A Little Reflection from Sr. Mary Michael from her personal story:

"It's This Good"

Wow! When I felt God nagging at my heart as a teen, I was afraid.

I was afraid that being a Sister would be contrary to my personality. Me being a very fun-loving person, religious life couldn't be for me (so I thought).

Then my eyes were opened. Many things happened that helped open my heart to God's Will for me. One of the most important was meeting young, fun, and attractive Sisters. It made me realize that there's a lot more to consecrated life than prayers and penance. These people have fun! And they chose this life over marriage. Why?

What clenched it for me was the realization that a vocation to the religious life is really a LOVE STORY. Talk about a new realization. It's all a love story! It's God wanting us totally for Himself. It's God calling us to have a special relationship with Him. What a privilege! (see Mt. 19:8 and 1 Cor. 7:32-34)

And you know what? I didn't know that a vocation could be this good!

Your vocation (or calling from God) is this good, too. Ask Him to show you exactly which life He's calling you to, then put your seat belt on for the ride. Sure, there will be ups and downs (just like every life), but there is a great joy in the journey!

- Sr. Mary Michael

6:00 a.m. Rise
6:35 a.m. Meditation
7:15 a.m. Morning Prayer
   * Mass - depends on what time the parish or visiting priest has Mass
   * Breakfast
   * Work, errands, apostolates, ministries, etc.
12:00 Noon Prayer
    * Lunch
    * Short rest (if desired)
    * Continue work
    * Other activities could include music practice, exercise, study,       correspondence, free time, etc
5:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
5:30 p.m. Holy Rosary
                 Evening Prayer
                 Dinner
7:30 p.m. Recreation
8:15 p.m. Night Prayer - Rest in God (Grand Silence until breakfast)‍

Schedules for Mission Sisters and for young women and Sisters in formation will vary.

". . . let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Discernment is really a way of life. It is, however, not a vocation in and of itself!

As we grow closer to God, it is a good practice to learn how to discern what God is telling us and what He is not telling us at this time. God speaks to us in many ways and at different times, but some basic guidelines can be helpful.

First, as noted  in this website, it is very important to have a daily prayer life.

Secondly, it is helpful to have a good spiritual director or mentor help one to grow and to discern what God is doing in one's life.

It is important to note that it's difficult for us to learn God's Will when we're afraid to go out and try things. Some seem to be afraid to date or to visit a convent or seminary, but those are ways that God speaks to us. We are called to actually take a step forward toward something, He many times will speak to our hearts in one way or another, and it is a beautiful thing to behold. It takes courage, trust and perseverance. God will never mislead us, and He is not trying to hide our vocations from us. He really has the ultimate Plan in mind for our happiness and the growth of the Kingdom through us. We each have a very short journey to make through this life to our ultimate home and we need to bring as many souls along with us as possible. This is the main purpose for being alive.

As John Paul II highlighted, ". . . man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself."
(see Guadium et Spes #24 and the Theology of the Body)

Discernment should not become a burden. In other words, there should be a balance and priority given to relationship with God and neighbor. Some seem to spend a lifetime "discerning" and never find out what God is calling them to. Or discernment is not a peaceful and wonderful journey of life, it becomes a stressful decision-making experience. This is not good discernment and needs the assistance of others.

Good discernment is striving to learn God's Will through prayer, love, surrender, and good counsel. Always remember, our first call is to holiness and intimacy with God. What a joy!‍

Click Here for the Come and See Retreat info.
 

"God's very being is love.... God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange."  - Catechism of the Catholic Church #221

A Prayer Life is essential for discerning a vocation. Whether one is called to Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, religious life, or to a consecrated single life, God is first calling us to belong to Him in a daily relationship of friendship and love. Then it will be much easier to discern God's loving promptings. Having a Spiritual Director / Mentor can be very helpful.

COMMUNITY PRAYER

Prayer is the life and soul of our Community. The daily schedule includes the Divine Office in common, the celebration of the Eucharist, the rosary, meditation, and spiritual reading. Private devotions include the Stations of the Cross, which are an integral part of our Franciscan heritage. As a Eucharistic-centered community, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is our daily privilege.

We share our life of prayer with all those we serve and strive to integrate our Franciscan spirituality into every phase of life. Devotion to Mary is also a primary characteristic of our life of active contemplation.

Intimacy with God enables and strengthens us to be faithful to our daily apostolates. It is only through a spousal relationship with Jesus in the interior life that we can be instruments in His hands.