Judy K: I picked up a post by Deacon Greg Kandra on the “Deacon’s Bench” in which he introduces some new orders of Sisters. It is exciting to see new orders springing up. H-m-m, that could be a pun–springing up-perhaps signaling the springtime of rebirth of religious life which seemed to be going “out of style.”
Jan 4 2015, 7:21 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Tonight we hope to discuss vrs religious communities and types
Anne M: Looking forward to this discussion
Carol Ann C.: Judy, are you able to share that link?
Jan 4 2015, 7:23 PM
Sister Susan Marie: The simple distinction to make first- since I know it best- has been talked about before- the First and Second Federation of the Visitation; the First is strictly cloistered with no school apostolate; the Second has constitutional enclosure with schools, primarily. That said, there are many types of religious communities these days
Judy K: The link is The Deacon’s Bench. I think that if you enter that in your browser, the site should come up.
Sister Susan Marie: In fact, the Jan 2015 issue of Catholic Digest has an article on a few
Sister Susan Marie: One or two I was not familiar with.
Anne M: I kind of stumbled onto the Visitation Sisters site. I have had a devotion to the Sacred Heart, but didn’t really know Margarget Mary. I went to the Treasures of the Church exhibit (over 150 relics) and picked up her relic and literally received a head to toe “electrical like shock” After that I thought I should look into her life. I then realized SFdS… founded the order. I love him, what a giant.
Jan 4 2015, 7:26 PM
Carol Ann C.: Is he the one that writes for Patheos? because there are multiple links.
Judy K: Yes, Carol Ann, the very same.
Carol Ann C.: thank you
Sister Susan Marie: Besides Visitation St Francis de Sales spirituality is followed in the Oblate Sisters of St Francis de Sales, the Daughters of St Francis de Sales
Jan 4 2015, 7:27 PM
HelenC (guest): Sister you mentioned orders for mature ladies. I’m 58, is that too old ?
Sister Susan Marie: No, not at all
Judy K: Past chats seem to indicate a strong interest in religious life among chatters.
Sister Susan Marie: But also there are secular institutes, third orders and other combinations like associates that might suit those committed to the lay life
Judy K: The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, called the Salesian sisters also follow a Salesian spirituality, having been named Salesians by St. John Bosco.
Judy K: You might consult Visions magazine which has entries on most of them
HelenC (guest): Where can I find info on these orders? I just started 3rd order fransiscan orientation but i don’t know if thats what i want
Sister Susan Marie: Carmelites have a strong third order and Franciscans too.
Jan 4 2015, 7:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie: There is a site for older vocations- I’ll see if I can find it.
HelenC (guest): thank you
Sister Susan Marie: Here’s one: http://belatedvocations.weebly.com/
Resources for Older Vocations – Home
Sister Susan Marie: http://belatedvocations.weebly.com/for-older-women.html
For Older Women – Resources for Older Vocations
HelenC (guest): thats great thanks
Jan 4 2015, 7:31 PM
Judy K: You might consult Visions magazine which has entries on most of the orders in the US. I don’t know who publishes it but I think Sr. Susan might know.
Judy K: That should be helpful, Helen.
Sister Susan Marie: What areas are stumbling blocks for you in discerning your place?
HelenC (guest): yes it is,lots of research ahead of me
Dawn L: Judy
Judy K: Hi Dawn
Jan 4 2015, 7:34 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Traditional vs non-traditional communities? Mixed? Lay and celibate?
Sister Susan Marie: How do you fit your life experience into an established group?
HelenC (guest): i have had a few retreats at trappist monasteries and liked it very much
Anne M: As far as discerning, I think I know which path, but at this point am trapped by an obstacle of student debt.
Carol Ann C.: How you fit in to an existing community is an interesting question.
Sister Susan Marie: If you can highlight what you liked about the community it can help move you forward- but remember- retreats are not religious life
Marie Griffin: Hi! I made a retreat at the Visitation Monastery Mobile years ago, and was interested in entering, but the sisters would never accept me. There was always some obstacle.
Sister Susan Marie: Student debt can be helped by Laboure Society and Mater Ecclesiae
Judy K: My discerning days are over. I have found my place by doing a fair amount of stumbling. I first desired religious life when I was 8 or 9 years old and entered the Sisters of Mercy (Dallas, PA) after I graduated from high school. I loved the life but suddenly realized that I was being groomed to teach young children which I really was scared of. I left after 2 1/2 years, 6 months before I would have made first vows. I felt very lost for 35 years after that.
Anne M: Thank you for the information. I have really been fretting over this.
