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There once was a man who spent much of his time sitting in front of a mountain. He was captivated by its beauty and grandeur. As time passed, people began to notice that the man’s face began to reflect the mountain’s resplendence. People marveled at the change in the man’s face, and questioned the man as to how this happened. As he continued to gaze at the mountain, the man replied, “The more time you spend with true beauty, the more beautiful you become.”

The same thing happens to us when we spend time in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The more time we spend with Jesus hidden in the Eucharist, the more our souls will be transformed into Him.

Prayer is one of the essential elements of the consecrated life. Without it, the consecrated life could not exist, and would lose its purpose and meaning. Prayer is an important way for religious to be in communion with the God who called them to their vocation. Without a strong and active prayer life, a religious would not be able to remain faithful to her vows and consecrated life.

The daily prayer obligations of consecrated religious are the means by which she keeps her communication with God open and active. The Liturgy of the Hours, daily Mass, spiritual reading, the rosary, and adoration are just some of the obligations many religious have as part of their day to help preserve the flame of their consecration at each moment of their lives.

However, a person’s life of prayer should not begin when she enters the convent, but rather before. Prayer is also an essential part of a person’s discernment in her vocation. How can God speak to her heart and reveal His will to her if she does not spend time with Him? It’s crucial to turn her cell phone off and any other technological devices and other distractions and spend time with God in quiet prayer and solitude.

Sometimes during prayer, it’s easy to think, “Nothing is happening.” This is especially true in this world of incessant noise, stimulation and entertainment. It’s hard for many people today to keep still and quiet. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that prayer is impossible! For anyone who is discerning the religious life, prayer must become a daily obligation. Talk to Jesus about your hopes and dreams, your fears and apprehensions. Most of all, keep in mind what the devout man once told St. John Vianney, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.”

Sister Laurie-Marie Parisi, CR, is coordinator for Religious Life for the Diocese of Albany.

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