Uncertainty about the Call

Being uncertain about your vocation, not sure whether you are called to religious or married life or the single life is normal.Living in the tension of not knowing is important. I suggest that,in prayer, you share all the feelings and thoughts you have about each vocation, or the vocation you are considering, with the Lord. You could do that by journaling or  writing the Lord letters expressing these inner stirrings, the confusion, the questions that are rising up within you. Eventually a clear picture will emerge in God’s time and place, not ours.

 Do not rush the process or force clarity. Live in the mystery.  Go about life, living it fully and intentionally, meaningfully and calmly as a student, as a participant or leader in service and/or parish activities, as an employee, knowing that, as Isaiah tells us, “in quiet and in trust your strength lies” (Is. 30:15).  Keep seeking God’s will above all—He will show you what He wants of you as you continue to open yourself up to a variety of experiences and considerations. Always seek His counsel. Call upon Him for clarity, patience, humility and love.  Be open to dating, to religious life, to intentionally remaining single, namely, to whatever vocation God calls you. The key is: what does God want of you and where does your happiness lie. God wants you to be at peace with yourself and happy with you choices.

 Since the Holy Spirit has whispered to you to consider religious life, it is possible that you are called to consecrate your life to the Lord. That will become obvious to you as you search out information about religious life: browsing websites, visiting convents, talking to vocation directors (face-to-face or through email, telephone conversations, Skype), attending discernment sessions and/or “Come and See” events. At “Come and See” events you will meet sisters, begin to become acquainted with that community’s charism and spirituality, listen to the Sisters’ vocation stories, ministry experiences, their living of community life, what makes them happy and joyful in their vocation, etc.—a sort of dating “religious life” over an extended period of time.

Many young women do not enter marriage or religious life until their late twenties or early thirties, so give yourself space to consider the vocation in life to which God is calling you without putting undue pressure on yourself.

 

I hope this information is helpful to you. As vocation director for my religious community, I would love to hear from you, that is, to be able to talk with you via a phone call. I can be reached at 973-627-0424(office) or 973-349-9654 (Cell) or by email—ssmvoc@gmail.com. Let me know if you would appreciate the opportunity to chat about feeling called to religious life. If so, suggest a good time to call you.