New Vocations to religious life

Today was a day in which I presented a workshop to my Sisters on how we might promote new vocations to religious life and in particular to the congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. After all, each of us has experienced unbelievable blessings as women religious and, in particular, as members of this community. That does not mean that life has not, at times, been challenging or difficult. That is live in any vocation, be it marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life. Following the workshop, I was looking at “New Vocations” and created the following reflection:

 

Nearly all who are attracted to religious life are inspired by joy of present members,

Every authentic vocation originates from God.

When God calls, those who hear His call and response are truly blessed!

 

Victorious are those who say “yes” to God’s will.

Openness to God’s will brings peace.

Come and see the fruit of giving one’s whole heart, soul and mind to Christ.

Always trust God’s Spirit to guide you on the right path.

Truly, growing in intimacy with God and with others in Christ is the essence of religious life.

Inviting others to religious life can spark a vocation waiting to be called forth by another.

Only those of strong faith and a deep trust say “yes” to God’s call and continue that “yes”

         every day of their lives as women and men religious.

Never doubt that God will not see you through to the end.

See, “I am with you always.”

Finding Jesus and Letting Jesus Find You

In today’s Gospel, John 1: 43-51, Jesus goes to Galilee and calls Philips to follow Him. Philip, who is from Bethsaida, invites Nathanael, telling him that they have found the “one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”  Tomorrow, in Trinidad and Tobago, Jesus’ invitation to two young women is being fulfilled as they enter the postulancy of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.  It is not uncommon, today, to hear people taunt those who have entered religious life or who are members of a religious congregation.  “Why throw your life away,” some people ask. Others dogmatically proclaim that religious life is dying.  If so, why would the Lord continue to call young men and women to enter religious life today? As of today, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother have 7 postulants, 3 novices and 9 young women in temporary vows!  We are not dying, just getting smaller and better! 

Just as Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree (John 1 :49), so, too, Jesus sees young men and women sitting in libraries, living rooms, bedrooms, under shade trees, in classrooms and churches,or wherever.  He ponders their hearts.  Some hear his call and courageously answer.   Like Nathanael, who asked the Lord how He knew Him, Jesus says to those who follow Him, “Before so and so invited you to consider religious life, I saw you.”  Nathanael’s life is changed forever as He acknowledges that Jesus  is “the Son of God,…the King of Israel.”  And Jesus says to him:  Nathanael, “you will see greater things than this…Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of Man.” 

Women and men religious, priests of God, are being called to a deeply intimate relationship with the Lord—a relationship that grows with the passing of time, as these men and women devote time each day to personal  and communal  prayer, contemplation, silent retreat and a total giving of themselves to service in the Church.  It is an awesome vocation, a privileged one,  for the few who are chosen.  As a member of a religious community of women for 50+ years I know and am so grateful!