by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Apr 2, 2026 | Newsletter
Blessed Holy Week from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
“Say ‘yes’ to the Planner, not the plan.” Recently, on a visit to the University of Mary in North Dakota, a priest was sharing his vocation story. He said there was a moment in prayer when he said to God, “I think You are calling me to the priesthood, but regardless of the answer, I’ll be here with You tomorrow.” This complete surrender to God’s Will and commitment to relationship with God was a decisive moment in His journey.
A complete ‘yes’ to God is part of every journey of faith and is repeated throughout our lives, not just once during a specific period of discernment, but every day, every moment. Our Blessed Mother gave her ‘fiat’ (‘yes’ in Latin) to God at the Annunciation, but she also gave it throughout her life. This week, as we recall and enter into the last week of Christ’s Life, we can recall the many ‘fiats’ that Mary gave along the way, most notably as she stood at the foot of the Cross and then held Christ’s lifeless Body as He was taken down from the Cross.
We are each called to echo her fiat this week. Where is God asking you to say ‘yes’ to Him this week? Taking a little break from the discernment helps we’ve been sending monthly, here are a few examples of some ‘yes’es our Sisters have made this year.
A Walking ‘Yes’
Sister was out taking a walk last fall when she noticed a woman putting out decorations in her yard. Sister felt a tug on her heart to greet the woman, but as she drew nearer the woman went back into her house. Sister kept walking, thinking maybe Jesus just wanted the ‘yes’ in her heart, not in her action. However, after Sister had passed by, the woman came back out and Sister felt the tug again. Sister went back and greeted the woman. After a conversation about the yard decorations, the talk turned to faith and Sister encouraged the woman to come to Church, which she had not been doing since Covid. The woman also shared about her grandchildren and said she would talk to her daughter about getting them Baptized. Sister smiled as she went away, but knew a lot of prayer support was needed for this woman’s interest to become a solid ‘yes’ for her whole family.
Sisters Praying in the Chapel at Our Lady of Providence Convent in Warren, OH
A few weeks later, as Sister approached the mother of a new student to her OCIC class, the woman said, “Yes, this is my daughter, and you know my mom.” Sister was surprised, and said she didn’t know the woman’s mom. Then the story came out that this was the family of the woman Sister met while out on her walk. By this Easter the whole family will be members of the Catholic Church and are eager to live out the ‘yes’ they are making to God. What a giant return on a little ‘yes’ to God!
‘Giving Birth’ in the Convent
Recently, a Sister came to the supper table and said, “I feel like I’ve been giving birth all day!” She sure knew how to get our attention:). Sister had been speaking with a number of people who were in the Inquiry stage of becoming Catholic. At this stage, they are beginning to respond to grace, but there are also struggles, as the implications of their ‘yes’ to God brings up changes that will need to be made in their way of living. Sister desires so strongly for them to continue to respond to grace and to take the necessary steps to live a life of grace, but like a mother longing for the birth of her child, she is not in control. This is spiritual motherhood, as we encourage and walk with those whom Our Divine Spouse is calling to new life in Him.
Sisters in the Dining Room at our Motherhouse
Another day, Sister came to the table and said, “I feel like a matchmaker today!” She had been reaching out to parishioners she hoped would be a good match to help walk with Inquirers, Catechumens, and Candidates to the Catholic Faith. It takes a whole parish to walk with those preparing to become Catholic, and it really helps to have a faith-filled Catholic committed to meet regularly outside of the group meetings, as individual questions come up. Sister was trying to find the right person who could communicate well and had the strong faith to share with those new to the faith. That’s what she meant when she said she felt like a matchmaker.
When Sister said her ‘yes’ to God to be a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate, she didn’t think it would include ‘giving birth’ and being a ‘matchmaker!’
A Big Stretch
Our Lord likes to give His followers opportunities for growth. In Religious Life, this happens in many ways, but some of the more common opportunities are in being re-assigned to a different Convent and in being asked to do something we’ve never done before. One Sister experiencing both of these challenges this year said, “Our Lord has reeeeally been stretching me this year!”
