Expert: Sal - 11/14/2008

Question
Dear Sal,

               Hello I hope you have a happy turkey day ^_^ I am called to religious like I know it for sure. I know that God is calling me to be his servant his bride! A religious sister is a woman who has answered a call from God to live her life dedicated to spreading the Gospel message of love of God, love of self, and love of one another. She does this through the particular charism or gift of her religious community.

Women of diversity
Are all sisters alike? No. Yet there are some common elements. While the specifics may differ from congregation to congregation, a sister is about building community, deepening her relationship with God, and ministering to others through her work. She does this through her efforts to listen to God's continual call in obedience, to live life in a simple manner, and to be a loving presence as expressed through her commitment to celibacy.

Men of ministry
A sister may work in a variety of ministries, depending on her community's mission and charism. Or, if she belongs to an enclosed community, she may work within her monastery providing necessary services there. Being a sister is not about what one does, however. Rather, it is a way of life, a way of being.

A sister is a woman who continues to respond to God's call, a call to become more like God by dedicating herself to prayer, her sisters, and the work of her community. A sister is a woman who loves deeply, caring for the needs of those around her--her family, her community members, those to whom and with whom she ministers, and the world at large. Through the specific charism of her community, a sister brings to those she serves another view of the face of Christ. She strives to be that presence of Christ in all she does and in all she is.

"Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father" Mt 5:16.

A vocation to a Secular Institute involves a form of life relatively new in the Roman Catholic Church. It is open to single lay women and men or diocesan clerics who feel called by the Holy Spirit to consecrate their lives to God more intensely through vows or promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

To Sanctify from Within
Like a Third Order Franciscan, members of Secular Institutes witness to Christ and spread the Good News of the Gospel by striving to live as a transforming presence, or "leaven," in contemporary society, endeavoring to restore all things in Christ while living in their own residence and engaging in the employment of their choice. Their entire lifestyle of prayer, work, and social activities becomes their apostolate.


I know that I have a strong faith for my beliefs.....

Lives of prayerful intimacy
Members of a contemplative religious community focus on prayer as their main ministry, giving themselves to God as fully as possible. They cultivate a climate of silence and solitude with a spirit of loving reparation for the weaknesses and frailties of a fallen humanity.

Through intercession and abandonment to the love of God, contemplative monks and nuns are a source of life for the whole Church.

The contemplative life is usually lived within a monastic, cloistered setting. The day is structured with specific times for prayer, work, recreation, and silence.

I have been wondering do you need to go to school, to become a sister? Can you just enter it with out schoool? I graduated High school and I know that I am called to become a nun. My mom just told me before today I will make a great nun and so did my father.

I know that we are the Jews from the bible. Catholic's have the joy of receiving the body and blood of Jesus at every Mass! Rules and ways of the Catholic Church have been made and passed on since 33 AD! Many call us pagans or non christian. I think they are blinded by their sins and Satan do you?

It is unfortunate that many people leave or persecute the Church ignoring the fact that Our Lord Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church.I think that many people (particularly non-Catholics) don't realize that Saint Peter was the first Pope of the Church. This is significant because Christ clearly says in the Gospel..."You are Peter, and on this Rock, I will build my Church...."

Yea, every bishops as James in Jeresulem, had successors. We're really blessed to be among the flock still after Jesus built the Church 2000 years ago..

What a blessing to be a catholic. Wow, the Church has 2000 years old, when you think about it , it is really special. I'm gonna pray my rosary, and to pray for all catholics to be defenders of their faith! :D

Do you think the protestants are the guided by man and Satan?

And what do you think about my vocation?  

Answer
Dear Jacqueline:

Your calling is a blessing. If you feel you are called then go ahead with it. God Bless You.

Yes, it is a great privilege to be a member of God's One True Church. Amen!

I believe that Protestants are generally guided by man-made traditions and oppose God's rule. Satan undoubtedly has a hand in the Protestant revolution.

God Be With You,
Sal