The story goes that St. Francis of Assisi had an encounter with Jesus. Francis was at this old, broken church called San Damiano. There was this crucifix there and Francis looked into the eyes of Jesus on the cross. Francis heard Jesus tell him, "Rebuild my Church, which, as you can see, is in ruins." Francis got straight to work. He started to rebuild the church of San Damiano, brick by brick. It turns out, though, that God wasn't talking about the little church building of San Damiano. God was talking about the Church; the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. You see, at the time of St. Francis (the start of the twelfth century), the Church faced heresy, corruption, and worldliness. St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans, dedicated his life to rebuilding the Church through radical Gospel living--poverty, simplicity, communion, and intimacy with Christ. Franciscans, to this very day, follow St. Francis' example, for our Church still faces the same or similar problems. For example, the sexual abuse scandal as one and a decrease in priests and religious vocations as another. Now, I tell this story because it makes me think of an encounter that I had with Jesus. I personally heard (not a booming voice from the sky, but a movement in my heart), Jesus ask me to marry Him. The most obvious way for me to marry Jesus looked like becoming a nun, so that's what I pursued by entering a convent. Yet, I found out when I was with the Poor Clares (who are actually the second order of St. Francis), I was not called to be a cloistered nun. Now, several years later, as a college student, I look to God and wonder what happened to his "proposal"; His offer to marry Him. I found though, that God was not asking me to just become a nun. He was asking me to marry Him. And if I was to marry Him, the Head of the Church, then I was to marry every part of Him--his whole Body, the Church. It's not just about "me and Jesus." It's about "God and us!" It's about "Our Father." Our Family! Today is Trinity Sunday. We get to see what a true marriage covenant is. One in which the Father sends his only Son into the world to save His Beloved Bride and Body, the Church. With Love Who we call the Holy Spirit. So, when Jesus asked me for marriage, I was marrying into a whole family! Father, Son, Spirit, and the entire Church! Now, could I still become a consecrated? Yup. But my underlying vocation is love. And I want to encourage all men and women as you discern your "place" in the world, to take a step back and look at God's call for you. Be not discouraged when a religious order or seminary turns you down. Fear not if sickness comes. Have faith in God, even when a relationship breaks. For you belong to the Trinitarian Family. Do not forget your heavenly Father. Do not forget your beloved Jesus. Do not forget the movement of the Holy Spirit. Do not forget your underlying vocation. Do not forget God's love and your love, the Church. Do not forget that God--the Trinity--is a family; one that you are called to be a part of.
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AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
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Unexpected Church MembersAll words that are underlined can be found on the "Glossary" page
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