A ‘yes’ to Our Lord is a ‘yes’ to all the plans He has for us. Is there a way that Our Lord has been asking you to stretch this year? I would love to hear about it.
Is Our Lord calling you to a more serious discernment, or to take a deliberate opportunity to hear His voice? In a couple weeks (April 18-19), we’ll be hosting a Discernment Retreat at Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH. We would be glad to have you join us as we explore the basics of discernment. If you have any questions or need help with transportation, please respond to this newsletter or give me a call.
Registration: https://forms.gle/TFEt86iBz6bTTDXy6 (Limited Space)
We’re also open to Come-and-See visits on a flexible basis, working with your schedule. Please reach out if you have questions or would like to have a conversation about your discernment journey. Just click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
Also, could you help us spread the word? Do you know any young Catholic women who would be interested in this retreat or the Vocation Newsletter? Pass the word and please pray for many young women to answer God’s call to grow closer to Him through discernment.
You are tucked in my prayers during this Holy Week as we walk with Jesus in His ‘Yes’ to the Father’s Will, stand with Mary at the foot of the Cross, and rejoice in the new life of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday!
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Oh, it is such a glorious thing to have the use of free-will in order to serve God gladly.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
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instagram: @parishvisitorsisters
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Mar 3, 2026 | Newsletter
Blessed Lent from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
Congratulations, you’ve reached the Second Sunday of Lent! This is the premier time of the year for putting out into the deep to spend some more quality time with Our Lord. As you walk with Him in a discerning frame of mind, you may find it helpful to look back on the two foundational prayer practices we’ve shared so far in this Vocation Newsletter – recollection (habitually turning to God) and lectio divina (praying with scripture). This month we’ll wrap up this section of our series with a look at the Examen Prayer.
The Examen
The Examen is a way to look over your day in the company of Our Lord, to see His presence in your life and what your response is to His promptings. This is an Ignatian Prayer, meaning it is part of the spiritual legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Many forms/styles of this prayer have developed over the years (see some references at the end). The form presented here is a simple version, influenced by many of the versions I’ve used over the years.
Most people pray the Examen at the end of the day, but it can be done at any time that you are regularly free to prayerfully look back over the last 24 hours. Find a place where you’re comfortable, but not likely to doze off:). A small notebook, journal, or post-it note might help for future reference.
Steps of the Examen
- Become aware that you are in God’s presence. Take a deep breathe (or a few). Make the Sign of the Cross slowly.
“Lord, please walk with me through today.” {Write the date and a memorable happening.}
- What am I grateful for today? Walk through your day and note (mentally or on paper) two or three happenings/conversations/moments, that were blessings for you today.
“Thank-You, Lord, for…”
- Where did I feel You moving in my heart today, Lord? Review your day and take note of particular situations/conversations/etc. that stirred your heart. {Note them.}
- How did I respond to Your movements in my heart today, Lord?Note where you accepted God’s movements and followed His promptings, and where you rejected the movement or put it off. {Note them.}
“Lord, thank You for the grace to respond in this situation…”
“Lord, I’m sorry I didn’t…”
- How are You calling me to live better tomorrow, Lord? What is a specific response I can make in the next 24 hours? Is there a situation/conversation/etc. that you know will take place tomorrow that will need God’s grace? Forecast how you can respond to grace, preparing your heart to hear God more clearly. {Write it down.}
“Tomorrow, Lord, please help me…”
Real-Life Examen
I once heard a Sister ask a roomful of people (50+), “How many of you have been introduced to the Examen Prayer and started praying it?” Almost every hand was raised. Then she asked, “How many of you, since starting the Examen Prayer, have prayed it every single day, never falling away from it?” No hands were raised!
The Examen is simple in concept and powerful in how it helps us see God working in our inner life. That’s why the Evil One doesn’t like it and raises all kinds of distractions and excuses, i.e. I’m too tired…I forgot…This is isn’t helping…etc.
The Examen is an important help in discernment, as the heart of discernment is hearing God’s call. The Examen shows us how God works in our lives, as His voice is heard by each of us in a way that is unique. If you want to hear God’s voice, please commit to this prayer, and when you “fall off the wagon” get back up and commit again. God IS talking to you, and He wants you to hear His voice!
