Expert: Sal - 11/18/2008

Question
Dear Sal,

                  I keep on hearing "Come! We must learn to do everything for God alone in order to deserve Heaven." What do you want to be when you grow up? Was the questions I got from tons of faithful people christians that are not catholic and Catholic alike! The answers to this question can be as many as the stars in the sky. Some may want to be doctors or firemen, while others may want to be scientists or teachers. And although there are many different careers to choose from, everybody can answer this question with the same answer:   

WHEN I GROW UP,   

I WANT TO BE A SAINT! I use to say this when I was a little girl the nuns loved me and said you are going to make a great nun they replied.  

And really, to accomplish this goal, you don’t have to wait until you grow up ... you can begin now! “But Jesus called the children to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs’” (Luke 18:16).

A saint is someone totally in love with God which I am so in love with Jesus. When you strive to love God above all things, then holiness is within your reach. And holiness is the the summit of the mountain, for to be holy is to be like Jesus. Now that the ultimate goal of your life can be seen (your call to holiness), let's ask the Father to show you what He wants from you.    

A career is different than a vocation. There are many careers, but only a few different vocations. Basically there are three: the priesthood/religious life, marriage, and consecrated singlehood. Each vocation is a gift from the Eternal Father and a call to holiness. The Lord leads every soul along a different path to the same Goal.  All are called to climb the mountain of holiness ... but by which path are you called to climb?

This is a good question to ask the Lord during your time of prayer: "Lord, what path am I to climb to reach the goal? What vocation have You given me? Grant that I may be open to Your Will for my life."

It is not for you to choose what vocation you would prefer, but rather to accept the gift that  you have been given by the Eternal Father. Indeed a vocation is a very great gift from God. Ask the Lord not only for the grace to know your vocation but also for the grace to respond to this gift with generosity and love.

Many young girls write to us and explain that they feel called to be a nun at a very young age. Perhaps you too have heard His “still, small voice” calling you to consecrate your life to Him, but are still too young to enter a monastery. What can you do to prepare your heart for the great day of union between bride and Bridegroom (and truly that is what the life of a a nun is all about for she is a bride of Christ)?

There are many different ways to prepare your soul for the religious life. Saint Thérèse received her call to the religious life at a young age. She used the time before entering the monastery as a period of preparation. She made the resolution to spend this time in such a way that her soon-to-be Bridegroom would be very pleased.   

Saint Thérèse knew that denying herself for the sake of Christ was pleasing to Him, and so she set about doing this in very little ways: “My mortifications consisted in breaking my will - always so ready to impose itself on others - in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without any recognition, in not leaning my back against a support when seated, etc., etc. It was through the practice of these nothings that I prepared myself to become the fiancée of Jesus, and I cannot express how much this waiting left me with sweet memories.”  And so it can be with you.  

Obedience to your parents, spending time talking with the Lord each day, faithfulness to your duties, smiling when you are tired, helping your little brother with his homework, taking out the garbage cheerfully, praying the rosary daily — all of these "little things" will prepare your soul for the religious life.

I always Entrust my vocation to Our Lady, asking her to preserve your resolution to give yourself totally to God. Our sweet Mother always said “yes” to God, may she help you to say “yes” to Him.  May you repeat Our Lady's words with every beat of your heart: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me as you have said."

I feel called to the order of Mother Angelica now I am sure of it. I was discerning and I FOUNDED MY TRUE HOME! I know God is calling me to this order! What do you think about my vocation Well I know in the last post you were very pleased :) I just want to know the nuns that are wearing a habit and a veil are the traditional catholics right? And the ones that dont are the new order?  

Answer
Dear Jacqueline:

Mother Angelica's order would be a great choice. Yes, nuns wearing habits are traditional. As you know all nuns used to wear habits. Don't delay. Begin inquiring about Mother Angelica's order. If you are truly called to this order God will make it happen!

God Be With You,
Sal