Suggestions for Discerning a Religious Vocation to the Sisters of Saint Joseph
Discernment is an ancient tradition in the Church. The term comes from the root word meaning “to sort or sift.” In discernment, we sort and sift motives, possibilities, inclinations, feelings and other data. Here are some helpful steps to facilitate your discernment:
Discernment is rooted in prayer. Taking time each day to spend with God, reading the Scriptures, listening to your heart and journaling will clear space for God and you to dream together.
Choose a spiritual director. Since discernment is not an individual process, you will want to find a spiritual director, a guide or wise person to help you listen to your heart’s desires. A campus minister, parish life director, pastor or vocation minister can help you find a spiritual director.
Gather data. To make a free and wise choice, it is important to gather data about the Sisters of Saint Joseph. What information do I need to know in order to come to a peaceful conclusion? Ask questions. Meet as many Sisters of Saint Joseph as you can. Pray. Visit our houses. Ask more questions.
Pay attention to your body and your feelings. Am I sleeping peacefully? Am I eating healthy meals? Am I exercising? Do I have a basic feeling of peace and security?
Here are some signs that you might have a vocation as a Sister of Saint Joseph:
- You have a desire to deepen your spiritual life and live the Gospel more deeply.
- You have a desire to live community with others who are seized by God’s love
- You have energy for a life of ministry and community.
- You have the ability to take risks, to give, to laugh, to have healthy friendships.
(from writings by Sister Katherine Hanley, CSJ)
Additional Resources for Navigating Your Discernment
Get to know some Sisters of St. Joseph and their vocation stories:
- “Yet for me, it was all the more energizing to find people dedicating their lives to God and service of the neighbor who seemed more like me than the nuns I saw in the movies.” Sr. Anita Kurowski shares about the winding road of how she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
- Did you know the current president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is a Sister of St. Joseph? Prior to assuming her role, Sr. Kathy Braza spoke to Global Sisters Report about her vocational journey and how a painful departure from the sisters led her back to the place she started — seven years later.
- “Impelled by the Love of God” is a video about Sr. Betsy Conway’s journey to becoming a sister
- Our sisters to the north — the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada — published a series called “Vocation Vignettes”
- The Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden share their vocation stories for National Vocation Awareness Week
- The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester produced this short film about exploring their vocation
General resources:
- Vision Vocation Network
- Story from National Catholic Reporter on the House of Discernment in Pittsburgh, PA which has sisters living with people who are discerning their vocation. Sister of St. Joseph Valerie Zottola (Baden) is one of the sisters who live in community at the house.
