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VISION Vocation Guide

Four steps to discerning God's will

🕔17:57, 04. Apr 2012

Adapted from an article by Sr. Anita Louise Lowe, O.S.B. for VISION Vocation Guide. Read the complete article at: http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/5 Discernment is a time when you allow yourself to be open to God's will. Anyone going through the discernment process should take four steps to ensure that they are making the right choice. The first step is to become aware. You should be praying. Converse with God and find God's voice in the voices around you. Your vocation is always a call to be of service to others. The second step, you must gather information. Weigh the many options in front of you. It can be especially helpful to have a spiritual director, to help guide you on your path. In the third step, you choose what you sense to be God's will. To make the decision that you believe will lead you to become the person God created you to be. The fourth step of discernment is making a decision. It is a critical step in the process. You look for confirmation of your choice through prayer. Prayer is vital during this period. While some may support you in your choice, you may also encounter those who disagree. At these moments it is important to pay attention. Do you find your choice weakening, or do you find it strengthened in the face of adversity? Discernment takes a lot of energy. Your task is to listen, to listen well. Once you've heard God's voice... follow it. For it is Jesus who asks each of you, "What are you seeking?" Read the complete article by Sr. Anita Lowe, OSB at http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/5.

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Women's Communities

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Learn more about this Catholic women's religious community at https://www.vocationnetwork.org/community/338 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (P.H.J.C.) - Mission and Vocation [8123]

Learn more about this Catholic Women's Religious Community at https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/community/049 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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Poor Clares (O.S.C.), Langhorne, PA: Personal Witness [8114]

Learn more about this Catholic Women's Religious community: https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/community/048 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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Men's Communities

Discalced Carmelite Friars (O.C.D.), California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph [8856]

Learn more about this Catholic Men's Religious Community at https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/community/634 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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Benedictine Monks (O.S.B.), Subiaco Abbey -Ancient Monasticism for the Modern World [8439]

Learn more about this Catholic Men's Religious Community at https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/community/256 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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Franciscan Brothers of Peace (f.b.p.) - Franciscan Joy [8020]

Learn more about this Catholic Men's Religious Community at https://vocationnetwork.org/en/community/006 Find more information about consecrated life at VocationNetwork.org.

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National Religious Vocation Conference

NRVC 2016 Convocation Opening Ritual and Welcome

Join us at Convocation 2016 in Kansas as we celebrate at the official welcome and opening liturgy. For more information, go to http://www.nrvc.net

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NRVC 2016 Convocation Highlights

This video shares the highlights from the Convocation 2016 in Kansas under the theme of Awakened by the Spirit: Called to Discipleship. For more information, go to http://www.nrvc.net

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Incorporating Cultural Diversity into Religious Life

A compendium video to the NRVC/CARA Study on Incorporating Cultural Diversity in Religious Life. To read the executive summary and the complete study, go to NRVC website at https://nrvc.net/278/publication/2014-cultural-diversity-study-2978.

