A dozen young women from parishes throughout the Wasatch Front gathered for a daylong discernment retreat on Nov. 7 at the Carmelite monastery in Salt Lake City. The event marked the diocese’s first discernment retreat for women.
Three women from different religious orders shared their experiences with the participants. Sister Laura Santos, CSC, a Holy Cross sister and licensed clinical social worker at Jacky's Recovery Support Services in Salt Lake City, spoke about her path to joining the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She completed her solemn vows in 2020 in Salt Lake City after previously feeling she might be in the wrong place.
Sister Frances Vista, DC, the executive director of Give Me a Chance in Ogden, shared her journey of joining the Daughters of Charity. She noted that she initially intended to become a businessperson in the Philippines before feeling a call to religious life. Her experience included assignments in California, Colorado, Arizona, and Alaska.
Carmelite Sister Therese Bui, a contemplative nun, addressed the participants regarding the differences between contemplative and active religious life. She explained that the role of the Carmelite nuns is to pray and that they generally leave the monastery only for necessities like medical appointments. She encouraged participants to take their spiritual searching seriously and not to fear the decision of pursuing a vocation.
The retreat included participants such as Jade Partida and Liseth Alvarez from Saint Martin de Porres in Taylorsville. The event was organized by Mandi Knaras, who assists in the vocations office.
Knaras is planning another retreat to be held before next summer. She also hosts a weekly study group for women ages 16-40 who are discerning a vocation.