Sister Susan Marie: Fitting into an existing community can mean starting all over again in many ways and that is very hard, esp in the beginning.
Carol Ann C.: Judy, do you still feel lost? Do you regret leaving?
Jan 4 2015, 7:38 PM
HelenC (guest): Yes sister, i loved the prayer structure
Marie Griffin: Hi!
Sister Susan Marie: Hello Marie!
Guest503 (guest): Yes, I have been. Kinda letting it go of late.
Guest503 (guest): Too many “no’s.”
Sister Susan Marie: There is also a need for older woman, widows or others who want a prayer life and community but may not have all the gifts for a traditional community. I have met several women on retreat here like that and it would be such a grace if they could all be together in some structure
Guest503 (guest): Sometimes it aches in me for more total gift of self — and for support in a life of prayer and service.
Judy K: After becoming a Salesian Cooperator (similar to a third order), I found myself wanting more and eventually entered secular institute. I remained in the institute for 12 years. I was ready to make perpetual vows but I ran into some severe financial difficulties, having left my job and was unable to find full time employment. I had to leave the institute, much to my great sadness. But on my last Day of Recollection with the group, I made perpetual private vows and feel that this is my place in the Church.
Carol: Founding an online community for those of us who chat here. Has anything come of that yet?
Judy K: Tomorrow, the 7th anniversary of the perpetual vows, in the 15th year since my first vows, I will renew my vows with great joy.
Guest503 (guest): On line could never be enough — just a start, perhaps.
Sister Susan Marie: I missed that chat! but I caught the tail end of that comment. I would be willing to work with you all on that- and perhaps there can be some financial backing from the Federation if necessary
Anne M: Congrats Judy!
Sister Susan Marie: Good direction Marie; they are solid and give good formation
Carol Ann C.: 503, I agree with you, but for many reasons this is the community we have all found
Sister Susan Marie: I think an online community with occasional face to face meetings could be possible, with Federation support for transportation
Judy K: I know that there is a Secular Institute for a Salesian life–it might be called the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
Sister Susan Marie: Yes there is that one too. I know very little about that one.
Jan 4 2015, 7:46 PM
Carol Ann C.: Sr. Susan, that would be so fabulous
Guest503 (guest): Yes, I’ve been signing in many time — despite multiple tech problems — but this can only be a beginning, a poor substitute for living and working together.
Guest503 (guest): Easier perhaps in many ways.
Sister Susan Marie: Carol Anne, if we were to “upgrade” chat to an online community, so to speak, what would be the first step
Anne M: I’ve been praying and visiting with the Secular Carmelites. Great formation program. Love praying in community. Maybe this until debt is taken care of?
Anne M: Discalced
Dawn L: Sr Susan, your direction in this would greatly benefit. Would it be an branch or vine of your monasatry, would you be our mother-director?
Guest503 (guest): Not better than the Women of Grace group I’ve been attending for years. We just get together to learn, and pray usually once per week.
Sister Susan Marie: Don’t forget that there are Monasteries backing up this chat site which means real time retreats are always a possibility too.
Carol Ann C.: It would need to be a website with a forum, where we could communicate with each other. Links to classes on different types of spirituality and studies are great too. I’m thinking of something like the Avila Institute and Abbey of the Arts.
Guest503 (guest): Most are mothers. I am only “like a mother to many” according to one friend.
Guest503 (guest): So hard to have a real conversation like this.
Guest503 (guest): I lose the thread — maybe because I type so slowly.
Jan 4 2015, 7:50 PM
Carol Ann C.: But 503, if we start it, we can grow it in any direction the Spirit leads us. I too long for more, but it seems the Spirit has placed many of us as monks in the world, and our monastery is in our hearts
Judy K: I would guess that you need an application process for those interested. Then would come a period of formation. You would need to determine what type of commitment would come from this. Would it be vows or a promise.
Sister Susan Marie: I have a Federation Council meeting March 16-18. If I can propose something in writing for that meeting, there might be a real possibility to tap the talents of some Sisters
Guest503 (guest): Monastery of the Heart — book title.
Jan 4 2015, 7:51 PM
Guest503 (guest): Benedictine Sister from Erie, former head of the community.
Sister Susan Marie: Like the Cloistered Heart of Nancy Shuman
Carol Ann C.: Yes, all of those points would have to be discussed and worked out, but I don’t see why we couldn’t
Judy K: There might be elements of the formation that would be different for each person but formation in general should be uniform for all.
Carol Ann C.: Hi Sr. Mary Roberta!
Jan 4 2015, 7:54 PM
Judy K: Hi Sister Mary Roberta.
