tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post3170097399026034610..comments2024-01-28T23:00:12.101-05:00Comments on Sponsa Christi: Writing God a Blank Check: My Thoughts on DiscernmentSponsa Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520407168481380210noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-28089201699415206472009-01-30T20:25:00.000-05:002009-01-30T20:25:00.000-05:00NCV ~ Thanks for commenting at my blog. I think w...NCV ~ Thanks for commenting at my blog. I think what you're describing here is the process I'm going through, although I think what's hard is that I've written the check but I'm still holding onto it. God has the other end and is waiting patiently for me to let go. <BR/><BR/>At the same time, He's putting things in place. <BR/><BR/>I actually met with a potential SD today who reminded me of God's timing, and not to worry about age, etc. It was comforting to hear. <BR/><BR/>I hope he'll be able to help me let go of things as I need to, but hold on to what God wants me to hold..until it's time. <BR/><BR/>God bless!Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-59951038289681888592008-08-31T12:43:00.000-04:002008-08-31T12:43:00.000-04:00Hello,Your blog is quite interesting.I'm already c...Hello,<BR/><BR/>Your blog is quite interesting.I'm already consecrated and have experienced much of all that you've described.God's ways are mysterious and I'm still struggling to 'identify my call' in the present scenario in my country / city.<BR/><BR/>It's very common to hear women [even Catholics] say that being a virgin is a disgrace. Some who have preserved their integrity seem to pretend they have not , just to be accepted by their peers. They understand the value of abstinence until marriage but choose to live like the crowds.<BR/><BR/>When I as a consecrated virgin need to interact with such people in any group discussion ,they usually forewarn me about 'non-vegetarian' jokes so that I can choose to move out. Out of curiosity to know my colleagues better, I sometimes try to listen without judgement --but it makes me feel sick.<BR/><BR/>In a Christian society , a band on the ring finger is understood as a sign of marriage if seen on the hand of a woman dressed like anyone else in the world or as a sign of commitment to Christ if seen on the hand of a woman clothed with a habit. In a multi-religious society this symbolism leads to confusion and misunderstanding. Unlike religious women, a consecrated virgin has no restrictions regarding work , lifestyle, companions etc. This is a blessing because it allows us to reach out to the periphery of the Catholic community and also people of other or no faith.But the questions-"Are you married?" and " Why do you have a wedding band on your finger if you are not ?" are very difficult to answer.<BR/><BR/>This is a vocation that's not understood in the catholic community even when one tries to explain it .Much of the good one does or the values one tries to witness are shadowed by the questions/doubts/suspicions that people around have about the vocation . Gospel values in today's world are considered neither good nor bad. Being a consecrated virgin in today's world is indeed a vocation that involves signing a blank check everyday for Jesus. My bank account however seems quite empty . What is different about my purpose in this world as a woman and my purpose as a consecrated virgin ? <BR/><BR/>While this vocation / relationship with Jesus is 'the pearl of great price' for me , it is a difficult struggle trying to find its practical value or meaning in the Church and in this world. This involves a journey in faith and love because I cannot see the road ahead.<BR/><BR/>Deep within I know that Jesus loves me and has called me to lead exactly THIS vocation. Perhaps life would be easier if I lived the same life without the ring of my consecration and without disclosing my identity [ like those in secular institutes]-- but I love Jesus so much that I want to continue wearing it and facing the crucifixion every day for doing so.My happiness lies in this.<BR/><BR/>Consecrated virginity is a blank check encashed by Jesus , but I still don't know what He found in the account for today's world ! <BR/><BR/>Would love to receive feedback from others on a similar journey.<BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-51114942568807326792008-08-27T08:24:00.000-04:002008-08-27T08:24:00.000-04:00I was allowed to continue with my formation. :)The...I was allowed to continue with my formation. :)The psychological tests were never mentioned so I don't know, maybe I'll have to repeat them, only they've given me a time to rest? Or is it more or less all right as it was?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I'll go on. :)Thank you for your prayers.