He's asking me to trust...

So, I have been actively discerning a call to the religious life for some time now.  I’ve felt this call since I was a teenager (perhaps before), but life’s had some twists and turns and I put responding to it on the back burner for many years while I finished my degree and pursued professional interests.

In early December, I met a group of sisters in Washington, DC that I’d first heard of in high school but had never before encountered.  The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary was founded in France in 1610 by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, and their monastery in Georgetown is the oldest in the U.S., established in 1799.  I soon learned about and grew in my appreciation for their spirituality (down-to-earth, practical, often called “inspired common sense”), their charism (the particular gift given to the community by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church – in their case, gentleness and humility), and their apostolate (prayer – together and privately throughout the day, and education – sponsoring an all-girls high school attached to the monastery).  I joined them as often as possible for prayer, I asked lots of questions, and in February I even spent ten days on retreat in their monastery.  It felt like I’d discovered some sort of hidden treasure.  It felt like falling in love.  It felt like I belonged.

In March, I applied to join their community and continue discerning “from the inside,” and in May I learned of my acceptance!  I am very excited and feel a great sense of peace about moving in this direction.  I feel that this is where God is calling me and He’s asking me to trust Him and give it everything I have and all that I am.  I’m not making vows tomorrow; this is simply the next step along the path that leads to them if I continue to hear God calling me to life with Him as a Visitation sister.

In the past few weeks, word has slowly spread and I have been amazed by the excited and encouraging reactions of family members and friends.  Many have asked what they can do to be of support to me as I prepare to enter in late August.  There are two things of which I am most in need.  The first is your prayers!  While this is an exciting step, it’s also a bit frightening, a bit overwhelming, and feels a bit like jumping off a cliff.  Please pray that I will “be not afraid” and that I will remain open to the Lord’s work in me during this time of preparation.  Come August, please continue to pray that I will have the patience, humility, and courage necessary to listen well and learn all that He wishes to teach me in and through this community.

Second, I am in need of financial support.  I have a good amount of debt to pay off (mostly student loans from my extended time spent getting my undergraduate degree) and the community has asked that I solicit help with it before entering.  They are also allowing me to work in the school during my postulancy (the first 6-12 months I am in the monastery) to help alleviate my debt.  While I appreciate the flexibility with which they are approaching my situation in this regard, I know I need to do my part and make this appeal.  No amount is insignificant, and though your gift to me would not be tax-deductible, I would be very grateful for anything you can offer.  Also, feel free to share this appeal with others you know who might be interested in supporting me in either way.

I plan to post updates as I can over the next few months before entering, so please check back.  Thank you for being with me on this journey!