What Will Heaven Be Like?
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By Fr. Daniel Bowen, O. de M.
Are you considering a vocation to religious life? A visit to a religious community could be a life-changing event.
Visiting such a community allows you to learn more about the life and work of the priests and brother-friars, to experience firsthand the daily rhythms of prayer, work, and community life.
Visiting our Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy is no different.
Our friars meet the new bishop, Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes, Columbus, OH
If you visit our community, you would have the opportunity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the friars throughout the day, and to interact with them. You would be able to ask questions and get a sense of what it would be like to live that kind of life.
Although we have houses in four states, you would most likely visit us at our house in Columbus, OH. Your day would begin early and you would share prayers and meals with us. You might run into Fr. Joseph on his way to teach at the Pontifical Josephinum Seminary. Or Fr. Michael, as he prepares for 12:15 pm Mass at Holy Family Church here in Columbus. Or Br. Dominic, on his way to teach at West Catholic Preparatory High School.
Or you could chat with with Fr. Tony as he shares stories of growing up in Italy.
And of course you would also meet with me to talk about your journey to discover your vocation.
Learn more about how to put power in your punch as a consecrated person, “Become a ‘Privileged Partner’ in Bringing Others to Jesus Christ”
It's important to keep in mind that a visit is not a commitment, and it should be seen as an opportunity for you to learn more about the community, and for the community to learn more about you.
Of course, you would have plenty of time to pray in our chapel and have times of reflection.
Some men wonder why we offer private visits rather than a retreat where many come at the same time. The most important reason is that it’s more personal. You can get to know the friars and they can get to know you on a one-to-one level.
It’s also more flexible for you, and you can find a weekend at a time of your convenience.
If, sometime after a visit, you took the first step toward a vocation with us, you would begin your one-year postulancy here in Columbus. It's a year of living with the community in a kind of gesture of asking to be received into the Order.
If all goes well, you would begin a one-year novitiate in Spain, the country of our Order’s founding, during which you would receive the white habit of the Order and live with other Mercedarian friars from around the world.
After that, you would most likely move back here in Columbus to attend the Pontifical College Josephinum, where you would begin your seminary studies.
It’s important to know that not all of our friars become priests. Some find their calling as brothers and perform vital functions in our community as well as doing apostolic work.
Becoming a consecrated religious is a significant commitment and it is important to carefully consider one's motivations and feelings about the decision. An informal visit to the community is a very helpful first step.
All in all, it's important to take the time to pray, reflect, and consider your options. Think of how you could best serve Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you thought that God may be calling you to become a Mercedarian friar?
The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, also known as the Order of Mercy, was founded in 1218 in Spain. We have friars who are priests and brothers.
In the United States, Mercedarian friars serve in parishes, prisons, hospitals, schools and other institutions in Ohio, Pennsylvania New York, and Florida. As part of our charism of redemptive love, we have a sincere devotion to Mary and to the Eucharist.
Single Catholic men age 18 – 40 who think they may have a Mercedarian vocation are invited to visit the website of the Mercedarian Friars USA. Contact me, Fr. Daniel Bowen, vocation director, at vocations@orderofmercy.org.
Or test your call to the Mercedarian Friars and get your score.
Learn more about the Friars at these sites as well:
Facebook: MercedarianFriarsUSA
Twitter: 4thvow
Instagram: mercedarianfriarsusa
YouTube: Mercedarian Friars USA
Kevin J. Banet is a journalist and publicist. He provides marketing for religious communities, non-profits and healthcare services. Kevin and his family live in the Chicago area. His website is VocationPromotion.com.
