AS059 Ask Sister – following God’s call to parenthood or nunhood or acting, asking “why me?” and being worthy of God’s call, choosing apostolic life or contemplative life

How did you decide between being an apostolic sister or a contemplative nun? Funny you should ask that. I joined the Felician Franciscansbc I felt that God was calling me there, but then we postulants made a little trip to Roswell and met Mother Mary Francis, PCC and the Colletine Poor Clares. I wanted to run away and join them! A couple of years later as a novice I shared that idea with my classmate and she tried to talk me out of it. I said, “Fine! If God wants me to be a Felician, then God will have us profess 1st vows on the feast of St. Clare! Not a week later the provincial minister announced that first vows would be on August 11 and final vows (for the group ahead of us) on August 12–both feasts of St. Clare!!!

I’m 23 and feel like something is missing, the sense of fulfillment and happiness. I feel God is calling me, but I wonder, “Why me? Am I worthy enough of God’s call?” This reminds me of that old poster, “I know I’m somebody, ‘cuz God don’t make no junk!” We are all called by God to do one thing or another. We are beloved and precious in God’s eyes. That is what makes us worthy!

I am attracted to both being a religious and being a parent. This tug-of-war makes it difficult to listen to God’s voice, and I wonder if you have any advice for me. There are different kinds of parenting. This is what the our Franciscan Rule says: Oh, how happy and blessed are these men and women when they do these things and persevere in doing them, because “the spirit of the Lord will rest upon them” (cf. Is 11:2) and he will make “his home and dwelling among them” (cf Jn 14:23), and they are the sons of the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:45), whose works they do, and they are the spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt 12:50). We are spouses, when by the Holy Spirit the faithful soul is united with our Lord Jesus Christ; we are brothers to him when we fulfill “the will of the Father who is in heaven” (Mt 12:50). We are mothers, when we carry him in our heart and body (cf. 1 Cor 6:20) through divine love and a pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through a holy life which must give life to others by example (cf. Mt 5:16). I think Francis covered it all there!

My dream is to be an actress – acting makes me happy. But when I’m at church I feel at peace and hear a call to be a nun. Help! This is why I call relilgious life “the great adventure”! I had so many things I wanted to do but gave up and so many other things I never dreamed I would do when I became a sister! Yes, I was a teacher, but I have also been many other things. Here’s just a few things I’ve been: a missionary, a choir director, an artist, a soloist, a care giver, a speaker, an editor, a writer, and voice-over actress. I have sung for the Pope–twice! I have recorded several albums with various choirs. I’ve even been an extra in a movie (Sister Act II)! You never know where God will call you. Answer the call and hang on for a most amazing ride!