Blog | Religious Life
Religious Life Article
Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament, affectionately known as Mother Luisita, was one of the women who recognized the dangers and sought to preserve the precious vocations entrusted to her by God by coming to America.
Prophetic Vocation of Religious Life
Prophecy: Does it still happen? Where have all the prophets gone? Where are the Isaiahs, Jeremiahs and Ezekiels of the past? In the New Testament, Paul says, “God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers” (1 Cor. 12:28). What are...
GIVEN Forum: There is nothing God cannot do with an unconditional ‘yes.’
“There is nothing God cannot do with an unconditional ‘yes.’ ” These are words that Cardinal Wuerl spoke to the 60 religious and 300 young women gathered in the crypt of the National Shine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC for the opening Mass of the GIVEN Forum.
Celebrating 2016 Jubilees
In a fast food, instant messaging, disposable culture, it is refreshing and life giving to celebrate the long lasting, daily faithfulness of women who have kept their vows for 25, 70, 80 years. Jubilees invite all of us to renew our own vows…
His Power
Religious life is a supernatural life of faith that is expressed in the very real, very concrete details of daily life. Learning all the customs and procedures, the hows and whens of accomplishing even the simplest tasks in a new way, can feel daunting.
God Is Enough
We sisters are often asked to explain what our life as consecrated women is like. Each time I am asked to do this, the same question
lingers in my mind. How can I explain the in-explainable? Human words can never explain supernatural realities.
Lord, Open My Lips
“Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.” (Psalm 51:15)
These words ring out in the chapel, breaking the silence of the early morning. It is still dark outside and our community of sisters, albeit still a bit bleary-eyed, has gathered to begin the day singing the Divine Office.
Nothing Is Impossible to God
Often when I introduce myself, people seem surprised. “I thought Carmelites were cloistered?” Occasionally there is a slight tone of suspicion in their voice, as if maybe we were escapees or something. I am always prompt to clarify things for them.
Memories of Receiving the Habit
On the day I received the religious habit, I was 19 years old and only a little more than 10 months in the Community.
What is Formation?
When a young woman is considering the possibility of entering Religious Life, one of the greatest fears that her parents confront is that their daughter will lose her most unique and beautiful and precious traits. They may wonder, “Will the Nuns brainwash my daughter? Will they make her a robot or clone? What means of coercion do they use? Dangling from the toes? Bread and water for weeks? Solitary confinement? What really happens behind those walls!!!”