Discernment Retreats
Over President’s Day weekend we hosted a retreat on Growing in Holiness during Discernment at our Motherhouse in Monroe, NY. Touching on holiness in healing, in prayer, and in mission, we explored the Universal Call to Holiness and how discernment is the perfect time for growth in holiness.
In April, we’ll be hosting a Discernment Retreat at Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH. We would be glad to have you join us as we explore the basics of discernment.
Registration: https://forms.gle/TFEt86iBz6bTTDXy6 (Limited Space)
We are also open to Come-and-See visits on a flexible basis, working with your schedule. Please reach out if you have questions or would like to have a conversation about your discernment journey. Just click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
Also, could you help us spread the word? Do you know any young Catholic women who would be interested in this retreats or the Vocation Newsletter? Pass the word and please pray for many young women to answer God’s call to grow closer to Him through discernment. You are in my prayers as well!
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Do what God tells you and leave the results to Him.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
fb: parishvisitorsofmaryimmaculate
instagram: @parishvisitorsisters
Some Examen Resources:
https://www.en.apostlesofil.com/the-examen-prayer/
https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/jesuit-a-z/terms-e/daily-examen
https://campusministry.nd.edu/pray/ways-to-pray/examen/
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/ignatian-spirituality/examen-and-ignatian-prayer/how-can-i-pray-try-the-daily-examen/
A full length book: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV can be found here: https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/the-examen-prayer-ignatian-wisdom-for-our-lives-today
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Jan 20, 2026 | Newsletter
Blessed Ordinary Time from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
Recently as I was praying about an upcoming retreat (see details below – skip down if you want:) that we will be hosting on Growing in Holiness during a time of discernment, the Holy Spirit nudged me at these words:
I had been leafing through the gospel according to St. Matthew, with an eye to how Jesus prepared His disciples for mission, noticing a constant refrain of “…and they followed Him.” They followed Him as He taught, as He healed, as He prayed, as He sat down, as He lived each day. This was part of their discernment.
So far in this Vocation Newsletter we’ve looked at what discernment is (listening, recognizing, and responding to God’s voice in your heart) and started exploring different aspects of the daily prayer that keeps your discernment on track. Last month we zeroed in on recollection, keeping our minds and hearts constantly in God’s presence through silence, aspirations, and visual reminders in our physical space. This month we are going to focus on a way of joining Jesus’ disciples as they sit down with Him.
Imagine you’ve made a plan to spend time with Jesus. You set a reminder on your phone, and when it goes off you put away whatever you were working on. You go to a special prayer space with a Bible, a journal, a holy picture, and a comfortable (but not too comfortable:) chair, or to a chapel or Church. You kneel or sit down and make the Sign of the Cross slowly and reverently. Then what???
call
There are many different ways to pray, but when discerners ask about what might be most helpful for them, I generally suggest Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) with the Scriptures.
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an encounter with Jesus through the Scripture – to sit, listen, talk, and be present with Him. There are many different styles of Lectio taught by different Saints and traditions. I’ll share a method I’ve found fruitful, as well as links to some other methods.
The four basic movements of Lectio Divina are commonly known by their Latin names: Lectio (to read), Meditatio (to meditate), Oratio (to pray), and Contemplatio (to contemplate). Many find it helpful to have a little notebook or journal to jot down notes during or after Lectio Divina.
First, choose a passage from scripture. The Gospels are great for Lectio Divina, and I’ve included a few suggested passages below. The daily Mass readings are also a great source of a good-sized “chunk” of Scripture – not too short, but not too long. You will want to read the passage multiple times, but it is up to you if you read it multiple times at the beginning or read it once with each of the four movements.
The first movement, Lectio, is to get familiar with the passage. What’s happening? Are there helpful footnotes in your Bible? At what stage of salvation history does it take place? Are there any words you don’t know or context that is unclear? You may find it helpful at this point to summarize the passage in a couple sentences in your own words.
In Meditatio, the second movement, if you are an imaginative person, it may be helpful to imagine yourself in the scene (for example, as one of the disciples) or as an observer. How do you feel/respond/think as the action takes place. How does this relate to something that has happened in your own life?
Oratio is a time to talk to our Our Lord about your thoughts/experiences/questions from the Meditatio.
Finally, Contemplatio is a loving glance, a silent listening, giving God a space and time to respond with a word, a sense of presence, or any way He sees fit.
Lectio Divina can take different amounts of time. When I first used it, 15-20 minutes was more than sufficient. Recently, it can last much longer, sometimes moving back and forth between the different movements, or skipping some completely. Your prayer life is like your life in general – full of change.
Real-life Lectio Divina
When I was a Junior (temporary professed) Sister, I was part of hosting a discernment process called Samuel Group. One of my roles was to lead a Lectio Divina Reflection on different scriptures that captured the theme of each monthly meeting. The reflection shared here is a part of my sharing on the Call of St. Matthew in the Gospel according to St. Luke. The theme of the meeting that month was the Vocation to Celibacy for the Kingdom. The Lectio and the Meditatio are rather long, so I have summarized them here, but included the full reflection below the signature line of this email.
“After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with Him.” (Luke 5:27-29)
Lectio: When I first read this Gospel passage, in preparing this meditation, my thought was, “That’s awful short.” In just four sentences St. Matthew (also known as Levi) goes from sitting at his tax collecting post to following Jesus and throwing a great banquet for Him. What a conversion! A tax collector was considered a traitor to his people and a public sinner. No one of any reputation would socialize with him, but we know that Jesus is different.
“Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his customs post.” We don’t know anything about Matthew at this moment. We don’t know his state of mind, his detachment, whether he was in consolation or desolation, or whether he had even heard of Jesus or seen Him before. As I meditated on this passage, after making up two or three “back stories” for St. Matthew, I realized that perhaps this was left vague in God’s Divine Providence so that we can each place ourselves in St Matthew’s shoes, with our own back story, and meditate on how we would respond to Jesus’ call.
Meditatio: Jesus saw St. Matthew. We know that Jesus sees things differently than we do. He can see the heart of the person. He saw all of Matthew’s sins and imperfections, but He didn’t look away. He wasn’t disgusted. Jesus looked at Matthew with mercy. This look of Jesus can penetrate our soul, illumine our mind, and speak to our heart. We are simply “at home” when we meet His gaze and hear His call in our hearts.
Jesus saw that Matthew was a tax collector, just as He sees our sins and imperfections. He didn’t call Matthew because Matthew was perfect, but because it was part of His plan of Salvation. Any obstacles we see or unworthiness we feel, are not obstacles to God. He doesn’t call us because we are already Saints, but because He wants to give us the help we need to be the Saints He is calling us to be.
Perhaps Matthew was already feeling some dissatisfaction in his life, so was able to respond immediately when he recognized the Master’s voice that he had been longing to hear. When we free ourselves from attachments, open ourselves to a life of prayer, and cultivate interior indifference, it is easier to respond quickly to the call of Our Lord.
Reflecting on my own call, while preparing this meditation, I recalled my searching. I had a good job as a structural engineer, a loving family that I am very close to, and wonderful faith-filled friends. But something was incomplete. I was searching for a way to give of myself more fully and was attracted to sharing the faith with those who had lost it or had never received it. As I explored many options, from engineering service work to international lay mission opportunities, to religious life, I became more detached from my family and friends with the help of a Spiritual Director. When I finally heard Our Lord’s call, I was ready to follow, although He gave me a bit more time to put my affairs in order than He gave St. Matthew:).
Oratio and Contemplatio: These are rather personal movements and difficult, even impossible at times, to put into words. One possible Oratio would be: I love You, Jesus. Thank-You for seeing me as I am and loving me. Thank-You for reminding me that I don’t need to be perfect to be loved by You or to be Your instrument in the lives of others. Lord, I am feeling restless in an area of my life. Can you please show me if it is a holy restlessness inspired by you?
