Discernment

Are you being called to religious life?

Each woman’s call and the subsequent journey to religious life, is unique and different. Women pass through several stages on the journey to becoming a Benedictine Sister at Mother of God Monastery. Discernment is an important and necessary part of each stage.

Questions to ask your self and pray about...

• Do I hunger for a deeper relationship with God?
• Do I desire to seek God with others in community?
• Is sharing my gifts and talents important to me?
• Do I have a generous and listening heart?
• Am I ready to explore my call further by making a Discernment Retreat?
   

Initial Discernment

 A person considering (discerning) a vocation to religious life begins by discerning which type of religious life (Benedictine monastic, cloistered/contemplative, apostolic) best fits who they are.
This can be a lengthy period of time, sometimes several years. 
 

Spiritual Direction

Then with an affirmation through “spiritual direction”, most often with a trained director such as priest or sister, a discerner will begin to visit communities to experience community life, discerning a community to which they might be called.  Many communities offer “Come and See” Retreats or Discerner's Retreats to help gain clarity as well as help a community in their mutual discernment process. 
 
The stages listed on the Path to Profession encompass what we call initial formation, a time when a discerner and the community is learning about one another, deepening their relationships with each other and continuing to discern together whether this is a lifelong call to this community.