Because I am a Nun, I often get asked if I regret not having the chance to have children of my own. And I must admit, it is not always an easy question to answer.
As little girls, we were always given baby dolls, with the preconceived notion that it is practice for when we grow up and become moms. On my first birthday, my grandmother gave me a baby doll with a green dress and hat. On the back of the doll was a winder that, when wound, made the baby say her bedtime prayers. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray dear Lord my soul to keep…I even had a doll carriage for my baby doll when I was really young.
I still have that baby doll at my parent’s house.
During the time I was discerning, being married and having children was certainly something that I contemplated. God gives us each a vocation…He has a purpose for every individual in His kingdom. So, when I realized that my calling was to a consecrated life, I would be lying to say I didn’t feel some sort of sadness regarding having children.
On the road through Ecuador, as we stopped and visited with the children, I saw God’s greater purpose for my life. I realized that there were hundreds…no, thousands of children in Ecuador, in the United States, and around the world who need to love and devotion of a strong, caring female role model.
Over the years, in my experiences, I have impacted many more children than I would have if I were not a Nun. I have helped feed starving children, I have helped educate children who were longing to learn, and I have provided shelter and hope for children and their mothers who suffered abuse. Most importantly, I have spread God’s message of love.
Now, I am not telling everyone who is considering religious life to make their decision solely on whether or not they want to have children. Perhaps you do have a calling as a married person. But do know this…God has plans for you. He knows what your heart longs for and He will fulfill those desires. All you have to do is listen and obey.
To find out more about some of the ministries served by Bon Secours, visit http://www.bonsecoursvocations/what-we-do/.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” -Jeremiah 29:11-13
i worked for the Bon Secour Hospital back in the 60′s in Grosse Pointe, Mich. What i believe in is the old way. It appears most nuns now would disagree with me. Of course there would be some elderly nuns who would agree with me. I have fond memories of how Catholic Bon Secours was. their devotions to the Saints was not hidden, All their visibile Catholic signs are nearly all gone, and now with the Health Bill that will make abortions mandatory Catholic hospitals may shut down. Just like so many Churches being torn down. If the Catholic signs had not retreated into the abstract i think we would now have a better fight!!!!!!
Dear Pat,
I believe that Catholic presence survives through the many dedicated people who worked in Grosse Point for many, many years, even though we do not sponsor those ministries now. This is evidenced by the many people who stay in contact with us even today and the presence of the Sisters still there, though not present in the hospital. The spirit of Vatican 2 called us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus more closely and as you know Jesus was an itinerant rabbi who spread the good news and sent out his disciples to do the same (and forbade them to distinguish themselves in any way that would set them apart from those they were sent to minister to). This is the spirit in which renewal was intended. The symbols and signs are there, it is up to all Catholics to be witnesses of the good news in the way Jesus intended. Much peace to you. Sr. Pat