LMS Chairman's blog has news from the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate. They are appealing for benefactors to help them start a new community in Darlington. If you have the funds, you could own a beautiful building and do a good work for the Lord in letting the Sisters use it for its proper purpose. The photo above is of the sisters at Lanhearne and is from Joseph Shaw's flickr set. Here is the information from Lanhearne:

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, Lanherne Cornwall

DARLINGTON CARMEL (one of the very early Carmels to be established in England [1830]) is up for sale. The very few remaining sisters are soon to move out. At Lanherne we have known about this for several months and we have been to visit the establishment. Wonderful for our needs! The Sisters are not going to leave Lanherne, in fact another house is needed as a new foundation. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate have a goodly number of vocations; especially sisters who at the moment belong to the “active” branch who have a vocation to the contemplative life. So another contemplative house is needed. There is a major problem. Yes, you’ve got it! The FSI have no money and the Carmelites at Darlington require one and half million pounds. If you know Darlington and the Carmel then you will be surprised that it’s going for only £1,500,000. It’s large and fine, in good order and a Grade 2 listed building.

So we are looking for a benefactor. Franciscans cannot own property and therefore a possible benefactor would continue to own the Carmel and would let the FSI use it – or a trust could be set up. It is possible that with a serious bit of thinking other activities may be considered - retreats etc. ALL is possible. May I remind you that the FSI use ONLY the 1962 liturgical books. A centre for traditional Catholics in the north of England would be a great help to many people.

Please pray that a benefactor or a group of benefactors may be found.

Please contact me and let me know your thoughts.

Father Joseph M Taylor
Lanherne Convent
St Mawgan
Newquay
Cornwall
TR8 4ER

Via The Hermeneutic of Continuity; Traditional Vocations Blog

Video from the Abbey of Fontgombault

2010-08-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a new video from the Abbey of Fontgombault located in France. A link to this community should be available in the sidebar under the list of men's religious links.

What is a Franciscan Life of Consecration

2010-08-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have a new post on their blog entitled "What is a Franciscan Life of Consecration". Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Pascalita Velasquez, OSF reflects on her life and the beginning of her call to enter the convent. Read the post!

Vocational Update: Betsy Joy

2010-08-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

God spoke very clearly to me through a conversation with a friend that I've been focusing way to much on my vocation to religious life and not enough on Him and my vocation to being an eighteen year old. This is something that is very hard for me to do because being the youngest of seven I've spent a lot of time trying to grow up quickly and now I'm having a hard time knowing how to let go and let God. There have been so many things in the past day that have given me encouragement and I thought I would share some of them in hopes that if anyone else is struggling with this these will help you as much as they helped me.

"It's often when we don't think about it, He comes out of no where to give us a hint

"When you reach the top, keep climbing. Little by little one walks far. The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."

"Whatever did not fit in with my plan did lie within the plan of God. I have an ever deeper and firmer belief that nothing is merely an accident when seen in the light of God that my whole life down to the smallest details has been marked out for me in the plan of Divine Providence and has a completely coherent meaning in God's all-seeing eyes. And so I am beginning to rejoice in the light of glory wherein this meaning will be unveiled to me." ~Saint Teresa Benedicta

"Like a newborn baby, don't be afraid to crawl. Remember when you walk sometimes you fall. So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus and live. Sometimes the way is lonely and steep and filled with pain. So if your sky is dark and pours the rain cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live. When the love spills over and music fills the night and when you can't contain your joy inside dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus and live."

"Your vocation right now is to be a student and daughter. Our Lord will continue to lead you where He Wills!"

"Don't worry yourself ... there are no vacations from our present vocations ... and being "where you are" in life as a student is exactly where you belong! :) ♥"

"All is well. What could you not accept, if you but knew that everything that happens, all events, past, present, and to come, are gently planned by One Whose only purpose is your good?"

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."~Jer. 29:11

There have been many more kind words and prayers being said for me. I know that with God and my friends to keep on encouraging me and lifting me up I will get through this. God bless you all.

JMJ
~Betsy
Totus tuus Maria! Let's see what the good God wills.

Pope Benedict XVI Urges Congregation of St. Annibale Maria di Francia to keep the Spirit of Prayer for Vocations

2010-07-09T04:32:00.000-07:00

VATICAN CITY, JULY 8, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is urging the congregation founded by St. Annibale Maria di Francia to keep his spirit of prayer for vocations.

The Pope made this appeal in a message sent to the 11th General Chapter of the Rogationist Fathers, which began Monday in Rome.

St. Annibale (1851-1927) was a Sicilian priest convinced of the need to "ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest," as the Gospel recommends.

Wednesday, the Holy Father blessed a statue of the saint, which was unveiled in one of the exterior niches of St. Peter's.

In his message to St. Annibale's spiritual sons, the Pontiff noted how the saint "loved Christ intensely, and was always inspired by him in carrying out a prudent vocational apostolate as well as courageous work in favor of his needy neighbors."

"Follow his example," the Pope told the religious, "and joyfully continue his mission, still valid today, even though the social conditions in which we live have changed. In particular, spread ever more the spirit of prayer and of solicitude for all vocations in the Church; be eager laborers for the coming of the Kingdom of God, dedicating yourselves with every energy to evangelization and human development."

Benedict XVI noted the congregation's apostolate, directed to the "vast horizons of evangelization and the urgent need to witness the evangelical message to all, without distinction."

"Such an urgent mission requires incessant personal and community conversion," he said. "Only hearts totally open to the action of grace are able to interpret the signs of the times and to receive the appeals of humanity in need of hope and peace."

The Pope invoked Mary as "queen of vocations and mother of priests" to protect and help the Rogationist Fathers, praying she will be the "sure guide on the path of your religious family."

Update

2010-07-08T07:36:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything here. I've had my right hand in a splint for a month which made it rather hard to type.

I'm going to be going to the community college in the fall to pursue a sign language certificate. I am still very seriously discerning with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and have also started discerning with the cloistered Dominican Nunsin Farmington Hills as well.

I'm also hoping to go visit the Franciscan Dominican Sister Servants of the Eternal Wordin February for a silent retreat/discernment visit.

Right now I'm trying to focus on my vocation to being a student. It's hard sometimes because I really want to be thinking about my vocation to religious life but I can tell that sometimes it draws my focus from living in the here and now and keeps me from being content with my current vocation.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let's see what the good God wills.

June 2010 Retreat: Dominican Monastery of St. Jude in Marbury, Alabama

2010-05-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

What: Vocation Retreat
When: June 14 - 16, 2010
Who: Young women age 17 - 28 who are drawn by Christ to give themselves totally to Him for the salvation of Souls
Where: Dominican Monastery of St. Jude in Marbury, Alabama
To register contact:

Vocation Directress
Dominican Monastery of St. Jude
P. O. Box 170,
143 County Rd. 20 E.
Marbury, Alabama 36051
stjudemonastery@aol.com
http://www.stjudemonastery.org/

Please click the above image for a larger display of the ad. We here at Holy Vocations pray for the success of this retreat.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity May 2010 Retreat

2010-04-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

''... If you want to have the love [amorem] of the Son and of the Father and of the Gift, the Holy Spirit, dispose yourself to grace.''
(St. Bonaventure, ''Conferences on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit'')

Open your heart to the presence of the Holy Spirit through this Franciscan Pentecost Discernment Retreat!

Join the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity with other young women to discover the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the lives of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Bonaventure, through water, fire and wind. The retreat will provide time for personal and communal prayer, the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, a pilgirmage, music outreach, hiking, creating, listening, and sharing.

Registration is required:
http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/religious-vocations/register.asp

Contact:

Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, OSF
920-682-7728 920-682-7728
smaryannsp@fscc-calledtobe.org

Start Time: Friday, 21 May 2010 at 19:00
End Time: Sunday, 23 May 2010 at 12:30

Location:

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity
2409 S. Alverno Rd.
Manitowoc, WI 54220

Retreat with Carmelite Sister of the Divine Heart of Jesus

2010-04-24T04:06:00.001-07:00

RETREATS

COME AND SEE RETREATStarts Friday, May 7 at 5pm and ends Sunday May 9 at 1pm

Provincial Mother House
1230 Kavanaugh Place
Wauwatosa, WI 53123
For more information please conrtact Sister Maria Immaculata at 414.453.4040
Bring you rosary, bible, a skirt for Sunday Mass (and all days if possible),
and your open disposition to the Holy Spirit,

http://www.carmelitedcjnorth.org/pages_events/retreats.html

Angel of Joy:Introduction

2010-04-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

I am a young women preparing to return Religious life sometime this year. I have joined this blog in order to hopefully inspire or help others know that God loves them very much and that everyone has a vocation in life. I hope to get support also from the blog by way of prayers for my vocation and the Grace of Final Perseverance and in return I pray for each of you. God Bless You all.

Angel of Joy

8 Men to be Ordained in a Solemn Pontifical Mass for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate

2010-03-22T20:12:00.001-07:00

Announcements

Rinascimento Sacro has announced that, at 10:00 A.M. on March 25, 2010, H.E. Franc Cardinal Rode will offer Solemn Pontifical Mass and ordain 8 new priests for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, in the Chiesa di Ognissanti in Florence.

The same website also reports that, on the occasion of a pilgrimage of traditionalist faithful to the Shroud of Turin, H.E. Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the Traditional Missal on May 22, 2010, at 11:00 A.M., in the Chiesa della Misericordia in Turin.

Pope Benedict XVI's 5th Anniversary of Pontificate

2010-03-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we have done for the past couple of years, the members of our blog will be offering a spiritual bouquet for our Holy Father in honor of his 5th year of Pontificate. If you would like to participate, please e-mail me your name, age, city and or country you are from, and whatever spiritual offering you are making for Our Holy Father, i.e., a novena of rosaries, etc. Please send all information in by April 9, 2010. Thank you so much and God bless you.

-Sequoia

Sequoia.E.Sierra@gmail.com

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2010

2010-03-15T18:03:00.001-07:00

Retrace the footsteps of Jesus on pilgrimage with other young professionals (20s & 30s) this August.

August 8-17, 2010

$2,675 per person (Land & Air package) from Boston/New York (Add-on cities also available)
$1,075 per person Land Only

Webpage: http://www.pilgrimages.com/frcollins/
Contact: mwholley@gmail.com to express any preliminary interest ASAP (by April 1).

Pilgrimage Captain: Meredith Wholley, ND ‘07, BC Law ’10
Chaplain: Fr. Christopher Collins, SJ, UST '93, Boston College doctoral candidate.

Chaplain BIO: Fr. Collins was born in Phoenix, the youngest of six kids. He graduated from the University of St Thomas in St Paul, MN in 1993 and taught high school for two years in Winona, MN before he entered the Society of Jesus in 1995. He is currently working on a doctorate in systematic theology at Boston College and he intends to write his dissertation on the Christology of Joseph Ratzinger.

Trip includes:

Roundtrip air from New York, Boston or add-on city; Airline Fuel Surcharges; Accommodations (1 night Tel Aviv, 2 nights Nazareth, 5 nights Jerusalem); Breakfast and dinner daily; Escorted throughout; Transport by deluxe motorcoach; Guiding and entrance fees as per itinerary; Sightseeing as per itinerary; Mass daily; Luggage handling (1 piece per person); Flight bag and portfolio of all travel documents. See website and/or email for details.

Poor Clares Vocation Day: April 24, 2010

2010-02-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

What: Poor Clares "Come and See" Vocation Day
When: Saturday, April 24, 2010 beginning with Mass at 10:00 AM - Vespers and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 4:00 PM
Who: Young women interested in learning about contemplative, cloistered life

To register contact:

Mother Therese
thereseonthemountain@gmail.com
757-566-1684

View the Flyer! Tell Your Friends about this event!

Discernment Retreat

2010-02-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

I went on the discernment retreat this past weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I posted a more detailed account of my weekend at my blog: lrthunder.blogspot.com. Needless to say, while I'm not ready to officially apply for seminary, neither has my discernment ended.

Pray for me as I continue my discernment.

Ever Onward.

2010-01-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

So I know that I said I was going to be taking a break but I just really felt the need to post on here again tonight. I was talking to one of my friend earlier about how no matter how hard I try to not think about it it just won't leave me alone. I know that I'm not supposed to be thinking about it to much right now but at the same time it's a part of me and who I am and that's never going to go away. She told me that maybe this thought that I had was God telling me that it's okay to think about it a little bit more now. So I decided that I was going to post on here. So here goes.

So lately I've been dealing with a lot of drama in my life and on Sunday during Mass it all hit me at once. I'm dealing with a friendship struggle that has been going on all year but has really come to a head in the past week. I'm also still struggling hugely with my vocation and now on top of it I'm starting to freak out a little bit about NET because I honestly have no plan B if NET doesn't happen. That really scares me because I've always been a planner and a list maker and now I don't have a back up plan and don't have a list at all. Then on top of all of this I'm sick and my mother is out of town so I'm trying to be the mother and the teacher and the student and I'm taking a class at the community college which is totally overwhelming. So yeah, I've been dealing with a whole lot and on top of it I had a thought pop into my head and not leave in regards to my discernment that I really don't know how to deal with right now. I'm not quite comfortable sharing it as of yet but it's huge and it's really freaking me out a lot.

So I wrote this poem type thing about twenty minutes ago and it pretty much says it all.

All around me is darkness, I have no idea where I should be going, yet I can't stop walking.

Walking, walking, always walking yet never being able to see where this path is leading.

I just keep walking in the darkness and the fog. No light to see the path yet on and on I go.

Darkness is all around me and I cannot see anything yet something is drawing me on, on, ever onward.

What is this that draws me ever on? What is the sense of light though all is darkness? Where is this peace coming from when all is chaos?

Even in the midst of darkness, wondering and fear there is light, clarity and peace.

Where does it come from? It can only come from God. He is the source of all light and peace, peace that truly passes all understanding.

He alone is my light and my peace. He alone will show me the way. He alone is leading me on, on, ever onward.

JMJ+

~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let's see what the good God wills. Thank God ahead of time!

General situation

2010-01-13T01:54:00.000-08:00

How long has it been since I lasted posted on this blog? More than a year? Perhaps; yet it seems even longer. Time (or our perception of it, at least) has such a way of expanding... This will not be so much a vocational post in the strictest sense of the term; rather it will be an update about the more general kind of vocation - the call to be Christian. This will be about where I am at as a Christian. I think that for the time being this post will suffice until anything more relevant pops up.

This past year has been one of realising the fruits of grace in my life. Grace truly does work in mysterious ways. On a day-to-day basis I was not (and many times still am not) aware of the workings of grace, nor of any substantial changes in my life. Yet when looking at the broader picutre, looking back, one can notice change, even if ever so slowly.

