Tips for the Discerner

On Listening to the Word

Choosing the right congregation should not be the primary consideration of any young person who is thinking of becoming a religious priest, brother or sister.

The starting point is always the Word of God because the call uses the language of the One who Calls, not the language of the called.

In other words, immerse yourself in the word of God, in the study of the scriptures, in the homilies of the priests.

Maybe a good analogy is that of an author or a writer. Say you read Bo Sanchez, Jessica Zafra and Ricky Lo regularly. After some time, you are so immersed in their style of writing and in their distinct vocabulary that you don't need to look at the byline. You know the Writer because you are very familiar with the writing. You can distinguish one from the other. Such as, when the article is full of angst and irony, then must be Jessica. If it talks of showbiz gossip and latest scandal, you wont attribute it to Bo, because you are familiar with B's thoughts. Must be Ricky Lo.

The same way with listening to the promptings of the spirit. You can only affirm the voice and the message if you have listened enough to the point that your heart tells you that this is is! This is God's voice talking to me.

Try reading some excellent blogs like Faithofacenturion by Fr. JBoy Gonzales, usccb, the goodnews.

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Formal Name: DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Commonly Called As: The DC sisters, the Daughters, Daughters of Charity Classification: Society of Apostolic Life

Habit: simple blouse and skirt in shades of blue with a very ordinary veil (see sample below)

Foundational Data:

In December of 1617 , the association of the Ladies of Charity was officially formed by Vincent de Paul. Realizing that these young girls would need some formal religious and secular education , Vincent turned to Louise de Marillac, his friend and collaborator in many charitable works, and asked her to train these first recruits. On November 29, 1633 , she took four peasant girls into her simple home in Paris and fashioned them into true servants of the poor-the first Daughters of Charity.

Vision/Charism:

We, the Daughters of Charityof the Philippine Province,envision ourselvesas a community of women given to God,living out our passion for Christ andfor persons who are poorin the Vincentian spirit of Humility,Simplicity and Charity,towards the realization of theReign of God.




Claim to History: One of earliest religious communities in the country and very instrumental during the Philippine Revolution. Their shelters and orphanages were the refuges of the poor then and now.



Five Reasons Why You Might Be Attracted:

a. It's status as society of apostolic life is unique. Members do not have perpetual vows, they have annual vows.

b. Probably one of the biggest congregations in the country and throughout the world - the possibilities of mission is endless. The Daughters are very brave to enter into new modes of living their religious life.

c. The spirituality is well-defined and very relevant to our times.

d. The sisters are very keen in professionalizing their human resources. Sisters are encouraged to take post-graduate courses.

e. Julma Neo is reason enough.


Reasons Why You Might Be Discouraged:

a. Most of the Filipina sisters are still traditional and may frown on the behaviors of the young generation.

b. The formation program has not solidified into the distinct character of the society - most of the studies are still towards religious life.

Best For:

Professional women with a strong sense of mission.

Contacts:

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

P.O. Box 7274 Domestic Airport Post Office,

Pasay City 301 Metro Manila , PHILIPPINES

Secretariat: Tel. No. (+632) 837–1008Telefax: (+632) 838-8987



website: http://www.dcphilippines.org/

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

They used to be called CFIC, and count in their roster the great Sister Mariani. That will give you a clue of the kind of life they live. Arguably one of the most post-modern congregations in the country today, the SFIC has wisely defined a life that is both radical yet traditional.

Five reasons you might be attracted to them:

a. The Franciscan spirituality! A deeply beautiful life. Contemplative poverty.

b. Avante garde ministries. The sisters are still in traditional institutions like schools, but they opened new ministries that are quite way off comfort zones (political detainees, cerebral palsy, abused women and exciting stuff like that)

c. Dynamic community life. nothing is boring here. experimentations are allowed. dialogues are part of everyday life.

d. Exceptionally gifted members: People like Sr. Cres Lucero, Sr. Josephini Ambatali, Sr. Immaculee, Sr. Stephanie Quiban

e. The quality of singing is simply angelic and divine.

Why you might be discouraged?

a. The young ones might find it difficult to measure up to the accomplishments established by the trailblazers.

b. a history of communal woundedness: its difficult to explain, but the communal psyche is wounded, it becomes heriditary

c. a fragile initial formation program. The ongoing formation is intact and stable, but the first stages have yet to find a stable footing

Best for: modern women professionals who are assertive

Contacts:

1. SFIC Provincial House# 5 16th StreetNew Manila, 1112 Quezon CityPhilippines
P.O. Box 570 AC P.O. Box 1139Cubao, Quezon City ManilaPhilippines Philippines
tel.: +00-63-2-7217155fax.: +00-63-2-7212159e-mail: mtbravo2001@yahoo.com

Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)

First day of the month, of course I will feature the largest of them all.

Five reasons why it is attractive;

a. PATRIOTISM! The first Filipina congregation EVER!!!! RVM is the first all-Filipino religious congregation for women in the Philippines founded in 1684 by a Filipina, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.

b. STABILITY! It is also the largest Filipino congregation (both male and female), at present has membership of 747, as of the last count

c. HISTORICITY It is the oldest Congregation founded in the Philippines. Its historical value lies not only in its date of founding, but the many roles the sisters played throughout history, especially in the fight for freedom, and in educating millions of Filipinos.

d. EDUCATIVE MINISTRY! a combined total of 76 academic institutions and dormitories. That's enough to launch a spiritual revolution in the country and abroad. That is the potential for change. So, if you have the heart of a teacher or administrator, this one is it.

e. EXCELLENT FORMATORS: RVM can claim to have the most organized formation programs among all congregations in the country, and their formators are the most professionalized.

Five reasons why the congregation might discourage you:

a. Difficult to see poverty among such abundance. Though hardly their fault as the congregation has been blessed with wise financial management, the resulting lifestyle might discourage those who seek a simpler way of living.

b. Systems are so defined that there is little room for creativity. Brilliant educators are part of their leadership, people like Sr. Jackie de Belen, Sr. Evelyn Aguilar (present General), Sr. Assumpta David, Sr. Annie Co, Sr. Fe Gerodias and many more. They have put an impeccable system so flawless that leaves little room for a newcomer's dynamic experimentation.

c. Strict admission procedures. It will be like applying for a multinational corporation, so be ready with an impressive resume.

d. Intimidating figures. Bless their kind hearts, but some RVM sisters are so accomplished that they can be intimidating to young ones.

e. White habit, as in pure virginal white. Try wearing that and play with children in the park!

BEST FOR: Educators! Especially the excellent ones.

Contacts:
214 N. Domingo, 1111 Quezon City726-68-26; (Mother General)Telefax 723-33-44; e-mail: lalie888@yahoo.com (Vicar General)723-44-14; Far 721-80-30;

e-mail: rvmsecretariat@yahoo.com (Secretariat)721-80-23; Telefax 723-46-68; e-mail: rvm_economegeneral@yahoo.com (Econome)723-35-34 (Community)

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