“Temporary vows” seems like an oxymoron. We religious solemnly, wholeheartedly promise to give ourselves—and our will, our relationships, our possessions—to God. But only for a limited time.
This Wednesday, along with celebrating St. Catherine of Siena, Sr. Petra and I renewed our temporary vows. Typically, our Sisters make vows for periods of one to three years, renewing them for a sum of 6-9 years, before we commit to Christ until death. At the outset, these years can seem like forever, and merit quips like having the “world’s longest engagement”! But has anyone ever been afraid of erring in a commitment? I remember that as I began my transition to the convent, two separate people approached me with loving concern: “That’s a significant choice,” each said. “Are you sure that you’ve thought it through?” Since I had friends getting married within a year, I wondered whether anyone had cautioned them to consider the same. Initially, I had certainly been afraid of entering upon the wrong vocation and living to regret it, but understanding the process of temporary vows relieved that concern. It provides multiple opportunities to check whether I want to pursue this path, and a shame-free out if I should choose otherwise. Several renewals later, I’m grateful for the chance to practice this life consistently before committing to it for eternity.
Is there something that God might be inviting you to commit to, like starting a prayer habit or quitting a guilty pleasure? Sometimes the fear of living this way “ever after” looms so large we feel we cannot stick with it. What if you committed to this change for 6 months or a year? With God’s grace, you might be surprised at the fruits such commitment can bring.
