Come and Follow Me ...by Sr. Paz

I spent two weeks of July 2024 in Kansas, attending the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) Summer Institute. There I had the opportunity to connect with vocation directors of diverse religious orders. I met Claretian Missionaries, Marianists, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, a Comboni Missionary sister, Vincentian Friars, Sisters of Charity, De La Salle Christian Brothers, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Society of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of St. Joseph, Daughters of St. Paul, Sisters of Providence, Salesians—among many more orders, and of course, Benedictine Sisters and Brothers.

Sr. Paz (2nd from right) with other Vocation Directors

This sounds like a lot of options, doesn’t it? I didn’t know there are this many Catholic religious organizations, myself. And these are not all, there are many more options. Each one with a different charism, mission and vision. For two weeks ,I had the opportunity to prepare myself further to accompany women in their discernment towards religious life with love, compassion and understanding. I will continue accompanying seekers, listening with the ear of my heart to what God is calling them to do with their precious life. And helping them, also, to listen with the ear of their heart.

We Benedictines have three unique promises: Obedience is the first, to listen with the ear of your heart. It requires us to listen intently to the voice of God as it is manifested in all creation. Stability is the second promise, which requires us to live the monastic way of life in community—in a monastery, serving one another, following the Rule of St. Benedict. The third promise is “Conversatio Morum,” or conversion of life; which means we begin again every day in this school of life that is the monastery, becoming the person God intended us to be since the moment of our creation. Our three promises imply also poverty and chastity. This allows us to live a simple life.

My role as vocation director is to accompany and support women that are called to religious life during their discernment process. Helping them discern what God wants them to do with their precious life. Learning how they are to serve God’s people with their unique gifts. I know that they are in the correct path when they are happy, when they start calling the monastery "home." When they feel they belong and they are living a meaningful life. I want them to be happy like I am. I want to share with all the seekers the joy of living a life with meaning. A life where we matter and our gifts are appreciated. However, it’s not an easy life. The monastic way of life is for tough cookies.

After women are accepted as candidates, they start working with a formation director. They will study the Rule of Benedict. The formation director and the whole community will to help them to become Benedictines. I am just the one that opens the door to women and welcomes them to this house of prayer for beginners. It seems a simple task, but it is not so simple. Many are called, few are chosen. Jesus said to the seeker, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, and follow me.” Matthew 19:21. Do you want to follow Jesus? Call me, I will open the door for you to this monastic way of life. 360.438.2595