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Here in the archdiocese we are blessed with a strong religious community and a strong interest in religious vocations. In 2011, Archbishop Aymond and the several orders of religious sisters collaborated on developing something unique that would fill a need in the discernment journey of young women contemplating consecrated life. Magnificat House of Discernment was established in 2012 and has since been living out their mission- to be a house of discernment in which young women, guided by religious mentors and a supportive community, may live in community for up to a year in order to deepen their relationship with God and to discern their vocational call.
Since it’s opening, 3 residents and 2 women actively involved in events have discovered God’s call to consecrated life.
Though not all who spend time at the Magnificat House find a solid answer, the house’s sole purpose is to encourage a deeper relationship with God through praying, questioning and discerning. Sometimes, the path we’re guided may be foggy and unclear but that is a testament to our faith. And faith is what God wants from us. Discerner Stephanie Roca describes this best through her experience, “Being at the Magnificat House of Discernment has been, as they say, a challenge and a blessing. It was a challenge in that it challenged my notion of what it means to discern God’s will. When I came to the house, I came with an agenda—I was here to discover whether religious life was for me. If not, then I would go to graduate school. If so, then I would be told what community and head off, end of story. To me, discernment was a black and white issue, but discernment is not black and white. When I failed to receive “answers,” it became a blessing because it forced me to change my questions. I now ask myself “Who am I? Who is God for me? Who am I to God? What do I believe?” I need more time to figure out who I am as an adult and a child of God. I decided to join the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for the 2015- 2016 year.”
Often all it takes to hear God’s call in our lives is to just be open. The program at Magnificat House revolves around the established daily routine of the residents and includes prayer time, formation, spiritual direction, shared meals and community living.