Women to explore religious life over spring break on Campus Ministry’s “Nun Run”

 

Visiting 13 religious communities in five states, for 8 days—it’s a “Nun Run.”  During spring break, Campus Ministry is offering a pilgrimage for Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, and Holy Cross women discerning vocations to religious life.  Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, who recently joined Campus Ministry as a resource for discerning students, will lead the 15 participants on their journey.

Sister Salyer, who works as Assistant Director of Vocations at her convent, is one of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Mishawaka.  While she has had many young women visit her convent, this is her first time leading this type of event.  The trip will visit communities in Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York.  She shared with the Rover her hope that the girls who participate will get a glimpse of the many styles that religious life can take.

Sister Salyer emphasized that while each convent is different, like lay people, nuns are called to spread God’s love and be fruitful.  She told the Rover, “Religious are not called to be sterile, but must also give life, but in a spiritual way.  My prayer is that every person I meet or encounter will be renewed [s]piritually through encountering Jesus within me.”

This “Nun Run” will provide an opportunity to relax, pray, and interact with like-minded women in a spiritual journey across the states during a busy time in the semester.  Whether one is seriously discerning or simply growing in curiosity about the religious life, this event can be fruitful.

Rosemary Agwuncha, a participating student, uses her mid-semester breaks to re-center her relationship with God, and she shared with the Rover her excitement to take this one step further this spring.  “I look forward to quieting myself and listening to God’s voice and praying as He guides me in whatever His will may be in my life,” Agwuncha said.

Sister Salyer explained her passion for helping women discern.  “It is beautiful to be able to meet with young women on campus, to listen to their stories and share my story with them,” she noted.  “Whatever the vocation may be, God has created each one of us intentionally, with love, and He wants us to be happy.”

Introspection, prayer, and conversation with others are all key to the discernment process.  The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration offer questions for introspection on their website.  Women discerning the religious life are encouraged to contemplate questions of their own spirituality: Do they yearn to grow closer to God through prayer?  Do they feel God’s call to reach out to others?  Are they willing to spend their lives dedicated to love?

In addition to the upcoming “Nun Run”, Campus Ministry is hosting a Women’s Religious Vocations Fair on March 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Coleman-Morse first floor lounge.  Sisters from several communities will speak about the religious life.

 

Natalie Ambrosio is a sophomore environmental science major who enjoys competing with the squirrels for the best branches in the trees.  So look up to find her there or email her at nambrosi@nd.edu.