"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

So this is another question that I get quite often!  Who picks your name?  What are you going to pick?  Etc.

This is the deal with my religious name.  I will submit 3 names to the Regional Superior before I become a novice as I will receive it at that point.  Out of those 3 names the Superior can choose one of those names or pick another name for me.  That saint's feast day will become my feast day.  So, you are probably thinking what names am I considering...drum roll please.....

My first choice.....Sr. Mary Clara...I love St. Clare and how brave, humble, loving, and completely devoted to the Lord in prayer. She also had a joyful heart and a model of femininity.

 

The second name that I am considering now... Sr. Mary Rose for Our Lady of the Rosary/Our Lady of Victory. As I have progressed in my vocation  the Rosary and the Blessed Mother have helped me draw closer to her Son and to His will.  

And the third...this one has changed many many times.  I have thought about Faustina, Bernadette, and a slew of others but currently the one that has really stuck and sounds amazing...Sr. Mary Gabriel for the Archangel Gabriel.  He was the messenger of God who delivered the annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary.  I desire to be a messenger of God and to carry His words with me at all times.  

So what are your thoughts? 

You Can't Have Sex...What?

This is a question that I get on a rather frequent basis about the vow of celibacy...Many times people believe that it is a rejection or a denial of our sexuality.  In all reality it is a fulfillment of our God given sexuality.  But lets us begin in Scripture.

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.” (Mat. 9:12)

An "eunuch" is someone who cannot have physical sexual relations for one reason or another.  This scripture tells us that there are some people who are born unable to have sex, then there are people who man made unable to have sex (castration), and then people who chose to live a celibate life to further the kingdom of God.

First thing is first...we must talk about the nuptial meaning of the body.  However, we cannot do this without recognizing that our bodies are good and sexual relations are good!    The Lord created us male and female and using a beautiful spousal analogy He created us to be in a spousal relationship with Him out of His love for us.  Christ left his Father in Heaven and His mother, Mary, to be joined with His Bride, the Church, all out of love for us.  In Heaven there wont be anyone married to another (Matt. 22) but when we, hopefully, get to Heaven we will experience the marriage of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:7).  Our hearts desire to live in complete communion with God. Earthly marriage is preparation for the ultimate marriage in heaven. People who choose to be celibate they are in a way skipping over the earthly marriage to experience heavenly marriage here on earth. 

Now let us get back to celibacy for the kingdom. One does not accept celibacy for their sake it is for the sake of the Kingdom.  And not all people are called to live this particular vocation...if we all were then our species would die out pretty quickly.  It is also important to mention that neither vocation is better or more holy than the other and each vocation is needed for the other to succeed.  When one becomes unbalanced then the other becomes unbalanced and that is not good for anyone. 

Now let's look at another Scripture

"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit." I Corinthians 7:32-34

This is another aspect of why women who are being called to an intimate and deep love relationship with the Lord live a celibate lifestyle.  It allows them to devote their entire lives to Christ and the Lord and make His concerns their concerns.  It allows them to pray as the ought and even more for those who cannot pray as they ought.  They are able to freely be the hands and feet of the Lord without having to be concerned about their family and worldly things.  To belong completely to the Lord and His service as His bride is such a beautiful calling but then again so is marriage!

The main thing to remember is that we are called to a life of holiness regardless if we are called to marriage, religious life, or the single life.  We are all called to love the Lord with our whole hearts, minds, and souls. Our first and primary vocation is the universal call to holiness!  "Be Not Afraid"