My dear sisters in Christ,

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I see that you are exploring religious life!  I praise and thank God for your ‘holy boldness.’ 

I thank you for opening your mind and heart to the divine nudging of the most Holy Spirit. 

Today’s culture insinuates that such exploration of God’s personal call is meaningless and even abnormal.  But we are not surprised!  Know that the dear Lord is indeed calling.  He is calling each and every one to His most loving and merciful heart, to be one with Him.  And perhaps, at this very moment, He is beckoning  you to be united in a very special way through the consecrated life.

 

          Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you...            Jeremiah 1:5 

 

 

Now what do you do with this flutter in your heart and the constant barrage of thoughts going on in your mind about this?  Be STILL and LISTEN.  Take charge of your thoughts and STOP saying:  Oh I can’t do THIS. It will NEVER work out.  I am NOT WORTHY.  Stop and surrender those thoughts to God and declare as did Isaiah:  Here I am! Send me.    Is: 6:8

 

                                                   Be still,  and know that I am God...                         Psalm 46:10     

 

 

And then let me suggest that you ask yourself something like this:  Well, if I were inclined to study elementary education would I be in such turmoil?  I suspect you would not be.  So how would you proceed?  You would explore the field of education, review certification programs, and investigate the practical aspects of moving forward.  If at any time you felt a draw away from this profession, no longer interested, you would recognize and discern this discomfort,  and certainly not proceed with exploration.

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Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God...                1 John 4:1

 

And so it is with religious consecration. We humans do not choose what we dislike.  We generally do not even eat what we dislike. When we dislike something, we know it. Think about that and open your mind and heart to the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. With continued courage and ‘holy boldness’ step forward and surrender all of yourself to Divine Grace. 

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And I will lead the blind in a way that they know not, in paths that they have not known I will guide them.  I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground...           Is 42:16

 

Let us then offer this simple prayer to our dear Lord, who calls us so tenderly to His heart...

Lord, lead me along the path that pleases You.

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May God bless you!

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In amore Iesu Christi,

Reverend Mother Mary Paul, SDG