Would this be consistent with a vocation to an order with a contemplative spirituality?

[Shana]

Now I know charismatic prayer and contemplative spirituality aren't at odds with each other, but for lack of a better way to express this I'm going to be using "charismatic" to mean the type of prayer I've been experiencing (letting the Holy Spirit move me physcially...I don't know how to adequately describe it but I can feel the Holy Spirit, and God has physcially drawn me closer to Himself present in the tabernacle...also moving my hands ect). This has been a normal occurance for me for almost two years. For lack of a better word I'm going to be using the term "contemplative" to mean prayer that is still. I feel strongly attracted to an order where their communal holy hour, the one time I prayed with them, was prayed in stillness. I would have felt too shy to allow the Holy Spirit move me physcially...and I'm not talking about anything crazy like getting up and dancing (not that there's anything wrong with that, lol)...just letting the Holy Spirit subtly move my hands. This inhibition may just be a natural result of not wanting to make myself that vulnerable the first time praying with people. Some of the sisters of this order ARE charismatic but their communal holy hour was the way I described it. I've wondered if perhaps God is calling me to a more charismatic order, but the only two I've found that may possibly work for I don't feel attracted to as I do this first order. I was sitting before the tabernacle the other day, telling Him all this...giving still prayer a shot and I DID have an intense experience of God, more intense than normal. But that was a one time thing and I don't want to be the one telling God how He can meet me. Can anyone relate to this in any way? Any advice?

Thanks!

[kyria]

HI,

I don't know what your experience is of charismatic, but I regard myself as both a charismatic and a contemplative. They are definitely not at odds with each other. Actually all the charismatics I know have a contemplative side. I enjoy both the charismatic side but also spend a lot of time just contemplating. I come across what I term more silent charismatics who have a stronger contemplative side, and those who are more into the praise side of prayer. Often when I am in a contemplative state I feel the Holy Spirit and at times have felt Him move through me.

The Missionaries of God's love is an Australian order that is charismatic but also has a strong focus on prayer, adoration of the blessed sacrament and developing the gift of contemplation.

God Bless,

[Sister Rose]

I would say that for most communities their communal holy hours (or daily mental prayer if they do that communally) would be in stillness and silence, so as not to distract the other sisters.
That does not necessarily mean that there would not be other times when you could be more demonstrative. Depending on the community you may have time alone in Chapel, or more charismatic community prayer times, or opportunities to go to charismatic prayer services outside of the convent.
Since this depends on the community, you'll probably just have to ask them about it.

[puzzleannie]

if you are discerning a vocation, you should have a spiritual director, preferably someone in the order to which you are attracted, and direct these questions to him or her.

If you are going through a period of change, intensification, growth, darkness, aridity, whatever in your prayer life, you should have a spiritual director.

asking 3rd parties who don't know you, and who are moreover not familiar with the experiences you are having, and are not familiar with classic Catholic spiritual advice about such experiences, you are inviting confusion and not getting real help.

we will be praying for your vocation, we need you.

[carm bro]

The community I am in is considered to be active/contemplative with the stress being on contemplative because we all know that without a vibrant prayer life, we cannot give what we don't have. I would personally find charismatic prayer forms quite compatible with a contemplative order, in it's appropriate setting for sure, but okay nonetheless.