Carol Ann C.: I see we are nine again. we have enough to start a group
Sister Susan Marie: Just like tradtional postulancy etc the works vary
Jan 4 2015, 7:55 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes and the chat reads “full”
Carol Ann C.: Yes, Judy, that’s right. Abbey of the Arts does a self pace course and then the person can take the monk’s vow. We could do something similar
Jan 4 2015, 7:55 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hello!
Guest503 (guest): One community I was practically counting on joining — in Germany — insisted that I first go home to the USA. They were going to bend their rules about age to admit me, then had a bad experience with one older candidate and I was no longer considered. M
Judy K: I would not be part of the new group.
Carol Ann C.: Judy, how come? You have so much to offer, in wisdom and grace
Jan 4 2015, 7:56 PM
Anne M: Won’t give up. I love the idea of living in community. (although, Sister, I used to rather have a toothache)!
Guest503 (guest): Nine — a baseball team!
Judy K: Because I am already in a commitment which I treasure. I would certainly be willing to be on board as a supporter and to offer any advice that I could, but I would not want to add on another to the two I already have. I am also an Oblate of the Precious Blood with a specific commitment to prayer and sacrifice for the sanctification and salvation of priest. 9 PM
Carol Ann C.: That makes sense. I’m glad we wouldn’t lose you!
Carol Ann C.: Yes, Judy, that’s right. Abbey of the Arts does a self pace course and then the person can take the monk’s vow. We could do something similar
Guest503 (guest): Sacred Sisters we call one another in our parish women’s faith-sharing group.
Jan 4 2015, 7:59 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, it’s possible to get over-committed in the spiritual life, too
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Mary Roberta Viano: And, really, that’s what we already are, Guest 503 – and have been for quite awhile.
Carol Ann C.: It is. I get so enthusiastic. I do feel though, that while I am a “monk in the world” at this point in my cvocation, I still need the support of a community of people going through what I am
Anne M: Sister’s email asked whether one would prefer religious life or having a toothache.
Sister Susan Marie: the webmaster’s little input’
Anne M: Yes, it was tongue in cheek. Previously for me though, it was not.
Mary Roberta Viano: At least with a toothache, one visit to the dentist will take care of it.
Judy K: How so Anne?
Anne M: I recall saying, “really Lord, are you serious”
Mary Roberta Viano: I have found that my defensive instincts out in the world never work in my religious community.
Carol Ann C.: I am beginning to think that religious life, especially cloistered, is like wordly life, only intensified, so that what is wrong about worldly life gets examined under a microscope in a fishbowl
Anne M: Considering everytime I ask if He wants me to “forget it” a nun in full habit shows up. And we don’t have any monasteries around here where I live in MI
Mary Roberta Viano: True, Carol Ann, and that’s the real challenge – accepting that discomfort and entrusting it to the Lord.
Anne M: I guess He wants who he wants.
Judy K: Well, cloistered life, with its 24/7 closeness, offers more opportunity to faults to show up, more so that if one is out in some apostolate. The goal would be to root out faults and to grow in virtue.
Mary Roberta Viano: AND thinking ONLY positive thoughts about my sisters!
Guest503 (guest): Sr. Roberta, I wish! I’m on antibiotic now, and will need several visits to dentist for root canal.
Mary Roberta Viano: Not so much root out faults as cultivating a selective blindness to them – most of which are minor anyway – not faults, but irritants.
Jan 4 2015, 8:07 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: oops – sorry to hear it, 503!
Judy K: Are there no real faults like pride, or selfishness, things like that that need to be rooted out?
Jan 4 2015, 8:07 PM
Anne M: Is it really, then, like family life?
Jan 4 2015, 8:08 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says “Drink as deeply as you can of the sacred wine of charity; it will deliver you from those evil humors which cause you to make these judgments of others.”
Carol Ann C.: What I find, in life in general as well as cloister, that we all tend to shred ourselves over trivia and completely miss the big sins’
Guest503 (guest): Why is it though, that when one makes an observation about objective truth, most people feel that one is making a jusgement about the PERSON / the speaker.
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Judy, but it’s not another sister’s job to root them out – unless you’re talking about how our living together helps in the process – without criticizing another sisters.
Judy K: I am not talking about one sister responsible for another, rather the superior.
Carol Ann C.: I think if the person doing the correcting also admits their own faults, there is more of a sense of being in it together, rather than an individual just being humiliated
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Carol Ann, so being able to plop down in front of Our Lord in the Tabernacle is a great grace – any time of night or day1
Carol Ann C.: Amen!
