The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis

God has created me to do Him some definite service;

He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission;

I never may know it in this life,

but I shall be told it in the next.

I have a part in a great work;

I am a link in a chain,

a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good, I shall do His work;

I shall be an angel of peace,

a preacher of truth in my own place,

while not intending it,

if I do but keep His commandments

and serve Him in my calling.

—Cardinal John Henry Newman

Sisters’ Advice on Discernment

Question: Sister, what is one piece of advice you would most want to tell someone discerning their vocation?

Answers: (in no particular order)

Persevere in prayer and be patient.

Figure out a way to break ties with the world and strive for personal holiness. If you don’t stay focused on those things, you’re history.

Pray before God; seek His way. Closer union with God gives you greater satisfaction when you really pursue it. The more you give to God the more He gives you; the more happiness.

Pray about it. Test yourselves really well; look at it from all angles.

Pray hard. If our Lord wants you He’ll make sure He gets you.

You should really want to know what your vocation is. Don’t try to tell God what you think it should be. Trust Him and wait for him to let you know. It’s a process and just because you want to know doesn’t mean you’ll know overnight.

Make a decision. Don’t expect a bolt out of the blue. Don’t make it more complicated than it is.

Pray to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother. Talk it over with your spiritual director or confessor.

God loves you and wants the best for you. He loves your loved ones more than you do. Trust Him!

Pray about it. Take time to build a relationship with God and pray for guidance on what your vocation in life is.

Pray a lot, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Make Holy Hours with that intention.

Pray to the Holy Spirit.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me” Rev 3:20

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Mt 7:7-8

“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” Mk 4:24