Life with Christ Is a Wonderful Adventure feat. Sr. Peter Lillian DiMaria and Sr. Mary Donovan

“The call of God will never lead you where his grace cannot keep you.”

I’ve heard a looooot of objections from young people about why they can’t possibly be called to religious life. “I couldn’t pray all day.” “I couldn’t give up my family.” “I wouldn’t be suited to taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.” “I wouldn’t be able to do the things I love as a nun.” Even: “Nuns are cranky and unhappy people.”

 These myths couldn’t be farther from the truth! If you’re not quite ready to visit a convent/monastery but want to dip a figurative toe in the pool of discerning religious life, then I’m excited to introduce you to Sr. Peter Lillian DiMaria and Sr. Mary Donovan. If you’re not discerning religious life but want to know more about the Carmelite charism (and what a charism is,) then this episode is for you too. The Sisters are my co-workers, friends and spiritual benefactors (in case ya don’t know, I work for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm coordinating mission programs and providing education dementia in their nursing homes.) They are fun, relatable, and live fulfilling, authentic lives. I just loved chatting with them about how they knew they were called to religious life, Carmelite spirituality, and how God has used their gifts within that vocation.

Tune in to hear more about Carmelite spirituality, the type of man Sr. Peter thought she would marry, and a lot of other nuggets!

 Topics discussed:

• God uses your gifts in your vocation, even when you don’t see how he could
• Saying yes to our vocation is lifelong, not a one-time yes
• The process of becoming a nun
• How to pray all the time (even when you don’t think you can!)
• Carmelite spirituality and how it is lived out
• We are all called to be life-givers regardless of what our callings are

 Resources 

• Serving the Aged Lovingly Today (SALT) Mission Program
• Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm