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Vocations

“When she is to be received, she comes before the whole community in the oratory and promises stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life and obedience.”

– Rule of Benedict, Chapter 58 Verse 17

Women in the Church today and women in the many religious orders who are a part of the life of the Church often face the question:

“Why are you doing what you are doing?”

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About Sister Catherine Martinez, OSB

First Procession: August 6, 1987

I think I was destined to be a Benedictine Sister well before I would ever admit it to anyone…even to myself. I would actually go out of my way to make sure that people knew that I would not be a good candidate for religious life. Somehow in my mind being “normal” was incompatible with a religious vocation. I am a person who loves working with all kinds of people, seeks adventure and is always willing to take a risk. But I also have a more serious side that can enjoy quiet and silence (in small doses) and loves to just be.

About Sister Mary Clare Buthod, OSB

First Procession: August 16, 1965

I always wanted to be a Benedictine Sister and I treasured the desire. I felt called and wanted to respond to that call with all my heart.

I had other interests as a child – skating and baton twirling. Sacristy work at the parish, Church choir, teaching religion on Saturdays were also favorite activities and, favorite of all, was going to our church and sitting in silence in the presence of God.

First Procession:

On July fifth in 2002, three months after my baptism at Saint Francis Xavier Church Tulsa, OK, I heard God calling me to become a Sister. It took me ten years to make final vows, to become a Benedictine Sister of Saint Joseph Monastery, which is a couple of blocks from where I was baptized.

Sister Veronica Sokolosky Obituary

First Procession: June 30, 1956

I heard the first whisper in the 4th grade. “Please listen to the 1st and 2nd graders reading lesson and help them with their sums.”

The whisper came from Mrs. Pazourek the only teacher In that little country schoolhouse that housed 28 students, grades 1-8, where she taught every discipline in every grade. That whisper began my call to a teaching career . Throughout my eight years in Emerald Valley School I was privileged to tutor so many students and to experience the talents of so many gifted teachers.

Discernment

The Benedictine way of life is a continual seeking of God. Through prayer, ministry, and communal living, we open ourselves daily to God and God’s will. The decision to accept God’s call to monastic life is not an easy one, and you must choose the path that is best for you.

Choosing a path involves faithfulness to prayer and discernment. Discernment is not just a process one goes through when making a major life decision, such as one’s vocation, but it is a way of life lived daily through attentive listening and responding to God’s whispers in your heart.

Looking for a companion to journey with you as you discern what God is calling you to do? Want to learn more about Benedictine monastic life? Contact us at stjomonastery@gmail.com.

Discernment

The Benedictine way of life is a continual seeking of God. Through prayer, ministry, and communal living, we open ourselves daily to God and God’s will. The decision to accept God’s call to monastic life is not an easy one, and you must choose the path that is best for you.

Choosing a path involves faithfulness to prayer and discernment. Discernment is not just a process one goes through when making a major life decision, such as one’s vocation, but it is a way of life lived daily through attentive listening and responding to God’s whispers in your heart.

Looking for a companion to journey with you as you discern what God is calling you to do? Want to learn more about Benedictine monastic life? Contact us at stjomonastery@gmail.com.

Formation Process

Formation is a time to come to deeper self-knowledge and growth, a time to deepen one’s relationship in God, grounding oneself, and discovering God’s love for oneself. Formation involves learning discernment as a way of life. Through this discernment, the person in formation grows in self-awareness and balance in life.

Formation Process

Formation is a time to come to deeper self-knowledge and growth, a time to deepen one’s relationship in God, grounding oneself, and discovering God’s love for oneself. Formation involves learning discernment as a way of life. Through this discernment, the person in formation grows in self-awareness and balance in life.

Prayer for Vocations

Loving God,
your Son, Jesus, has shown us that an open heart finds the way.
Help me to find my way in this world.
Keep my heart open to following Jesus’ way of serving others in love.

Give me the courage to accept the guidance you offer me through my family, my friends, and my parish community.

Through the Holy Spirit, you call me to a particular way of life.

If it is the way of a priest, sister, brother or deacon, then help me to walk it in joyful service to your people.

With you, my God, I know I can find my way.
Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

Loving God,
your Son, Jesus, has shown us that an open heart finds the way.
Help me to find my way in this world.
Keep my heart open to following Jesus’ way of serving others in love.

Give me the courage to accept the guidance you offer me through my family, my friends, and my parish community.

Through the Holy Spirit, you call me to a particular way of life.

If it is the way of a priest, sister, brother or deacon, then help me to walk it in joyful service to your people.

With you, my God, I know I can find my way.
Amen.

Come-and-See Experience

Contact stjomonastery@gmail.com or call Sister Marilyn at 918-409-1599.

Come-and-See Experience

Contact stjomonastery@gmail.com or call Sister Marilyn at 918-409-1599.