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In the silence of a January night punctuated by bleating sheep, I entered
the COLW with a two-fold intention; both aspects of which I'm passionate
about. If religious life has a future in the English Church, then it needs to
find new expressions. I entered as part of a group discernment of the way
forward for this new community as the spirituality of Incarnation, through
the Fiat of Mary unfolded amongst us. Simultaneously, I entered to continue
my own discernment journey, to find my own vocation and to seek the
place I'd find the fullness of life and love for me.
The history of the community you can read in better detail elsewhere on the site. Initial formation is a time of ongoing discernment. The daily rhythm of prayer and balanced work facilitates silence and communion together. This life can present you each moment with an opportunity to listen to everything that God will tell you on your journey.
During this year, indeed already before initial formation, I embarked on an intense period of psychotherapy. This was a difficult but worthwhile road to follow, invaluable to my growth in freedom. As the group discernment continued to bear fruit, my journey also unfolded as I saw my motivations, fears and emotional difficulties for what they really were. My 'deciding to leave' took place over several months, both inside and outside community. Gradually my period of discernment of religious life came to an end. The collective work of the community continues to flourish and I'm proud of having been involved at the beginning and joyful to have gained beautiful sisters amongst members past and present.
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