It is Your face that I seek Lord, hide not Your face
To live generously and for others requires courage and great inner freedom. This is the work of a life time and it is the Holy Spirit who tutors us in this school of love.
Mary is our model in this ‘YES’ to God. As the Carmelite saint, John of the Cross said ‘Mary was always moved by the Holy Spirit.’
If you think God may be calling you to live out your ‘YES’ in religious life there are some important things that you can do to respond and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this discernment of your vocation.
- Prayer:
- It is important to pray, and to continue to pray, that God’s will may be done in you. You may like to use the prayers at the end of this page.
- Spiritual Accompaniment or Friendship:
- Spiritual accompaniment is an ancient monastic tradition going back to the desert mothers and fathers. It is a friendship in which both people work together to discern how and where the Holy Spirit is leading. It is important that the Spiritual Friend is experienced in the ways of the Holy Spirit and in discernment. This type of spiritual accompaniment is a particular gift from God and is distinct from other types of friendship. You may or may not already have a spiritual accompanier. A woman discerning her vocation at Ware will naturally enter into this type of discernment.
- Patient Perseverance:
- You will need patience with yourself and with God! Discernment is not merely a matter of choice but a process of learning to recognise and respond to the nudges of the Holy Spirit. Discerning a vocation can be challenging and confusing and it may feel frightening or ridiculous but remember that God knows the depths of your heart and wants you to have life, life to the full!
Praying with St Teresa
We can ask the intercession of the great reformer of the Carmelite Order
Teach us to make your prayer our own:
‘I am yours; I was born for you,
What is your will for me?’
Prayer for a Person Seeking their Path in Life
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, I praise you.
Purify my soul,
Live in me, and Love through me.
Show me how to serve you peacefully today and lead me along the path in my life that will give most glory to you.
Amen
If you feel drawn to the contemplative Carmelite life and think that God may be asking you to be a nun at Ware Carmel you can contact the Prioress by letter or email. It is helpful if you tell us your age and a little about your faith journey so far. You will find the email link below the prayers.
Vocation Discernment: Your Next Step
Email Here or go to next page.
Two video links... God is calling