I have witnessed the power of the intercession of the saints and our Blessed Mother. I have marveled at the miracle of creation in the birth of a nephew - both at the mystery that lies behind it, as well as intercession that brought it about. I have realised how I utterly fail to make most of the Psalms' words my own; yet even so the day's events replay themselves in my mind's eye as I go through them. I have occasionally been given a glimpse of the workings of sin - my own and of others - how it ramifies, infecting others and spreading death. The conscious remembering of Scripture verses slowly subsides, giving way during the day to them coming spontaneously, as a reminder of what one is called to, towards Whom one should look. I have gained a deeper understanding as to why I have always put so much value in true friendship, as well as to by which of God's "four voices" did He call me back to Him while I was still a heathen. At times my heart has been filled to overflowing and yet the fire was quenched for not being able to find the appropriate outlets. I have had the chance to taste a simpler sort of prayer, to "hear" the murmurs within my heart, to hear those inaudible words which are not words, but which can say so much. I have suddenly marveled at the world around me and questioned how can it be that I had not noticed it sooner. I have glimpsed God through others, especially in those whom were total strangers and even so poured upon me undeserved kindness and love - I have glimpsed His love, I have felt it and been humbled. I have become aware of a sort of joy, of peace, that slowly tries to make itself more felt within; it is not boisterous, but it is sustaining.

In spite of this, things have not all been sunshine and good weather. There have been many moments of ungratefulness, moments of stumbling again and again upon the same stones, of doubting at times whether if it is all not just the product of a deranged mind... Still, I cling to Him in whom I hope, in whom I trust, for He has restored me to Life.

And yet, is any of this my doing? Is any of this within my power to realise? No, I cannot ascribe to myself these things, this slow and groggy awakening. This is where I am. My feet are still heavy, and sometimes my route uncertain, so I commend myself to the Good Shephard, that He may bear me upon His shoulders and lead me to green pastures.

+ LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. +

My update

2010-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

I've taken a first step in my discernment process. My diocese is having a discernment retreat at the end of the month, and I've signed up to attend. I talked to my pastor, who's the Director of Vocations for the diocese, and sent an email to the Director of Seminarians.

Up-Date on new Carmelite group

2010-01-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

Hello All - praised be Jesus Christ!
It has been a while since I have posted on this site. Very much has progressed and changed regarding my own life and the life of the endeavor to begin a new Carmelite congregation for teaching. Our Lady seems to be blessing this endeavor - there is a small group of women who began to live together in the diocese of Kansas, near Maple Hill. They have received permission from the Archbishop to begin living together as a sort of third order Carmelite - and they are under the direction of a very holy priest.

Taking a break.

2010-01-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

I've realized that I really need to be taking a break from discerning. I just need to focus on my vocation to being a high school student. I will not be posting much on here for a while. I don't really know how long I'm going to be gone.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let's see what the good God wills.

Blog Help Needed for Vocation Blogs

2009-12-21T09:48:00.001-08:00

The following is from a long-time reader of this blog, Mark:

Last year I had the pleasure to co-operate on two new Vocations resource 'blogs'.

The first is a general resource for promoting vocations to Traditional Societies in union with Pope Benedict XVI: tradvocations.blogspot.com

The second is a resource specifically to encourage vocations for the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, especially from Scotland and Ireland: fsspvocations.blogspot.com

Unfortunately, I will not be able to continue with these blogs after Spring. Without further help, both blogs will stop. If you have time to help out with this blog, and see it continue, please leave a comment, or email markadm at catholic dot org.

Discernment and Service Retreats at Little Sisters of the Poor: January 2010

2009-12-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

What: Discernment and Service Retreats
When: January 8-10 - High School Girls
January 29-31 - College age and above
Friday 5:00 p.m. - Sunday 1:00 p.m.
Who: Single, Catholic women are invited to join the Little Sisters of the Poor for weekend of retreat, prayer, service, and joy.

To register contact:

Lise Lirette
(251) 476-6335
volmobile [at] littlesistersofthepoor.org
www.littlesistersofthepoor.org
1655 McGill Avenue
Mobile, Al 36604

View the Flyer!

Seeking (2) Two Additional Administrators

2009-12-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

Members and Readers of Holy Vocations:

UPDATED: Moved to the Top of the Blog

I am seeking (2) two additional administrators at this time. Without 2 administrators to assist me in the running of Holy Vocations, I doubt that this blog will be able to continue much further into the future.

I am looking to expand the blog and update it from template format to layout format in Blogger. I am also seeking to write an invitation to all religious/clergy on St. Blog's Parish Directory and ask them to share their vocation stories with our community.

With these projects and other necessary maintenance in mind, I simply require 2 additional administrators, preferably with some html or graphic design experience. If you are interested, please comment below and/or email me at acatholiclife [at] gmail.com.

You do not have to be a current member of Holy Vocations to become an administrator. And, you do not necessary have to be discerning a religious vocation to be an administrator either.

The other option is that I know of a web designer who would be willing to update the layout and usability of this blog for $100 USD. If someone would be willing to donate that sum, it would also serve the needs of this blogging community.

Cenacle of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus

2009-12-11T23:27:00.001-08:00

News from Tulsa, OK: This week saw the clothing of the first novice of the Our Lady of the Cenacle monastery, Brother Juan Diego Maria de San José. Fr Mark Kirby, superior of the Cenacle, has been given a mandate by Bishop Slattery, the local Ordinary, to live under the Benedictine rule, in a life of adoration, thanksgiving, intercession and reparation.

The Cenacle is planning renting larger property for use as a temporary monastery. However, this depends on the generousity of others. More funds means this can be achieved, and even beginning may be made on a permanent monastery. Cheques can be sent to Fr Kirby at the address below.

~~*~~

The foundation of the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle in the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a timely response to the Year of the Priesthood. The following notes present something of the vision for this new monastery under the Rule of Saint Benedict. Please address all inquiries to Father Mark at the address given below.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LIFE IN ABUNDANCE

"I came," says Our Lord Jesus, "that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

-- A LIFE THAT IS MONASTIC

"One thing is needful." (Luke 10:42)

• under the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict and the guidance of the Father of the monastery.
• in the school of the service of the Lord.
• in obedience, the love of silence, and humility.
• in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

-- A LIFE THAT IS EUCHARISTIC AND SACERDOTAL

"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (Luke 22:15)

"And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth." (John 17:19)

• the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: the sun illuminating each day.
• daily prolonged adoration, on behalf of all priests, before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, close to His Open Heart.
• in reparation for offenses committed against the Most Blessed Sacrament, and for the indifference of those who forsake Him, Who waits for us in the tabernacles of the world.
• in thanksgiving for the mercies that ever flow from the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

-- A LIFE THAT IS OFFERED AND CONSECRATED

"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)

• for the sanctification of priests and the spiritual renewal of the clergy in the whole Church.
• in reparation for the sins that disfigure the Face of Christ the Priest.
• in the sacrificial love that is inseparable from the gift and mystery of the priesthood.

-- A LITURGICAL LIFE

"I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the presence of the angels I sing your praise." (Psalm 137:1)

"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 28:2)

"Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God." (Hebrews 13:15)

• Holy Mass and the Divine Office celebrated in Gregorian Chant.
• bringing to the traditional forms of the sacred liturgy a diligence and beauty worthy of the Holy Mysteries.

-- A LIFE WITH OUR LADY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

"When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27)

• following in the footsteps of Saint John the Apostle who, obedient to the word of Jesus crucified, took Mary into his home and into the intimacy of his priestly heart.
• communitarian and personal consecration to the Virgin Mary.
• commemoration of the Mother of God at all the liturgical Hours.
• Holy Rosary daily.

-- A LIFE THAT IS ECCLESIAL AND APOSTOLIC

"In the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations." (Ephesians 3:21)

• heeding the Supreme Pontiff, our Holy Father, the Successor of Peter.
• in filial obedience to the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• in generous service of the clergy by means of hospitality given to priests, deacons, and seminarians for days of silence and adoration, for retreats, and for spiritual direction.
• promoting Eucharistic adoration in the diocese of Tulsa.
• direction of the movement for spiritual motherhood benefiting priests.

