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vocation |
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The vocation of a sister of
the Little Company of Mary, and that of our associates and
affiliates, is a call to hear the suffering of the world, and to
offer our lives that others might have life. It is a vocation to
live simply, to live out of an enduring hope in the power of
grace to transform nature and to bring God's promise to
fulfillment. Our idealism is lived out in the ordinariness of
our lives. Choosing
to live simply and with an open hearted attitude towards all,
our homes are places of hospitality for others, and following
the teachings of our founder, we seek to apply the principles of
community laid down for us. As a community, we
- Share common prayer
each day, though the liturgy of the hours and Eucharist.
- Make time and space
for regular community development
- Looks for creative
ways to integrate more fully the spiritual dimension of our
lives and work.
- Practice
accountability to all the members of the community
- Come together to
celebrate life and significant community memories
- Undertake ongoing
study and development of the spiritual life , and promotes
this for our associate members .
- Discern and review
the manner in which we live our vowed life together, that it
may remain a vital force for each member and the community
at large.
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choosing to live life..... |
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If you would like to know
more about vocations in general or our Vocation as members of
the Little Company of Mary, you might like to go to:
...Vocations
pages HERE
or HERE
To learn
about the life of an Associate of the Little Company of Mary,
...
...find
out more
HERE
or contact the director of associates
HERE |
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What is a vocation?
The story of our vocation is woven into the
fabric of our life. By reading our life story from a
faith perspective, we can discover how God has been at
work within our ordinary experience, how God’s love has
been mediated to us through others, how God’s grace has
affirmed certain aspects of our personality and certain
talents, how God’s presence has been with us in our
various experiences. As we trace the thread of God’s
presence in our life we can begin to see the direction
that our life should take if it is to be faithful to
this personal experience of God that is unique to each
of us, yet consistent with the experience of our faith
community.
For the largest percentage of Christians, that
direction leads to the choice of marriage and family
life, the most common vocation. For some it leads to the
decision to remain single. For others it leads to the
choice to serve God’s people in ordained ministry. And
for still others it results in the decision to
consecrate their life to God by vows of poverty,
chastity and obedience. (These last two are what most
people mean when they use the word
‘vocation’.)
Whatever form your vocation takes, it only makes
sense if it emerges from your personal experience of
God, from the on-going relationship between you and God
that has been part of your life experience. Finding your
vocation means finding the most authentic, faithful and
honest way of living that relationship, of honouring the
truth of God in you.
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What can you do if you don’t know where God is calling you?
Ask God to guide you.
For example, pray each day to fulfill God’s will and purpose
in your life. We don’t always know what that is, but
sometimes we are given clues. Look at the deeper questions
in your life that concern you now. How would you categorize
them?
Listen to God speaking in your life.
God’s gentle guidance can
come in many ways such as prayer, scripture, music, books,
dreams, multimedia, events and other people in tune with the
Holy Spirit.
Find a good spiritual director.
Look for someone who is
deeply spiritually connected, someone you can trust who has
the ability to listen deeply, someone wise and understanding
who can also challenge you to grow. Religious communities,
retreat centers, or diocesan vocation directors may be able
to help you find a spiritual director.
Trust God.
“I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for a
future full of hope.”
— Jeremiah
29:11
To read more about what discernment
means go to:
Discernment Process
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