Wondering how God is calling you? Are you curious about how your job or set of relationships is really a vocation? Do you want some awesome discussions around faith in real-life and more? Think hanging out with Catholic sisters and a fun thoughtful, faith community is cool? Then you are in the right place! Welcome! Explore and be sure to visit with us every weekday at 6 pm CT in our chat room.
Is God really calling me?
Is God really calling me? How do I figure out what God is trying to say to me? Am I the only one who feels this way?
If you have some of these questions, especially if you are kinda, sorta attracted to (but simultaneously terrified of) a call to consecrated life in the Catholic Church, then the Vocation Forum is for you. What is the Vocation Forum, you ask? It’s a discussion area for people who are discerning God’s call in their life. It’s a place to share vocation resources and questions with other discerners. It’s a fairly new forum and one that we hope will grow and continue to be a welcoming, supportive place for people discerning. Got a friend or daughter or coworker who is thinking about religious life or wondering what their call is? Send them over to the Vocation Forum.
Occasionally I or my nun Sister Maxine Kollasch, IHM, will be on the forum to support you and to figure out any weird technical issues, but mainly this is your place, your conversation.
Not sure if this is for you? Well, give it a shot. A good way to get to know the forum will be at our live “social hour” this Sunday, February 8, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It’s an opportunity to get to know others and to discuss thoughts and questions around discerning God’s call.
You need to be a member of the forum to participate, but not to worry, membership is free and easy to do. If you have any questions, just let me know. Feel free to comment below. Also, if you have any other requests or suggestions around how A Nun’s Life can help with vocational questions, issues, etc. please let us know!
And if you’d like to check out other resources that help in discerning your calling, visit Catholics on Call or VISION Vocation website.
Previous post: Behind the Collar – an online campaign for vocations to the priesthood
Next post: When a Catholic Sister dies
Get your nun schwag! -- We've got cool nunly items including this awesome mug at 
{ 9 comments }
To all:
Of COURSE God is calling you! He never STOPS calling you. Never ever forget that. I think that if you keep that in mind, the question of what God is calling you to do seems less… apocalyptic.
I had a very sudden and very intense feeling last January 2008 of prayer and have not stopped since. It was like something hit me and I went full force into a more prayer filled life than ever before. Not only do I pray everyday , several times a day , but I have actually dreampt about prayers and scriptures.When I was young I wanted to be a Nun but life can be cruel at times. I wonder if this is God calling me again , I hope I never stop listening!
I was recently confronted by my postgraduate theology lecturer, a Religious Sister of Mercy from Michigan, who asked me “Why are you terrified? If you’re so convinced its not your call, why can’t you just walk away?” She suggested that my terror was a deep-seated knowledge that it truly is God’s plan, and my fear of undertaking that, of giving myself fully to that. My need to cling to my own plan.
Now I find myself committed to a private retreat with this same sister in a week’s time. I want out, but I keep getting pulled further and further in, like quicksand that I’m struggling against.
I “grew up” in a catholic boarding school-St. Ursaline Order, in Brown County, Ohio-1970-1974. In 1974 I graduated and went to college. In 1978, I joined the Navy. In 1980 I married and shortly thereafter gave birth to 2 daughters.
My daughters are grown and doing well. I currently work for the state of Tennessee, for a small salary. I could live without money. I live a chaste life now.
I have a chronic illness. I take medication.
I have felt a strong call to make myself useful in this alarmingly chaotic global community. I would gladly go to any country or community to offer whatever skill and/or comfort that I can provide to the suffering of others.
I pray continually for strenth to follow the path that Jesus laid out for
people of faith to follow. I pray for guidance on how to commit my life in service to the sick, the hungry, the destitute, the disabled. I wonder sometimes if I can be useful at all.
I have a special passion for animals and their suffering at the hand of humans.
Questions:
1. Does having an illness disqualify me for servitude? I’ve had to have several surgeries on my spine as well as a (botched or a rejected) hip replacement. I have SLE (Lupus) that comes and goes in “flares”, and causes joint pain, body paid, various rashes, artheritis, difficulty swallowing…I also have 2 herniated discs-which do not affect my spinal cord as they herniated outward instead of inward toward my spine-and take pain medication (Codiene and Darvon)
2. Does my passion and love for animals/pets that have been neglected or abused limit my usefulness as a missionary and servant to our Holy Father
Dear Erin, Thanks for writing and sharing a bit of your story. Your call is beautiful and I encourage you to keep listening to how God is calling you. Having an illness does not automatically disqualify you for serving others. It kind of depends on what kind of work you wish to do. Some service programs do require a kind of physical exam before entering to determine if a person is capable of performing the work. However, there are many, many different ways to minister. Are you considering doing this part-time? volunteer? Those are some things to consider. There are many Catholic organizations that welcome people who wish to help others — including animals. You might want to check in with a Franciscan group (Saint Francis also loved animals) to see if they have service opportunities which include service to both people and animals. I’ve heard of many groups (though not necessarily Catholic) that have helped animals and their owners during natural disasters. Keep nurturing your call to service and explore opportunities. You may find that a particular ministry comes and finds you!
I would like to know if sister’s have any sort of salary? What would a person so if they had a car payment and some small debts? Would they be able to continue to pay them?
Hello all, I just stumble onto this page with foggy thoughts about “God’s Call” Well, I will pray and read some scriptures maybe this will bring solitude.
4/07/09
I feel strongly that I am being called to be a Nun or Sister. I have been dropped to poverty, already practicing chasity and obedience. I am currently in a program to convert to Catholic. But there are some missing fields, I do not have any Nuns or Sisters where I live. I would love to become friends with any one of you. We could email, write, or talk over the phone. I am in college online enrolled in a double Major. Teaching and Psychology. I know that I can use these skills in what ever God calls me to do.
Hi Tracy, I encourage you to get to know a variety of nuns and the many different missions and ways of life that there are for Catholic sisters and nuns. Check out our Blogs by Catholic Nuns listing and spend some time on different blogs to get a feel for the sisters and nuns. Also, check out our page How to Become a Catholic Nun for other suggestions. Feel free to email us anytime.