Mar 13 2008

Question and Answer

Published by Jaimie

Here’s were you get to ask all those questions you’ve always wanted to ask about religious life, life as a postulant or novice or whatever.  I’ll do the best I can to answer them. :))

12 Responses to “Question and Answer”

  1. # Sara Hulseon 20 Jun 2008 at 11:06 am

    Hi Jaimie!
    I really enjoy reading your blog! (I love blogging myself too haha)…anyway, I am approaching my senior year in college, and am feeling very drawn towards religious life, especially Franciscan. Just wondering a few things…first of all, you said you are originally from Florida? How did that work with visits and all? Similar to looking at colleges I guess haha, except maybe staying longer? I am from NJ but a lot of orders I am looking at are far away, just wondering how it all works.
    Also, after getting accepted into a community, what is the process? I know classes are required too as part of formation…do you need to pay for these? These all sound like such silly questions I’m sure, I just have no idea how it all works! All I know is that the idea has been in the back of my mind since my conversion years ago, but it has officially moved it’s way to the front…and I can’t seem to stop thinking about it! It gets me so excited.
    Please email back whenever you have a chance, I know you are busy. Thank you so much Jaimie! Keep writing! God is good…

    In Jesus and Mary,
    Sara

  2. # Jaimieon 21 Jun 2008 at 9:18 am

    Hi Sara,

    Thank you for your interest in our blog. It’s been fun to put little snippets of our life into cyberspace. I’ll try to answer your questions as best I can.

    When I came for visits prior to entering I traveled by plane. I made two visits each lasting about 5-6 days. During the Postulancy there is a two week vacation and I’ll also be traveling by plane on that occasion as well(actually my vacation is at the end of this month).

    There are structured classes, although it’s not as academic as college. It’s more about learning about and living the life. There is no tuition for them either.

    These are the classes one takes as a Postulant:

    The Foundations of our Faith,

    Prayer, Liturgy, and Psalms

    The Life of Saint Francis

    The History of our Community

    The Basic Principles of Religious Life

    There is time set aside for mental prayer, study and recreation in our daily schedule. By the way, there is a previous blog post showing our daily schedule.
    Here it is: http://blog.franciscansisterspeoria.org/?p=38

    The questions you’ve asked are not in the least bit silly. I know I wondered the same things before I entered.

    I hope I’ve answered your questions. If you have more feel free to ask.

    Also, I would encourage you to email Sister Agnes Joseph our Vocation Director.(contact@franciscansisterspeoria.org) I’m sure she could give you more detailed information than I. You are in my prayers as you continue to explore religious life. May God bless you and keep you.

    God bless, Jaimie

  3. # janeon 22 Nov 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Interested in what book(s) or DVD’s you would recommend to learn more about
    the life of St Francis?
    God Bless you!

  4. # Sister Veronicaon 24 Nov 2008 at 6:16 am

    Hello Jane,

    One of the first books I read on St. Francis was “The Little Flowers of St. Francis”. It is writings of three of St. Francis’ early followers. Another book is “St. Francis of Assisi: A Biography” by Omer Englebert which is one that I read as part of a class on St. Francis during my Postulancy. A book that I am reading now which deals more intimately with St. Francis own personal relationship to God and the life of penance is called “Love’s Reply” by Cajetan Esser, OFM. Those three are excellent. I’ll have to look at our videos here in the convent to come up any movies as I haven’t watched any about him.

    Thanks for the question and let me know if you find more good books/movies on St. Francis.

    May you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

    Sister Veronica

  5. # janeon 05 Jan 2009 at 10:19 pm

    dear sr. veronica,
    Thanks for the suggestions about the books. I have obtained a copy of Fr. Omar Englebert biography of St Francis which I love and I am really enjoying it.
    Thanks for suggesting it. It’s great!
    god bless you,
    jane

  6. # Sister Veronicaon 06 Jan 2009 at 8:11 am

    Jane,

    I’m so glad that you are finding Fr. Omer Englebert’s biography of St. Francis inspiring. It was definately for me. If you are looking for books on St. Clare there are a few including “Clare and Her Sisters:Lovers of the Poor Christ” by Madeline Pecora Nugent, SFO and “Clare of Assisi” by Marco Bartoli which I have read. The first, “Clare & Her Sisters” is written in the way of a traditional biography and “Clare of Assisi” has a more historical study feel to it, but both are excellent. I don’t know about you, but I just love reading. Let me know if you’ve read books on the saints and/or the spiritual life that were helpful. I’d be interested to read them.

    Thanks :-)

    Sr. Veronica

  7. # Taraon 22 Mar 2009 at 12:16 am

    Hi Sr Veronica,

    I am just wondering what prayers (if any) you say as you put on your habits/veil?

    Thanks for sharing your life, I have really enjoyed reading your blog.

    God bless,
    Tara

  8. # Sister Veronicaon 24 Mar 2009 at 9:41 am

    Tara,

    When we put on the habit we pray, “Clothe me O Lord in the garment of salvation. I will take upon myself the sweet yoke of the Lord that I may find rest for my soul.”

    When we put on the veil we pray, “Redeemed through the veil of the precious blood of Jesus Christ, I will practice works of penance, love, and mortification.”

    When we put on the crucifix we pray, “I adore You, O Christ, and I bless You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.”

    When we put on our shoes we pray, “Lord show me Your ways and lead me in Your paths.”

    The only difference with me as a Novice, I do not pray the prayer for the crucifix as I will not recieve it until First Profession, God willing.

    Thank you for asking, and don’t hesitate to ask more if you have them. Glad to hear that you enjoy learning about our life. Is there something you’d like to know that I haven’t shared? Don’t be shy.

    God bless, Sister Veronica

  9. # Harold Vadneyon 13 Jun 2009 at 9:09 am

    Referring to Sr Veronica’s dressing prayer I was wondering if there were a similar prayer for OFMs when putting on the habit…I was a bit thrown off by the “veil”.

    Peace and blessings!

    Harold

  10. # Sister Veronicaon 17 Jun 2009 at 8:43 am

    Hello Harold,

    I’ll check on that for you as well I may write a post on it. Thanks for asking.

    Sister Veronica

  11. # Ann Creechon 03 Nov 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Hi Sr.Veronica, are you okay ? Are you busy with your studies and I have you in my prayers. Keep the Faith. Ann

  12. # Sister Veronicaon 05 Nov 2009 at 10:08 pm

    Hello Ann,

    Thanks for asking. Actually I’ve been away from the computer for a while, but hope to post something soon. Thanks for the prayers. You are in mine as well.

    God bless, Sister Veronica

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