PASSIONIST NUNS
CALLED TO REMEMBER THE GREATEST WORK OF GOD’S LOVE
A contemplative vocation is an invitation to follow Christ in an intimate relationship of love and prayer lived out in a monastic atmosphere of community peace. As Passionist Nuns, we do this through the inspiration that comes from knowing that Christ loved us even to death on the Cross. We were founded to keep alive the memory of the Passion of Christ, especially the self-sacrificing love behind his suffering. This is specified by our Passion Vow: to promote devotion to and grateful remembrance of the Passion of Christ. We do this by meditating on the Passion in our prayer, striving to allow the attitudes of Christ Crucified to live more and more deeply in our hearts. Then we bring these attitudes to bear on our community life.
We also share the love of the Passion with the many people who come to us asking for prayers, helping them to know the love Jesus has for them in their sorrows and pain. St. Paul of the Cross, our Founder, called the Passion “the greatest work of God’s love.” When we are more aware of his love for us, then we are better able to handle the sufferings of life, because we know that we are not alone. Also, because Christ suffered, our own sorrows and pains now have redemptive meaning. This sense of hope is what people today need, and hope arises from the Passion.
The Passion Vow colors the other four vows that we take: chastity, poverty, obedience and enclosure. We see all of these in the light of the love of Jesus Crucified. Being so aware of his love for us helps us to offer our lives in union with his for the glory of God and for the needs of the Church and the world.
Some people have remarked, “I don’t feel worthy to be a religious.” No one is worthy! Such a vocation is purely a gift from God, having nothing to do with our worthiness or unworthiness. The reason that our Lord chooses this person and not that one is a mystery hidden in the mind of God as he works out the redemption of mankind. Our part is to discern his loving will and to follow and so find our true peace and joy.
Sr. Mary Catherine, C.P.
YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A CALL TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE… NOW WHAT?
1. Put the whole journey of discernment in the care of our Blessed Mother. She wants nothing more than to help you do the will of God.
2. Try to attend Mass more often, not just on Sundays. This union with Jesus will make your heart more receptive to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.
3. Try to spend some quiet time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, just listening in your heart.
4. Look through some of the religious vocation book, check the internet. Contact some of the communities that catch your attention. Some of the information that you receive will appeal to you, some will not. Continue to contact those that do so, narrowing down the ones that you want to visit.
5. If possible, make a short visit to the ones that you have chosen. Listen to your heart. Our Lord will draw you to the one that he chooses for you.
6. To really know if you have a call to a community, you will eventually have to enter. You cannot tell from the outside, you have to live it, and live it for a good amount of time. That is why the formation program is quite a number of years.
7. Through all of this, realize that our Lord does not give you the whole game plan at one time. He wants your trust, so he leads you step-by-step. He loves you too much to fool around with your life, so trust him to lead you.
