One Week from Today

One week from today I will profess the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience to God for life according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.  I actually wrote those words today in our vow book in preparation for the big day.  We have one big book in which all of our Sisters write their vows.  Since it takes a while to write out the vow formula in your own hand, we generally do it ahead of time so that on the day itself, we just need to sign our names along with our witnesses.  We also write out the vows on nice parchment paper that we also sign on the big day.  Most Sisters have their personal copy of their vows framed and in their prayer space.  That's where my first vows are.


Tomorrow we have our regional assembly, which will be a wonderful opportunity to see all the Sisters and Associates from our Western Region as we pray, celebrate and have conversations about our life and ministry together.  Then on Sunday I begin my retreat!


So, next time you read a post on this blog, it will have been written by a finally professed Sister (me!).  For Musings of a Discerning Woman, which first started 2,297 posts ago, this will be a milestone to be sure.


From that first post in December 2004 ...

And what is this journey? The following scripture passage has been very present to me the past few months... 

You have been told, O people, what is good, and what Yahweh asks of you: Only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God. - Michah 6:8

Is it possible that it's really that simple? All I know is that my paying gig as a glorified bureaucrat doesn't seem to be the answer. More and more, I'm inspired and energized not by my "real" job, but by my work volunteer work, my activities working on behalf of social justice and peace. And that work makes the most sense in the context of faith. And so, this past summer I finally decided to give in, to start exploring women's religious communities. In part it was a reality check, to see what religious life is really like in 2004, and also to see if it was for me. I'll admit that the plan was to rule it out as an option (and the jury is still officially out). But once I finally said yes to the journey, I've been pleasantly surprised again and again by the amazing women living this life. The joy, the humor, the unceasing work to help build the kingdom of God. The invitation to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God is just too good not to at least check out .... and so I am. Stay tuned! Peace, Susan

... to now.  What a journey!  A journey of peace.  A journey into the heart of God.  A journey of becoming more the me God dreams me to be.  There is also deep synchronicity between this first post and the vows I will profess next Friday, which begin "Responding to God's call to seek justice, to love tenderly, and to walk in the way of peace ..."


The journey does not end when I profess vows a week from tonight, but continues ...