When young women explore a religious vocation, parents often have many questions and may hesitate to encourage their daughters to consider this choice of life. You’ll find answers to many questions under Vocation FAQs, but those that follow may be of particular interest to you.
What are sisters doing these days?
Religious communities always have tried to respond to urgent, unmet needs. For many years, that meant providing education and health care for an immigrant population, and sisters were common sights in schools and hospitals.
Some sisters continue to work in parish schools but—in response to the unmet needs of the times—many others live and work in neighborhoods that are struggling with difficult and pervasive social problems. The sisters strive to stand with people who are poor and on the margins of society.
Sisters usually live together in small groups, setting aside time to pray together, share meals, and talk about the day’s events. Community life provides a tremendous support as one seeks to live a life of evangelical chastity, poverty and obedience.
Will I lose my daughter if she enters a religious community?
No! Parents frequently report that they didn’t lose a child but rather gained a whole community. Communities encourage family and friends to visit and encourage members to continue strong relationships with family and friends. Phone calls, letters, e-mail and visits help to make that contact easier. Each community has its own rules and policies, but all recognize that the support of family and friends is vital.
What if my daughter is not worthy of this calling?
Would it surprise you to hear that nobody is? Each vocation is a gift from God. That is the wonderful thing about our faith. We do not have to be worthy to respond to God’s gifts in our lives. In the Gospels, Jesus seems to seek out ordinary people who are well aware of their weaknesses. We’re asked to respond to God’s grace and to remember that God is the one who is in charge.
What if my daughter enters the Ursulines and it is a mistake?
Making a decision to enter a religious community is not the same thing as making a commitment. Formation directors help candidates discern whether or not this choice is a good one. Should your daughter decide that this is not the right choice, there is no shame in leaving. It is hoped they will have developed a closer relationship with God, come to a deeper level of self knowledge, and experienced the joy of serving others.
Isn’t it wrong for me to push my child into something?
Yes, it is. However, it is very important for parents to encourage their children to consider all of the options available to them—single life, religious life as well as marriage. Parents have an important role in presenting opportunities to explore options while respecting each child’s personality and God’s individual call. This is both an awesome responsibility as well as a delightful gift.
Many young people today seem to be looking for a sense of community, a way to belong, a way to serve with others and an opportunity to develop a life of close relationship with God. If this sounds like your daughter, you might want to encourage her to consider a choice of sisterhood.
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(Permission granted by the National Religious Vocation Conference to include information from their brochure “Ten Questions Parents Often Ask about Church Vocations.” This pamphlet was written by the Parent’s Standing Committee. To obtain a complete copy, please contact the National Religious Vocation Conference at 773-363-5454 or nrvc@aol.com.)
When young women explore a religious vocation, parents often have many questions and may hesitate to encourage their daughters to consider this choice of life. You’ll find answers to many questions under Vocation FAQs, but those that follow may be of particular interest to you.
What are sisters doing these days?
Religious communities always have tried to respond to urgent, unmet needs. For many years, that meant providing education and health care for an immigrant population, and sisters were common sights in schools and hospitals.
Some sisters continue to work in parish schools but—in response to the unmet needs of the times—many others live and work in neighborhoods that are struggling with difficult and pervasive social problems. The sisters strive to stand with people who are poor and on the margins of society.
Sisters usually live together in small groups, setting aside time to pray together, share meals, and talk about the day’s events. Community life provides a tremendous support as one seeks to live a life of evangelical chastity, poverty and obedience.
Will I lose my daughter if she enters a religious community?
No! Parents frequently report that they didn’t lose a child but rather gained a whole community. Communities encourage family and friends to visit and encourage members to continue strong relationships with family and friends. Phone calls, letters, e-mail and visits help to make that contact easier. Each community has its own rules and policies, but all recognize that the support of family and friends is vital.
What if my daughter is not worthy of this calling?
Would it surprise you to hear that nobody is? Each vocation is a gift from God. That is the wonderful thing about our faith. We do not have to be worthy to respond to God’s gifts in our lives. In the Gospels, Jesus seems to seek out ordinary people who are well aware of their weaknesses. We’re asked to respond to God’s grace and to remember that God is the one who is in charge.
What if my daughter enters the Ursulines and it is a mistake?
Making a decision to enter a religious community is not the same thing as making a commitment. Formation directors help candidates discern whether or not this choice is a good one. Should your daughter decide that this is not the right choice, there is no shame in leaving. It is hoped they will have developed a closer relationship with God, come to a deeper level of self knowledge, and experienced the joy of serving others.
Isn’t it wrong for me to push my child into something?
Yes, it is. However, it is very important for parents to encourage their children to consider all of the options available to them—single life, religious life as well as marriage. Parents have an important role in presenting opportunities to explore options while respecting each child’s personality and God’s individual call. This is both an awesome responsibility as well as a delightful gift.
Many young people today seem to be looking for a sense of community, a way to belong, a way to serve with others and an opportunity to develop a life of close relationship with God. If this sounds like your daughter, you might want to encourage her to consider a choice of sisterhood.
Back to top >
(Permission granted by the National Religious Vocation Conference to include information from their brochure “Ten Questions Parents Often Ask about Church Vocations.” This pamphlet was written by the Parent’s Standing Committee. To obtain a complete copy, please contact the National Religious Vocation Conference at 773-363-5454 or nrvc@aol.com.)