-- A LIFE OF WORK

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one." (1 Corinthians 11:4-7)

• hospitality to priests, deacons, and seminarians.
• spiritual care and support of the clergy.
• both manual and intellectual work, according to the abilities and gifts of each one.

-- A LIFE THAT INCORPORATES DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS WITHIN A SINGLE FAMILY

"If all were a single organ, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'" (1 Corinthians 11:19-21).

• choir monks dedicated to the integral service of the liturgy and, normally, destined for the priesthood.
• monks not destined for the priesthood who, imitating Saint Joseph, dedicate themselves to the ceaseless prayer of the heart in the daily tasks entrusted to them.

• diocesan priests, Missionary Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, sacerdotal Oblates of the monastery, living its charism and sustained by the monastic community in the midst of their pastoral labors. The Missionary Adorers, while remaining incardinated in their respective dioceses, will live according to the Statutes approved by the Bishop of Tulsa.

• deacons and laymen, single and married: secular Oblates of the monastery.
• women Oblates dedicated as Spiritual Mothers for Priests, following the initiative of the letter of 7 December 2007 of His Eminence, Claudio Cardinal Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation Pro Clericis.
The monastery will provide these women with a suitable initial and ongoing spiritual formation.

-- ADORERS OF THE EUCHARISTIC FACE OF JESUS

"You have said, 'Seek my Face.' My heart says to You, 'Your Face, O Lord, do I seek.' Hide not your Face from me." (Psalm 26:8-9).

"It is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of the darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6).

• all participate daily in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the monastery, or for priest, deacon, and lay oblates, in their parishes

-- MONASTIC FORMATION

For Catholic men between the ages of 18 and 35.
Postulancy: 3-6 months
Novitiate: 2 years
Temporary Vows: 3 years
Monastic Consecration after 5 years

~~*~~

Please send your contributions toward building the Eucharistic Cenacle to:

Reverend Dom Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B.
1744 South Xanthus Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-5324
Telephone: 918-749-0995
E-mail: cenacle at sbcglobal.net

Thank you for your generosity. May Our Lord Jesus Christ make the light of His Eucharistic Face shine upon you.

Little Sisters of the Poor 2010 Retreat

2009-12-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Little Sisters of the Poor will have a retreat in early 2010. Please mark your calendars:

What: A Christmas “Come & See” Discernment Weekend
Host: Little Sisters of the Poor
Date: January 2-3, 2010
Details: Single, Catholic women aged 16-38: you are invited to join the Little Sisters and novices for a weekend of prayerful reflection, Eucharistic adoration and joy-filled community moments in the spirit of newly-canonized St. Jeanne Jugan.

Please view the flier for additional information.

Image Source: Adoration of the Shepherds by Guido Reni, 17th Century

Retreat and Where I'm At Now

2009-11-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago I had my discernment retreat with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

Going on retreat I had a plan, I knew exactly what was going to happen. I was going to go into my spiritual direction with Sister Joseph and I knew exactly what she was going to say and I knew what I was going to say and I was going to come home from retreat with my application papers. But that's not what happened at all. Sister and I talked for a while she asked me about my family, what are they all doing, where did they go to school, where do you go to school and what brought you here. After I told her she looked me right in the eye and said "this life is really difficult and you aren't ready for it. You really need to go to college for a year and get away from your family because you aren't ready." At that moment my heart knew that she was right but my emotions so didn't accept it at all. At the beginning of retreat we had each gotten a litany title and we were told to pray about it during our Holy hour and find out why we got the one we did. My litany title was Mary Morning Star pray for us. Also in the morning Sister Joseph had said to us "You have to be stubborn in Adoration. Go in there and say 'I'm not leaving until I get the answers to my questions' then tell Him your questions then stop talking!" so when I went into Adoration, balling my eyes out angry and frustrated at God, I said "Okay, you heard Sister, I'm not leaving until you tell me 1) what good could possibly come from me waiting, 2) why is this happening to me again (referring to the fact that one of my really good friends got her application papers and, being the youngest of seven, I've spent a lot of my life watching others do stuff that I really want to but can't) and 3) why does it feel so right and why do I feel so ready if I'm clearly not?" After a while in response to the first one He said to me "Betsy, you will convert, bring to a deeper relationship with me and led to their true vocation more people in the world then you EVER could as a postulant. Being a postulant is about personal growing which is very important but I have so many people who need you to help them grow before you can grow yourself." How can I argue with that one? In response to the second question He said "the reason it's happened so much in your life is so you can deal with this one." Which really does answer the question but I still wanted to argue so I said "But that doesn't tell me why this one is happening!!" I didn't hear anything else after that. He just totally stopped talking to me. After a little while of nothing I said "okay I'm really ticked at you so I'm going to talk to Mary" I went and sat in front of the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe and was praying the the Akathist hymn to Mary and after I had chanted the whole thing I was going back and reading them through again to see if she spoke to me and after I read the 5th chant I heard her clear as day say to me "My daughter let me be your star of Bethlehem. You must let me guide you to my son and I promise you that you will get here at some point but He has so much more planned for you first." At that moment I was flooded with an incredible peace and I felt Marys arms totally surrounding me! Then I went to bed because it was five in the morning.

On Sunday during morning prayer I started crying again because it just felt so right and it was so beautiful and the sisters sing divinely! I cried out to God with everything in me "Lord I am ready to do what you will but please give me joy back, I don't want to be miserable for the next two years because I'm doing your will. Just PLEASE give me joy back" I calmed down after a bit and when we were praying the Rosary I pulled mine out and it was broken. I was like "Oh that's kind of weird but whatever" and started trying to fix it and He said "No, you can't. You have to let me put things back together." Instantly two things came to my mind. A few years ago at a youth group meeting they had given us glow sticks to remind us that we need to be broken before we can be a light. I had the chance to spend the month of April in Austria and while I was there I found out that a very good friend of a lot of my good friends had been killed in a car crash. I was very hurt and angry at God for letting me be gone when my friends needed me and I was in the Adoration chapel and pulled out a different Rosary and it was broken in almost the same place. We went to Mass at the motherhouse and again I started crying because they let us sit in the choir stalls and I was sitting right behind Sister Mary Dominic and it just felt right. Father James started his homily with "Before I entered the Dominicans I had a plan of how it was going to go." Right away I was like "Oh boy, I better listen!" He went on to say "I was finishing up college and knew that this is what He wanted me to do. It was going to be a huge triumphant entry. It was going to be amazing! But my parents were really pushing for grad school so I decided to go for one maybe two years but I would have the blinders on all the time because I knew this was what He wanted of me and I was sure that I was never going to get distracted from it. But...then along came the girl and out went the triumphant entry!" He then went on to talk about how amazing this women was and how she had all these Dominican traits about her. Then he said "So when I finally did enter a few years later it wasn't some huge triumphant entry it was 'okay I have no idea why I'm here or if this is even what you want of me but okay I'm going to take a leap of faith and start walking on the water."

This really helped me because then I knew why I'm waiting, I have to be broken and I have to learn that it's all about Him. I walked out of Mass with the BIGGEST smile on my face and it still hasn't gone away. It's been really hard for me coming home. I've been really homesick for my sisters because I know that's where I belong and it really is home. I've also been noticing Satan a lot more openly active in my life. But I don't have to worry because Jesus won the victory a long time ago when I died on the cross for me. NO WORRIES! I am in the process of filling out my NET application and am taking the SAT in December so I'll be applying to colleges as well. We'll see where He leads me.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

Thirst.

2009-10-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

Thirst

I am thirsting for your love, why do you run away?

