This past week the Church celebrated National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated all the faithful who continue to discern God’s will, God’s call in their lives. Saint Benedict calls all believers to “Listen carefully, my child, to your mater’s precepts, and incline the ear of your heart” (RB: Prologue 1).
The story of each serious seeker of God’s will varies according to the discerning ear of their heart and the direction in which God leads them. Some of our sisters knew of their calling from a very young age and others were surprised by God after they had begun their career calling. All found new life in the directions in which God was leading them.
"When anyone is newly come for the reformation of her life, let her not be granted an easy entrance…If the newcomer, therefore, perseveres in her knocking…and that she persists in her petition, then let entrance be granted her, and let her stay in the guest house for a few days. After that let her live in the novitiate, where the novices study, eat and sleep. A senior shall be assigned to them who is skilled in winning souls, to watch over them with the utmost care" (RB Chapter 58).
Mother Dolores Hart of The Abbey of Regina Laudis shares some reflections on her calling away from her acting career to serve God through the consecrated life of a contemplative Benedictine nun. While our charisms may vary, the challenge of God’s call and following God’s will and vocations stories ring true…with a little laughter.
Blessings,
