Called By Name

One of the readings from the Easter season is from John 20:11-18, which tells the narrative of how Mary Magdalene discovered the Risen Jesus. During this Gospel, Mary does not recognize Jesus when she first sees him, and instead believes that he is the gardener. She only realizes who he is when he says her name. In this moment, she affirms her relationship with Jesus, calling him “Rabbouni,” meaning teacher.

As Christians, we are called by name at baptism. For many of us, we were too young to realize that in our baptism, we were answering a call from God, but over time, we can realize the many ways that our baptism has affected our lives. God has not only called us by name at our baptism, but continues to call us by our name every day, drawing us into deeper relationship, just as Jesus did with Mary Magdalene on Easter morning. This call leads us onwards through our discernment as well, as we listen to where God says our name and the messages that follow.

Mary Magdalene found a new vocation that morning after hearing Jesus call her, “Mary.” She had been a faithful disciple until then, remaining with Jesus throughout the Passion, but now Jesus called upon her to give a message to the other disciples. And, in hearing her name, Mary was inspired to share the message that Jesus gave her. How might Jesus calling your name deepen your own call as a disciple this Easter season?

I invite you to listen to this preaching by Sister Beth McCormick, OP, about this Scripture passage: Mary Magdalen: Model of Discipleship.
 
Blessings, 
Sister Katherine

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Called By Name" on Amazon Podcasts. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

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Llamada Por Nombre

Una de las lecturas del Tiempo Pascual es de Juan 20:11-18, que narra cómo María Magdalena descubrió al Jesús Resucitado. Durante este Evangelio, María no reconoce a Jesús cuando lo ve por primera vez, sino que cree que es el jardinero. Ella solo se da cuenta de quién es él cuando dice su nombre. En ese momento, ella afirma su relación con Jesús, llamándolo “Raboni”, que significa maestro.

Como Cristianas, somos llamadas por nuestro nombre en el bautismo. Para muchas de nosotras, éramos demasiadas jóvenes para darnos cuenta de que en nuestro bautismo estábamos respondiendo a un llamado de Dios, pero al paso del tiempo, podemos darnos cuenta de las muchas formas en que nuestro bautismo ha afectado nuestras vidas. Dios no solo nos llamó por nuestro nombre en nuestro bautismo, sino que continúa llamándonos por nuestro nombre todos los días, llevándonos a una relación más profunda, tal como lo hizo Jesús con María Magdalena en la mañana de Pascua. Este llamado también nos guia hacia adelante a través de nuestro discernimiento, mientras escuchamos dónde Dios dice nuestro nombre y los mensajes que siguen.

María Magdalena encontró una nueva vocación esa mañana después de escuchar a Jesús llamarla “María”. Ella había sido una discípula fiel hasta entonces, permaneciendo con Jesús durante toda la Pasión, pero ahora Jesús la llamó para dar un mensaje a los otros discípulos. Y, al escuchar su nombre, María se inspiró para compartir el mensaje que Jesús le dio. ¿Cómo podría el hecho de Jesús pronunciar su nombre profundizar su propio llamado como discípula en esta temporada de Pascua?

Las invito a escuchar esta prédica de Hermana Beth McCormick, OP, sobre este Pasaje del Evangelio: María Magdalena: Modelo de Discipulado.

Bendiciones,
Hermana Katherine

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Trust in God

One of the things that I desired when I was discerning religious life was a sign. I wanted something obvious and tangible that I could point towards and say, yes, I am not choosing to go in this direction on a whim. That sign did not come in an announcement of angels from above or a neon flashing light. Rather, the sign that I did receive was a deepening relationship with God that allowed me to trust God enough to take the first step.

Our desire for a sign expresses our desire to have God speak to us in a way that is clear, obvious, and straightforward. In the busyness of modern life, it becomes hard to listen for the small, still voice of God that Elijah heard on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:12-13). How can we pay attention to God’s voice surrounded by so much noise? The world is not going to create space for us to hear God’s voice, and there will always be another podcast, another TV show or movie, another song or video game that is taking up space in our lives. In the midst of so much noise, we have to create the space to listen to God’s voice. 

