Sister Hannah experiences "the grace of the vows"

Sister Hannah Corbin is about to profess first vows
at Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception

By Sister Hannah Corbin

“The grace of the vows” is a saying I have heard, and is what one sister reminded me of the day I professed the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. At the time I was not aware of the grace of the vows, but I knew of the grace in the journey.

Almost seven years ago I met my first Sister of Providence and began to fall in love with the sisters and the way they choose life. Four years of initial discernment, which included a summer of volunteering at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice and Providence Health Care, and three years of formal formation within the community proceeded my first profession of vows. What an affirming, challenging, and grace-filled journey it has been!

Before I entered community, I had a limited understanding of the vows, but I resonated with the little I knew. I saw the vow of poverty as a way to live out my desire to live simply. The vow of obedience connected with a new realization that independence was becoming a false virtue in my life. And the early call I felt to give all I am in service with others seemed to fit with the vow of chastity. I saw religious life as a way for me to honor who I was and to become who God calls me to be.
  
Once I entered the Sisters of Providence I began to watch how the sisters lived the vows. I read about the vows, listened to sisters as they shared about their own “living into the vows”, and had discussion groups on what the vows can mean for us, the Church, the world, and the whole cosmos today. As my understanding of the vows deepened, I was drawn by the challenge to live intentionally and in alignment with the life and teaching of Jesus.

On July 1, as I stood in front of my sisters, associates, family, and friends, my heart raced with excitement and perhaps a little stage fright. I had long anticipated the opportunity to profess publicly what I had already been trying to live. When I spoke the words of profession, I spoke from the depths of who I am. I joyfully proclaimed my intentions to unite myself even closer, through the vows, to the God I seek, within the community that I love and who calls me to be my best self.

Now the journey continues. I have returned to my life-giving ministry and local community and am “living into the vows,” one day at a time, with the support of my sisters. And “the grace of the vows?”... It is the grace God offers as I make the effort to integrate my life with the vows. It’s real, I’ve experienced it, and I rely on it.

Tracking the trail of facts and memories

When we last visited with you, we hinted that Sister Maureen Abbott may have taken on a Sherlock Holmes persona to sift through the mysteries in Archives in order to write volume four of the Congregation’s history.

Danger lurks for Sister Maureen as she continues to examine files and documents in her search for truth!

The time period for this project covers 1926 to 1966, which eases into changes brought by Second Vatican Council. Dramatic shifts in Catholic culture occurred, for sure. But there is more reason to be concerned as Sister Maureen continues her investigation. Many of the sisters currently in community actually LIVED some of this history.

 “A lot of this is recorded in people’s memories. Whatever you put out there, you had better be right. People have their memories, people in general, not just the Sisters of Providence. They have their memories of how the sisters were or how they changed. This is going to be real hard-core information (in the book) actually drawn from the Archives and comments from the times. Almost everyone who reads it (the transcript) says, ‘Oh, I remember that!’” Sister Maureen said.

As we continue to bring attention to Women in History Month, it seems to be an appropriate time to introduce Sister Maureen’s work by letting her share some of the process that has led her through this journey. She plans to conclude her research and writing by the end of the year. We’ll let you know when the book, volume four of the Congregation’s history, is available.

In the meantime, what do you remember about how the Sisters of Providence influenced you at one of their schools, or in one of their other ministries? What kind of relationship did you have with one of your teachers? Please share your thoughts and reflections.

“Come and See” the Sisters of Providence

God has given each of us specific gifts and talents. It’s no accident that as we grow in those areas, we enjoy doing what we’re good at, what we excel at in life. It’s one of the ways that God confirms within each of us how we are to live our “one wild and precious life.”*

As Christians, it’s also important that we give those gifts in service to others, as a way to glorify God. We take those gifts and talents into account as we discern our vocation, whether it be to live as a single, married or vowed religious person. Religious life is a way to live, not a career choice. The options are limited only by one’s imagination!

The Come and See Weekend, April 13-15, is a wonderful opportunity for women who are considering religious life to visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence. You’ll have quality time to get to know the sisters. Witness first-hand their “faith-in-action” while learning about their ministries and hearing their stories. Worship with them at Eucharistic Liturgy, pray individually and in groups and experience community life. And, you’ll be with other discerning women with similar questions and feelings.

Hopefully, you’ll leave refreshed, encouraged and ready to take the next step in your own personal journey, wherever that may take you. Click here to register by April 6 for the April 13-15 gathering. Sister Editha Ben is available to answer questions at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2895 or eben@spsmw.org  

*From "The Summer Day," by poet Mary Oliver.

Called to Glory!

The Sisters of Providence will have a presence at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) entitled Called to Glory in Indianapolis this week (Nov. 17-19), where 23,000 spirited teens and adults are expected to converge. If you’re in town, come visit us at booth #247-250. This event, which happens every two years, is sponsored by the NFCYM.

It’s high energy and it’s encouraging for this Catholic convert – to see so many youth excited about their faith in God. High school age women and men, their chaperones and youth directors, will attend sessions designed to help them tackle real-life issues as well as encouraging them to put their faith in action through ministry. There will be beautiful and upbeat Christian music with poetic lyrics and rhythm to stir our hearts. It’s impossible to attend this event without being changed in some way. I’m reminded that there are young women (and men) who are seriously considering religious life. Our Christian faith is relevant to our lives today and the renewed lamp that shines on my own path will hopefully keep its brilliance as I return to my work, family and friends. My own faith is strengthened as I interact with all types of people. It’s a lot of work to set-up the booth, staff it adequately for three days and provide thousands of pieces of literature. But those are just the logistics. The true Spirit is in the faces of those attendees who I am blessed to meet. Here’s to a wonderful three days!

Sisters of Providence Fall Discernment Retreat

Did you know that everyone has a vocation? Each person baptized is called to be of service to the Gospel. A person can do this through one of three ways: as a single person, a married person or a member of a vowed religious community, like the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Are you longing to grow more deeply in your Catholic faith? If you are a woman ages 18-42 who is considering religious life, or you know someone who is, check out our Fall Discernment Retreat in conjunction with the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin FEST, Oct. 21-23 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

Your weekend with the sisters will consist of personal and group prayer and reflection, meals and time spent getting to know the sisters and attending Eucharistic Liturgies. There is no cost to attend the Fall Discernment Retreat and the FEST so register today.

Sister Bernice Kuper, vocation minister, said, “The human process of answering the question ‘How do I know what God wants me to do with my life?’ will be much more like being given a map of the United States and told to plot a route which will take you from Indianapolis to San Francisco. You know you will get there but it will involve some effort on your part. You know you will meet some unexpected detours, some challenges and perhaps some delightful surprises on the way, but to reach your destination you have to stay engaged and keep moving ahead!”

Sister Jenny discusses what young women today are looking for, when considering religious life and choosing a vocation, in the video below.



Don't see the video above? Click here.

Take the next step in your vocations journey and attend this special weekend.