Catholic Online Forum

I'm currently in RCIA, and as a lot of you probably know from my other posts, I have been considering a vocation to the Religious Life. Before you ask me to become a practising Catholic first, I've been in Catholic school, and have been brought up by Catholics almost all my life. I could just never get my parents to sign the consent forms so I could go forward for sacramental preparation. I practically am a practising Catholic that's not quite Catholic yet. I now go to daily masses and various prayer groups, and of course, I have my RCIA classes too. I have been receiving instruction for quite a few years now, and I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to speak to the priests at Church about getting a spiritual director? Or would it be better to wait until the Easter Vigils, where I will be received into full communion with the RC Church? I just switched parishes after a lot of prayer and discernment, and it turns out that my new parish is much nearer to me (in both senses of the word). I have also been going to Lauds, and when I can (I work late nights in Retail, so this is usually about once or twice a week) I got to Vespers too. I also go to Adoration at least twice a week, which was suggested to me after I had that vision about the Chapel near where I live. It seems that the vision revealed to me the desires of my heart, and I wonder if it would be good to have a spiritual director to help me discern my vocation further? Your thoughts, please?

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Kim
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Umquam Fidelis

Twitter: @klegah
Blog: www.vocationoperation.blogspot.com

Even though no one has replied to this post in writing, it seems that you have probably been praying for me and this intention. I spoke to my parish priest and a few other people and my parish priest offered to be my spiritual director, and I did say I wanted to take up the offer. I'm now just waiting to hear back what he will say next.

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Kim
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Umquam Fidelis

Twitter: @klegah
Blog: www.vocationoperation.blogspot.com

Hi Kim,

I'm glad you spoke with your priest, that really was the best thing to do. Spiritual direction is part of the journey for everyone who is contemplating a clerical or religious vocation. Starting with your parish priest is a great first step. He'll be able to refer you to someone else if that is necessary.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having spiritual direction before you are Catholic. Spiritual direction is about discerning God's call. In one way, RCIA is a form of direction since discerning God's call is part of it.

Spiritual direction is also good for the rest of us too, but a formal director is not as necessary as it would be for someone considering a religious vocation. For those who may not be aware of what direction is, I would like to add that a spiritual director is not there to tell you what to do, or what they think God is telling you to do. A good director is a companion on the journey. One who can help you discern what God is saying to you.

May God bless you on your journey.


Effie

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“The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected.” –G.K Chesterton

Kim,

I'm sorry I somehow didn't see your post, Effie gave a great answer and I will offer prayers for you are you discern your call.

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Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict