 |
|
Consecrated life is a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. From the very first centuries, men and women have been called to intensify their Baptismal call through a vocation to follow Christ with their entire life, to give themselves completely to God. This form of discipleship includes the taking of religious vows—sacred promises to live the Gospel in a radical manner. In consecrated chastity, evangelical poverty and religious obedience, a religious frees his or her heart for a greater love of God and humankind.
There are various forms of consecrated life and a rich diversity of charisms in the Church. Each “religious family” embraces a way of life which emphasizes some particular aspect of the Christ-mystery, and lives by a rule written to guide them in fulfilling their specific purpose and mission. For example, there are Benedictines, Franciscans, Jesuits, Sisters of Mercy and of Charity, Carmelites, Salesians, Dominicans and many, many more.
The Diocese of Paterson is fortunate to have a total of more than 800 women and men in consecrated life who live and/or serve in a variety of ways. These include Congregations devoted to works of the apostolate, cloistered contemplatives, hermits and Associations of Consecrated Life. These men and women have a made a total commitment to a life of prayer and to the service of love. They witness to the radical values of the Gospel and the saving mission of the Church.
Religious life, as a consecration of the whole person, is also a sign of the life to come. Those who are called to it “bring to perfection their full gift as a sacrifice offered to God by which their whole existence becomes a continuous worship of God in love.” (Canon # 607).
|
Although I had this desire to serve God, I never considered becoming a Religious Sister until 2006, just as I was about to start my new career as a Registered Nurse. I had thought God was calling me to become a nurse so that I could do medical missionary work so this sudden call to religious life came as a surprise to me and left me very confused...
I was raised Catholic and my parents always made Mass and Sacraments a family priority. I was involved in my parishes growing up, being a lector and teaching CCD to the little ones. I loved children and just assumed I’d get married and have a family. But as I grew into adulthood and really fell in love with ministry and teaching, I did not feel as called to married life as I had expected...
I was not raised with a strong faith life, but I always had a sense of the existence of God through nature and the kindness shown by other people. For 7th grade I was sent to Catholic school and happened to read about the life of Saint John Bosco...
I believe that God calls us through others and that he calls us by name. For me, I was asked about becoming a nun several times from many different people. My response was always the same: that I wanted to be married and have a family...
The idea of becoming a Sister first occurred to me when I was ten years old -- that may seem young, but it was such a vivid moment that the memory still hasn’t left my heart...
