I didn't always think I was called to contemplative life. In fact, I hadn't even really considered it. Then during my discernment, I happened upon a book called A Right to Be Merry. I loved the story this Poor Clare nun told, and I was intrigued by the impact that this monastery and these cloistered sisters had on lay people who lived around them. I was amazed by the amount of faith in the power of prayer it must take to live that life, in order to justify it, I thought. Then I attended a concert put on by some apostolic Dominican Sisters, who listed in the program a special thanks to three contemplative communities in the area that had been praying for the event. I was shocked that in this day and age people still relied on the intercession of cloistered nuns.
Then when the time came for me to start visiting orders and discovering where the Lord was leading me, I had those monasteries on my radar, and I scheduled visits with all of them: the Discalced Carmelites, the Poor Clares, and the Contemplative Dominicans. I learned a lot about the differences, but especially the similarities between the communities. I learned about what was at the heart of the contemplative, monastic life. All three of the nuns that I met with reiterated the need to follow your heart, because the Lord has put those desires there for a reason. I learned that this life wasn't about what you do, but who you are-- who you are called to be. And worthy is the Lord that some people should be called to be for Him and Him alone.
Even faithful Catholics and priests can lack an understanding of the contemplative life. They try to apologize for it by pointing to the prayer. But that really is to miss the point completely. I continued to learn, pray, and discern the contemplative life to which I was so attracted, although I knew it was radically different from my life in the world, and diametrically opposed to what my life would look like if left to my on devices. But the desire remained, the tug was persistent, and my love for Him was only growing. I soon learned that it wasn't just that I appreciated this life in theory, but that it was possible that the Lord wanted what I wanted. I accepted that if called, He would give me the graces to endure. I knew that through the practice of the evangelical counsels in this way of perfection, I would be sanctified and reach my final destination where at last my heart would be full and my joy would be complete.
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee..” --St. Augustine
…He entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." --Luke 10:38-42
VERBI SPONSA: Instruction on the Contemplative Life and on the Enclosure of Nuns
On 1 May 1999, the Holy Father approved this present document of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and authorized its publication.
Cloistered & Monastic Communities: Hidden with Christ
www.cloisteredlife.com
Website sponsored by Institute for Religious Life
Pope Benedict XVI on cloistered religious communities:
VATICAN CITY, 16 NOV 2008
“Let us thank the Lord,” he said, “for the sisters and brothers who have embraced this mission dedicating themselves completely to prayer, and who live off what they receive from divine Providence. Let us in our turn pray for them and for new vocations, and undertake to support the material needs of monasteries, Dear sisters and brothers, yours is an indispensable presence in the Church and in the world. I remain close to you and I bless you with great affection.”