What’s My Next Step
Choose a time, a place, and a scripture passage – and dive in! If you experience distractions, smile, say a short prayer (“Come, Holy Spirit” is a good one) and return to the Lectio. Make sure you leave time for the Contemplatio at the end. Try writing down a few sentences at the end about your prayer experience.
I’ve included some helpful links below, but don’t make this too complicated. If you have questions or would like to share the fruits of your prayer, please reach out. Do you have any questions about Lectio Divina, your vocational journey, or would you like to talk to a Sister? If so, please click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
Upcoming PVMI Discernment Retreats
As you know, the art of discernment, hearing God’s voice and responding to His call, is a many-faceted way of life. The Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate are offering two weekend retreats for young women to help you in discernment over the upcoming months. Over Presidents’ Day weekend (Feb 14-15) at Marycrest, our Motherhouse in Monroe, NY, young women will explore Growing in Holiness – Being with Jesus during Discernment. This retreat will focus on ways to grow in holiness by spending time with Jesus, as the disciples did.
During the Easter Season, April 18-19, at Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH, we will offer a “Where is God Calling Me?” basics of discernment retreat. This retreat will focus on what discernment is and some daily helps to discernment, including particular types of prayer that are helpful.
Would one of these retreats be helpful for you? We would love to help you on your vocational journey. Also, could you help us spread the word? Do you know any young Catholic women who would be interested in one or both of these retreats? I’ve attached the flyers and here are the registration links, as well.
Feb 14-15 Retreat: https://forms.gle/bX8CByj5Ck8mddTg6
April 18-19 Retreat: https://forms.gle/TFEt86iBz6bTTDXy6 (Limited Space)
Please pray for many young women to answer God’s call to grow closer to Him through discernment. You are in my prayers as well!
In the joy of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“We are destined to be great saints if we make complete use of grace.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
fb: parishvisitorsofmaryimmaculate
instagram: @parishvisitorsisters
Some Lectio Methods:
Look To Him and Be Radiant (designed for youth, but helpful at any age)
Look To Him and Be Radiant for groups (designed for youth, but helpful at any age)
Ignatian Spirituality website
Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (helpful note guidelines if you like formal notes)
Group method with a Benedictine Slant
Accepting the Embrace of God (a more detailed Benedictine explanation)
Some Suggested Scripture Passages:
Mt 14:22-33 (Walking on Water)
Luke 21:1-4 (The Widow’s Mite)
1 Samuel 1:1-19 (Samuel’s Family Background)
Matthew 18:21-35 (Parable of the Unmerciful Servant)
Mt. 6:25-34 (Do not worry or be anxious)
Mt 19: 16-30 (The Rich Young Man)
1 Samuel 3:1-21 (The Call of Samuel)
Lk 1:26-38 (The Annunciation)
Extended version of the Real-Life Lectio Divina:
“After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with Him.” (Matthew 5
Lectio: When I first read this Gospel passage, in preparing this meditation, my thought was, “That’s awful short.” In fact, I called Sr. Clare to make sure it was the right passage! In just four sentences St. Matthew (also known as Levi) goes from sitting at his tax collecting post to following Jesus and throwing a great banquet for Him. What a conversion! A tax collector was considered a traitor to his people and a public sinner. No one of any reputation would socialize with him, but we know that Jesus is different. Let’s explore how this conversion came to pass.
The story starts, “After this, (Jesus) went out.” Jesus had just healed the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof of the house because there were so many people crowed around Jesus. Perhaps St. Matthew even saw the man walking out of the house, carrying his stretcher. As Jesus left the house, you can imagine that the crowd that must have been surrounding Him. In one of his many reflections on this Gospel passage (to which my reflections owe a large debt), Pope Francis says that he even doubts that St. Matthew would have been able to hear Jesus due to the noise of the crowd.
At this point, Matthew enters the story. “Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his customs post.” We don’t know anything about Matthew at this moment. We don’t know his state of mind, his detachment, whether he was in consolation or desolation, or whether he had even heard of Jesus or seen Him before. As I meditated on this passage, after making up two or three “back stories” for St. Matthew, I realized that perhaps this was left vague in God’s Divine Providence so that we can each place ourselves in St Matthew’s shoes, with our own back story, and meditate on how we would respond to Jesus’ call.
