Discernment: Exploring the Call – Session 6: Understanding the Vow of Chaste Celibacy

About the Series:

Discernment: Exploring the Call is a 9-month series for women which provides invaluable information about religious life such as monastic, contemplative, or apostolic communities. We will discuss community and ministry, the Eucharist, and the vows. Furthermore, you will experience different forms of personal prayer and learn how to discern and to understand the movements of the heart.

Each formal session is two hours and is accompanied by a handout for further reading and reflection. The meetings consist of prayer, input, and questions / discussion. If you are currently meeting with a Vocation Director, we recommend that you share the information you learn with her for discussion.

Former participants found the program very informative and helpful in discerning a call to religious life, a lay institute, an associate program, Third Order, or to service. Others found the information beneficial and desired to support those moving through a discernment process.

Dates and Times:

The sessions are held on the second Sunday of the month unless they fall on a holiday weekend (Easter and Mother’s Day). In this case, they are moved to the first Sunday. Here is a listing of the series:

• Sept. 11, 2022 – Exploring the Tapestry of Call
• Oct. 09, 2022  – Discover Varying Styles of Prayer
• Nov. 13, 2022 – Living from a Discerning Heart
• Dec. 11, 2022 – Community and Ministry
• Jan. 08, 2023 – Prayer and Eucharist
• Feb. 12, 2023 – Understanding the Vow of Chaste Celibacy
• Mar. 12, 2023 – Understanding the Vow of Obedience
• Apr. 02, 2023 – Understanding the Vow of Poverty
• May 07, 2023 – Gathering the Graces

Times for in-person attendance: 9:00am – 4:00pm Besides the formal program from 1:00-3:00pm, this time includes Sunday Mass, brunch, and a short service project.

Times for Zoom attendance: 1:00 – 3:00pm, Pacific Time (formal program only)

Fees and Registration:

This program is for women only. It is free of charge, but you must register. Although you are encouraged to participate in the whole program, you may enter at any time.

Contact Sr. Sharon at (714) 744-3159 or sbecker@csjorange.org to register or for more information. In order to receive the reflection booklet, you will need to rsvp to Sr. Sharon one week prior to the scheduled meeting date.

All attendees must show proof of vaccination (including booster, if eligible) to be maskless indoors. Otherwise, masks are required indoors.