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Discerning Religious Life
A comprehensive guide to help women discern Religious Life with clarity, confidence, and joy. As the Vocation Director for the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, Sister Clare Matthiass has worked with hundreds of young women who felt called to religious life. Discerning Religious Life distills her wisdom into clear advice, especially for women who are struggling to discover their vocations. Filled with humorous anecdotes and poignant stories of her 20 years as a sister, Discerning Religious Life is easy to read, and contains rock-solid guidance based on the wisdom of the saints. The entire point of the book, as Sr. Clare says, “is to move from discernment to decision.” – From the Foreword by Cardinal Timothy Dolan
200 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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November 6, 2023Pretty helpful. Lots of very good, practical, and grounded advice. Illuminated some fears and trains of thought that I didn’t realize I had…
My only gripe is that at many points it seems to be speaking only to women who desire marriage and that have fears about religious life, but not at all speaking to women who have fears about marriage, or who don’t particularly desire either path. (I’m just upset that I am apparently not a majority case and am #notlikeothergirls).
My only gripe is that at many points it seems to be speaking only to women who desire marriage and that have fears about religious life, but not at all speaking to women who have fears about marriage, or who don’t particularly desire either path. (I’m just upset that I am apparently not a majority case and am #notlikeothergirls).
July 21, 2025
Let me preface by saying I’m reading this book for a friend (like really, I am). Anywho, it’s an amazing, practical guide to discerning religious life that plays out the timeline, fears that may hold you back, dispels stereotypes, and more! Highly recommend to every Catholic woman! Even if you aren’t discerning right now, it’ll help you understand the process more and how you can support your friends in it 😉
May 7, 2024
A wonderful, prayerful guide to religious. While there were testimonies from sisters and exploring what a day in the religious life looks like, there were also practical things to pray about and explore in your current stage of life. While it was not an instant fix to finding out my vocation, it was a gift that I'll read again.
March 1, 2023
A very helpful guide to young women who are discerning their vocation. There are many things I appreciate about this book (in no particular order):
First, that it exists: there are few resources that clearly outline how to discern religious life for young women, specifically addressing the fears, doubts, and steps that should be taken on such a journey. As a result, someone beginning their discernment can feel very alone, or unsure of what to do next. This book provides a lot of insight in how to go forward.
Second, the book is not a book of theory. The pages are filled with testimonies and advice from women who have walked this path already. It acknowledges that each person's experience is different and unique, but tries to address what is most probably common.
Third, the clear distinction it makes between religious life and other forms of consecrated life. Many people are unaware that there are more ways to dedicate your life completely to God. Often when we think of a vocation, our minds go directly to those women who wear a habit. But the beauty of the Church is that there are so many forms from active and contemplative religious life, to lay consecration within a Secular Institute or Society of Apostolic Life, to Consecrated Virginity. Sr. Clare expresses that this book is dedicated specifically to the discernment of religious life, but does not hesitate to mention there are other forms.
My main critique for the book would be that it is very clearly for someone at the beginning stages of discernment. As the heart opens more and more to God and journeys more deeply on the path of discernment, there is a desire for something deeper. Even to hear more of the sisters stories than just the short anecdotes would be helpful. Perhaps the answer here is the accompaniment of a spiritual director or vocations director. Or perhaps there could be a part two at some point in the future. Either way, I would highly recommend to young women who are discerning, and even to those who may be accompanying young women in their discernment process - whether it is friend, family, or a spiritual director.
First, that it exists: there are few resources that clearly outline how to discern religious life for young women, specifically addressing the fears, doubts, and steps that should be taken on such a journey. As a result, someone beginning their discernment can feel very alone, or unsure of what to do next. This book provides a lot of insight in how to go forward.
Second, the book is not a book of theory. The pages are filled with testimonies and advice from women who have walked this path already. It acknowledges that each person's experience is different and unique, but tries to address what is most probably common.
Third, the clear distinction it makes between religious life and other forms of consecrated life. Many people are unaware that there are more ways to dedicate your life completely to God. Often when we think of a vocation, our minds go directly to those women who wear a habit. But the beauty of the Church is that there are so many forms from active and contemplative religious life, to lay consecration within a Secular Institute or Society of Apostolic Life, to Consecrated Virginity. Sr. Clare expresses that this book is dedicated specifically to the discernment of religious life, but does not hesitate to mention there are other forms.
My main critique for the book would be that it is very clearly for someone at the beginning stages of discernment. As the heart opens more and more to God and journeys more deeply on the path of discernment, there is a desire for something deeper. Even to hear more of the sisters stories than just the short anecdotes would be helpful. Perhaps the answer here is the accompaniment of a spiritual director or vocations director. Or perhaps there could be a part two at some point in the future. Either way, I would highly recommend to young women who are discerning, and even to those who may be accompanying young women in their discernment process - whether it is friend, family, or a spiritual director.
February 17, 2024
This is a great resource!!! The author also has a week by week study in the back of the book. I'm planning to reread this book using the study. I think she wrote it to be done as a group study with high schoolers maybe... but I'd recommend for any woman especially a single woman. Lots of good advice and direction in this book not just about religious life but about strengthening your life in Christ.
January 23, 2020
This was very helpful and well-written! Sr. Clare lends a lot of wisdom and insight into the many questions surrounding a potential call to religious life, including how to discern well and what religious life even looks like (since it's such a mysterious thing??). I appreciate my spiritual director for lending this book to me. (And spiritual direction is one of the things she highly recommends!)
June 9, 2024
Deeply grateful for this book. Looking forward to continually going back to it in the future for more guidance.
January 7, 2026
Great book for any women considering religious vocation. It helped me pinpoint what fears I had about the religious life and therefore let go of them
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews