The Story of a Vocation
The seed of a vocation to religious life is sown at our baptism, and it is nourished within us over the years—whether or not we know it! Then one day we realize that He might be gently calling us to be His bride.
A lot of prayer, maybe resistance, perhaps tears, goes into discerning a vocation. Finally one says “yes” and makes plans to enter the convent. Follow Leah as she becomes Sister Maria Leah and makes her final vows (which took place on January 25, 2018).
Postulancy is a time of transition from “the outside” to living in the convent. There is much to learn about prayer and about so many other things in the life of a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate.
Time flies, and the novitiate begins. The novice is helped to grow in her love of the Lord and in knowledge of the faith. She has classes on the vows and on the spirit and life of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, on Catholic doctrine, and on prayer and Scripture.
She learns more about our contemplative-missionary charism and sees even more clearly its vital importance.
There’s time for fun, too! Convent life is never boring!
With first vows her vocation continues to grow and develop.
She learns the joy of bringing people closer to the Lord, of being a spiritual mother, of sharing God’s word, “face to face and heart to heart.”
Finally the big day of final profession comes, the day of vowing to live chastity, poverty and obedience for life as a Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, and to be “a willing holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls” (our mission crucifix prayer).
What a privilege to love and serve Him all our days! Through sunshine and rain, through health and sickness, throughout the years. The rose crown at final profession is the symbol of the crown of heaven which will be given to us for faithfulness to our vows.
Is God calling YOU to this?
WHAT IS A SISTER?
“What’s a Sister?” asked Tommy, age four. When he was told, “A Sister is someone who loves God so much that she’s married to Him,” he responded, “Wow! That’s cool!”
There is a beauty in a life of prayer, a life close to God, a life of giving ourselves to God to praise Him and to be used to help others love and praise Him.
We are happy to wear our religious habit as a witness to Jesus, as well as a sign of our life of simplicity, our vow of poverty.
It’s a help in the apostolate, as well, since we are immediately recognized as Sisters. It’s amazing how even those away from the Church will say something like this when answering the door, “Sister, you’re not interested in me, I left the Church long ago. Go to the lady next door.” That can begin a good conversation! Without a habit that would never happen!
Every person has a soul, and every person is important to Him. But, how many don’t know Him? How many have given up on God? How many don’t care? To how many is He just a word they have heard?
The Good Shepherd’s loving, merciful heart longs for these persons. He wants to seek them out, to talk to them, to tell them of His love.
The Good Shepherd, the Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy—all are one! Jesus is the Good Shepherd with a loving, merciful heart, longing for each one of us and for each person that exists!
The children especially tug at His Heart. How many haven’t been told of Him? Haven’t been taught to pray?
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate are His instruments in seeking out the straying sheep, in lovingly helping the children to know and love Him. Our life of prayer gives power to our words and actions.
Sometimes the Good Shepherd also uses us as wordless witnesses! One Sister had a long wait at the dentist’s office, and a woman long away from the church approached her and a good conversation ensued about the faith and about returning to the Lord.
Another woman said to a Sister, “I see you so often, and even though I’ve never spoken to you, whenever I see you I think I should go to confession and return to God. She did, after 10 years! A teen was touch by Sister’s kindness to a difficult child, and without speaking to Sister, decided to return to church.
Yes, there is such a beauty in “being married to God” and in helping his straying sheep and lambs return to Him. Does this strike a chord in your heart, too?
MISSION TERRITORY
This sign we saw is so true! Going from our convent we also go into mission territory, which is all around us!
In every town and city there are people needing to be reached by the Good Shepherd.
Some are Catholics in name only. There are those whose faith has wavered and weakened. Some are agnostics or atheists.
Others are confused and searching, or angry with God or the Church. There are parents who neglect the religious education of their children, poor persons who don’t know where to turn, immigrants unfamiliar with the city and the language. This list could go on… and on… and on. This is mission territory. This is Parish Visitor territory!
Since our foundation in 1920 we have been going out to the people, bringing the love and message of the Good Shepherd. He is with us all the time. We seek out His straying sheep, one soul at a time!
He is with us, all the while. It’s an exciting and satisfying apostolate, dear to the heart of the Good Shepherd. During our formation we are taught to be gentle, non-threatening apostles while upholding the teachings of the Church.
Our prayer life gives us God’s grace as we go among the people, “face to face and heart to heart,” as our foundress, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, said. This combination of deep prayer—contemplation—and missionary zeal is the essence of the Parish Visitor vocation!
The soul behind that door may be just waiting for the Lord! What a privilege to be His instrument in this apostolate!
What a joy when someone says, “Yes, it’s been many years since I’ve been to confession, but now I’m going to return and make a fresh start.” Or they might say, “Sister, I’ve been putting off the baby’s baptism too long. You’ve spurred me on to do it right away.”
Instructing in the faith is part of our mission. We try to “make the truth lovable,” so that persons will have a real relationship with Jesus.
If only we had more Sisters, we could reach so many more people in so many places.
What about you?
PERPETUAL VOWS
On October 13 Sr. Theresa Marie, formerly of Michigan, professed her final vows in a very beautiful ceremony.
As part of the ceremony she was asked to confirm her determination to make her vows, before proceeding forward to profess her vows in these words:
Called by the Holy Spirit to a greater perfection of love in union with Jesus, I desire to give myself totally to God in this congregation.
For the honor of Almighty God, and under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our holy patron St. Joseph,
I, Sister Theresa Marie Moore, before you Mother Maria Catherine Iannotti, our general superior,
Vow for life to live the Gospel counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience according to the constitutions of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate,
And I promise, with God’s grace, to observe them faithfully.
May God grant Sr. Theresa Marie many holy, happy, and apostolically fruitful years as a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate.
May He also guide and bless you as you discern His will for your own life.