Do you not know that my love for you is perfect and everything you need?
When I formed you in the womb this is what I made you for, yet you continue to run because you are afraid.

I am thirsting for your love, why do you run?

It will be hard and there are many difficult things but my love is more powerful and yet more gentle then anything in the world.

I am thirsting for your love, why do you continue to run?

Do you not understand how much I love you, do you not see everything I am aching to give you? I wish to give you every good thing in the world.

Do you not see that I am thirsting for you, why do you still run?

I know you are afraid and yes you don't know what the future will bring, but there is no need to worry.

If you could only see how much I am thirsting for you, you would stop running.

Lord it's true I don't know where you will lead me but I'm not happy running and I want to trust you.

The truth is I am thirsting for your love and I don't want to run any more.

I can see now that you are the only thing that will make me happy, nothing else can fill me the way you do.

I am thirsting for your love and I'm not going to run any more.

I know that your love is perfect and there is no need to fear. You are the only thing that can satisfy my heart.

I am thirsting for your love and am running right into your arms!

What I'm thinking about my vocation right now.

2009-10-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

So retreat is in eight days. I'm so ready for it I really can't wait! Life has been kind of crazy lately and it's starting to get me down. I'm just so ready for a break from it all. Yet at the same time I'm almost dreading it because it means I have to actually articulate what's in my heart to someone I've never met before and I'm really not good at that. It's so much easier for me to type or write what's on my heart then for me to actually say it face to face to someone. I guess the reason I'm posting this is just to get it out. I've been holding this in for way to long. Please keep me in your prayers.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

Helpful hints for fellow discerners

2009-10-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Discernment, especially that of a call to the priesthood and/or religious life, is extremely difficult, particularly for those of us outside of a formal formation setting. To help my fellow discerners, I thought I would share a few suggestions that have been particularly helpful for me.

First, and foremost, we must remember that a call to any vocation is a call that comes from God. We live in an age of careerism, and an age that encourages individuals to ask the question "What do I want to do with my life?", rather than encouraging these people to ask "What does God want me to do with my life?". Because the call to a vocation comes from God, it is important to have a strong relationship with Him, in order to properly discern what He is asking you to do with your life. In order to come to know and love Our Lord more deeply, I make the following recommendations. The first is to set aside regular time each day to pray, at least fifteen minutes. The Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary are prayers I highly recommend to anyone discerning a religious or priestly vocation. Lectio Divina and spiritual reading, if only for fifteen minutes a day, or a half hour a few days a week, are also very helpful.

The second recommendation I have is to attend daily Mass as many days as you can, go to confession at least once a month, and, if possible, spend at least half an hour a week in Eucharistic Adoration.

My third recommendation is to find a priest you trust, one you would feel comfortable talking to and confiding in, and ask him to be your spiritual director. If you are unfamiliar with the priests in your local area, ask a trusted Catholic friend which priest they would recommend. And, if the schedule of the priest you ask doesn't allow him to help you, ask him for a recommend a few priests who might be able to serve as your spiritual director. Spiritual direction is indispensible when discerning a vocation, and your spiritual director will help you strengthen your prayer life and discern Our Lord's will for you.

Fourth, it is crucial to remember that discernment of a call to the priesthood or religious life is a two-way street. You are discerning whether you are called to that vocation, and so is the diocese or religious order you are looking at. If you get turned down by a diocese or religious order, it's o.k. You haven't failed Our Lord, He just needs you to serve him someplace else, and He'll lead you there when the time is right.

Fifth, For those discerning whether or not you are called to a religious order, whether in the capacity of a priest, monk, religious brother, religious sister, or nun, I strongly recommend reading about the founder of that order. It helps to know something about the founder of the order when discerning whether or not you are called to serve Our Lord through that order. Be prudent in your choice of biography, however, as sometimes dissident theologians will twist the lives of the saints, particularly St. Francis. There's a biography of St. Francis written by Omer Engelbert, however, that I've read and is pretty good. G.K. Chesterton's biography of St. Francis is also good, from what I've heard, though I haven't read it yet. St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote his own autobiography, so I'd recommend that for anyone looking at the Jesuits (I once did, but determined that they're not where God is calling me).

If anyone has any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

May God bless you all abundantly.

In Christ,

For The Sake of Him (formerly LandOLakesJesuit)

An Interesting Thing to Ponder

2009-10-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

I was lying in bed on Sunday night thinking about my vocation and thinking of how I would respond if someone asked me why I'm becoming a nun. My thought precess went something like this. Because God purposed to me and how could I turn down the perfect guy? He truly is perfect it's not just I think He is perfect because I'm in love with Him, He is God so there is nothing but good in Him. Wait a minute Betsy, God is perfect and there can't be anything but perfection in Him so that means His love for me is perfect and perfect love casts out all fear. You have no reason to be afraid. It was like a light bulb. I get it now. I really have nothing to be afraid of or worry about because His love for me is perfect. I know this should have been obvious to me but I've been struggling a lot with fear of the unknown but in the past two days I haven't felt any fear at all about it. It is so amazing to be able to remind myself when I start to fall into fear or worry that oh yeah, I don't have to worry about it because He is perfect so His love for me is perfect so I have no reason to fear.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

Discernment retreat with the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

2009-10-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

On November 7th to the 8th the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist are holding a discernment retreat for women ages seventeen to thirty five. It is a time to meet the Sisters, have fun with them and pray with them. There will be talks on the vocation to religious life, personal testimonies and all night Adoration. The cost is twenty five dollars and it is held at the Joy rd. school in Ann Arbor MI. For more info or to sign up visit their website, sistersofmary.org

God bless you!

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

Introduction: Betsy Joy

2009-10-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! My name is Betsy. I'm seventeen and am, God willing, going to enter the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor. I am very excited to be able to share with others the amazing ways that God has blessed me and the lessons I have learned. Here is my story.

From the time I was very young the thought that maybe I was going to be a nun was there. This was due in part to the fact that five of my paternal great aunts were Sisters of Saint Joseph in London, Ontario. My aunt and uncle have a cottage in Canada that they let us use for family vacations and we would always spend a day in London at the motherhouse. While yes, it was only seven days of my life, it made such a huge impact on me that whenever someone asked me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” it was always “…or a nun”.

When I was twelve I was sitting on the couch making a bracelet and thinking and praying about my life. All of a sudden I knew that I was going to be one hundred percent God’s. I can’t say what happened, but I knew and have never doubted it since. The first year was very hard for me because I didn’t really understand what that meant. Instead of seeing everything I get when I give myself to God I was focused on everything I had to give up. At my Confirmation Mass, about a year later, my eyes were opened to the amazing thing that being a sister really is and that’s when my romance with God really began. I still had no idea how I was going to live it out.

In August of 2007 I was pretty sure that God was calling me to one of three orders: the Servants of God’s Love, The Sisters of Life, or The Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. In November I was looking more into the Servants of God’s Love and was very attracted to their work with orphans and I was thinking that maybe that’s where God was calling me. Then the fact that they don’t wear a traditional habit started bugging me. I kept telling myself, “Betsy, that’s ridiculous, what they wear doesn’t matter at all, the important thing is the work they do,” but I was having a really hard time with it. Eventually I got so fed up with myself I said, “Okay God, I’m going to go back to discerning between these three orders and if you want me with the Servants of God’s Love you are going to have to change my heart because I’m having a really hard time with this” and He said ,“Okay, I’ll let you know, but not yet.”