I spend a lot of time sitting in silence in prayer, not because I expect to hear God’s voice, but so that I am ready to hear God speaking to me. These silent conversations with God have provided me with a foundation of trust. I know that God will be with me when I make a decision and will continue to be present afterwards. In the end, I have received many signs from God. They may not be flashy, loud, or obvious, but they have touched me profoundly because they have shown me that God desires a relationship with me, not only for a brief moment, but for my whole life. 

Blessings, 
Sister Katherine

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Trust in God" on Amazon Podcasts. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

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Confianza en Dios

Una de las cosas que deseaba cuando discernía la vida religiosa era una señal. Quería algo obvio y tangible que pudiera señalar y decir, sí, no elijo ir en esta dirección por capricho. Esa señal no vino en un anuncio de ángeles desde arriba o una luz intermitente de neón. Más bien, la señal que recibí fue una relación más profunda con Dios que me permitió confiar lo suficiente en Dios para dar el primer paso.

Nuestro deseo por una señal expresa nuestro deseo de que Dios nos hable de una manera clara, obvia y directa. En el ajetreo de la vida moderna, es difícil escuchar la pequeña y apacible voz de Dios que Elías escuchó en el Monte Horeb (1 Reyes 19:12-13). ¿Cómo podemos prestar atención a la voz de Dios rodeadas de tanto ruido? El mundo no va a crear espacio para que escuchemos la voz de Dios, y siempre habrá otro podcast, otro programa de televisión o película, otra canción o videojuego que ocupará espacio en nuestras vidas. En medio de tanto ruido, tenemos que crear el espacio para escuchar la voz de Dios.

Paso mucho tiempo sentada en silencio en oración, no porque espero escuchar la voz de Dios, sino para estar lista para escuchar a Dios hablándome. Estas conversaciones silenciosas con Dios me han dado una base de confianza. Sé que Dios estará conmigo cuando tome una decisión y seguirá estando presente después. Al final, he recibido muchas señales de Dios. Puede que no sean llamativos, ruidosos u obvios, pero me han tocado profundamente porque me han mostrado que Dios desea una relación conmigo, no solo por un breve momento, sino para toda mi vida.

Bendiciones,
Hermana Katherine

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

The Process of Becoming a Sister 

When I was first discerning becoming a sister, I thought that the process of discerning only lasted until I discerned which congregation I wanted to join. I soon learned that discernment does not end once you enter into a religious community! Religious congregations have different stages a person must complete before becoming a member of the community, and potential members are encouraged to discern whether to go forward into the next stage. The process of becoming a sister takes several years, allowing a woman to have full confidence in her vocation before her final commitment. 

When a woman enters a community, she begins an intense process known as formation, which takes place over a few years. During these years, a woman learns about the community’s history and constitution and studies the vows. She also learns the skills needed to be a sister, including how to live in community and pray in community and receives training to participate in the community’s ministry. 

The first part of a sister’s formation is to become a candidate. Candidacy looks very different from congregation to congregation, but some constants are that a woman lives and prays with the community and receives some mentoring in entering into community life. Often, she is expected to regularly receive spiritual direction during this time as well. In addition, some candidates are expected to work full time, while others are expected to spend their time in study. At this point, a woman’s finances are separate from that of the congregation, and she is not yet given the title of “Sister.” 

The next stage of formation is for a woman to become a novice. At this point, it is considered that a woman has entered into religious life, and she is given the title of “Sister.” However, she is not considered to be a member of the congregation. As in candidacy, she is free to leave at any time. The novitiate can last from one to two years and is set aside for prayer, discernment, and learning more about the congregation. 

After completing the novitiate, a woman can request to make temporary vows. Usually, temporary profession lasts from three to six years. During this time, a woman is living out the vows and is considered to be a member of the congregation; however, she is still discerning whether she wants to remain a sister in the congregation. During temporary profession, a sister is generally engaged in ministry, living in community, and participating in the life of the congregation. She is also allowed to put the initials of the congregation (e.g. OP, OFM, RSM, etc.) after her name after her first profession. She is free to request dispensation from her vows at this point and to return to her previous state of life if she determines she is not able to live the life.

