As my last semester of college is beginning, and
I'm preparing for my next stage in life, many people have wondered where I'm
going next, and what I plan on doing. After all, I've spent the last four years
earning a B.A. in English and a minor in Latin. What does one do with degrees
such as those?
Well,
go live in the woods with nuns. Naturally.
Though
I've secretly (and not so secretly) enjoyed a wide gamut of reactions from
people as I've told them about my after-graduation plans, I still feel like an
explanation is owed.
On
May 26th, 2018, I'm officially moving to De Pere, Wisconsin to do just that:
live with nuns in the woods.
But
there's a lot more to it than that.
This
summer when I was working as a Totus Tuus missionary teacher, I happened to
have dinner with a family whose daughter is in formation to become a religious
sister. This Sister happened to be home on home visit that week and joined me,
her parents, and my missionary team for dinner.
It
was then that I got my first introduction to the Missionaries of the Word. A
brand new religious order, there are only four Sisters that compose this
community, with foundress Mother Mary Catherine, a former Missionary of Charity
who used to work alongside Mother Teresa.
After
a brief introduction to the order via dinner conversations with the Missionary
of the Word's only postulant, I went on my way and continued life rather
undisturbed. It was later, then, after my first semester of senior year began
that I really began to reflect in earnest about what I wanted for my life after
college.
It
was then that the Missionaries were placed on my heart again. After further
research, it appeared that they offered a 'Missionary Internship' program,
specifically designed for post-grad young adults. This Missionary Internship is
designed to give young adults a place to live in community, discern their
vocations, pour themselves out in service, and become formed by taking
theological and catechetical courses offered by a priest affiliated with the
Missionaries of the Word.
While
in Wisconsin, I'll be assisting the Sisters in their apostolate, mainly leading
teens and young adults on wilderness expeditions that double as retreats. When
not assisting with their retreats and other apostolic works, I'll be praying,
attending classes, and growing in virtue and community life. I'll be living
with other young adults (both male and female), four nuns, one priest, and one
Border Collie named Friar Tuck. Right now I am slated to be living in Wisconsin
from May 26th to August 15th. However, there will be a mutual discernment
between the Sisters and I as to whether I'll continue my internship and
formation for up to a year.
I,
of all people know how surprising this might be. This was not in my plans or my
imagined future after graduation, and so I surprised myself when I began
investigating this. As I'm fully aware this is a hardly typical path of a
post-grad young adult, here are some questions you might have:
1) Q:
Ok, but like really, why are you doing this?
A: There's no one answer to this very
valid question. A few reasons of many would be, I have a great God-given desire
to be formed. To have my interior (prayer) life formed by people holier than I,
to have my whole person formed in virtue and discipline, to have my intellect
and perspective formed by new experiences. I have a deep desire to gain
self-knowledge, and that is something that this opportunity offers me. This
will especially be good for me as I make the transition from my college life of
being an active member in a vibrant Catholic community, to an adult with no
ready-made community living in a largely secular world.
2)
Q: But isn't this a huge risk?
A: Yes, this is a risk. A big risk. And it
scares the crap out of me. But our God
is a God of Providence. And we must take that on faith and trust he will
provide for me during my time in Wisconsin and beyond. I prefer to think of
this as an adventure.
3) Q:
Does this mean you're going to become a nun?
A: Maybe. I won't deny that the idea of
becoming a nun or religious sister is deeply attractive to me. Another
motivation for me going to Wisconsin is for vocational discernment, or figuring
out what God might be calling me to. They say that if you're interested in a
career, you should 'try it out', and I can't really try out being a nun unless
I live with nuns. While I'm in Wisconsin, I'll be keeping the same schedule and
doing the same apostolic works as the Sisters, so hopefully this will broaden
my perspective and understanding of religious life and be an invitation for God
to speak into my life regarding my vocation. I am hoping while I'm in Wisconsin
to gain some clarity in this.
4)
Q: How can I contact you while you're in Wisconsin?
A: Any ways you have previously. I will
still be using my phone while there (though I maybe won't have the best
reception, or respond quickly to texts/calls). I'll also still have all my
social media and my laptop. Also, if you want to go on retreat with the
Missionaries of the Word (and the interns who will be living with them) here's
a link to check it out!
5)
Q: What can I do to help?
A: Please, pray for me if you're the
praying type. Keep in touch with me while I'm there. Send me good vibes, send
me text messages, send me love. Send me all those good things.
Thanks for taking the time to read this blogpost.
Pray for me, and my prayers will go with you also.
Amor et Pax,
~Grace
For more information about Catholic Youth Expeditions and the Missionaries of the Word, click here.
