Blog Template Theology of the Body: Vocation, Vocation, Vocation II

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Vocation, Vocation, Vocation II

I spent the weekend with the Sisters of the Apostles of the Interior Life at the St. Paul's Center at the University of Wisconsin. The Sisters' charism involves extensive evangelization and spiritual direction for university students; I was so blessed by their beautiful, enormously fruitful ministry.

One of the most dynamic aspects of the Sisters' work involves the vocational discernment process of their Samuel Groups. The Samuel process is designed to prepare students for the recognition of their vocation through self-knowledge and the inculcation of the virtues in "small ways," in preparation for correct discernment of a lifelong calling.

In this regard, the Sisters' recipe for ongoing discernment revolves around the topics of developing trust in God; personal reconciliation with past issues; dealing with sin through confession; healthy spiritual direction; the practice of the virtues; life in the spirit of the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, in any state of life; a thorough understanding of the contexts of marriage and the consecrated life; and the importance of developing a sense of mission.

Thank you for your powerful ministry and your kindness to me, Sisters!

Be not afraid; I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.