1. Sacrifice

Everyone is called to make sacrifices for the sake of the reign of God.  For religious sisters, some sacrifices are very specific to the vowed life.  Others are common to many or most committed Christians.

Husband and children

According to Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM, "consecrated celibacy is the constitutive vow of Religious Life.  It creates the lifeform of unmediated quest for God to the exclusion of all other primary life commitments" (Selling All [Paulist Press, 2001] p. 132).

Nevertheless, let us not deceive ourselves: giving up marriage and children is a real sacrifice and one not to be entered into lightly.

Autonomy in decision-making

While always respecting conscience, the sacrifice of autonomy can sometimes take the form of living graciously with decisions we don't like. Community requires consultation and an interdependence which stands in contrast to the extreme individualism of contemporary Western society. 

Remember, however, that if one is to be in relationship with others in this world, complete autonomy is impossible in any realm. 

Sometimes a lack of physical comfort ...

may be required in a situation where financial resources are limited or where the call is to live among the very poor. In any case, religious life includes the choice of a simple lifestyle in opposition to the culture of consumerism, which makes false promises regarding what brings happiness.

The sacrifices demanded by community

...by love of our sisters, in the ups and downs of daily life.  With some of these women we may have little in common except our love of God and our common mission. We can choose our friends, but not always the people with whom we live and work. Can we love not only the lovable, but also those who get on our nerves?

Lack of understanding on the part of family and friends

Not everyone will understand your call to religious life. Your family and friends may or may not support your decision to become a sister.