When I started this blog I’d finally decided that yes, there was a good chance God has a wicked sense of humor and was calling me to religious life. But to which community? I was yearning for a sorting hat for religious life, while all along in my heart I knew that God was calling me to be a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace. The CSJP charism of social justice as a path to peace matches so clearly the call I feel in my heart. And they’re just so .. well … groovy! It just took my head a while to catch up with my heart.
The journey since has been well documented on this blog, in my honest yet slightly neurotic style. In February 2005 I became a pre-candidate, last summer I started the arduous application process to become a candidate, in September I became a candidate and started weekend groovy sister reserves, in January/February of this year I wrote my mid-year reflection and met with my formation director/mentor to talk about how it’s going, and last Sunday on St. Joseph’s special day, I wrote my formal letter asking to start the application process for the novitiate. (How’s that for a run-on sentence!!?).
That’s my path so far to groovy sisterhood. Today I got a letter back in the mail from my formation director affirming my request to move forward in my application to the Novitiate. She’ll be sending letters to my 4 Sister housemates and 3 other Sisters I suggested to get their reflections on my life in community. I’ve got to get cracking on my written reflection … I’ve got another rather large list to chew on. I’m going to let it all sit for a week or two before I put finger to keyboard. And on May 13 I’ll be meeting with the province leadership to discern whether I should be admitted to the Novitiate (which would start September 8th in New Jersey).
By the way, don’t know if I mentioned it here yet but next weekend I’m headed to New Jersey on a not so secret spy mission to meet the east-coast groovy sisters, check out the novitiate location, and get a general feel for the place.
But in the meantime, it’s a rare weekend at home in Portland, during which much long neglected housework needs to be done.
Peace Out
Susan
6 comments:
Woot!!
Thanks for your blog, it's enlightening to read about someone making such a radical decision in living out their spirituality. I had heard that there was an upswing in people entering the religious orders, and I like hearing a personal story, as opposed to sociological perspectives. I pray for you to find the truly grooviest path to God.
Will have any freetime while you are on the East Coast?
Lisa (and other NJ/NY area bloggy friends) - I think I've got a pretty full agenda during this weekend spy mission, but I do hope to get to meet you in person when I'm back east full time starting in the fall! How great to have a ready made network of bloggy friends in the area!
Congrats on moving to the next level in pursuit of groovyness! I pray for you to receive abundant graces in your ongoing discernment.
Understood, Susan, absolutely! You will have a whole circle of support when you come East to stay a while :)
Enjoy the quick trip! I am sure you'll be meeting quite a few of the wonderful CSJPs I know, too. I look forward to hearing about the trip when you return "home."
Peace and blessings!
Lisa
Post a Comment