“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
– St. Catherine of Siena
Becoming Fully Alive
Are we all supposed to become saints? Yes! The purpose of our lives is to be united with God in love. All persons ask themselves, “Who am I? Why am I here? How do I find myself?” Faith answers that only in holiness does one find harmony between oneself and God. A vocation is not just something God calls us to do, it is the person God calls us to be.
Holiness is not self-made perfection, it is union with Jesus. In the second century, St. Irenaeus of Lyon wrote, “The glory of God is the human being fully alive!” God has created each of us unique and unrepeatable, and the closer we become to Jesus through His Church, the more fully alive we shall be.
Discerning Life in Religious Community
Sometimes Jesus calls individuals to follow Him more closely as He himself lived in poverty, chastity and obedience. These vows are made by one who renounces the things of the world to live a life in greater conformity to Christ’s.
Those who are called to live the Evangelical Councils of poverty, chastity and obedience are visible signs to the Church and the world of how we will be in heaven. Their vocation is a great gift to the Church. Below you will find links to the websites of different religious orders that have a presence in the Diocese of Burlington.
Men’s Communities and Religious Orders in Vermont who are accepting Postulants:
- Congregation of Holy Cross
- Capuchin Friars of North America
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits), USA Northeast Province
- The Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette
- The Benedictine Foundation of the State of Vermont, Weston
Women’s Communities and Religious Orders in Vermont who are accepting Postulants:
- Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
- Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey: Order of St. Benedict
- Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community
- The Carmelite Nuns of Vermont Inc.
- Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
- Religious Hopitallers of St. Joseph
- Sisters of Providence
- Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (East/West Province)