MOUNT CARMEL
CLOISTERED CONVENT
The Call
Introductory thoughts..
There is a mystery behind every call. When a person starts to consider, which path she/he should choose there comes a lots of questions. Sometimes, a call may come to one, as his/her better part longs for. More often we struck at the door of a way, by questioning ourselves whether am I called to this way of life? And it is interesting to note that, no one who doesn't have a call to the religious vocation will not be troubled like you nor such thoughts hunts them as they did to you. Those whom God has called to the married life will not be puzzled like you to consider the state of life, on the other hand they straightly went into their call, as we can observed in our own family circle. Now it's our turn to understand the ways and aims of a call.
A 'still, small voice' makes itself heard in the depths of the heart, gently insisting, gently attracting . ..This perhaps, is one facet of the way a call to the religious life manifests itself, although it remains mysterious and inexpressible.
Countless men and women throughout the ages have heard that voice and judged it worth the risk of forsaking all to follow where they could not know it would lead . . .
Are there times when you find yourself pondering over these questions?:
What has life in store for me? Where shall I be twenty years from now?
No one can ask questions like these or seek answers before they have first, like St.Teresa of Avila, inquired of God, their loving Creator: "What is your will for me? Where are you calling me?"
Do I desire to belong to Christ alone and live my whole life seeking intimacy with him?
Do I desire to belong to Christ alone and live my whole life seeking intimacy with him?
Do I want to be an instrument of peace and healing in our wounded world?
Do I believe that a life of prayer and holiness by itself is a true apostolate? That it can make a difference in our world of the Third Millennium?
Am I looking for fulfillment beyond what society has to offer?
Am I a committed Catholic and yet have a deep intuition that God is calling me to something more?
Am I wondering what religious life is really like?
Am I drawn to the contemplative life but wonder if it is possible for me to change my life style in such a radical way?
Am I finding it hard to believe that Jesus is choosing me to leave everything and follow him more closely?
To discern a vocation means to:
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Listen to your own heart.
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Listen to the words of a priest, friend or counselor in whom you have placed your confidence.
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Read or listen about the vocation stories..
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Listen to Christ speaking in the Gospels.
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Pray without anxiety, peacefully and perseveringly.
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Wait for the Lord and trust him for he will not fail to make you know his will for you.
ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR VOCATION.. ?
Then consider these few steps..
vocation
Once you understand God's call in your heart, welcome it. Vocation to religious life is not similar to choosing a career, where you may have the priority of your status, well-being, and money. Following Jesus demands something more. From the beginning, religious consecration was considered a more committed life than one's baptismal promises. Then baptism indicates a 'death'. Through baptism, we are dead to the world, buried with Christ, and given a new life.
PRAYER
All through this journey of discernment, prayer is an unavoidable companion in which we will find consolation and light concerning what God wishes us to be. Here, we consider prayer as a heart-to-heart conversation with God to know His will for our lives. Because it is in prayer, we become clearer about the path we should choose.
To understand better, the ways of God in our life and how to proceed in prayer it will be helpful to read the vocation story of Thomas Merton, the Trappist from his autobiography 'SEVENTH STORY MOUNTAIN'. In this book he recounts how Little Flower helped him to reach his beloved monastery after a long struggle.
LISTEN
While your prayer goes on, take time to write down your aspirations for the religious life.
What kind of religious person do you want to become? What kind of aspect of Jesus' life inspires you to consider a religious vocation? How do you want to serve Jesus with your life?
Every day, carry all that comes to your heart before Jesus; share that with Him like a best friend.
The church teaches us that every religious family
RESEARCH
Based on the information you got from watching over your heart, now it's time to research the religious family you like most. It is good to do research on every religious family so that you can be sure of the particular one you choose. Nowadays, it's easy to find on Google a website or a YouTube channel to give you the necessary information you need.
Even though some monasteries don't have a website, a general idea of the order or congregation will help you as first-hand information. Selecting the region and place will be only a matter of secondary things, and it can be found in directories that will be easily accessible to your parish priests and religious who are close to you.
FIND OUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
