A SHARING ON RELIGIOUS LIFE BY SISTER BEATRICE ANDREWS, CSJ A Sharing on Religious Life
On my way to Mass at the reserve a native
child who was following me was curious about
their vows. However, in responding to the
the three sisters who lived together, and
vowed life, Religious accept the unique task of
asked, “Is Father Otto your husband?”
living out of the particular charism for whichthey were founded.The charism of unity and
“No, I am not married.” Then she asked, “Are
reconciliation in a broken world, is the thrust
I replied, “No Sisters do not marry.” There
Religious Life is
was silence for a few moments, and then she
simply one way
Baptism, is a love that must express itself in
of being a
burst out, “Oh! I know -- you’re just like the
service.What you are is God’s gift to you. Christian, but it entails more
What you become is your gift to God. I have
than just being
This incident which was related to me by a
always believed it of utmost importance from
a follower of
my earliest teaching days that children be
Christ.
Columbia some years ago, underlines the fact
aware of their gifts, their talents, and their
that Religious Life is, and has always been, a
quandary to both young and old. It is my hope
and prayer that the sharing that follows will
themselves.True, their childhood dreams of
All children
answer some of your queries, inspire or touch
what they want to be when they grow up are
should be aware of their own
always important, but it is their striving to be
unique gifts,
the best student they can be now that will
The life I chose is not a way of life with its
talents and
help them discern later on in life God’s way
interests, as
own objective and a private set of values and
these are God’s gift to each
Christian. Religious life is primarily a following
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of
of us.
of Christ. However, to say that Religious are
If you see signs of vocation in family members
adequate. Every Christian is a follower of
or others, tell them so. If you are hesitant, for
Striving to be
Religious Life does not differ in ideal or in
direction from someone living out the life. My
the best student you can be now
quality from any other aspect of true Christian
personal call came from a Sister in secondary
will help you
Life. By Baptism, all are called to holiness.
school. A remark as simple as, “Maybe when
discover God’s
However, Religious Life does differ in the
you’re Sister Beatrice .” made in a serious
plan for you.
shape it takes.This Christian Life is lived
through a different pattern.The characteristic
thought. I strongly resisted but the thought
of this pattern is that it passes the three great
would not leave. I thank God for her to this
roots of human life -- the desire to marry --
the desire to own -- the desire to make your
I recall a young girl at a vocation weekend
some years ago telling me that she didn’t give
Religious Life takes on the vows of Poverty,
much thought to entering because she was of
Obedience and Chastity.The Religious is called
the opinion that to become a Sister, one had
to the vowed life so that he or she may be
to have the desire from early childhood. She
shaped into a Gospel person, just as married
thanked me for clarifying her thinking. She
to our commitment and to our prayer life,
question should ever be treated lightly.
then we will be open and receptive to the
volunteer team of Sisters who come together
regularly to pray, reflect, and share on the
Today is the feast of the birth of Our Blessed
If you would
subject of vocations. If you, parents, would like
Lady. It is indeed an occasion of praise and
like to speak to
to make personal contact, or direct someone
someone on
thanksgiving for Mary’s personal holiness and
who is discerning, simply call Mount St. Joseph
Peterborough’s
vocation as the Mother of Jesus. I pray that
vocational team, call
she will be with you, as you live out your
Mount St.
vocation as parents, and help you lead your
Joseph at 754-1307
millennium we are witnessing the death, not ofa Religious Life, but rather of Religious Life aswe have come to know it. If we become tooinvolved in the numbers game, maybe we willbecome absorbed in the values of the “world”-- quantity versus quality. By living in love, weempower and call others to live in love.Wemust be women of deep faith and hope. I
Sister Beatrice is presently ministering in
believe that if we in Religious Life are Faithful
THE CONSULTANT GROUP, P.C. RHEUMATOLOGY NEW PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE NAME:____________________________________________________BIRTHDATE: ___ RACE: __ ____SEX:M F___ RIGHT HANDED( )LEFT HANDED( ) NAME OF PHYSICIAN WHO REFERRED YOU:_______________________________________ ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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A SHARING ON RELIGIOUS LIFE
A Sharing on Religious Life
to our commitment and to our prayer life,
question should ever be treated lightly.