The call to religious life is radical! It requires letting go of the need for security, a clearly defined career path, and guarantees. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Did Mary have all the information before her fiat, her ‘yes,’ to become the Christ bearer?” Do you think the apostles were given an overview of what their lives would entail as followers of Jesus before they responded to Jesus’ call to follow him? Mary, as well as the apostles, responded boldly to God’s grace in their lives. Did they have fears and concerns? Of course, but through their faith and trust in God they were FREE to respond to God’s call to radical discipleship.
Do you think the apostles received opposition from their family members and friends about their decision to follow Jesus? Of course, but they moved past whatever negative feedback they received. You cannot base your vocation discernment on the approval of others. It is a mystical call and difficult to understand if you have not experienced it yourself. There is nothing “logical” about radical discipleship. It is a response to God’s love that comes from our innermost being and heart, not our heads.
The call to religious life is counter-cultural. As Mother Teresa said, “We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.” In faith we say “Yes.” Like Peter, we step out of the boat with our eyes fixed on Jesus and through his loving support we have the courage to walk on the water. It is through our relationship with Christ that we have buoyancy in our faith journey. Do you think Jesus had all the answers before he began his ministry? No, but he had a rock solid relationship with his Abba (Father).
I have learned since I entered religious life that I cannot base my vocation on what ministry I’m in, where I live, the sisters with whom I live, or the parish I’m involved with. These exterior items are NOT the essential elements that will sustain me in religious life. It is my relationship with God. Cardinal Mahoney put it so well in a talk he gave to discerners. He said that responding to the call to the priesthood or religious life is like standing on the edge of a high dive and jumping off, trusting that there is water in the pool.
Religious life requires an open and courageous heart. You must come with a desire to love God, to love his people, and to serve the church. A woman recently spent several days with us for a Come & See experience. During her stay I had her meet with several of our sisters who have been in religious life 50+ years. She gleaned a great deal from talking with these sisters. What struck her the most was their tremendous love for God and their desire to serve others.
If you enter religious life with your own agenda you will block God’s ability to work in and through you. There is no room for arrogance in this life. It is important to enter with a mature sense of self. The important virtues that are foundational in religious life are charity, humility, and obedience. Obedience has such a negative connotation in our society today. It is often interpreted as a crushing of our own desires, when in truth it means “to listen.”
In talking with women about religious life a common response is fear because they do not want to make a mistake. They do not want to enter the community then later on discern that religious life is not for them. St. Julie, our Spiritual Mother, has an excellent quote about indecisiveness: “better mistakes than paralysis.”
When you enter a community you have three to four years before making temporary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and an additional five years before making final vows. This provides a long period to discern. Religious life, as in a vocation to the single life or marriage, has to be life-giving because God wants the best for us. He desires that we live happy, fulfilled lives. If it is the right fit for your life, it will help you grow into the best version of yourself where your gifts, talents, interests, and desires can be fully developed and utilized.
Religious life is an incredible vocation, but you have to be willing to step out in faith with an open and courageous heart and say YES to God!