What are some struggles of women who discover a vocation later in life? From personal experience, do you have advice can you give?
Despite the many setbacks, Leonie never saw her “failures” as a sign that she did not have a religious vocation. Why do you think she felt this way?
Not all religious orders accept mature women with later vocations. Why might this be?
Sister Susan Marie: Guess we’re all “mature” enough to discuss this topic and our experiences!
May 25 2014, 7:31 PM
Alt: yes we are!
K (guest): I think this is a very interesting topic and one that more women want to pursue than we would think.
Al: thats for sure
Sister Susan Marie: Yes I frequently, even this week, get inquiries from older women. In fact the topic was suggested by a discerner .
Sister Susan Marie: So I thank her!
K(guest): I think many mature women who feel they may be called to religious life, think they have no options.
K (guest): That is a struggle.
Sister Susan Marie:Yes what are some options that you discovered?
Al: thats so true
I looked online
Li (guest): Hello…
K (guest): I looked online also and at the time, Visitation Communities did not come up.
Al: Visitation did come up for me as well as a few others
Li (guest): it is only this past week that I had learned of the Visitation Monastery here in Bkln…and was surprised to learn of older vocations
K (guest): Happy surprise!
Al: have you been searching for a while Li?
Li (guest): yes and I am curious…as I am lately to the faith.
Al: glad you are here
K (guest): When did you enter the Catholic Church Li?
Li (guest): 10 years ago
Li (guest): Is anyone here from Bkln?
Sister Susan Marie: I am!
K (guest): I am from Tennessee by way of Kentucky, or the other way around.
Sister Susan Marie: Oh yes. The Sacred Heart Apostolate Mass is Fri June 6 at 730PM We also have a Sacred heart Novena Jun 19-27 at 730PM.
Al: I am from NY
Li(guest): Pix of Tenn seem lovely
Sister Susan Marie: Normally Mass is at 7 in the morning on weekdays and 9 on Sun, 8 on Sat
Li(guest): I will be there June 6
May 25 2014, 7:42 PM
Sister Susan Marie: That will be great! You will also learn about the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart
Al: I will be in NY from May 28th on
Sister Susan Marie: Really!!
Al: moving back
Sister Susan Marie: What?!!!!
K (guest): So you will be close to Monastery .
Sister Susan Marie: That’s this week. Where in NY?
Al: I know! I am excited
Al: not sure where yet
staying with my brother
Sister Susan Marie: If you are nearby come for Mass or.. to say hi!
Al: I will
Li(guest): Since I am new to Salesian spirituality…what reading is recommended?
Sister Susan Marie: Biographies of St Jane de Chantal and St Francis de Sales, and the Introduction to the Devout Life
Li(guest): Thank you…the biographies appeal to me
May 25 2014, 7:56 PM
Sister Susan Marie: We have a book we can send you on the Visitation, a monastic way of life.
Yes! You can get them at De sales Resources and Ministries
Li(guest): Maybe it would be possible to get it on June 6
May 25 2014, 7:57 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes we have lots here
Li(guest): thank you…I hope to meet you then
Sister Susan Marie: I’ll be here and will look for you
Sister Susan Marie: What other experiences have you had in discerning a later vocation?
K (guest): Some women may have children and financial obligations.
Sister Susan Marie: A woman I spoke with this week who is 55 was having alot of “no’s
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, it takes time to get one’s life in order – more time the older you are.
Al: Strangely, I feel myself being pulled along
May 25 2014, 8:01 PM
Li(guest): I will look for you! None as I did not & do not think it possible. So I just try to live as best as I think is possible. Goodness that sounds weird
Mary Roberta Viano: And you also have more people to explain your decision to, the older you are – both family and friends.
Sister Susan Marie: But there are resources, like this one: http://belatedvocations.weebly.com/for-older-women.html
For Older Women – Resources for Older Vocations
Al: I wonder if younger women also have family question them
Mary Roberta Viano: In my case, our priest tried to discourage me, telling me I should just stay in the parish and do more outreach – good for some, but not for me.
K (guest): Yes I found that with most active communities. Yes, it may be even harder to leave family and friends.
Al: My priest as well
K (guest): But, I think the question is; “am I called by God”. If we are, He will provide a way, just keep praying and searching.
Al: yes K. what about looking for signs?
May 25 2014, 8:03 PM
Al: I read you should not
Mary Roberta Viano: Our fully cloistered houses generally accept older vocations, but because they’re cloistered, it’s harder to break completely with family and friends.
K (guest): Maybe not really look for signs, but recognize them when they happen.
Al: How did you do it Sister?
Mary Roberta Viano: So true, K!
Mary Roberta Viano: My signs were my sons’ full support and finding Visitation, which was founded by a widow, like me.
Al: thats good
Li(guest): Hhmm
May 25 2014, 8:06 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: But after I received the signs, I needed to be sure the community received signs, too, that it might work.
Li (guest): of course
Mary Roberta Viano: And that’s why it takes so long to enter (6 years) – definitely NOT a “shot gun wedding!”
Al i guess that could be a reason why some have an age limit
Sister Susan Marie: So candidates need to add 6 years to whatever age you are now to realize when you would be a fully professed nun.
Al: children and obligations and health
Li (guest): Yes…
May 25 2014, 8:09 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes while Visitation does accept women with health limitations it is hard to form a 60 year old + novice who needs to see doctors 3-4 times a week!
Mary Roberta Viano: And each community has to look at its own demographics: too many elderly means a strain on finances and time, but also lots of mature wisdom!
Al: yes and how long can the woman be active
Sister Susan Marie: Because of the monastic horarium there is less flexibility in scheduling appointments
Sister Susan Marie: Sisters in a wheelchair can still pray
Al: Well i am in great health
Mary Roberta Viano: and we need LOTS of prayer warriors!
