Religious Life as a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, a Franciscan Congregation

Sr. Daniela Maria Alborghetti Region Italy, one of our newest members was asked to reflect on the spirituality of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, Franciscans. She writes: "I have been attracted by the person of Francis since childhood; his ability to rejoice at everything, the joy of seeing God in the most humble of  creatures;being trustful in his heart like a child who expects everything from his parents and knows that all his needs will be satisfied. All these aspects of the Franciscan Spirituality have accompanied me as a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother. In the last few years, Francis’ unceasing reference to the Mercy of God supported me very much. God does not disdain any of us and it is through our poverty that His grace and power shine. My continuous experience of God’s Mercy helps my heart to be more merciful to our sisters and those close to me. All of this makes me think of Mary, and, in a particular way, of standing under the cross. In her moment of utter poverty and untold suffering she became a mother in the fullness of motherhood, welcoming in her heart all the sons and daughters who were entrusted to her by her dying Son."

Religious Life as a Franciscan

Sr. Gillian Angela Marie Jerome, a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, who are a Franciscan Order,  reflects on the meaning of our Franciscan heritage as Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. She writes: "Many different parts of our Franciscan heritage inspire me, but the one that speaks to me the most, is the simple Prayer of St. Francis…”Lord, make me an instrument….” In the past I simply mouthed those words; now I pray the prayer more consciously. I realize that in that prayer lies the fullness of the “Kingdom of God” to which I am called to contribute to make a present reality. Hence, to the measure that I am at peace is the same measure that I give to the world….A Franciscan way of living, therefore, calls me into right relationship with God, self, creation and others, and I cannot think of a better way to do this, than to be in right relationship with myself. It is a challenge, yet it is possible. My prayer is that as a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother I will continue to strive to live simply and consciously, with a deeper love and respect for others, so that my example may speak for itself."

Being a Franciscan Sister of the Sorrowful Mother: What does it mean?

        

What does religious life mean to me?  Sister Jeanine Retzer, a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother writes:

“I have been deeply affected by my Franciscan roots. I love being part of something larger than myself--the spiritual teachers and example of both St. Francis and Clare and of our foundress Mother Frances Streitel. Over the years I have studied and grown in my practice and appreciation of our congregation’s Franciscan heritage. The last several years I am daily reminded of the Franciscan virtues as prayed in the Franciscan Morning and Evening Praise: conversion of heart, poverty, contemplation, and minority or humility. Through the Franciscan Federation I am in touch with Franciscans throughout the U.SA. and Caribbean, as part of my efforts to bring what I believe into action. My Franciscan roots have greatly enriched my life and daily living.”

Discernment: Brief Look at the Vows

THE VOWS of poverty, chastity and obedience  are essential dimensions of religious life.  As one contemplates entering a religious community, an inquirer needs to  look briefly at each of the three vows.  Concerning poverty, the discerner might ask herself:  Can I live a life of poverty, where I pool all my resources in a common fund for mission, ministry and communal living? Can I live on a very limited budget for personal needs?  Concerning obedience: Can I live a life of obedience as modeled by Jesus, who said, “…I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me” (Jn 6: 38).  That is the foundation of a Sister/Brother/Priest’s obedience to their superior.  Will I be open to seeking  God’s will above my own?  How would I respond to a request to take on a ministry for which I certainly am well qualified but one that would not be my first choice of service? Would I be able to endorse a final decision when the outcome  of communal discernment is not what I wanted it to be.  Concerning chastity: From this point forward,  can I live a celibate life and am I willing to grow in intimacy—into-me-you-see?   Is my loving inclusive of others? Am I willing to deepen my ability to identify with the needs of another, the sorrows and the joys of another on an affective as well as on a cognitive basis? Am I willing to grow in my ability to listen actively?  Am I willing to become an even more  generous person, willing to be available to help people on their terms, willing to serve others?  Am I willing to strengthen my skills for being other-centered, for appropriate confiding, interpersonal trust, loyalty, appropriate expression of affection, commitment to long-term, life-long ministry? Am I willing to deepen my ability to be faithful to one’s commitments? (Source: Adapted from Rev. Raymond Carey, Behavior Assessment I Workshop, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL, July 14-16, 2008)

Discernment: The Right "Fit"

DISCERNMENT: THE RIGHT “FIT”?    Having come to the conclusion that “yes” God is calling me to consecrate my life to Him as a woman religious, the discerner is faced with the question: Which religious community is “the right fit” for me?  Dominicans? Franciscans? Benedictines? Carmelites? Augustinians, or any other?  Women and men who are members of a religious congregation are committed to the vision of the Foundress/Founder of that Order and the spirituality that person has embraced (that of St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Benedict, that of a Marian thrust, the spirituality of St. Faustina, St. Ignatius, St. Augustine, etc.)  So, a  discerner needs to learn a little bit about the Foundress/ Founder of the community in which she is interested ( an indepth study is  part of the postulancy/novitiate/and temporary vow phase of being incorporated into that community). To what was the Spirit calling the Foundress/Founder?  How did they live out their call within the Church and the world in their time and space?    As your interest in a religious community grows and if the Vocation Director senses that you might be called to her community, she will introduce you to the Founder/Foundress.  As you  are introduced to the Foundress/Founder of a religious community, I suggest that you study that bit of information  in depth, asking yourself:  if I had entered at the time of the Foundress/Founder, how would I have lived out my calling?  How might the Spirit be asking me to live this person’s gift to the Church today?  Do I even feel a kinship to the Founder/Foundress’ way of living the Gospel?   And, are you interested in learning more? If “yes,” continue your discernment with this community.

 In your discerning, also consider the following:   If  the Community in which you are interested  is a Franciscan Community, (or any other tradition) you might want to look for some literature in that tradition. If Franciscan, for instance, you might want to look for a book  that will introduce you to Francis’ spiritualty (there are lots of books written about him and are available on Amazon.com.). Does Francis’ spirituality, in this case,  align with yours in some way? Are you willing to learn more about St. Francis of Assisi?  If yes, continue your discernment with this Franciscan community.

In other words, a “yes” to the questions I raised above, may be the Spirit’s nudge to continue serious discernment with the religious community whose charism/gift to the Church inspires you.