If a woman discerns that she wishes to make her commitment to the congregation permanent after three years, she is able to make a perpetual profession of vows. These vows are considered binding until death. After making her perpetual vows, a sister is fully a member of the congregation, and she is responsible for her own formative experience moving forward, whether taking workshops to deepen her spirituality or pursuing further studies. 

Becoming a sister is not a quick process! But the most important thing to know is that the process is set up so that a woman has enough time to discern whether this is a good fit for her before making a final commitment. In addition, the woman will receive a great deal of support throughout the process, giving her the resources she needs to make a good decision for herself and for the congregation, because, ultimately, the point of being in a vocation is to find a place that brings you joy and leads you closer to God. 

Blessings, 
Sister Katherine 

We will soon have some exciting additions to our weekly reflections! In the meantime, enjoy this English audio version of "The Process of Becoming a Sister" on Amazon Podcasts. 

For more audio reflections, head over to any of these listening platforms:

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

Image by Tanvi Malik from Pixabay

Applying to a Religious Congregation

So, you have found a religious congregation that you really like, where you can see yourself living the rest of your life, and the vocation director says that you are a good fit. Great! But what comes next? 

Before entering a religious community, a person has to apply to join the community as a candidate, the first part of a trial period that involves living and learning more about the community. 

A vocation director will provide you with an application when he or she feels that you are ready to begin. This application includes a lot of different parts. First, there is a paper application, which includes biographical information and questions about why you feel called to enter a particular community. 

The applicant will need to procure paperwork for the application. This can include everything from sacramental and civil records to educational transcripts, credit reports, and letters of recommendation. 

There is an evaluation aspect of the application. Often this involves an interview with a member of the religious congregation in addition to an interview with the vocation director. 

Many congregations will also require a psychological assessment, which will require at least a day at the psychologist’s office to determine if any major issues need to be addressed before someone enters. 

Finally, there are health screenings that a doctor must sign off on, stating that the applicant is in good physical health. 

This list is quite extensive, and, in my experience, completing the application takes a fair bit of time! Sending away for birth certificates, sacramental records, and transcripts can all take time, as well as scheduling appointments for the health screening. In addition, there is also a prayerful aspect in filling out the application and reflecting on the questions about why you feel called to become a candidate with a congregation. Writing out why you want to become a sister can be a powerful experience of affirmation!  

The application process can be overwhelming, but it also has the potential to be helpful. Having other people write letters of recommendation is helpful for knowing that other people support a calling to religious life. Having to articulate why you wish to become a sister can make the motivation for choosing this vocation clearer. Even the process of compiling transcripts can affirm all that you have already accomplished! Above all, the application process is a time of discernment. If, through the application process, the discerner realizes that she is not called to religious life or to that congregation, she is free to walk away. Hopefully, the process of applying to a community affirms what the next step for the discerner will be. 

Blessings, 
Sister Katherine 

We will soon have some exciting additions to our weekly reflections! In the meantime, enjoy this English audio version of "Applying to a Religious Congregation" on Amazon Podcasts. 

For more audio reflections, head over to any of these listening platforms:

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts.

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Solicitando Ingresar a una Congregación Religiosa

Así que, ha encontrado una congregación religiosa que realmente le gusta, donde se puede imaginar viviendo el resto de su vida, y la directora de vocaciones le dice que usted es una buena candidata. ¡Que bueno! Pero, ¿Ahora qué sigue?

Antes de ingresar a una comunidad religiosa, una persona debe solicitar unirse a la comunidad como candidata, la primera parte de un período de prueba que requiere vivir y aprender más sobre la comunidad.

Una directora de vocaciones le enviará una solicitud cuando se sienta que usted está preparada para comenzar. Esta solicitud incluye muchas partes diferentes. Primero, hay una solicitud en papel, que incluye información biográfica y preguntas sobre por qué usted siente el llamado a ingresar a una comunidad en particular.

La solicitante deberá obtener la documentación para la solicitud. Esto puede incluir varias cosas como, registros sacramentales y civiles, registros educativos, informes de crédito, y cartas de recomendación.