In late November I got a phone call from one of my friends asking if I wanted to go on the March for Life in Washington D.C. I said yes, and thought that maybe this would decide the Sisters of Life one way or the other. I went on the trip and had an amazing time of course, but when I got home I couldn’t figure out if something had happened or if I only felt like something happened because I wanted something to happen. I kept going back and forth and just couldn’t figure it out. At the end of February I went on retreat with my youth group and was talking to my small group leader about what was going on and she said to me, “ Betsy, if you believe that God is calling you to the Sisters of Life, then pursue it and if He isn’t He will let you know before your final vows.” I started pursuing it, but there wasn’t anything I could really do about it because they ask you to go to college before you join.. I was just waiting.

My mom and I came to the profession of first vows in August and I was very moved. When the Sisters were prostrate in front of the altar, I saw myself at some point in the future, in a white habit and black veil prostrate in front of the altar at Christ the King. I just brushed it aside though because I was going to have a blue scapular and cape and it was going to be in New York. When we came to the motherhouse, the first thing we did was go into the chapel and right away I felt at home and at peace. One of the things that really stuck out to me was the joy and laughter of all of the sisters, even in the midst of hard work. What also struck me was the genuine beauty of all of you that has nothing to do with the outside.

On Friday, my first thought was “Maybe I’m not so sure about New York.” I told my mom this and she said “Yeah, I kind of thought that might happen.” Later in the day I was doing dishes and I asked God, “Okay, what happened yesterday? I thought you wanted me in New York?” He told me that the reason I thought He wanted me in New York was because He needed to know how much I am willing to give and if I was willing to wait. A few weeks prior to this I was in Adoration and had finally given Him everything and really meant it. He told me that because I had shown Him that I was ready to do anything for Him, He wasn’t asking me to go to New York and do theses hard things but He was asking me to go to Ann Arbor next year.

I am going on retreat with them in November and will talk to Sister Joseph then.
You are all constantly in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all!

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

Updates on Links of Women Religious

2009-06-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

The list of women's religious links has been updated and defunct links have either been updated or removed.

Catholic New Media Awards 2009

2009-06-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

As a continuation of the annual tradition of the Catholic Blog Awards, this year the Catholic New Media Awards includes new categories including several devoted to podcasts as well as a social networking category.

And, Holy Vocations is honored to have been nominated for Best Group Blog.

If you believe in and support the efforts of Holy Vocations, please consider voting for us at the Catholic New Media Awards! Please forward this message to the supporters of our blogging endeavor!

Note: This will be posted at the top of each day until voting has ended.

Vocational Prayer Request

2009-06-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Matthew,

Hello, could I please ask that you pray for me this week, and if you know anyone else who is willing to pray too. I've my assessment on [removed for privacy] which will decide if I get into Seminary or not. Thanks very much in advance and God bless you,

in Christ,
[Anonymous]

I ask readers to please keep him in your prayers this week. And, for anyone requesting prayers, please see the list of links to various religious congregations that accept online prayer requests: Creating A Prayer List.

Via A Catholic Life

Blog Maintenance

2009-06-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the maintenance which is undergoing. It is our hope that these changes will result in increased functionality and visual appeal for our readers. These changes will probably take place over the next few weeks.

Vocational Update: TeenCatholic

2009-06-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Hello all! My patron saints and the great God himself continually suprise me along my journey! My patron, B. Fr. Seelos, has silently guided my heart to inquire about the Redemptorists congregation. I have recently contacted the vocation director for the Denver Province of North America. I have also talked to some good friends of mine at the Seelos Shrine in New Orleans. The ambition I feel burning in my heart is to put on the habit of my patron. The Redemptorist Congregation was started by St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1732. The Congregation is a missionary order aimed at giving Parish missions, retreats for religious and clerics, school training in seminaries and high schools, and mission work in various third-world countries. Reading the biography of Fr. Seelos, I was prompted to further investigate the life of the Redemptorists. I will continue in prayer though in hopes that God will lead me to whatever he desires. Please remeber me in your prayers!

Pax Christi!

TeenCatholic

P.S. Please check out this new vocational website for teens: www.catholicpriest.me.uk

Updates to "Vocation Links: Men"

2009-05-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight I edited the links in the "Vocation Links: Men" list and repaired all broken links, so that all links in that section now work properly.

Men's retreat, July

2009-05-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

by Fr Tim Finigan

The monks of Saint Joseph de Clairval Abbey in Flavigny will be giving a a five-day (silent) retreat for men this July, following the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

The retreat will be from 26-31 July this year at Cold Ash, Berkshire in the United Kingdom. The monks of Clairval have a preference for Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.

Here is a link to register an interest and get in contact to find out more details.

(reposted, with permission, from The Hermeneutic of Continuity)

Decision!!!

2009-03-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

My dear discerning friends, I haven't been around the 'blog for nearly a year, for a number of reasons, but now I have exciting news to share with you! I have just been admitted to begin my aspirancy with the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery in Whitesville, KY! God willing, I will head to the convent in August of this year.

I am excited, thrilled, happy, content, grateful, relieved...you get the picture...to have finally received clarity in my discernment. Three weeks ago, I made an eight day retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, in which the Lord made His will very clear to me, and a week ago I received the letter from my future Mother Superior accepting me into the first step of their formation process. Deo gratias! He is so faithful!

Let us continue to pray for each other. I especially beg your prayers for my family, who is taking this news very hard.

"Christian Prayer" for Sale

2009-03-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

Because I know that several visitors have asked questions about the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), I wanted to let the readers of Holy Vocations know of this offer.

I have one copy of "Christian Prayer" (ISBN: 0899424066) for sale. The copy is in good condition. While the cover is noticeably used, the copy is very usable and all pages are intact. I do not need this copy and wish to sell it for $25.00 plus the cost of shipping and handling.

If you are interested, please email me as soon as possible at acatholiclife[at]gmail.com.

Thank you.

Update (April 18, 2009): This item has now sold. But, you can still purchase a copy by clicking here.

Privacy Policy

2009-03-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

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A Journey Full of Surprises

2009-03-14T10:58:00.001-07:00

Br. Jing Porcia, SJ; and friends Dane Sacdalan and Mykey Cuento during last year's Vow Day at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Novitiate, Quezon City, Philippines. I took this picture.

It has been a while since I last posted here and it's nice to see new guys blogging. Welcome!

Let me begin my post by telling you all that I am slowly recovering from such a big rut that I found myself in just months ago. With your prayers, I am also slowly rediscovering my spiritual side. Please continue to pray for me. Now, for the blog post.

I found one of these pictures of what was my first time setting foot at the Jesuit novitiate almost a year ago. This immediately called to mind one of the things I had been thinking about all the while as I continue trying to know about God's call. If I choose this way of life I will have to die with it. The other way may be true about marriage, but I don't know which will be more attractive in the future.

Some of the posts I have written here have spoken about my yearning for family life in the future. Recent events, however, have led me to think twice about concluding prematurely what God's plans may be. I, as for now, am not sure yet what the Lord holds for me. He gives me pleasant surprises about myself.

Like how, for the past 5 months, there lies within an insatiable urge to study Spanish, and not rest until I converse like a native. I just chatted with a friend from Venezuela who incidentally shares my strange name Jaifred. Before that, I completed typing a reviewer that I had hoped will help me remember the notoriously difficult verb conjugations. Chatting with the Venezuelan Jaifred, however, reminded me that I still have to study more. Despite the fact that this person is almost 7 years my junior, chatting with him felt like attending an online lecture in Spanish. Not few of my replies merited this remark, "Tienes in error, ¡te rias! You are wrong, and I'm laughing at you!"

This is quite a test of both diligence and acting in accordance to a strange yet seemingly God-given urge to learn more and study more. I suspect that the Spanish language will be instrumental in my future.

