From November 1st–7th, we celebrated National Vocation Awareness Week, a special opportunity to reflect on the many ways God calls each of us to live out our vocation: through marriage, religious life, the priesthood, or single life. As Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the beauty of religious life by giving others a glimpse into our own sisters’ journeys. Throughout the week, we shared personal stories, reflections, and experiences on our Facebook and Instagram pages, hoping to offer encouragement, inspiration, and a little insight into what it means to answer God’s call. 
Each sister has her own unique relationship with God and a story about how He has guided her along the way. By sharing these stories, we hope to remind others that they are not alone in the joys and challenges of their own vocations. We also hope to offer a glimpse into religious life for those who are curious and interested in learning more.
As someone who took the plunge and joined the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in September, I know firsthand that discernment can sometimes feel confusing and challenging. Along the way, plenty of questions and concerns can come up, ranging from "What will my day-to-day life look like?" to "Is this truly the kind of life I want to live?" What I've discovered, though, is that those questions don't necessarily disappear once you decide. In fact, sometimes they just change! Instead of wondering whether religious life is right for me, I might find myself asking, "Will I find my place among so many different women?" or even, "How do I know which page to turn to in the breviary?" Even when you feel confident that God is leading you in a particular direction, stepping into the unknown can still feel overwhelming.
Saying "yes" to religious life is a significant moment, but our vocation doesn't begin and end with that one decision. Rather, it is something we continue to live out, grow into, and embrace each day.
A Sister renews her "yes" throughout her religious life, even after many years of professing final vows. At the beginning, the path may seem dimly lit, filled with unfamiliar sounds and uneven ground. But with trust in God, she learns to keep moving forward, one step at a time. I'm beginning to understand that discernment doesn't end when you walk through the doors of a convent. Even now, as I settle into community life and prepare for the next stage of formation, I continue to learn more about myself, my relationship with God, and what it means to live out this vocation. Each new experience brings an opportunity to grow, and sometimes that growth comes from being willing to step outside my comfort zone.
One of the things I am beginning to understand by being with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth is that holiness isn't always found in extraordinary moments. Sometimes, it is found in the simplest parts of the day. Coming together for prayer, helping prepare a meal, sharing a conversation with another sister, or even a simple car ride can all become opportunities to encounter God. I'm learning to slow down and recognize that even the seemingly small and routine parts of life can be meaningful when we invite God into them. After all, the Holy Family teaches us that there is something beautiful about discovering God's presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life.
Living in community also helps us grow in our ability to love, understand, forgive, and support one another. I'm discovering that living with others offers opportunities to learn and grow in ways I might not have expected. We each come from different backgrounds and bring our own personalities, experiences, and perspectives to the community. Understanding one another, appreciating those differences, and making room for one another takes patience and openness. Community isn't about finding people who are exactly like you; it's about loving and supporting one another, differences and all. I also know that I don't have to become someone different to find my place in the community. Instead, I need to be willing to be myself and allow God to shape me into the person He created me to be, trusting that He will guide me along the way.
Like any vocation, religious life has its share of happy and sorrowful moments. There will be days when things come easily and others when we are asked to grow through uncertainty or difficulty. We won't always have the answers, and we won't always feel confident about the road ahead, but our love for God and trust in Him brings us comfort and strength.
Looking back on my own discernment journey, I realize just how many little experiences, conversations, prayers, and opportunities helped bring me to where I am today. When I chose the college I would attend, I certainly wasn't thinking about how it might shape my vocation. Yet, that decision ended up being one of the biggest turning points in my discernment journey. It introduced me to religious sisters and eventually helped rekindle the desire for religious life that had been in my heart for years. Although my college wasn't religious-based, I found little pockets of faith everywhere: in the people I met, the clubs I joined, and even the projects I was given. Looking back, I can see how God used those seemingly ordinary experiences to get my attention and gently remind me that He was still speaking to my heart.
There were times when I felt confident about where God was leading me, such as when I first began the application process with the congregation. There were also times when I wasn't quite sure what to make of everything, particularly shortly after arriving at my new home and beginning this unfamiliar way of life. I didn't have a complete picture of what my future would look like then, and I still don't. But I've learned that I don't need to see the entire road ahead to take the next step. Sometimes, all God asks of us is to remain open to where He might be leading.
Saying "yes" to religious life doesn't mean you need to have everything figured out. It simply means being willing to listen to God and discover what He has in store for you. No step taken toward Him is ever wasted. Each experience, even the uncertain or challenging ones, offers an opportunity to grow closer to Him and deepen your relationship with Him.
What might be the next step in your discernment journey? Perhaps it’s setting aside a little more time for prayer and reflection, finding a spiritual director to help guide you, or finally reaching out to a religious community that has been on your heart. Wherever you find yourself, remember that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own!
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth would love the opportunity to walk alongside you as you discover where God may be calling you. Women ages 18–40 are invited to join our online discernment group, which meets once a month to share in faith, ask questions, and get to know sisters. It’s a welcoming space to meet other women who are asking similar questions, share your experiences, and receive encouragement and support along the way.
If you’ve been thinking about taking that next step, consider joining us for our next meeting. You don’t need to have all the answers or know exactly where God is leading you. Just come as you are. We'd love to meet you!
For more information about vocations or joining our online discernment group, please contact Sister Maria Magdalena Rybak, CSFN at vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.
