Mercedarian Sisters

For Discerners

The call to consecrated life is the call to be a Spouse of Christ. As Women Religious, we live out the universal call to holiness through the evangelical counsels, or vows, of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are the pathway in which we are conformed to Christ and give ourselves as a complete gift to God and receive God’s love both now and for all eternity.

Where to start?

Whether you are a young woman, ages 18-35, and have discerned the vocation to Religious Life for many years, or this is your first time considering Religious Life, we pray the following tips and resources from our Sisters will help you in your journey.

Live a Sacramental Life

Live a Sacramental Life

The word ‘vocation’ comes from the Latin word ‘vocare,’ which means to call. In spending daily time with God in prayer, through Scripture and the Liturgy, we get to know His voice and hear His call.

Mercedarian Minute Videos

Mercedarian Minute Videos

Our Sisters answer some frequently asked questions about Religious Life in this Mercedarian Minute video series.

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Helpful Books

Helpful Books

  • The Discernment of Spirits by
    Fr. Timothy Gallagher     - This book explains St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Discernment of Spirits and how we can apply them to our daily lives in order to hear and follow God’s voice better.
  • Discerning Religious Life by
    Mother Clare Matthiass, CFR     - For discerners at every stage of their journey. This book shares testimonies from Sisters in their discernment journeys.
  • And You Are Christ’s by
    Thomas Dubay     - Breaks open the evangelical counsel of virginity in consecrated life.
Other Helpful Videos

Other Helpful Videos

These are videos one of our Perpetually Professed Sisters made about her discernment journey before she entered:

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Hear more of our Sisters’ journeys through these videos about their vocation stories:

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Learn more about different Religious Communities:

As you wonder which Religious Family the Lord may be calling you to, we pray you keep in mind:

  • He has already placed the particular Community’s charism within you. Pay attention to the ways in which you draw near to the Lord in prayer!
  • It can be overwhelming to choose from the hundreds of beautiful Communities, so start with the ones the Lord has placed in your path, or the few you have researched and admired!
  • Visit www.CMSWR.org to see different communities, learn about discernment retreats, etc.

Finally, act!

Part of discernment is action! Visit a particular Community for a Discernment Retreat or Come and See, talk to a Sister, etc.! If you would like to continue the conversation with one of our Sisters on the Vocation Team, click the button below.

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