By: Sister Marie Therese Poliquin
Discerning a religious vocation takes time and lots of thought and prayer. Once the decision is made, decision number two looms. To what community should I request entrance? In my case I was educated by two different communities of Sisters. I learned that the Benedictines were democratic – each Sister had a vote which was equal and all shared in tasks besides professional work. I joined the Benedictines of Duluth by whom I had been educated for eight years of high school and college. It was the right choice for me.
To say “yes” to the Lord’s calling brings peace and joy, not to mention “community” about which the world talks so much. During this pandemic the community aspect is especially valuable as I am almost never alone.
The Benedictine tradition is to pray the official prayer of the Church, called the Divine Office or Opus Dei. I used to hear the Sisters chanting Vespers and thought it was divine. I wanted the Divine Office for my community prayer and appreciate it even more after 65 years of participating in it.
The young women with whom I entered the convent with back in 1954 have grown old with me. We shared our lives teaching America’s youth and now in retirement, with no regrets, we daily sing “O God, come to my assistance” at the start of the Work of God.