I have even included writings of St. Alberto Hurtado amongst the things I read to broaden my vocabulary and practice my pronunciation. It is quite a personal achievement to hear oneself speaking and reading in another language. I have to admit that I pray to him for guidance in my discernment, as well as in my learning Spanish.

To those who get the access in reading this post, please continue to pray for me. God isn't done with me yet.

Estoy acalorado por Su sorpresa proxima.
I can't wait for His next surprise.

Pope Benedict XVI's Anniversary of Pontificate

2009-03-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

JMJ

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is almost Our Holy Father's Anniversary of Pontificate again, and if you would like to be part of the blogs' spiritual bouquet, please e-mail me. Please include your name, age, location (state, country and city), and your offering (i.e. 5 rosaries, 3 masses, etc.). Please send in your spiritual offering no later than March 31, 2009. My e-mail address is listed below, thank you and God Bless.

-Sequoia Sierra

Philotheist@gmail.com

Happy Mardi Gras!!!

2009-02-22T17:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Mardi Gras from TeenCatholic in South Louisiana!

It's time to prepare for Lent!!!!

Let's get ready for the great Ash Wendsday!!!

Pax Christi!

Small Update

2009-02-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

+JMJ+

I have recently been reading "Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II" by George Weigel. Reading about JPII makes me open my eyes on every page I see in the book! I used to consider myself very "traditional" and I didn't really do much to actually find out what the Second Vatican Council was all about. Now after research and other things I am simply "Catholic". But that is entirely besides the point.

While reading about JPII, I started thinking alot about my vocation. Now I am leaning more towards the diocesesan priesthood. This allows me to interact with people more, to be with the laity who need priests. The only thing hindering me is the administrative role that has become a common thing for diocesesan priests. I want to go out for the people not the bills and projects of the parish. But all this is another way of God telling me that I need to think. My mind is idle too often and he is just trying to get to think more, but I leave it all up to him. I continue to ask your prayers for me and all those in the discernment process.

Pax Christi!
Jude Graham

+AMDG+

2009 Holy Week Retreat by Religious Teachers of Filippini

2009-01-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

Holy Week is a perfect time to take part on a retreat and prayerfully journey through the Sacred Triduum.

On April 8,9,&10, 2009, Religious Teachers Filippini, located in Morristown, New Jersey, United States, will offer a retreat to the public.

Arrival: 7:00 p.m April 8th
Departure: 5:00 p.m. April 10th
Participants: Age 18 and over
Fee: Goodwill offering

For more information, see the link Flyer.

2009 Holy Week Retreat: Sponsored by Religious Teachers of Filippini (.doc)

Introduction: LRThunder

2009-01-09T03:17:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is John, although I'll be using LRThunder as my name here. I joined the Church two years ago this Easter. I joined the blog to learn about how others have discerned their vocation, rather it was to the priesthood or the religious life.

Right now, I have started discerning a vocation to the priesthood. In addition to my diocese, I have also looked at information about the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.

I'll post updates whenever something happens regarding my discernment. I'll pray for although discerning vocations and also pray for those in formation.

LRThunder

Words of Wisdom from our Holy Father

2009-01-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I came across this excerpt from the Homily delivered by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, at his Inauguration Mass. It has been helpful to me as I seek to follow Christ's call to the priesthood, and I hope that it is helpful to all of you.
Your brother in Christ and in discernment,
TotusTuus

"We are living in alienation, in the salt waters of suffering and death; in a sea of darkness without light. The net of the Gospel pulls us out of the waters of death and brings us into the splendour of God’s light, into true life. It is really true: as we follow Christ in this mission to be fishers of men, we must bring men and women out of the sea that is salted with so many forms of alienation and onto the land of life, into the light of God. It is really so: the purpose of our lives is to reveal God to men. And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him. The task of the shepherd, the task of the fisher of men, can often seem wearisome. But it is beautiful and wonderful, because it is truly a service to joy, to God’s joy which longs to break into the world."

Introductions: Teen Catholic

2009-01-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

+JMJ+

Hi! My real name is Jude. I love blogging! Alot of people know me from my blog http://www.teencatholic.blogspot.com/. I am a high school student in Southern Louisiana. For a teenager I am very traditional but I do love praise and worship music outside of the mass. I have a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Rosary. I stumbled across Holy Vocations from my parish priest who recommended that I read some of the stories. Alot of them are really inspiring!
My vocation journey started about a year ago. Something happened that I am not supposed to talk about until the day of my ordination, but I do know that I am to join the priesthood. The only question that was left to me was religious or secular? I looked into a lot of different religious orders. I have been wanting to be a missionary in Honduras, but the more I think about it, i would not have the emotional capacities to watch children and adults that I have cared for pass away before my very eyes everyday. So I continued searching. Mary led me to my current position. I always pray the rosary with Mother Angelica and the nuns on EWTN. Low and behold, after I said that rosary for my vocation a vocation video came on for the MFVAs. (http://www.franciscanmissionaries.com/) The more I researched, the more I could see myself in that community. They are a very traditional community, and the are missionaries. I figured since I could not be a missionary in some other country, I could be a missionary in the U.S. and inspire others through T.V., who have the emotional capacity, to go out and do the work I cannot. A lot of my friends encourage me to this because they know me and they know that I would be good there.
I hope to continue posting on Holy Vocations! Please pray for me.

Pax Christi,
Jude Graham

+AMDG+

Overdue Update

2008-12-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for all of your prayers, you are in mine. I'm sorry that I have not posted in a while, School has been rather all-consuming. I must say, I do believe that my spiritual life has grown since attending Christendom College since mass, confession, adoration, vespers etc., is easily accessible. However, I do not remember what I last posted about, and whether or not I told you about my decision to not join the Carmelites in Los Angeles, CA. So, I will do a quick re-cap.

I decided not to join the Carmelites because of their liturgy. The sisters do not attend the Tridentine Mass, they serve as Extraodrinary Eucharistic Ministers, and hold teen masses that include guitars. I am very traditional, and obssessed about the liturgy, its guidlines, rules etc., and joining would have been against something very dear to my heart. So, I feel I made the right decision to not join them, and I am now focusing on school.

I do feel I am in somewhat of a spiritual limbo though, in that the purpose of my life seems to be thrown out the window. I no longer know what God is calling me to, so please pray for light to the darkness and unknowing that I am in. I still desire to devote my life to God in a unique way, but I do not feel pulled to any particular vocation. Again, Thank you for all of your prayers, please be assured of mine. A Merry Christmas Season to you, and Happy New Year!

Your Sister in Christ,

Sequoia Sierra

The Eternal City

2008-12-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

Below is a reflection I wrote regarding my time thus far in the Eternal City. Enjoy!

The Eternal City

From eternity You have called me
A mission in life You have entrusted to me
A reason for being, a way to love
And serve You eternally
When it came time You showed
Me my reason for being
My head understood but my heart could not
Comprehend the meaning of this call
So You brought people in my life
Who sent me to the heart of Your Church
Here would I dwell for four months
As a pilgrim and student
Living among fellow pilgrims
In a place where I can hear Your Voice more clearly
Than ever I have before.
So I packed my bags and took a leap of faith
And now dwell I here in this Eternal City
The hometown of every disciple
Like Cinderella at the ball, I dance with my bride, Your Church
And with her have I fallen in love
At midnight the clock will strike twelve and I’ll have to leave the ball
But for now will I enjoy the dance.
I found True Love in Rome
And now my heart understands this call
My reason for being
And for it I will give my all
For the sake of Your Call.

Note to Religious Orders/Communities

2008-12-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

You can advertise either your community in general or special vocational events on this blog. Your advertisement could be either text or an image.

