There is a vast difference in life between “meant to be” and “ought to be.” 

         Those who firmly and actually believe they are meant to be successful, nearly always are.  Those who believe they ought to be successful rarely make it to the top.

         The same is true with those who believe they are meant to be good friends or good doctors or teachers.  Those who believe they ought to be good at what they do are always either failing or failing to enjoy the successes that do come their way.

         Nuns who stay in cloister believe they are meant to be there.  Nearly always, those who think they “ought to be” nuns do not last very long.  The community finds them out and although it may still want them to stay, much more than “ought to” is necessary to survive the grueling parts of cloistered devotion.

         “It’s a calling.”  This is what a professed nun will tell you.  Not that she chose the cloister, but it chose her . . . that the Lord chose her to dwell with Him there.

         For us in Cor Unum, we know that every true calling must come through faith, and faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God.  Let’s discover, as the true monastics we are, what power the Word of God has to call us and keep us.  Let’s discover our “calling,” listening to Jesus’ Voice.  We know above all that we are meant to “abide in Christ,” and He will remain in us.  (John 15:4)  We are meant to bear His image in this world.  (Romans 12:1, 2)  

       That’s why we are here in Cor Unum.  This is not for us an exercise in what we ought to do but what we are meant to do and to be and to become.  “Ought to” might get us started, but “meant to” will keep us going.  That’s what these nuns believe!

John 15:4 …  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  (NIV)

Romans 12:1,2 … Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 Teresa of Avila, by Rubens, public domain

foundress of numerous Benedictine Abbeys