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Honoring Consecrated Life

Five signs religious life might be right for you

Encuentra el texto en español abajo. To read the entire article, go to http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/359. "Does God send signs?" Don't we all long for that kind of clarity? Nonetheless our faith assures us that God is always communicating God's will to us. God's message is consistent, sure, and irrefutable. We are not alone on this journey, Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us on the way to read the "signs" that point us in the right direction. Saint Ignatius of Loyola writes, "Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God's deepening life in me" (no. 23). God would not call you to consecrated religious life and then not somehow reveal that vocation. The Ignatian tradition says that a deep inner peace is the truest one. In order to know what you really desire, moreover, you have to get beyond all the cultural messages that tell you what "should" make you happy. Through silence and prayer, you will gradually come to hear that quiet voice within and, with God's grace, have the courage to trust that these deep inner longings are really from God. Another "sign" that God might be calling someone to religious life is that gradually the impossible becomes possible. When Mary gave her "yes" to God at the Annunciation, there were clearly some obstacles to overcome. Yet to show Mary that "nothing is impossible for God" (Luke 1:37), the angel told her that even her cousin Elizabeth had conceived a child in her old age. Another signpost along the way is when other people see God's grace in your life and affirm that indeed you would make a wonderful religious sister, brother, or priest. The surest signpost of all is a tangible joy that bubbles up and overflows in all aspects of life. All of God's signs continue to point to the same reality: "I am with you, and I will never leave you!" God is constantly communicating God's will to us every day of our lives: "to bring all things into one in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10). To learn more about prayer and discernment, go to http://www.VocationNetwork.org Cinco señales que la vida religiosa podría ser adecuada para ti "¿Nos envía Dios señales?" ¿No anhelamos todos ese tipo de claridad? Sin embargo, nuestra fe nos asegura que Dios siempre está comunicando su voluntad para nosotros. El mensaje de Dios es consistente, seguro e irrefutable. No estamos solos en este viaje, Jesús nos da el Espíritu Santo para que nos guíe en el camino para leer las "señales" que nos apuntan en la dirección correcta. San Ignacio de Loyola escribe: "Nuestro único deseo y nuestra elección debería ser la siguiente: yo quiero y elijo lo que mejor conduzca a la vida profunda de Dios en mí" (núm. 23). Dios no te llamaría a la vida religiosa consagrada para luego no revelarte de alguna manera esa vocación. La tradición ignaciana dice que una profunda paz interior es el más verdadero uno. Con el fin de saber lo que realmente deseas, por otra parte, hay que ir más allá de todos los mensajes culturales que te dicen lo que "debería" hacerte feliz. A través del silencio y de la oración, gradualmente llegarás a oír esa tranquila voz interior y, con la gracia de Dios, tendrás el coraje de confiar en que esos profundos anhelos interiores son realmente de Dios. Otra "señal" de que Dios puede estar llamando a alguien a la vida religiosa es que poco a poco lo imposible se hace posible. Cuando María dio su "sí" a Dios en la Anunciación, hubo claramente algunos obstáculos que superar. Sin embargo, para mostrar a María que "nada es imposible para Dios" (Lucas 1:37), el ángel le dijo que incluso su prima Isabel había concebido un hijo en su vejez. Otro hito en el camino es cuando otras personas ven la gracia de Dios en tu vida y afirman que, efectivamente, tú serías una maravillosa hermana o hermano religioso, o sacerdote. La señal más segura de todas es una alegría tangible que brota y se derrama en todos los aspectos de la vida. Todos los signos de Dios siguen apuntando a la misma realidad: "¡Yo estoy contigo y nunca te abandonaré!". Dios está constantemente comunicando la voluntad de Dios para nosotros todos los días de nuestras vidas: "para que todas las cosas sean uno en Cristo" (Efesios 1:10).

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Consecrated life through the ages

A survey of the important dates in the history of religious life. From ancient desert monasticism to contemporary forms of consecrated life, a small band of Christian men and women in every generation choose to consecrated their lives to God with unique vows of love and service that give radical witness to the gospel. Find more information about consecrated life, including a downloadable pdf of the Consecrated Life timeline, at http://www.VocationNetwork.org/articles/show?id=461.

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8 secrets to healthy celibacy

By Carol Schuck Sheiber-http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/545-8-secrets-to-healthy-celibacy The more you know about yourself, the better chance you have of choosing the path that will bring you the most joy. Here are some steps to living the vow of celibacy well. Consecrated life means being willing to love brothers and sisters generously, in ministry and in community life. While becoming a more loving person is a lifelong task, religious communities do expect to see a certain capacity for this in prospective members. *To “have a life” means that you are multi-faceted and engaged with people and in activities. Those whose worlds are limited may be unprepared socially for the demands of religious life. *Those who don’t mind being alone and are not anxious about being accepted usually make the best members of religious communities. Religious should be comfortable with solitude. There is a long tradition in religious life of maintaining silence in order to commune with God more readily. *The ability to establish and maintain boundaries in your personal and professional life is especially important for celibate church ministers. *The theology of vacare Deo—or emptiness for God—sees the sacrifice involved in a celibate lifestyle as an opportunity for God to fill one’s emptiness. The time and energy required by a spouse and family is left open for God to fill. *Religious community members must be comfortable with all types of people. They are seeking new members who can engage comfortably and appropriately with people of all races, genders, economic backgrounds, etc. *Those who are able to live a celibate life happily are generally able to understand and name their emotions. A person capable of healthy celibate living can find and stay within appropriate types of self-expression for anger, attraction, sorrow, etc. *Those who live celibacy best have the discipline to follow healthy physical habits, such as proper diet, nutrition, and exercise. They accept their body while also making an effort to keep it healthy and well-groomed. Like any type of true discipleship, there is a cost to being a religious community member. Day-to-day living of the vow of celibacy is not always easy—just as being a Christian spouse or parent or single person often is very demanding. Yet for those who are called to consecrated life, the long-term joys and satisfactions make the life what it is meant to be: a gift to those who live it, a gift to the church, and a gift to the world.