I open this offer to the various religious communities and orders that read this blog because I - and I am sure the other posters agree - believe we need to continue promoting religious vocations in the 21st Century.

If you would like to advertise for your website/community/order on this blog, please send me an email with the words "Advertising on Holy Vocations" in the subject line. My email address: acatholiclife[at]gmail.com

Laudetur Jesus Christus!

Total Consecration

2008-11-03T19:53:00.001-08:00

+AMDG

Hello all,

It has been a while since I have written concerning a vocation, but I have been very busy with nursing school. I enjoy reading all of your posts, and I pray for you all daily. I will keep this post short and sweet- I was wondering if anyone here had done St. Louis de Montforts Total Consecration to the Blessed Mother? I know one of the starting dates is coming up and I would like to delve in, but I am aware that it is not to be taken lightly. (how appropriate for one discerning a vocation to give ones self entirely to the Blessed Mother!) I was looking for a little feedback if you had any!

With prayers,

Roberta

Buonasera from Roma!

2008-10-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

+JMJ+

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Buona Sera from Roma!

It is with great pleasure that I report that I am doing well, and I thank you for your support and prayers for me.

What a blessing to be here in the Eternal City. I may be here as a student, but my journey here is first and foremost a journey of faith, and it is aspects of this spiritual journey that I wish to share with you, my brothers.

About three weeks ago, myself and one of my seminarian friends decided to go visit St. Peter's Basilica. I wanted to attend the noon Mass, and I wanted to go to Confession. However, we took a wrong turn and ended up walking along the entire perimeter of the Vatican City wall. When we finally make it to the opening where the entrance to St. Peter's square is, we see that people are lining the road into the square, and, after questioning an English speaking couple, discover that the Holy Father is on his way back to the Vatican from a meeting with Gianni Alemanno, the Mayor of Rome. So, my seminarian friend and I found a good spot right next to the side of the road, and were able to get within five feet of Pope Benedict XVI, who waved at the crowd from beneath a white "papal umbrella" atop his popemobile. What a grace-filled experience this was!
A week ago this past Friday, my classmates and I all journeyed to Florence, and, while there, had an encounter with God that I will never forget. We decided to attend Mass at the Cathedral (Duomo) there, and met one of the holiest priests that I've had the privilege of meeting, Fr. Don Alessandro, who just celebrated 50 years of service to Christ as a priest. He is one of the kindest and warm-hearted individuals I have ever seen, and equally as Christ-like is a woman, slightly younger than Fr. Alessandro, that we also met. When she spoke to me and my classmates, there was a point in the words of wisdom she shared with us that I felt that God was speaking to me through her. That day I was feeling particularly down regarding the situation with my parents, as, during my time here, I have grown more and more certain each day that God is asking me to serve Him as a diocesan priest.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is extremely strong here in this city, and I have at times been moved by the Holy Spirit to write, either in my journal or whatever tablet of paper I happen to have with me. It's hard here being the odd man out, so to speak, as I'm neither a layman nor a seminarian, but something inbetween the two, but periodically taking breaks to be alone with Christ has helped with that. So much grace here, I can't say that enough.
Know that all of you are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers in a special way during my time in the Eternal City.

With every good wish, I remain
Your brother in Christ and in discernment,

Michael

+AMDG+

advice to young men

2008-10-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

I am taking a back seat from blogging; indeed, my own blog is reaching the end of its road. I thought I should like to leave specific advice to young men who are discerning a call to the Priesthood.

I'm singularly unqualified to give real advice, but I thought I'd share the thoughts I have, based on my own experience. This is loosely based on part of the endmatter in the Daily Missal put out by Opus Dei.

Try to establish a pattern to your day; get up at a fixed time, as early as possible. There's no need to lie in bed, except if you're ill or overworked (i.e. tired).
Offer your day to God through the intercession of our Lady; at the end of the day, make a short examination of conscience before going to bed.
Attend Mass daily, receiving holy Communion, as often as possible. This is the best sacrifice we can offer up to God. Prepare yourself for the Mass by spending some time in prayer.
Find a Spiritual Director. Ask him to guide you; open your heart to him. Do everything he says in strict obedience.
Don't rush; share you concerns with your S.D., and then wait! The right time will come.
Live life fully! Work hard, pray hard, play hard. Equally don't burn yourself out, or neglect your obligations (to family, to friends, to the stranger).
Spend some time in mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (15 minutes, if posssible). Go to Eucharistic Adoration when you can (in Edinburgh, you can do this weekly!).
Pray the Liturgy of the Hours if you can; if you can't at least pray regularly through the day. [NOTE: If you need assistance see here for the modern LotH; or you can email me privately (use the comment form) for both modern and older forms of the Breviary.]
Guard your purity, jealously. Repudiate behaviours or situations that threaten chastity. Don't think you can't love, though; you must love people, completely.
Say the Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary each night without fail. She will bring you closer to her Son.
Never miss Mass on a Sunday. Stick up to your friends and peers if they encourage you otherwise; they will respect you for it, eventually.
Go to Confession; at least once a month is good, but every two weeks is better.
Go on a retreat yearly to a good, solid, conservative Abbey.
Try to live as you would like to die. We shall all die as we have lived.

Well, I hope that's all been useful. It's what I try. Make your mums and dads, your families, and everyone proud. "Live upright, that God may love thee."

(Lastly, it's selfish, but I ask you to please pray for me. I will apply this coming Spring to a good, traditional Seminary in Europe. I would dearly love to be accepted, even though that will cause separation from friends, loved ones, country, etc. Pray that I may discern God's calling.)

Starting afresh

2008-10-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When last I wrote, it seemed that I had practically given up on discerning my vocation. And in truth, these last two months have not been the best spiritually speaking. Scared and ashamed, I practically gave up praying altogether; I did not go to mass; I did not seek the sacrament of reconciliation. And why this abrupt rupture with the Lord, when it is exactly in such times of need that we should cling most to Him? Because I felt ashamed of not following His call, because I let fear command my actions. I did not (and perhaps still don't entirely) feel worthy of Him or His mercy.

And so I returned to the United States, and even began entertaining ideas of getting a job, settling down, and - who knows - perhaps be content with just being a deacon somewhere down the path. Here I was again, trying to control my own life, map everything out. It was as if I had learnt nothing during my discernment period - that one's life is in God's hands, not ours. I may have turned a blind eye to the Lord's calling, yet He did not do so to me. During this last month I have felt an interior motion, as St. Ignatius would put it, a very soft, gentle nudge to return to my old praying habits. It is very hard to describe in words exactly what it is; suffice it to say that it almost seems to say "Return to prayer; remember the joy and release that was part of always calling on the Lord."

During this last month I have also answered job applications. Even here the Spirit has been making itself known. For the more job ads I answered, the more came into my head "This is not for me. Why do I want a job? I don't want a career, to make money to buy a house, to buy material possessions. Isn't all I've ever been searching for in the Lord?"

The fire has been rekindled. I start my discernment afresh. This time I will try to take it more seriously than I previously had. My only regret is that my vocational director is not here: I had come to trust him and appreciate his insights. At this moment I'm not so sure as I once was about being called to a community based on Ignatian spirituality; as I begin to pray again, slowly other things start to emerge from the deep. And here, dear brothers and sisters, is where I ask for your help. You see, in Portugal I had only one vocational director. He is a diocesan priest and he introduced me to the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Sadly, I left just at the time when he said that should I understand that they were not to where God is calling me, that he would introduce me to other religious, with different spiritualities. To make a long story short though, I would like to know: do you have only one vocational director, or have you visited various communities and have one from each community? Answering this would greatly help me to start off again.

My prayers are with you all.

Pax Christi,
Mark of the Vineyard