Consecrated life is a treasureConsecrated life is a treasure,a gift given to God and the world. There are a variety of its charisms and institutions within the Church.The Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata,of Pope John Paul II,said,"In every age there have been men and women who,obedient to the Father's call and to the prompting of the Spirit,have chosen this special way of following Christ,in order to devote themselves to him with an 'undivided' heart (cf. 1 Cor 7:34)." Vita Consecrata,N. 1 |  St. Francis de Sales,co-founder of the Visitation Order To be gentle,but yet valiant in spirit. This is at the core of Salesian spirituality. And it drives the lives of Visitation Sisters in more than 150 houses around the world. The Visitation Sisters,formally known as the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary,report that their new website,Visitation Spirit,attracts 650 visitors each month,and that the order on a worldwide scale is growing. Read the article,“Salesian Spirituality is Strong and Growing”and peruse their website for many insights into Salesian spirituality and saints.
 Brittlyn (Sr. Teresa),at left and Kalyn (Sr. M. Faustina) rejoice in the gift of Our Lady's habit. Great difficulties did not stop two young women from southern Louisiana from taking the habit as Carmelite novices in Lafayette,LA this past fall. Jesus Wants MeBrittlyn Sonnier,18 when she entered,learned about the sisters of the Monastery of Mary,Mother of Grace Carmelite community through a weekend retreat. She had struggled against a vocation for a while,but finally knew that Jesus was calling her. When asked what she expected to find in Carmel,she replied,“I really don’t know. All I know is that Jesus wants me there.” Brittlyn’s mother was dying of cancer and the girl wondered whether she should stay and help care for four younger children. And yet,her father,mother and siblings encouraged her to go. On Oct. 15,Brittlyn received the habit and became Sr. Teresa of Jesus. “Daddy,go back”On Sept. 30 Kalyn Meche received the habit of Our Lady and became Sr. Maria Faustina of Merciful Love with the Carmelites. Her interest in the community began long ago. When she was about 10,her family was driving by the Monastery and she saw an extern Sister in the yard. “Daddy,go back. I’d like to talk to that Sister!” From then on,she had a desire and love for Carmel. Kalyn,however,had to endure many trials and difficulties. When she entered a year ago at age 18,her first months were not easy. But she remained firm in her determination to become a cloistered nun. New brochureFind out more about the Lafayette Discalced Carmelites. Email the sisters and ask for their new brochure,“I Have Chosen this Place to Dwell.”
 A fear of not having all the answers is stopping a lot of young women from seeking a beautiful vocation as a religious sister,says an Franciscan sister from Illinois in a new video.
“That’s where the fear is,” explains Sr. Michael,of the Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi. “The person is hesitating to take that next step because they don’t have all the answers. You are not going to have all the answers,until you take that next step. And then the answers will come.” Overcoming reluctanceIn a candid,unscripted video interview,Sr. Michael,Vicar Provincial of the congregation,provides fresh insight on overcoming reluctance in pursuing a vocation,but on the spiritual benefits of living in a community dedicated to following Christ through the life of St. Francis. Continue reading Don’t Let Uncertainty Keep You From Your Divine Calling,Says Franciscan Sister
 The Poor Clares of Rockford,IL have had a spiritual bond with the Diocese of Bismarck,N.D.,that goes back a few years. That bond increased dramatically Oct. 19,when their former chaplain,Msgr. David D. Kagan,Vicar General of the Rockford Diocese,was announced the bishop-elect of Bismarck.
There is a story behind this. Several years ago the vocation director of the Bismarck diocese asked the sisters for prayers for all of the seminarians. The Poor Clares have been ever mindful of that commitment,and now one of Rockford’s own priests will be their shepherd. The sisters report that it was delightful to spend an hour with Bishop-Elect Kagan in their visiting parlor,learning all about his new diocese. A fellow “worker” at the Chancery,border-collie Dash (whose duty it was to keep the geese off the chancery grounds) will accompany the bishop-elect to North Dakota. Spiritually Adopting the Diocese“At least he will enjoy the snow,” comments Msgr. Kagan. There is a wonderful presence of religious men and women in the Bismarck diocese. However,since a cloistered contemplative group is not present there,the Poor Clares are spiritually adopting the Bismarck Diocese along with its new bishop! The desire of St. Clare — that her sisters support the Mystical Body — is alive in this century. For more information,visit the Rockford Poor Clares.
Spouse of Christ tells others about the charisms of religious communities in the United States.
|
