What exactly is a vocation?
Each of us is called by God to a fully human, happy life. God has given us, and continues to give us, some clear information about God’s purposes for our lives and for our world. They are revealed to us in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit and in the disciples who, even today, choose the way of Jesus.
At Baptism we “put on Christ” and the flame of faith is entrusted to us. Each of us has a vocation - a call - that comes from our Baptism. We are called to the mission of Jesus, to live the values and the message He taught. The Gift of the Spirit we received at Baptism sends us to proclaim the Good News and to do good works. God’s word comes to each of us: “You are my beloved daughter. My favor rests on you!”
This call is a grace and a gift. Each person’s vocation - marriage, religious life, holy orders, single life – is a call to community, to holiness, and to the service of others. No vocation is “better” or “holier” than the others. Jesus says that He came so that all "might have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Which lifestyle will lead you to that abundant life?
Ultimately God wants our happiness and what is good for us. As we discern about the vocation we wish to live, we need to be in touch with ourselves, knowing what will satisfy our heart’s deepest hunger, what will make us happy. God’s love and desire for us and what we desire as we respond to God’s love are the basis for the vocation we choose. As we look at the vocation to religious life, having a sense of the specific signs, qualities, characteristics, and skills needed for this vocation is important.
How do I know if I have a vocation to Religious life?
To help you know if you might have a vocation to Religious life, here are questions to ask yourself:
Motivation and desire for this life:
- Are you attracted to the spiritual life?
- Is God becoming more and more the center of your life?
- Is prayer a daily practice?
- Is your spiritual life important to you?
- Does living in community appeal to you?
- Are you inquisitive, usually asking the deeper questions?
- Do you have goals? Are you one who meets these goals?
- Do you act out of a value system and believe life is purposeful?
- Do you have a sense that God may be inviting you to dedicate your life completely to God?
Fitness for religious life and for ministry:
- Do you have the necessary abilities and skills for religious life, for living the vows and for ministry?
- Are you willing to grow and be changed as you learn about yourself and learn what it means to live and love as a religious?
- Are you willing to live in community with the ups and downs of daily life?
- Do you interact well with your own peers? Do others enjoy being around you?
- Do you consider yourself honest, worthy of trust?
- Do you show signs of leadership, by example rather than by power?
- Do you follow through on commitments?
An eagerness to serve in an unselfish way must be present:
- Are you eager to share the Good News of Jesus?
- Are you motivated for a life of service with a willingness to help others without looking for personal
rewards?
- Do you like to work with and help others?
- Do you feel compassion, empathy for the suffering of others? Are you willing to give of yourself?
Who are the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart (FSSH)?
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart are religious women consecrated to Christ and the Church by taking the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience. Our community does a variety of ministries. Our co-founder, Fr. Berger, told us that we were simply to “do the works of neighborly love.” And so we do. But perhaps more than that, we are known among other Franciscan groups for our charism of living in community. We see this as our most important dimension of ministry – not what we do, but rather how we live with one another in a common bond of being focused on Jesus Christ. We live together, pray together and play together. As Franciscans we strive to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis as he followed in the footprints of Jesus. We consider our times of contemplative prayer, as well as communal prayer, essential to developing a relationship with God and one another. Prayer, community and ministry lived in balance are the primary elements of our lifestyle.
Becoming a vowed member: Process and Stages
The growth and formation of a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart takes a lifetime. It begins with the first initial contact with one of our Sisters. This may be through actually meeting one of our Sisters or through a letter, telephone or e-mail inquiry. A young woman seeking more information will be given a description of our community and our way of life through our Membership Office.
Please e-mail vocations@fssh.net or contact our Vocation Directors: Sister Nancy at 815-464-3848 or Sister Maria at 815-464-3873.
Inquiry Stage
If the young woman is interested in more information and feels our way of life may be where God is leading her, she may decide to visit the Sisters for a "Come and See" experience. A date is set for a two or three day initial visit that includes a visit to the Motherhouse in Frankfort and may also include a short visit to one of the nearby smaller convents. Depending upon where the young woman lives, she may choose to visit a convent that is near her home, prior to arranging a visit to the Motherhouse. This first stage is referred to as the Inquiry Stage. During this time questions are answered and information is given to assist in the process of getting to know one another.
Pre-Candidate Stage
After a significant period of time for regular conversations and face-to-face meetings, the Vocation Coordinator and the woman together determine if and when she is ready to enter the Pre-Candidate Stage. This stage assists the women in the particular stages of vocational discernment. When the Vocation Coordinator and the woman have ascertained the readiness for Candidacy, the Candidate begins the application process.
Click here for Steps to Vowed Membership Page
What are the requirements for vowed membership?
Vowed membership is open to single, Catholic women (widowed or divorced with annulment) who want to grow closer in their relationship with God and are seeking a community who lives the Gospel way of life.
Age Requirement: The Candidates must be of legal age (18 and over) to be accepted into Candidacy. Candidates in their 40s are evaluated on a case by case basis. We welcome Inquirers below age 18. If you wish to have a prayer partner, please contact our Vocation Office. For more details regarding membership requirements, please contact Sr. Nancy Roberta Schramm directly at 815-464-3848 or emailmailto:vocations@fssh.net
How long does it take to become a Sister?
From Inquiry Stage through Perpetual Vows, the process could take seven or more years. For more details, click here.
Are there options of getting involved with the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart other than as a vowed member?
Yes - become an Associate.
What is an Associate? How do I become one?
For more information, please contact our Associate Office at 815-469-4895, Ext. 895 or e-mail Sister Ella Binz at: SrElla.Binz@fssh.net. For more details, click here.
Do you have other sources for prayer or vocation information?
For retreat information, vocation and prayer sources please visit the following websites:
Portiuncula Center for Prayer (Retreats): http://portforprayer.org
ChicagoArchidiocesan Vocation Association (CAVA): www.VocationsCAVA.org
Diocese of Joliet Vocation Office: http://www.vocations.com
Diocese of Joliet Young Adult Office: http://dioceseofjoliet/yam
Catholics On Call (Young Adults): http://www.catholicsoncall.org/
VocationMatch: http://www.vocation-network.org/match