Called To Be A Face Of Providence!

Welcome to the journey of discovery

Be assured that God is with you–a Provident God who embraces you with tender and ever-present love. As Sisters of Divine Providence we know God as providential–a constant presence caring for us and for all of creation.

Steps in Discernment

Discernment is a process that takes both time and effort. Some of the early stages may be the simplest but they may be the ones that are hardest to accomplish because they involve our interior attitudes and dispositions. Habitual ways of looking at the world and responding to events are often difficult to address.

Open Your Heart to Options

Graceful discernment requires a level of freedom in your life. This means inner freedom that allows you to recognize the movements of the spirit. We all experience various obstacles to freedom. Often these obstacles are various fears that reside deep inside of us—fear of failure, fear of conflict, fear of intimacy, fear of …. You can name it for yourself. Working with our lack of freedom is the first and constant task of discernment. So know your fears. You are ready to begin discernment proper when you are able to look at the options that are present for you and know that you would be able to follow any of the paths if your discernment led there.

Pray for Guidance

This is another step that starts at the very beginning and never ceases to be part of the process. Frequently asking the Holy Spirit for guidance then being willing to follow whatever the direction is that presents itself is essential to discernment. Reception of the sacraments is another aspect of this prayer for guidance. Religious life is a way to live the Church‘s mission as proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Attempt to grow daily in personal relationship with Jesus Christ if you want to know God‘s call.

Know Yourself and the Patterns of Fidelity in Your Life

Be in touch with the moments when you have been most faithful to growing in healthy relationships and self-giving love and service of others. The clues to your call will be in the situations that promoted your fidelity to relationships with God, self, others and creation.

Establish Balance in Your Life

Do your best to have friendships, prayer, service, reflection, leisure, recreation and a social life that gives you joy. God speaks to us in the ordinary events of our days. Balance promotes good physical, emotional and spiritual health. All of these are necessary to engage in discernment. Have patience with yourself in this process. Pressuring yourself or dwelling on a decision as though you can only be happy if you make a “right” choice will hinder your efforts at discernment. While making an effort to find God‘s call is important, keep in mind that God will love you no matter what choice you make.

Read and Surf the Net

There are many good resources available to help you with discernment. A few of the many books on discernment in general are:

• Let your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
• Weeds Among the Wheat by Thomas Green
• Paying Attention to God by William Barry.

You might like to visit a website for more specific suggestions for discernment of a vocation to religious life. Check out www.visionguide.org This will give you access to the websites of many communities and also give you suggestions for further reading.Please visit http://home.att.net/~divineprovidence/

A CD called God’s Design can be purchased from NCCV. Visit the NCCV website at www.nccv-vocations.org

Talk to a Trusted Friend or Wisdom Person

Check out your thoughts and feelings about God’s call with others. It is very important to get beyond your own inner workings and to get feedback from others. Do they see you as having the inclination, the gifts that are part of living the vows in community? Share about your prayer with a spiritual director. Listening and accepting direction are part of discernment.

Visit Communities

Once you have determined that you want to seriously consider religious life, begin to contact some communities whose spirituality, ministries and community life appeal to you. Many offer “come and see” experiences as well as opportunities for short visits or interviews. If you would like to visit the Sisters of Divine Providence look at the events we have planned.

Make a Decision

When you are feeling relatively at peace and attracted to a community, make a decision to apply to be in a program with them.

Confirmation

Your acceptance into a program is part of the confirmation that the decision is right for you at this time. Also waiting and listening to the movements of your heart will be part of confirming the decision. But remember, life choices are often accompanied by an initial sense of fear. You may find yourself asking, “What am I doing? Is this crazy?” Be patient and wait beyond the initial feelings.