Guest503 (guest): That is what I long for, Sr. Mary Roberta.
Anne M: I think it’s more about growth to the Lord. We all have something we do sometimes.
Mary Roberta Viano: Think about how He was criticized and ended up on the cross because of it.
Anne M: Sister Mary Roberta, can you go to sit with the Lord ANY time? I love it!
Jan 4 2015, 8:12 PM
Guest503 (guest): In Germany I had special permission from the chancellor (bishop’s secretary) to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at home.
Carol Ann C.: But He was never wrong about anything, and I’m wrong all the time. Plus, I’ve noticed a general tendency of people to crucify each other
Guest1696 (guest): I’m with 503 – longing
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, it’s an AMAZING GRACE1
Mary Roberta Viano: Things then take on their proper proportions in front of Him.
Anne M: Yes
Jan 4 2015, 8:14 PM
HelenC (guest): yes
Sister Susan Marie: And the real difference between any other life and the one under HIs Roof- unless you have a special privilege like Guest 503- it it Ruth?
Guest503 (guest): Here we have to deal with traveling long distances, cold, and locked doors.
Judy K: That’s one thing that I miss about living in a community–having a chapel in the building. Being able to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament any time I choose. Now, it costs me anywhere from 3-12 dollars to get to a chapel.
Guest503 (guest): But I’ve found a partial solution.
Carol Ann C.: Contemplative
Sister Susan Marie: Solution?
HelenC (guest): I’m so lucky to have perpetual adoration 15 minutes away!
Anne M: I’ve been drawn to contemplative life.
Guest503 (guest): The local hospital has a chapel, Eucharist is present.
Guest1696 (guest): I do – although, mostly contemplative (I’m Kellie, Hi y’all)
Marie Griffin: I am more drawn to contemplative.
Dawn L: I do…esp in a community, but unsure how to fit in with my life right now…The Cloistered Heart is a real helpPM
Mary Roberta Viano: But the contemplative still means serving one’s sisters with hard, self-sacrificing work.
Guest503 (guest): Both. But as I get older and less able to be as active, contemplative seems more and more my “calling.
Jan 4 2015, 8:17 PM
Carol Ann C.: Hi Kellie
M
Guest1696 (guest): Hi Carol Ann
Mary Roberta Viano: Thanks explore the consecrated life of a hermit, Carol Ann.
Dawn L: Hi Kellie
Guest1696 (guest): Hi Judy K and thanks
Jan 4 2015, 8:18 PM
Anne M: Yes, Sister.
Sister Susan Marie: Hermit can be an “ultimate” in contemplation, according to some traditions
Guest1696 (guest): Hi Dawn
Mary Roberta Viano: then, not thanks
Mary Roberta Viano: We had a sister here who ended up as a hermit and is very happy.
Guest503 (guest): I call my house — with attached apartment for medical practice — my “huge hermitage”
Jan 4 2015, 8:19 PM
Anne M: It’s ok, used to no thanks
Carol Ann C.: except for I don’t want to be without community. I was living like a monk in the world (possibly with a private, unoficial vow) and wanted & needed community, which is what sparked the whole journeyM
Judy K: Carol Ann, if you are seriously considering becoming a hermit. you might want to contact Sister Laurel O’Neil at notesfromstillsong. She is a diocesan hermit and even if you just read some of her posts, and there are many, her site might be helpful to you.
Anne M: I read about consecrated hermits. As long as you can support yourself, and follow a rule… And of course the Bishop approves, you can do it.
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says in one of his sermons: “Contemplation is nothing other than taking delight in the goodness of Him Whom we have learned to love. This delight will be our happiness in heaven above.”
Carol Ann C.: that almost sounds like the Consecrated Virgin
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, except a consecrated virgin is out working in the world. M
Mary Roberta Viano: A hermit stay enclosed in her hermitage and immediate surroundings.
Anne M: Praying without saying a word verbally
Carol Ann C.: Stillsong is the blog Notes From Stillsong Hermitage?
Mary Roberta Viano: I sure our hermit sister does a lot of singing out loud to her Lord and Master. She is a maker of small harps.
Dawn L: Sr Mary Roberta….you often quote from SFdS and I wonder ..which translation of Devout Life is preferred? I am assumming this book is good place to start? sorry going off topic
Guest503 (guest): I do both, even taxiing a man with CP to Catholic church after he was away for some time — first confession since First Holy Communion.
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s wonderful how Our Lord calls each one of us to what is best for us.
Jan 4 2015, 8:23 PM
Judy K: Contemplation is really a gift from the Lord. When I try to open myself to contemplation, I usually fall asleep. How I long to get truly lost in Him!
