“Do no be afraid because great courage is required if we are to open the doors to Christ, if we are to let Christ enter into our hearts…Do not be afraid!  If you begin to lose courage, turn to Mary, Seat of Wisdom; with her at your side, you will never be afraid.” – Pope St John Paul II

The purpose of this post is two-fold.

Firstly we would like to invite all women between the ages of 18-35 to join us for a Desert Morning of Prayer and Discernment on June 2nd (see details below).  This 1/2 day retreat serves as an introduction to consecrated life, provides an opportunity to learn more about this way of life and discernment, ask the nuns questions, and most of all open your hearts through prayer and Eucharistic Adoration to the Love of God.  By clicking on the image below, you can download a printable version of the flyer.  Help us spread the word!  If you are able to attend, kindly RSVP to Sr. Anthony Mary as noted on the flyer.

The second purpose of the post is the provide a resource for all women who are discerning Consecrated Life.  Sr. Clare Matthiass, CFR, recently wrote a wonderful new book, Discerning Religious Life.  Below is a clip from EWTN’s Life on the Rock when Sister was interviewed.  In this book, Sister warmly accompanies the discerner from the very first stirrings of vocation through the “agony of discernment”, right up to taking the steps toward entrance into a religious community.  She helps to name and dispel some common fears that creep into the heart of discerners.  One of my favorite parts is where she has several different sisters from various congregations provide a piece of advice – tried and true – to those who are discerning.  A word of thanks to Sr. Clare for the portion of the book that not only introduces the life of active order sisters, but also highlights the call to contemplative/cloistered life. I’d highly recommend this book to all those women who are open to discerning Consecrated Life – whether just feeling a little nudge, or  “officially” beginning of discernment or somewhere right in the middle!