|
 |
 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do the Handmaids of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus have an age limit?
A: Yes, we have an upper age limit of 35. This can occasionally be
waived, with the permission of our General Superior (the Sister who leads all
the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart throughout the world). We have an age
limit because we have found that women who are beyond this age often have a more
difficult time adapting to their new way of life. If you feel a strong
call to our way of life, however, it never hurts to ask.
Q: What do I do if I am a
"mature" vocation (in my 40's, 50's, or beyond)?
A: Many religious congregations have an age limit which limits applicants
to those persons under a certain age (often the upper limit is between 35-45
years of age). However, God does call women beyond the so-called
"traditional" age of beginning religious life. If you are one of those
called by God at a mature age, don't give up! Be very clear and explicit
about your age when you correspond with religious congregations, so that you can
know right away where you stand with that particular community. One
possible resource is this list of communities that accept women over 45 years of age.
Q: How do I choose a
community?
A: There are as many ways of choosing a community as there are people.
Some people choose according to a ministry vocation they are already aware of.
For instance, if you are a nurse and feel that God has called you to be a nurse,
you might want to look at congregations that do that type of ministry.
Others choose according to a prayer style or devotion. For example, if you
like to pray the rosary every day, it might make sense to look for communities
that are explicitly Marian. Others may be aware that they have no desire
or calling to leave their own country or even their own area, and therefore seek
local congregations instead of international ones. Some may have special
circumstances, such as physical challenges, that limit their choices. It
is important to be in touch with yourself, your own desires and dreams, and how
you find God working in your life, before you decide on a particular community.
Pray with several communities, and visit a few that appeal to you. This
will give you a better idea of what's out there, before you apply to enter one.
Find the community that seems to fit you, one that appeals to the life God is
calling you to. Try to be open to all paths of life... from contemplative
to active, monastic to missionary.
Q: Do you live in communities, or in apartments, etc?
A: The Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus want to be reconcilers.
We find that community life, living together in a convent, gives us the
opportunity to practice the healing and community building we want to provide to
the world. We do not live alone in apartments because we think this is
detrimental to our charism. Below, the Miami community, who lives
diversity and reconciliation in their everyday life.
Q: Do you wear a habit?
A: Each Handmaid around the world wears a distinctive cross that serves
as a sign of our identity. We are not required to wear the distinctive clothing (veil,
etc.) most people call "the habit." Many of us in the USA choose to dress
in simple layclothes, in the manner of the people whom we serve. However,
some of us who wish to bear witness with the habit can do so with the consent of the Provincial Superior.
Q: Do I need a degree to be a Handmaid of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus?
A: You do not have to have a college degree to be a Handmaid of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, we do ask that candidates have experience
beyond high school, whether in the work world or in an educational setting.
If you would like to continue your education, that is possible and indeed
encouraged in our congregation. We want our Sisters to be fully equipped
for ministry!
Q: What do you do (as a career?)
A: Historically, our ministry has emphasized education. However, not
every Handmaid is a teacher! Some are therapists. Others are
administrators. Handmaids give retreats, work in immigration legal
services, work in parishes, do community outreach and evangelism, and more.
We are not a "teaching" order. We are a "repairing" or "reconciling"
congregation and that takes many forms. This world needs a lot of
repairwomen doing all sorts of things!
Q: What do you do all day?
A: Well, as far as our "day jobs", read the question above! We
Handmaids center our lives on Eucharist, so daily Mass and Adoration are part of
our daily routine. We also pray in community and individually. We
also do the various things that any family must, like cook, clean, and take out
the trash! Some of us study, others work full-time outside the convent,
while still others work within the community as our "job".
Q: Is there a "brother" community of men associated with
the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
A: No, however, men can become lay associates. There are many men
(and women) associates who work with our Miami, Florida community. We
value the experience and wisdom of men and find their participation in our
mission enriching to us and to them.
Q: How do you live out poverty?
A: Each Handmaid community lives out
poverty according to its circumstances, maintaining the Handmaid values of
sharing all that we have and are. We conserve our resources and like many families
try to save money by spending carefully and avoiding unneeded expenses. At
the same time we know that to serve well, we need to have comfortable meeting
spaces in our homes, have a dignified chapel, have a computer (like the one I am
working on now), and so on. The defining factor is, "will this item help
further God's kingdom?"
Q: Are you "conservative"? "Liberal"?
A: Yes. (Smile). The Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus strive
to be diverse like the Church, which means we have many different points of
view. We do not identify ourselves by a political moniker. Rather,
we use Jesus and the compassion of His Sacred Heart as our context. We
conserve what is holy and move to liberate that which is in need of freedom.
So, yes, we are conservative and liberal.
Q: Do Handmaids visit their family?
A: Certainly! Handmaids value family ties and we appreciate
renewing the bonds we have with our blood family. Of course, many
Handmaids in the USA are from other countries and cannot visit their family
every year. Our local community is our "immediate family", but just like
your married friends, that doesn't stop us from going back to mom, dad, and the
cousins.
|
Q: What do I do if I think I want to be a Handmaid?
A: The first step to becoming a Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is
to get to know us. If you live nearby one of our communities (in
Wyncote,
Haverford, and
South Philly, PA, or
Athens and Atlanta, GA, or in
Miami, FL),
come and meet us! If you live farther away,
email us a little information
about yourself and we can start getting to know you through cyberspace. |
 |
|
Sr. Theresa, a novice (her shirt
matches the sky) enjoys a sunny Miami day with Jessica (pink blouse)
and Uyen-Chi (light green), Handmaid postulants. |
Q: [Your Question]
A: There's got to be more questions out there. Ask them!
Email the
webmaster, or if you want to be anonymous, use our
feedback form.
|