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Religious Life/Religious Vocations

Vision 2024 Spotlight on community heritage - Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

Cultures cherished, communities strengthened - The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ sing a song in Spanish and English. Read the full article: https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/articles/show/731-religious-communities-have-deep-and-diverse-roots

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Vision 2024 Spotlight on community heritage - Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky Foundation Day celebration video 2. Read the full article: https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/articles/show/731-religious-communities-have-deep-and-diverse-roots

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Vision 2024 Spotlight on community heritage - Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky Foundation Day celebration video 1. Read the full article: https://www.vocationnetwork.org/en/articles/show/731-religious-communities-have-deep-and-diverse-roots

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World Youth Day

World Youth Day, Krakow 2016 (Mercy Centre and Vocations Cafe) Opening!

Check out the what is happening at the Mercy Centre located in Tauron Arena, Krakow for the 2016 World Youth Day, Krakow! National Religious Vocation Conference Executive Director, Bro. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC narrates and guides us through the arena, the Vocations Cafe, and what to expect at the Mercy Centre this week for World Youth Day, Krakow 2016. Mercy Centre, the English speaking pavilion of WYD events is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus, Salt + Light Television, Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Dominican Liturgical Institute, the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC), VISION Vocation Network and the National Council of Diocesan Vocations Directors (NCDVD). The bishops’ conferences of the United States, Canada and Australia will also host their national gatherings at the Mercy Centre.

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World Youth Day 2016-Krakow, Poland (Inside the Vocation Cafe)

Thinking about Consecrated Life? Do not be afraid. National Religious Vocation Conference members at World Youth Day, Krakow give us an inside look of religious life at the Vocation Cafe located on level B of the Tauron Arena also known as the Mercy Centre. Join us! Mercy Centre, the English speaking pavilion for WYD, is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus, Salt + Light Television, Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Dominican Liturgical Institute, the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC), VISION Vocation Network and the National Council of Diocesan Vocations Directors (NCDVD). The bishops’ conferences of the United States, Canada, and Australia will also host their national gatherings at the Mercy Centre.

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World Youth Day 2016-Krakow, Poland (Footage of pilgrims and volunteer rally)

Enjoy the scenes of World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland in this final video. Footage of pilgrims in the main square to the Mercy Centre filled with joy. Pope Francis made a stop at the Mercy Centre on Sunday July 31, 2016, following the Vigil and Eucharistic Celebration at the Campus Misericordiae where 2.5 million pilgrims were together in solidarity. Mercy Centre, the English speaking pavilion of WYD events is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus, Salt + Light Television, Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Dominican Liturgical Institute, the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC), VISION Vocation Network and the National Council of Diocesan Vocations Directors (NCDVD). The bishops’ conferences of the United States, Canada and Australia will also host their national gatherings at the Mercy Centre.

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Vocation Discernment and Prayer