<BR/><BR/>I could not edit spelling mistakes I made so I removed the first version of this entry :) and corrected them here. Sorry.erunandelincëhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01664709317470652232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-47745567964540721792008-08-27T08:22:00.000-04:002008-08-27T08:22:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.erunandelincëhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01664709317470652232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-61553329989230734612008-08-26T22:32:00.000-04:002008-08-26T22:32:00.000-04:00Another Seminarian, thank you for your thoughts—an...Another Seminarian, thank you for your thoughts—and Drewienko, you will be in my prayers. Just so everyone knows, I wrote this post primarily for people in the earlier stages of discernment. However, I do believe that all people in every situation are called to this sort radical trust in God. <BR/><BR/>Being in the position where you are ready to make a commitment to the consecrated life—but for whatever reason the Church is not willing to accept your commitment—is probably more painful than most people would realize. But as the seminarian mentioned, there HAVE been numbers of canonized saints who lived through similar trials. <BR/><BR/>And it is important to remember that we are all called to sanctity, regardless of whether or not we are also called to a public state of consecrated life within the Church.Sponsa Christihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520407168481380210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-40944230049449010792008-08-26T06:57:00.000-04:002008-08-26T06:57:00.000-04:00Drewienko,You have a very good observation. This ...Drewienko,<BR/><BR/>You have a very good observation. This is clearly seen for example in a vocation to the priesthood because there are two levels of discernment. First and individual discerns God's will for them and then the church confirms or denies it. There is also a distinction between ones own will and God's will. That is why we pray for the spirit of discernment like St. Ignatius tells us of, and we submit ourselves to spiritual directors for a fool has himself for his own guide. Between the Holy Spirit, prayer and our directors we sift out what is God's will and what is our own selfish desire. Still there is a further distinction missing.<BR/><BR/>St. Thomas Aquinas wrote on this issue. He said that for you to desire a super natural vocation, namely consecrated virginity or religious life then God must have given you that desire for it is super natural. If he did not intend you to enter religious life then he would not give you that desire. <BR/><BR/>For arguments sake, lets suppose that a particular religious order denied you entrance. Does not mean you do not have a vocation and you have incorrectly discerned? Perhaps. This was the case of Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese. However, it could also be the case that you are being tested as was the case for St. Therese. She knew that God was calling her to religious vocation and God confirmed her desire, only he did it in his time. Still, the true desire given by God was itself the call. There are many examples of this in the lives of the saints, and seems for me to be also confirmed by theology.<BR/><BR/>Know however, that I will pray for your discernment and your meeting this Wednesday.Another Seminarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11494495703291749500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-27526662244421429972008-08-24T07:02:00.000-04:002008-08-24T07:02:00.000-04:00and what if what you feel and what you desire diff...and what if what you feel and what you desire differs from what Authorities say about you? Where's the border between my will and God's Will? Even if I have no doubt which of the two I want to follow...<BR/><BR/>I will let the Church decide. This Wednesday I have a very important meeting and I'll see.<BR/>not daring to hope, hoping too much to cryerunandelincëhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01664709317470652232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-2586801404855198472008-08-23T15:52:00.000-04:002008-08-23T15:52:00.000-04:00I have done alot of thinking about discernment, es...I have done alot of thinking about discernment, especially having met many people caught in the spiritual quagmire which you mentioned. This led me to a very good book on the topic written some 40 years ago by a dominican called, "Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery." A brother seminarian more adept in theology than I, distilled it even further for me saying, "if you have the desire to become a religious that itself is the call and you should act on it.Another Seminarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11494495703291749500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-36552383927476102008-08-23T13:42:00.000-04:002008-08-23T13:42:00.000-04:00Anonymous,I certainly will pray for you!Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>I certainly will pray for you!Sponsa Christihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520407168481380210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3984186295935598389.post-23076767106737105632008-08-22T11:40:00.000-04:002008-08-22T11:40:00.000-04:00Thank you for these thoughts! They are very beauti...Thank you for these thoughts! They are very beautiful and helpful. God bless you on your journey. Please say a prayer for my discernment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com