Some people know they are called from a young age. My journey has been a gradual unveiling.
After college I had a dramatic conversion or “reversion” experience which resulted in a total transformation of the way I lived and thought about my life. After relocating closer to my family and pouring myself into the lives of the saints and Catholic theology, I began desiring to make a gift of my life to the Lord- To give something to the “One Who Loves Me” so much to have given me such new life. So I decided to go on a discernment retreat, where I felt called to give the Lord a year of my life in total surrender to Him.
After eight months of preparation, I began my year of discernment in Louisiana with a small forming religious community of women seeking only to “Be for Jesus.” Our life during that year at the convent was contemplative, healing and transforming. I had the opportunity towards the conclusion of my stay to attend a 30-day silent Ignatian retreat on which I encountered the presence of Jesus in such a way that consumed my heart. My heart was totally His my yes to His invitation was only to admit that I love Him so and that He had been bringing me to this day of romantic invitation my whole life. In a moment of realizing my love for Him I realized His tender presence and fidelity to me throughout my entire journey.
At this time I also felt the Lord calling me into something new. I felt my time with my dearest friends and sisters in Louisiana was coming to a close and that I was being invited into a more apostolic life with a more established order. So, I began my journey living at home in Michigan with my family and discerning with the current community that I feel called to join.
Where I am now:
I have been invited to begin the application process with the Daughters of St. Paul. This will be another period if deeper discernment filling out the application, interviewing and awaiting a final decision on the order’s side if they feel God is certainly inviting me to himself as a Daughter of St. Paul. Before I can freely enter- God willing- I have to pay off my student debt. This will be the next step of my journey, which in the meantime I have enjoyed working on this goal using my gifts through my business serenity37.com and my current job working for the Diocese of Kalamzoo, MI. I thoroughly enjoy the many opportunities I have in my work to create media to spread and break open the Gospel. I have worked many jobs telling stories for secular companies and organizations and while they were rewarding in a sense, nothing compares to getting to sharing the life and story of the Gospel.
my blog: supportdanielleshabit.blogspot.com
website: www.serenity37.com
