"I just don't see how a married woman like you can found all those charisms," someone said.

Skepticism.

Can't live with it.  Can't live without it.

However, new religious foundations can definitely live without it.

Our Lord asked if He would find any faith when He returned at the end of the world.  I wonder if we're approaching that stage, as I'm finding a lot of folks out there who just can't see how Jesus can use a married woman with children to found "all those charisms."

"All those charisms."  Hummm.

 Lead, follow, or stand aside, please.  Thank you.

My philosophy is this: if someone's having doubts that anyone in my position can found a religious order, they should go look for their vocation in an established order.  Seems to me like that would be common sense.

I'm not standing here saying that someone has a married vocation when I feel--as they do--that they have a religious vocation.  I'm being something called RESPECTFUL.

"All those charisms."  Hummm.

Is it too much to ask for such in return?  Even if someone else doesn't see how it can be done by someone like me, for Heaven's sakes, give me a prayer!  I've always extended everyone the benefit of the doubt.  Jesus said not to judge.  Extending the benefit of the doubt is a form of not judging.  So follow the Lord's guidance, please.

"All those charisms."  Wellll. . .

I'm in the process of pulling together the necessary paperwork to inform my local bishop of our plans to establish the Monks and Nuns of Our Lady of the Cloister.  We have aspirants, but no money and no building.  And yes, I've been working with these aspirants for a few years now, so I know them (I hope).  They have their own private yahoo group called "aspirants forum," and we keep up with each other that way.

I've always said that "all those charisms" (almost sounds like a bitter ex-nun saying "you're with THOSE people") would come from the foundations already established.  I will be putting all my eggs in one Cloisterite basket.  Take a chill pill, dudes and dudettes, we have a plan.

I've also started a private, by-invitation-only Yahoo group called "Founders Forum."  So, it's not like I'm going about this entirely on my own.  We share information, cry on each others' shoulders, etc.  We're quickly finding out that no two religious communities takes the same route to being founded.  We all have to follow Canon Law, of course, but the people, places, and events leading to the foundation are all going to be very unique to the charism.

"All those charisms."

 Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, told founders to look at their communities.  Do they look absurd?  If so, GOOD.  The Holy Spirit loves absurd.

 So I have every faith that "all those charisms" are from the Holy Ghost.  Ever hear of anything called APOSTOLIC ZEAL???  Those religious of these new SOLC foundations will go where I--one person--cannot go.  Everywhere you turn, something needs to be done about society, to let them know that God does indeed exist. 

Let go and let God, folks.  He's in charge.  Don't worry. . .be happy.   And pray for "all those charisms."

Blessings, Gemma

For those who would be critical I would have to say "The Spirit flows as He will." Why be negative, Trust God. It is going to happen. I choose to be encouraging. Life is too short to be anything else.:P