http://anunslife.org/2009/09/14/where-do-i-go-from-here/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Thu, 24 May 2012 22:10:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://anunslife.org/2009/09/14/where-do-i-go-from-here/#comment-44220 Max Marie Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:43:55 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3796#comment-44220 I joined the Secular Franciscan Order. It's wonderful. Now that my situation has changed, I am being called to the anchoritic life. Possibly an order or anchorites. I joined the Secular Franciscan Order. It’s wonderful. Now that my situation has changed, I am being called to the anchoritic life. Possibly an order or anchorites.

]]> http://anunslife.org/2009/09/14/where-do-i-go-from-here/#comment-44206 Peggy Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:30:32 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=3796#comment-44206 Veronica, I am an IHM Associate, and this coming weekend I will be joining with my small group within the congregation, known as a "mission unit," for a weekend of prayer, community, discussion, discernment, and good times (we are meeting in Boston, and one of our traditions when we meet there is to share lobster--yum!). Those Associates who live closer to Monroe than I do (I'm in New York state) also gather periodically at the Motherhouse, but that's not really possible for me all that often. Anyway, being an Associate is a very important part of my life, and I urge you to explore this option (note: I'm older than you are). It's important, I think, to find a community with which you feel a strong kinship. There are several in my area that would have been more "convenient" for me to join as an associate, but they weren't right for me, even though I have friends who are associated with them. You may also want to explore the Oblate program that Benedictine monasteries offer, or the Secular Third Orders that are part of the larger Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite communities, if there are such in your area. All of these options are available to married people, by the way.... When you find the group, and the type of relationship, that is "right" for you, you will know it. This is an important decision, so don't try to rush or to force it, but do search for options that are available to you. Blessings! Veronica, I am an IHM Associate, and this coming weekend I will be joining with my small group within the congregation, known as a “mission unit,” for a weekend of prayer, community, discussion, discernment, and good times (we are meeting in Boston, and one of our traditions when we meet there is to share lobster–yum!). Those Associates who live closer to Monroe than I do (I’m in New York state) also gather periodically at the Motherhouse, but that’s not really possible for me all that often. Anyway, being an Associate is a very important part of my life, and I urge you to explore this option (note: I’m older than you are). It’s important, I think, to find a community with which you feel a strong kinship. There are several in my area that would have been more “convenient” for me to join as an associate, but they weren’t right for me, even though I have friends who are associated with them. You may also want to explore the Oblate program that Benedictine monasteries offer, or the Secular Third Orders that are part of the larger Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite communities, if there are such in your area. All of these options are available to married people, by the way…. When you find the group, and the type of relationship, that is “right” for you, you will know it. This is an important decision, so don’t try to rush or to force it, but do search for options that are available to you. Blessings!

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