Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama
Sacred Heart Monastery
916 Convent Road, Cullman, Alabama 35055
(256) 734-4622 --- shmon@shmon.org
Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center
Benedictine Manor: Independent Retirement Living
Becoming a Cullman Benedictine
Usually there are no quick steps to the matter of a woman's call to the monastic life and it is something to be realized only over a period of time. Since each individual is unique, so too is the amount of time and actual process. So much depends on the individual's psychological and spiritual growth, whether or not she is ready to enter into serious discernment. Familiarity with the monastic life,distance from the monastery, overall health and financial status are also among some of the factors that need to be taken into account. Normally a woman is in contact with the community a year or two before entering.
Qualities of Potential Members
As you discern how and where God is calling you to be, you should consider what gifts and qualities you will bring to your life-long vocation. Then consider what gifts or qualities are needed for the way of life you are considering, and look for a "good fit". The following is a very basic list of the qualities we look for in a new member of our community.
We look for a woman who:
a) Seeks God, in prayer, sacraments, shows some attraction to silence for prayer.
* A Catholic, with a healthy, realistic perspective on the Church of today.
* Someone active in parish sacramental, liturgical, and community life.b) Is able to live in community/relates well to others.
* A likeable person who has a sense of humor, someone people enjoy being around.
* A compassionate woman who has a desire to help and be of service to others.c) Is relatively healthy: in mind, body, and spirit.
d) Is able to make and keep commitments.
e) Is able to live simply.
f) Has a healthy sense of her sexuality and able (if called to) to make a positive choice for a celibate lifestyle.
Normally we expect the person to be at least 20 years of age and not more than 45 years. Exceptions are made but more discernment is required. She is required to have a high school diploma or GED and to have completed two years of college or work experience. Concerning a convert to the Catholic Church or someone returning after a period of absence, we ask that she be a practicing Catholic for at least two years.
Contact Program
This is an informal affiliation with the Community and gives the participant an opportunity to get to know us. She will receive mailings and will be invited to spend time at the monastery. The vocation director will help her to explore religious life.
(See below for information regarding a Discernment Weekend.)
Affiliate Program
Affiliation exists when a woman comes to the Community seeking information and understanding of the nature of a religious vocation and requests admission to this stage, but has not yet made a definite decision or is not yet ready to begin community living. Formal affiliation is not a necessary phase of Formation. The purpose of Affiliation is to assist the woman in reaching a vocational decision by providing information, guidance, and an opportunity for contact with the religious community and its individual members.
In order to be eligible for the Affiliate Program the woman must:
- Be a high school graduate or older;
- State her desire to participate in the program to help her reach a decision or to help her maintain her desire to grow in spirituality until she is ready to make a decision about her vocation.
- Have no obvious impediments to the religious life.
- Petition annually to continue in the program and be accepted by the Prioress and the Initial Formation Team into this stage, which may continue for a period of one to three years..
As a participant in the program the Affiliate continues to live at home, but visits the monastery or a mission at least once a year and participates in community living as far as possible when visiting the Monastery. She will correspond with the Vocation Director as she maintains her usual academic, occupational and social life. There will be a program of spiritual development provided for her growth and discernment. There is no expense to the affiliate for her visits with the Community, but if she is able, she may wish to contribute something to cover the cost of the visit.