Al: prayer warriors on outside?
Sister Susan Marie: In side and out!
Mary Roberta Viano: on the INSIDE!
Al: oh! haha
K (guest): Even with so many seeming hinderances, I see a great need for more opportunities for later vocations.
Mary Roberta Viano: Also, Visitation traditionally takes care of its own elderly sisters – doesn’t send them to a nursing home.
Mary Roberta Viano: I agree, K
Li(guest): That is truly wonderful…ministering in that fashion is a grace
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: yes K and more vocations overall
Al: Priests too
Mary Roberta Viano: Of course, an older woman can become a consecrated widow, too.
K (guest): Yes, it would be wonderful if continued to thrive with both young and older sisters.
K (guest): communities continued to thrive
Sister Susan Marie: You know the Visitation is about an older and a younger woman meeting
Al: As a widowed woman, I feel the desire to be around others, not in isolation
May 25 2014, 8:14 PM
Li (guest): Do priests of the diocese serve mass or is there an assigned priest
Sister Susan Marie: So would it not be good if we could pray for “pairs”
Al: Yes Sister Susan
K(guest): Yes. That is beautiful.
Mary Roberta Viano: Good idea!
Sister Susan Marie: Lili, in Bklyn, Diocesan from parishes, Redemptorists too
Li(guest): Thank you…just curious:
Mary Roberta Viano: In Georgetown we have a list of 50 priests (archdiocesan, Oblates, and Jesuits), who sign up each month. ,
Li(guest): Wow…that is very telling of the Sisters
Mary Roberta Viano: Back to the “pair” idea, each sister here is assigned another on Valentine’s Day, and she prays all year for that sister.
Sister Susan Marie: Same here
May 25 2014, 8:18 PM
Al: thats nice
Li (guest): Very nice…
K (guest): In regard to setbacks and “failures” as in Leonie Martin’s case. I guess older vocations don’t have time for many failures.
Mary Roberta Viano: We have an OSFS priest who’s the chaplain in our school – Fr. Ed Ogden.
K (guest): In regard to setbacks and “failures” as in Leonie Martin’s case. I guess older vocations don’t have time for many failures.
Al: good point Kim
Li (guest): OSFS?
Mary Roberta Viano: Oblate of St. Francis de Sales
Sister Susan Marie: But growth is ongoing no matter the age
Al: I would have thought I didnt have a call if i left that many times
Li(guest): Oh
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, so they’re never “failures”, just opportunities to try something else.
Li (guest): With respect to LM…by today’s standards she was young when she finally entered
Ki(guest): Yes, if the desire doesn’t go away, keep trying.
May 25 2014, 8:20 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Leonie may become the saint of perseverence!
Al: thats for sure!
Mary Roberta Viano: – and sometimes that’s true, Al, but Leonie did have a call, it turned out.
Sister Susan Marie: True Li
Mary Roberta Viano: Lots of parents with difficult children pray at her tomb in Caen, France, and receive special graces.
Sister Susan Marie: I was 36 and thought I was so old
Li (guest): Lol
Mary Roberta Viano: and I was 57
Al: I am 57
Li (guest): Me too!
Al: I am 57
Li(guest): Ohmigosh…
May 25 2014, 8:22 PM
K (guest): I am 56, 57 in September
Sister Susan Marie: Must have been a great year!
Al: funny how life works!
Mary Roberta Viano: So, any age is an age to discern a call to religious life.
Al: haha Sister Susan
Al: I am glad the visitation order doesnt exclude us
Al: At least we can discern
Li (guest): Well, I hope to have a more prayerful life no matter what
Al: yes Li
May 25 2014, 8:24 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Being near the Lord helps
Li (guest): yes, Sister…
Li (guest): So this is a weekly chat? I hope to join next week
Mary Roberta Viano: As SFdS says in a Conference: “…if we always try to keep our will firm in desiring the good which has been shown to us, God will not fail to make all succeed and redound to His glory.”
Sister Susan Marie: Yes every week. Please join us anytime on Sun nights
Li (guest): I copied SFdS to ponder thru the week
May 25 2014, 8:27 PM
Sister Susan Marie: And keep Leonie’s example in mind
Li (guest): I will
K (guest): I will Sister Susan Marie
Al: yes
Li(guest): Does the secular group meet there as well
May 25 2014, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Our Holy Founder words are so true (from another Conference): “..to be Religious..is to be bound to God by the continual mortification of ourselves and to live only for Him.”
Sister Susan Marie: The Daughters of St Francis de Sales meet here
Sister Susan Marie: Yes Sr M Roberta, the mortification is real and goes hand in hand with the prayer life
Al: I love that one!
Al: wish we had more time to talk on that> maybe next time
Sister Susan Marie: Ok – you mean on mortification?
Mary Roberta Viano: – not what I want, but what YOU want, Lord!”
Al: yes Sister and the link to religious life
May 25 2014, 8:31 PM
Li (guest): maybe next time mortification could be more clearly defined
May 25 2014, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s the vow of obedience we take.
Sister Susan Marie: Sounds good- we can do that
May 25 2014, 8:31 PM
Al: Thank you!
Kim (guest): I desire to live only for him, I need community to help me with mortification. Good night and God bless you all.
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: Good Night! God Bless.
May 25 2014, 8:32 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Good night and you’re right- we help each other
May 25 2014, 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: For Memorial Day we can reflect on how our military men and women focused on their mortifications for the good of their fellow men and women.
Sister Susan Marie: Excellent! Thanks!
May 25 2014, 8:33 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Prayers and good wishes! G’night.
Li(guest): Thank you…so much to think about…thank you. Wow, good reflection, I will share it
May 25 2014, 8:33 PM
Li (guest): good night