Guest503 (guest): Dawn, that’s a most approriate topic.\ PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Dawn. The Intro. is good to read. Check the different translations for the one you can most easily read.
Dawn L: thank you
Jan 4 2015, 8:24 PM
Guest503 (guest): This fellow, say a prayer: I’m hoping he’ll become involved in the choir, and that’ll help him keep coming back. He sings beautifully.
Anne M: Judy, it seems we can grow and grow toward him, but that longing only gets more intense
HelenC (guest): before this ends i just want to say how informative this was for me. thank you so much ladies!
Sister Susan Marie: I think there are several strands her. First- what is God’s Will for each of us?
Mary Roberta Viano: Yeah! Singing is praying twice, as St.Augustine says!
Judy K: And hopefully that longing will never cease because it is the longing that keeps us seeking greater union with Him.
Carol Ann C.: I love to sing–in my car along with the Christian radio
Sister Susan Marie: You are welcome and each of you much appreciated! Second- God does seem to work thru this chat room, and keeps us tuned spiritually- so this may be a part of His will for all of us
Mary Roberta Viano: and joining with others to praise Our God is really heart-stirring1
Sister Susan Marie: Third- it may not be His entire Will for us, thus the longing for more
M
Anne M: Yes, Judy
Sister Susan Marie: So- we continue to explore, individually. Communally we can explore the “institute, cyber community or whatever develops, without abandoning this chat.
Anne M: absolutely
Mary Roberta Viano: and keep praying for one another!
Carol Ann C.: There is room for all of these things. I feel like we are individual flames of a greater candle
Jan 4 2015, 8:27 PM
Sister Susan Marie: If any of us, from all over the country here, want to get together I think it mite be a possibility as part of the Year of Consecrated Life to obtain some funds from the Federation
Guest503 (guest): Abraham was 75 when God called him to leave his native land — and he didn’t even know where he was going. It didn’t matter because he was going with God.
Carol Ann C.: I would love to come!
Marie Griffin: Me,too!
Dawn L: thank you Sisters! goodnight all. prayers and blessings! Sr Susan, that would be wonderful to get together!
Anne M: me too
Mary Roberta Viano: We can see whether DC or NYC is more central.
Jan 4 2015, 8:28 PM
Carol Ann C.: And I was just advised to pray over Abrahams’ call…
Judy K: I ask you prayers for me tomorrow and also next Saturday when I will enter a new decade of life. I will be 70 on Saturday. Praise God that I have lived these years. It could have been otherwise.
Jan 4 2015, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Where are we all from? Brooklyn NY here
Sister Susan Marie: Happy Birthday!!
Carol Ann C.: California
Guest1696 (guest): Michigan here
Carol Ann C.: Happy Birthday!
Mary Roberta Viano: Happy B’day, Judy!
HelenC (guest): PA
Jan 4 2015, 8:29 PM
Anne M: Chesterfield, Michigan
Marie Griffin: I am in Colorado.
Jan 4 2015, 8:28 PM
Guest503 (guest): I wonder where we would meet.
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Dawn. The Intro. is good to read. Check the different translations for the one you can most easily read.
Jan 4 2015, 8:14 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Do any of you long for the apostolic life? Or mostly contemplative?
Judy K: Thank you Sister. I’m in West Haverstraw, NY thanks all.
Jan 4 2015, 8:29 PM
Dawn L: northern Ca mountains
Jan 4 2015, 8:29 PM
Guest1696 (guest): Happy Birthday Judy K
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Sister Susan Marie: Some from the same states- that’s a good start!
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Guest503 (guest): I live way upstate NY almost to Canada, but I was born in Brooklyn.
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann C.: Hey, Dawn, we’re practically neighbores!
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: How amazing that Our Lord has drawn us together this way!
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Marie Griffin: Happy Bday, Judy!
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Prayers for each of you- will ponder during the week!
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, that’s the main thing: praying for one another each week! G’night!
Jan 4 2015, 8:30 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Sr Roberta and I may need to put our hearts and heads together to see what can be offered
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Judy K: Thank you, all of your good wishes. You will be in my prayers that the Lord will reveal His plan to each of you.
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Good night!
Good night!
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Guest1696 (guest): i can’t find my login email – could it be resent perhaps?
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Guest503 (guest): THANK YOU!
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann C.: Good night and God bless us everyone–until we can meet in person
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
Guest1696 (guest): and Good night
Jan 4 2015, 8:31 PM
HelenC (guest): good night
Jan 4 2015, 8:32 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes or just type in your name where the guest shows up.