Catholic Religious Life Dictionary

Religious life Adapted from an article by Carol Schuck Scheiber for VISION Vocation Guide. Read the complete article at: http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/310 Religious life has a language all its own. Here's a guide to understanding terms you might hear as you explore a vocation as a Catholic sister, brother, or priest. Apostolic Apostolic religious communities are engaged in active ministries: teaching, parish life, health care, justice, service to the poor, and many others. Charism Charism, from the Greek word charisma meaning "gift," is a religious community's particular spirit, way of life, and mission. Contemplative Contemplative religious communities focus on daily prayer, especially the Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and individual prayer. Cloistered Cloistered or partially cloistered communities live in seclusion and rarely leave their grounds. Their primary focus is on prayer, including prayer for the needs of the world. Many contemplative communities choose to be cloistered. Discernment Discernment is a process of reflection and prayer to determine God's will and the best way to respond to the call to follow Jesus. Missionary Missionary communities send members throughout the world to be a gospel presence and provide compassionate service. Monastic Monastic men and women place a high value on prayer and communal living but many are also engaged in active ministries within and outside of the monastery. Postulant/Novice/Professed Stages of membership in a religious community: A postulant, or candidate, is discerning membership within a community. A novice has begun the process of entering the community. A professed member has formally entered and taken vows. Spiritual direction Those discerning a religious vocation often receive spiritual direction, a process in which they meet with a spiritual director to strengthen their relationship with God and gain insight into their life choices as they relate to their faith. Vows Professed members of a religious community take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Many communities add a fourth or fifth vow related to their charism. For an expanded glossary of religious life terms, go to: www.VocationNetwork.org, or read the full artilce online at: http://www.digitalvocationguide.org/vision/2013#pg64.

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Ten things to know about discerning a vocation

For the complete article, go to http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/247. Discerning can be one of the hardest tasks someone undertakes in life. The following are 10 pieces of wisdom that, although they do not constitute a formula for discernment, they do help get you from point A to point B. -Vocation comes from the Latin word, vocare, "to call." It is a calling from God, who made us, loves us, and has a plan for us. -Vocation is not only something given to us, it is also something we freely give to God and others. -We have the freedom to marry, or enter religious life or remain single. On the one hand God really does call us to vocations. On the other God respects our freedom and does not abandon us. -A key insight shared by many saints is that spiritual growth begins in self-knowledge. -To better know God's will for our lives and follow it is imperative that we first come to know Jesus Christ and begin to model our lives after his. -There are many different vocations in the church. Finding our vocation, then, is like finding our instrument in the symphony. It is our unique way of "playing" God's love in the world. -No one can discern a vocation alone. One's friends, ministers, family members, and fellow parishioners can be helpful sources of support and insight to see things in us that we don't readily perceive. -If we knew exactly what God wanted or what would make us most happy, there would be no risk, no cost, and, in effect, no love. -Whatever we have done or whoever we have been in the past, God can still use us. -There comes a time in the process of exploring who we are and what we want to do with our lives that we must take a risk and try something. God rewards our efforts, and God can do much more with a mistake than with inertia. For the complete article or other articles on prayer and discernment, go to http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/247.

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Christian Vocation: It All Begins With a Call

Adapted from an article by Father Donald Senior, CP for VISION Vocation Guide. Read the complete article at: http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/31. THE MOST BASIC MEANING OF VOCATION is a call. A call to holiness and the fullness of life itself. Who can forget in the opening chapters of Mark and Matthew's gospels those encounters by the Sea of Galilee? Fishers Simon, Andrew, James and John have no inkling of what is about to happen to them, and that it will change their lives forever. Jesus, calls to them, "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:16-20). In these and many other biblical stories where Jesus calls disciples we find certain basic qualities: • The life of discipleship begins not with a choice but with a call. It comes unexpectedly and without warning. • The focal point is the person of Christ. Because Jesus is out in front of his community; the disciples must follow behind, often in confusion and fear. • The disciples are plunged into the work of Jesus: transforming Israel, establishing the kingdom, healing, and teaching. • Most of all, the disciples' lives will never be the same. They leave their boats and their families to follow this call and begin a new journey in life. Response to God's call is not instantaneous. It unfolds over time. Each one of us has received a call. Our biblical heritage gives us the means to understand that call and to respond in faith.

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Catholicism/Catholic Life/Being Catholic

Roll out the welcome mat

By Alice Camille Catholic teaching clearly informs us how to treat the “stranger”—migrants, immigrants, and refugees—in our midst. https://vocationnetwork.org/en/articles/show/618-roll-out-the-welcome-mat

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RECONCILIATION: Part III

Fr. Britto Berchmans of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Park Ridge, IL, explains the purpose and benefits of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Read more on forgiveness and reconciliation at http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/330

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RECONCILIATION: Part I

Fr. Britto Berchmans of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Park Ridge, IL, explains the purpose and benefits of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Read more on forgiveness and reconciliation at http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/330

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