Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

One surprise of religious life, for me, has been getting to sit with sisters who are dying – that very sacred time of keeping vigil. Sitting with a couple of our sisters recently caused me to reflect more deeply on what it actually means to “vigil” - to stay awake, pay attention and to simply offer a constant presence to the one approaching that very thin veil between this world and the next.   To vigil is to sit with love and gratitude in the presence of Grace. If true, then aren’t we called to vigil every single day? At the sound of the wind, the rain, children’s laughter and bird songs, we are called to vigil, to pay attention with a posture of gratitude. At the brilliance of a starry night sky, the glow of the moon, in the warmth of the sun, we are called to vigil with a posture of gratitude. Yet we are also called to vigil in solidarity with those among us clinging to the margins of society, people who are dying - physically, mentally, and spiritually - as a res...

This past week Tom died. He was a remarkable believer in others and in community.  He brought people together.  He loved invigorating conversation and preaching.  He helped initiate sanctuary in my former parish.  His life was remarkable as was the way he chose to die.  At home with two of his adult children his breathing became more and more labored.  They asked their Dad if he wanted an ambulance or to go to the hospital.  His reply:  “No, I do not think so.  I think I will practice dying.”  15 minutes later he surrendered his life over to our Gracious God. The phrase ‘practice dying’ has stayed with me for the past 10 days.  What am I invited to die to?  How might I practice this?  This Lenten season has brought an awareness of my own willfulness.  More often than not, this willfulness is putting myself forward.  We are reminded during these 40 days to learn to let go.  So for my d...