The date is set and I’m counting down! At the end of January (January 28th, the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, to be exact), I will be entering the monastery for a month-long aspirancy period, after which time I will return home for continued discernment regarding whether God is calling me to be a Dominican nun.
In the meantime, I get to enjoy time with my family through the holidays and into January. What a blessed time of transition!
I had lunch with a friend the other day and in the course of our conversation, the subject of my vocation discernment came up. Leaning forward, almost apologetically, she candidly stated that she did not understand why I would “throw away” the opportunities I have to be active in the world, using my education, talents, and skills doing good. She meant no offense; she was simply trying to understand the apparent radical shift in direction in my life.
This is something I often hear when people find out I’m discerning religious life. Sometimes it’s phrased as “why would you choose”; others express it as, “God has blessed you with this education and these skills, so He wouldn’t possibly call you to this!” In either case, it boggles the mind that I would leave behind the life of an attorney and all the possibilities that career brings only to enter religious life, particularly cloistered life. People shake their heads and mutter, “what a waste…”
So here are some reasons for entering religious life:
Snazzy wardrobe. Every woman dreams of making a statement with her clothing. Plus, no need to try and keep up with the latest styles – this outfit is timeless.
Never again having a bad hair day. Wake up with uncontrollable “bed-head”? Wearing a veil, no one will notice.
Killer retirement plan. You won’t get returns like this from a 401k.
Being married to, well, the perfect man. As the bride of Christ you know all to well He doesn’t leave wet towels on the floor and always knows exactly what you need before you do. However, there is a downside to this: you’re the one saying to Him, “you’re right, dear. You’re always right.”
No more rush hour traffic. Unless you count the cloister walk right before dinner.
Having a daily schedule that includes siesta.
In all seriousness, a person discerns religious life for some of the same reasons someone might discern getting married. Now, we know not everyone who contemplates marriage does so for the right reasons. Obviously, the reasons listed above are nothing on which a person should base a life-changing commitment. Every vocation is a gift from God, whether that vocation is to marriage, religious life, the priesthood or deaconate; and God gives each of us the education, talent, skills, and other tools we need to live out our respective vocations to His glory. Sometimes those gifts are employed in a “traditional” way; sometimes they’re not.
Regardless of the particular vocation a person is given, it is the responsibility of each of us to earnestly seek the Giver, discern the gift, and then live it in worship of Him. So why would I consider leaving everything behind to enter religious life? Because a girl will do anything for True Love.
HERESY TO HABIT 