Hay un aspecto de evaluación de la solicitud.  Muchas veces esto incluye una entrevista con una miembra de la congregación religiosa y también una entrevista con la directora de vocaciones.

Muchas congregaciones también requerirán una evaluación psicológica, que requerirá al menos un día en el consultorio del psicólogo para determinar si es necesario abordar algún problema importante antes de que alguien ingrese a la congregación.  

Por último, existen exámenes de salud que debe aprobar un médico, declarando que la solicitante está en buena salud física.

Esta lista es bastante extensa y, según mi experiencia, completar la solicitud se toma bastante tiempo! El envío para la petición de certificados de nacimiento, actas sacramentales, y transcripciones puede tomar tiempo, así como también programar citas para el examen de salud. Además, completar la solicitud y reflexionar sobre las preguntas acerca de por qué se siente llamada a ser candidata a una congregación también implica un aspecto de oración. ¡Escribir por qué quiere ser hermana puede ser una poderosa experiencia de afirmación!

El proceso de la solicitud puede ser abrumador, pero también tiene el potencial de ser útil. El hecho de que otras personas escriban cartas de recomendación es útil para saber que otras personas apoyan el llamado a la vida religiosa. Tener que explicar por qué desea convertirse en hermana puede hacer que la motivación por escoger esta vocación más clara.  Incluso, aún el proceso de compilar transcripciones puede afirmar todo lo que ya ha logrado! Sobre todo, el proceso de la solicitud es un tiempo de discernimiento. Si, a través del proceso de la solicitud, la persona que está discerniendo se da cuenta de que no es llamada a la vida religiosa o a esa congregación, es libre de retirarse. Con suerte, el proceso de solicitud a una comunidad le afirmirá cuál será el siguiente paso para la persona que está discerniendo.

Bendiciones,
Hermana Katherine
 

This week's reflection comes to us from guest blogger, Katherine Frazier, Adrian Dominican Sisters Candidate.

Left to right: Candidate Katherine Frazier with Sisters Lorraine Réaume, Mary Keefe, and Kathy Nolan.

When a very pregnant Mary and Joseph set out on a journey to Bethlehem, they did not know what the journey would hold for them. Taking a journey implies transformation. Not only is there the physical change of being in a new place, but there is also the spiritual changes that take place when we meet new people and see new places. Mary and Joseph were transformed by their journey, as they became a family with a newborn son. Taking a journey also means taking a leap of faith, in allowing ourselves to be open to whatever the journey brings us, no matter how surprising. For Mary and Joseph, they had to take a leap of faith that they and their expected child would be cared for once they arrived in Bethlehem.

This story of Mary and Joseph speaks deeply to my own process of discernment. Certainly, my discernment has taken me to new places, where I have been able to meet many new people. However, more importantly, I am finding that this journey is challenging me to think in new ways, whether in learning how to be a better community member or pondering how God is active in my life. And there is a leap of faith to the discernment process once we embrace our decision, even if the consequences are surprising. Finally, I come back to the fact that Mary was pregnant with the Word of God as she traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem. As a woman discerning a vocation with the Order of Preachers, I see in this image an example of my calling to carry the Word of God to the world, and the image gives me hope that my vocation can be carried out in ways that I have not yet imagined.

It’s been a while since I have been on here, but things have been very full here in Adrian. We celebrated our Feast Day on Aug. 8 with two new women joining us in very intentional ways – Katherine as an official candidate and Marilín as a woman beginning the process of re-entering the congregation. You can read about their ceremony in this news article. 

You can imagine that these women don’t make the commitment lightly! They’ve put a lot of time and discernment into coming to this moment. Shortly before their ceremony, I sat with them and reflected on the scriptures for the Feast of St. Dominic. They said:

•  Stay focused on your call to mission, your call to mission together

•  Discipleship means being the good news.

•  Sometimes people won’t want to hear the good news of God’s reign of justice and peace, but you need to keep preaching it

 

Marilín and Katherine deepened their discipleship by choosing to walk in this particular path of Dominic. Religious life is not necessarily “in season” today – it is certainly not a common choice. But it is a good choice and a good path to live the call to discipleship.