What are You seeking?

Note: The following piece was authored by Abby Laporte, who is currently discerning the life of a woman religious.

I am early in my faith journey, yet my heart continually calls with curiosity to find my path. And, my YouTube recommendations seem to increasingly skew toward discernment interviews with nuns.

Admittedly, one of my greatest longings has always been for a sense of sisterhood. This is something that I have happily cultivated throughout my life, by way of friendships and peer-dynamics. Catholicism has shifted this periodic dream into something more calming, slower and ultimately, more enduring.

The deeper calling has come from getting to know Jesus. Understanding the idea of finding one’s ministry also feels central to me.

One of my favorite aspects of vocation discernment is the idea that most spiritual principles and callings are actually mirrored throughout all vocation paths within the church; that we are called to different forms of parenthood (physical or spiritual), and that we are called to different versions of a union with God!

As such, I began researching communities of women’s religious life, I was astounded by the breadth of charisms and diverse implementation of this path.

Meanwhile, getting to know more stories of saints has been a blessing: I find myself gravitating towards the history and writings of men and women who were called to religious life, throughout history, in myriad forms.

As I progressed further in my seeking, with delight, I found the website for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Next, I began to learn about the life and challenges of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. This brought greater depth to my awareness of these Sisters of Providence, how they came to be, and their legacies.

I was especially moved by their work for the human rights of people facing the harms of violent immigration enforcement, which is an injustice that is close to my heart, as a fifth generation Californian who is fluent in Spanish.

Most recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Sister Joni Luna, SP, about potentially attending my first ever Come and See. Throughout this call, I felt moved by her warmth, candor, directness and joy.

I was thrilled to hear more about the eco-garden, about attending protests, the expansiveness of ministries and even about the possibility for Sisters to visit their families with relative regularity.

She then alluded to the sisters becoming one another’s spiritual families and an enjoyable tendency to celebrate holidays together.

Despite being quite new in my journey, learning more about the historical fruits and current works of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods has given me extra gratitude for entering into a faith where these Sisters are present.

The idea of balancing prayer with ministry feels healing, and meeting good people in the Church is always helpful, more generally.

Someday, I may embrace another layer of my faith, through the process of discerning religious life. Perhaps even toward the lovely state of Indiana with these Sisters of Providence!

So, for my vocational discernment, I will remain patient and prayerful, trusting in the hands of God.