Meditatio: Jesus saw St. Matthew. We know that Jesus sees things differently than we do. He can see the heart of the person. He saw all of Matthew’s sins and imperfections, but He didn’t look away. He wasn’t disgusted. Jesus looked at Matthew with mercy. This look of Jesus can penetrate our soul, illumine our mind, and speak to our heart. We simply know that He is calling us. It cannot be explained. It doesn’t need words. We are simply “at home” when we meet His gaze and hear His call in our hearts.
Jesus saw that Matthew was a tax collector, just as He sees our sins and imperfections. He didn’t call Matthew because Matthew was perfect, but because it was part of His plan of Salvation. Any obstacles we see or unworthiness we feel, are not obstacles to God. He doesn’t call us because we are already Saints, but because He wants to give us the help we need to be the Saints He is calling us to be.
Jesus called Matthew at his place of work. It was just one more day at the office for St. Matthew…until everything changed. Jesus calls us in our labors, in conversations with friends, wherever we are.
Jesus said “Follow Me. And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him.” The literal translation says that Matthew “rose”… “and was following Him.” Matthew rose, just as the paralyzed man rose from the stretcher, just as Jesus rose from the dead. After Jesus looked at Him with mercy and called him, Matthew couldn’t stay as he had been before. He was lifted up and he was changed. He no longer needed the material wealth. He was glad to be following Jesus. We also are changed when Christ calls us. We are lifted up and are glad to be following Jesus.
Perhaps Matthew already was feeling some dissatisfaction in his life, so was able to respond immediately when he recognized the Master’s voice that he had been longing to hear. When we free ourselves from attachments, open ourselves to a life of prayer, and cultivate interior indifference, it is easier to respond quickly to the call of Our Lord.
Reflecting on my own call, while preparing this meditation, I recalled my searching. I had a good job as a structural engineer, a loving family that I am very close to, and wonderful faith-filled friends. But something was incomplete. I was searching for a way to give of myself more fully and was attracted to sharing the faith with those who had lost it or had never received it. As I explored many options, from engineering service work to international lay mission opportunities, to religious life, I became more detached from my family and friends with the help of a Spiritual Director. When I finally heard Our Lord’s call, I was ready to follow, although He gave me a bit more time to put my affairs in order:).
To prepare for a call, God often gives a person some signs of restlessness in their life – a greater attraction to prayer and the sacraments, a sense of the lack of importance of possessions, a desire to do something beautiful for God, for building up the Heavenly Kingdom, even of leaving everything behind for God. These can be signs of a call to the joy, love, and freedom of an undivided Heart.
So, we left St. Matthew following Jesus. “Then (he) gave a great banquet for (Jesus) in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.” Following Jesus draws others to follow Jesus. St. Matthew drew many tax collectors and others to Jesus. A call is not given just for me, but draws me out of myself, to see as Jesus sees, to look with a gaze of merciful love as He does, and to share the Good News even to the ends of the earth.
That is the end of this Gospel story, but certainly not the end of the story of St. Matthew. Like all of us, the initial “yes” to God’s call is just the beginning. we are called to grow day by day in great intimacy with Him, motivated by love, and knowing that His promises for this life “a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecution” are merely a foretaste of His promise for “eternal life in the age to come.”
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Dec 11, 2025 | Newsletter
Blessed Advent from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
In the welcome email for this Vocation Newsletter, we explored the concept of discernment (listening, recognizing, and responding to God’s voice in your heart) and shared that we can stay on track with discernment through dedicated daily prayer. In the next few Newsletters we will look at some ways to integrate that daily prayer into your life.
Recollection
“The greatest trouble with the world is that the people are too much taken up with worldly joys to stop and think of God. But we must do it, we must think, and teach others to think of the Good God, and to think of Him as the little Babe of Bethlehem, the Divine Babe; let true charity encompass Him and all others for whom we work in union with His dear Sacred Heart.”
~Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, Foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
Mother tells us to stop and think of God, to think of Him as the Babe of Bethlehem, to work in union with His dear Sacred Heart. This message is not just for the Sisters she was speaking to in Advent 1922, but for anyone who is seeking to grow closer to God and hear His voice. This habitual turning to God is known by many names – recollection; spiritual retirement; listening for the still, small voice; the practice of the presence of God; etc.
Recollection (to use the name our Foundress used most often) is part of the remote preparation for prayer, It is remote not because it takes place in a location far away, but because it happens before and after your more formal times of prayer. It is an attitude, a way of being, that prepares the heart for intimacy with the Beloved in prayer.
Just as our surroundings can influence our thoughts, emotions, and conversations, so the way we spend time before and after prayer can influence our conversation with God in prayer.
An Advent Example
A seasonal example of the influence of our surroundings can be found in our change of decor for the Advent season. Here are some pictures from Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH.
The Chapel with an Advent Wreath (no poinsettias yet:)
Advent candles in the window to remind us (and those who pass by outside) that it is Advent, as well as a small candle in front of Our Lady’s picture to remind us of our Community’s Novena in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (which always falls in Advent)
Our dining area with simple purple accents
A cardboard Holy Family (made by a PV Sister) making its way through the Convent on its way to Bethlehem.
These physical reminders create an atmosphere of preparation. If, instead, we had a Christmas tree up and decorated, red bows, Christmas music playing, and a full Nativity set on display, we would be more likely to skip the beautiful Advent season of preparation for the Divine Babe of Bethlehem and jump right into the celebration of Christmas in our hearts.
Practical Helps towards Recollection
So, what is the spiritual equivalent to the Advent decor that can help us to live a recollected life? Our Mother Foundress often said, “Silence is the safeguard of recollection.” Building times of silence into your schedule is a good start towards listening to that still, small voice. Turn off the radio, podcasts, etc. while driving, exercising, or cleaning. If you look at your schedule you’ll find places where you can build in silence – maybe first thing in the morning, at the end of the day, or during your lunch break. (Giving credit: these suggestions were given by young women at a recent Discernment Retreat.) These times of silence/recollection are not times of dedicated prayer, but they help us to be aware of God’s presence in the every day activities of our lives.
Another help is to be aware of where your thoughts and your heart are focused during the day. To call them back to God, try praying short prayers repeatedly throughout the day. These prayers, call aspirations, are part of our Catholic heritage of prayer. Some common aspirations are: “Come, Lord Jesus.” “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love You. Save souls.” “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.” “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
There are many more traditional aspirations, and you can even make up your own. They are the prayer equivalent of walking by an Advent wreath. Just as the wreath draws your mind and heart to prepare for Jesus’ Coming, the frequent internal prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus” draws your heart and mind to the Divine Babe of Bethlehem. You can even use them together by saying an aspiration every time you see an Advent wreath:).
What’s my next step?
To build up your recollection “muscles” look at your schedule and add some silence each day. Choose an aspiration to use regularly during this Advent season. At first you may have to connect it to a visible reminder, like an Advent wreath or a post-it note, but if you persevere in this practice, it will flow naturally throughout your day.
Remember that the practice of recollection, stopping to think of the Good God, is a remote preparation for prayer. As you live a more recollected life, you will be able to transition more naturally into those regular times of prayer you already have in your schedule and hopefully they can help with those pesky distractions during prayer as well. Next month we’ll look at some ideas for your regular prayer time.
I would love to hear how you’re preparing your living space and your heart for Advent. What are some practices you have found helpful to living a life where you can hear the still, small voice of God? Do you have any questions about recollection, your vocational journey, or would you like to talk to a Sister? If so, please click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
If you are looking for some more detailed spiritual help on recollection, I would recommend The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence and Introduction to the Devout Life (especially Chapter 12 on Spiritual Retirement) by St. Francis de Sales.
If you happen to be attending the FOCUS Seek26 Conference in Columbus, OH in January, we’ll be there too! Please come say hi to us at our table in the Mezzanine area.
You are in my prayers this Advent Season as we come to the close of the Jubilee Year. Please pray for us as well.
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Our Lord is ever neglected by the world, but He is loved by those near to Him who have chosen Him for their Spouse.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
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