A Post-leaving Playlist
I’m one of those people who likes to have a “theme song” or two for the significant moments and stages of my life, including entering and leaving religious life. I find that music helps me to connect with and process my emotions, make sense of all that’s going on…
I Am ONLY Baptized
It’s hard to have a vocation that doesn’t have a name or a form. It’s hard to be a “regular” person after aspiring to the “higher calling” of religious life. It can even feel like…a demotion in the Church.
Still Searching
Tears rise in my eyes, and simply hang there. I’ve been through so much. The questions within me no longer seem to be darkened by “I thought I would be farther by now.” They seem…well…normal. They are: “What am I doing? What should I do next? Where am I going?” Not only that, but “who are my friends? Who should I call? With whom do I belong?” These are big, and hard questions.
Am I a Necessary Member?
As a middle-aged, lay, single, woman, I am an outsider in Catholic communities. It could be easy for me to say to myself, “I do not belong to the body.” And, let’s be honest, there are people in the church who have said “I do not need you” (vs 21) through their words, actions or both. But this is a lie. How do we know? Paul states, “But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended.”
The Story of a Rosary
by Emma In celebration of my clothing as a religious, some high school friends of mine gave me a rosary that they handmade together. The lavender- and blush-colored beads were linked together with little pieces of wire twisted in meandering loops. In their own words...
Autobiography of an Athlete
by Emma "Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it."(1 Corinthians 9:24) Reading these words made me wonder, what does it take to win a race? What does it take to not only cross...
Saint Muirgen the Mermaid (And Other Tales from Peculiar Corners of Church History)
By Cinnamon. During the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Calendar was updated to remove the feast days of certain saints whose historical existence couldn’t be verified. The most well-known of these would have to be Saint Christopher, but many others – including...
Sister, What Do You Desire? My Convent Journey to Healing and Hope
By Mary Rose Kreger. Eight years ago, I was a young novice, Sister Mary Inez. Today I am happily married and a mom of two. I had an amazing convent experience, but God never meant for me to stay there. Here is my story. In August 2012, I joined a community of...
Monastery in My Heart – A Poem
By Mary Rose Kreger, republished from her shared blog Monastery in My Heart. Eight years ago, I was a young novice, Sr. Mary Inez. I spent 19 months in the convent before realizing I was called to a married vocation. Today I am a happy wife and mom, but re-entering...
Shedding the Habit
By Jamie, reposted from her blog Bloom Where You're Planted. I sat in my first job interview after leaving the convent. I remember clearly being asked, “What’s your five year plan?” by the financial lead of the organization. I mean this was a typical job interview...
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