“Consecrated women are called in a very special way to be signs of God’s tender love for humanity.”
- St. John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, § 46
Before you can discern your vocation in freedom, you must rest in a simple and deep truth: God the Father loves you. He wants you to accept who you are as His cherished daughter and keep your eyes on Him. He says to you in Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have written you on the palms of my hands.”
God holds you tenderly close to His heart, and He yearns for you to invite Him close to your heart. There is incredible hope for your life because of His love. He says in Isaiah 43:4, “You are precious in my eyes, and glorious, and I love you.”
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, always follow Your plans, and perfectly accomplish Your holy will. Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life, I may do whatever You may require of me. Help me to respond to the slightest prompting of Your grace, so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument. May Your will be done in time and in eternity, by me, in me, and through me. Amen.
-Prayer of St. Therese
God’s love is meant to be the foundation of your life and discernment.
Here are some beginning thoughts:
-
What is a vocation? +
Your vocation is the way God wants to unite you to Himself. Knowing your vocation isn’t the final goal; the goal is to be united with the Bridegroom in Heaven for all eternity.
-
What is the purpose of discernment? +
The purpose of discernment is to take action in following God’s plan of love.
-
How can I be ready to follow my vocation? +
(based on guidance from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises)
- Know and believe you are utterly lovable, known, and loved.
- Know that the purpose and meaning of human life is to praise God, to serve God, to love Him and be with Him forever.
- Understand that your vocation is a way to union with God, not a goal in itself.
- Surrender disordered attachments:
- Any attachment not purely for the love of God, including things that are sinful and things that are loved too much for their own sake yet not strictly sinful.
- Surrendering disordered attachments frees us to say “yes” joyfully to God’s will.
- Form the attitude of mind and heart for discernment:
- Be like a see-saw balanced in the middle, ready to follow whatever I see is more for God’s glory and the salvation of my soul.
- What can I do if I find myself closed to God’s will or unsure that God really loves me?
-
How can I open myself further to the Lord's work in me? +
(based on guidance from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises)
We sometimes find ourselves closed to God’s will, attached to various earthly things, or unsure that God really loves us. Here are some tools to help:
- Talk regularly with a trusted spiritual guide about weaknesses, struggles, and fears. Being vulnerable and transparent with a spiritual guide is the best way to make strides forward in the spiritual life.
- Take the attachments and fears to our Lord in prayer. Be specific, be concrete, be utterly vulnerable with Him. He is God. He can do all things in you and for you.
- If you are aware of emotional or mental trauma in your past, take some time in counseling.
- It is helpful to have a positive inclination of heart toward the poverty and humility of Christ, and the desire to share in the simplicity of His life.
- Spend time each day in prayer as discussed with your spiritual guide.
-
Where can I go for help? +
Find a spiritual guide, such as a priest, sister or lay spiritual director.
Notice people in your life who are trying to open themselves to the Lord’s work and spend more time with them.
Pray the Rosary and grow close to Mary. St. John Paul II said, “A filial relationship to Mary is the royal road to fidelity to one’s vocation and a most effective help for advancing in that vocation and living it fully,” (Vita Consecrata, 28)
Listen to stories about the saints.
Read books. Here are a few we recommend:
- Discerning Religious Life by Sister Clare Matthiass, CFR
- The Discernment of Spirits by Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV
- Discerning the Will of God by Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV
- "...And you are Christ's" by Father Thomas Dubay, SM
- An Undivided Heart by Sister Evelyn Ann Schumacher, OSF
- 1
"You, dear Sisters,
are truly a special treasure of the Church…
Recognize your identity and your dignity."
-Pope Saint John Paul II
Redemptionis Donum
Coming closer to our Lord in prayer
- Attend daily Mass as often as possible.
- Spend regular time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.
- Commit to daily conversation between God’s heart and your heart.
- Make spaces for silence in your life, such as time in the car or exercising without music.
- Come close to our Blessed Mother Mary.
- Be vulnerable and transparent with your spiritual guide.
Here are a few Scripture suggestions for your prayer:
- Matthew 11:25-30, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 139:1-18
- Isaiah 61:1-8, Philippians 3:1-11, Mark 10:17-31
- Luke 7:36-50, Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 25:31-46
- Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 10:1-16, John 2:1-11
- Matthew 16:24-27, Luke 23:1-25, John 20:11-18
Taking action to see where the Lord might be calling
Spend time with the Sisters by:
- Volunteering in one of the Sisters’ classrooms
- Helping out at workdays and other events at Villa Regina Motherhouse
- Attending events with the Sisters, such as profession ceremonies and Christmas caroling
- Attend a Come and See event or retreat
Learn more about other religious communities
Those who are ready to attend a Come and See or Retreat are:
- Spending regular time with Jesus in Blessed Sacrament
- Ardently practicing the Catholic faith for at least 2 years
- Devoted to Mary
- Not currently dating
- In good mental, physical, and emotional health
- Free of alcohol abuse and drug use for 2-3 years
- Between 18-35 years old
Retreat Dates and Come & See Dates
Epiphany House Program
In a world that is conducive to living in distraction, emptiness, noise, and isolation, the Epiphany House Program offers women a life of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, friendship, silence, and spiritual accompaniment, in order to lay a foundation for a future of joyful fidelity to Christ, wherever and however He leads. This program is for young adult single women who desire to grow in relationship with Christ within the context of community life as they work or pursue higher education. All residents are accompanied by the School Sisters of Christ the King and other women in the program. The Epiphany House community gathers for times of prayer, as well as a weekly formation night. These women are invited to participate in certain aspects of the common life of the School Sisters of Christ the King with each woman discerning and committing to a personal formation plan. Additionally, the program is conducive to fruitful discernment for those who are discerning how to enter more fully into the Father’s blessing.
