Visitation Sister Katherine Mullin started thinking about the possibility of religious life at a young age: 8.
“The Holy Spirit just spoke up somehow,” she said. At that age, she was taught in her classroom by a Catholic nun for the first time. “I remember seeing how she treated my friends,” she said, friends “who got in trouble.”
Sr. Katherine Mullin
“I could see she respected and not demeaned them,” Sister Katherine said. “And I scratched my head and said to myself, ‘You know, I’d like to be like her.’ And from there, it took off. And my heart was always knowing that, in the end, I would be a sister.”
With Catholic Sisters Week March 8-14, Sister Katherine and School Sister of Notre Dame Stephanie Spandl recently joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to discuss their calling to religious life.
Sister Katherine described her order’s charism as emphasizing humility toward God, gentleness toward neighbors.
“We have a ministry that enables us to do that,” she said. “As Visitation sisters, we’re named after the Gospel of Mary visiting Elizabeth, and she went to show care and concern, to be in relationship. And all of our ministry is to be in relationship with our neighbors in north Minneapolis, based on the Catholic social teaching, we treat everyone as equals and, as important, with respect.”
Sister Stephanie said one of her closest friends in religious life did not feel the call before her late 20s. The call to religious life varies from youth to middle age, she said.
Sr. Stephanie Spandl
If a woman or man is investigating religious life, Sister Katherine suggested they first turn to prayer. Pray to the Lord, “Where do you want me?” she said. And speak with someone you trust, she said. “Choose a person that really knows you,” she said.
In addition, Sister Stephanie suggested finding a spiritual director, having someone “really accompany you formally in that.” Talking with parish staff is an option, as well as the vocations office at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and searching online.
“You’ll want to talk to vocation directors, as well,” Sister Stephanie said. And visit online and in-person events to get a feel for different orders, she said. “Talk to the vocation directors and don’t be afraid to do that.”
To learn more, visit the vocations website for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 10000vocations.org. Also check out the website for Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14: catholicsistersweek.org.
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. March 4 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, and also airs at 1 p.m. March 5 and 2 p.m. March 6.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Father Joseph Johnson, who discusses fighting the best fight this Lent; and Teresa Tawil from Curatio, who offers Catholic guidance on bioethical concerns.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic? (Spotify)
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