1-Have you ever considered being Sister/Brother (or Nun/Monk for the more contemplative orders)? Why or why not?
2-If yes, what communities have you looked at?
3-What are your biggest fears about religious life?
1) For me, I am currently considering becoming a Sister, MAYBE a Nun. Catholic married life, I think, I have been disillusioned with growing up. I am dating, (lightly, trying to be chaste here hehe
), but for some reason I can never see marriage in my future. I grew up as the big sister, I love kids...I think I have seen too many divorces from "Catholic" couples. And deep inside, I bristle when it comes to needing to obey a husband. I never met a guy I dated who I could see myself really trusting his leadership or whatever. I get really good grades, have research and volunteer experience, so perhaps I could live a single life as a doctor or as a researcher, help provide for my birth family. But that life seems so empty when compared to the richness of Religious life, the thought of which always just warms my heart so fully, to marry Christ instead (I know Monks have some problems with this kind of imagery, sorry), or at least to give my one beautiful and precious life over to the Church and serve God by serving others.2) My current plan is to look at all the Religious communities in the state of Michigan. So far I am thinking perhaps I could be like the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and help to uplift the poor, which is a mission I have always found very energizing. However, they are a bit older, their last boom was in the 40s/50s and so that means theres only a handful of Sisters in their thirties and twenties. Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (Oprah nuns) are younger, and they do work in teaching which I suppose I have done as a volunteer and as a teaching assistant. On the other hand they have gained so much fame that its difficult to really get that feeling of a small community. At times I definitely can feel the appeal of the contemplative life though, and want to be something like perhaps a Poor Clare, or one of the contemplative Dominican Orders around me....do simple work and study God for the rest of my life.
Men are lucky because they can be Capuchin Friars (and Priests!).
I volunteer with them, they have such an amazing mission. If I was a man I would already be a Capuchin Friar. I am also friends with a Carmelite Brother, which is another more contemplative calling, and he always has wisdom to share.This is a debate that is always going on in my heart, and I think it is that way for most Catholics--how do you think God is calling you?
3) For me, I fear being lonely at times, especially as a younger sister. I also fear that one day my family might need me, and I cannot be there for them. I fear the judgement of some of my peers, as well as my employers. If I join a cloistered community, I may not be able to see my family/friends more than a handful of times before they die. I'm sometimes scared the Priest will break the vow of the Confessional and then tell my community about everything I ever did before I take my vows!
Jk, but I definitely can't ask him to write me a character reference letter that is for sure, too embarrassing... 
