Hearing the Call Not Always an Easy Answer

Calls to vocation are seldom simple, often countered by confusion, self-doubt and perhaps even a bit of second guessing.

Gonzales native Mindee Haydel understands the dilemma as she navigates the early stages of her own discernment, deciding whether to continue her successful career as a Pilates instructor and health wellness professional or enter the religious life.

“I am just trying to discern my vocation, trying to figure out where the Lord is leading me,” said Haydel, who earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from LSU in 2011 and her master’s five years later.

Responding to that need, the Office of Vocation of the Diocese of Baton Rouge offers several opportunities for young men and women considering a religious life. Come and See Weekends are offered at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict for young men considering the priesthood.

For potential women religious, the office held its inaugural Nun Run on April 10, which saw 12 young women, including Haydel, visit three convents. Chaperones and Vocations Director Father Joshua Johnson visited the Missionaries of Charity at St. Agnes Church in Baton Rouge, the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy in Zachary and the Daughters of Mary in Clinton. 

They also spent time with the Daughters of St. Paul in New Orleans.

“Our goal was to provide a peek inside religious life,” said Father Johnson who celebrated Mass at Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant, where he is pastor, to begin the day. 

“It was enlightening and inspiring to hear all about the different charisms of each of the orders, the individual stories and struggles endured to reach their goal and the beauty of the unifying thread between all was the burning desire to serve our Lord and resultant joy of answering Christ’s call,” he said.

Haydel said Father Johnson convinced her to attend, shortly after she had completed a St. Joseph novena.

“When he mentioned it I did not really know what it was,” she said. “He said ‘I want you to come.’ ”

Discerning religious life is still novel to Haydel, who admitted that growing up she believed she would likely take the traditional route of marriage and children. Admittedly, friends in the past have said she should consider religious life but thought they were saying that in jest. 

“I think when you’re young you assume you are going to grow up, get married and have kids because that is what the world will tell you to do,” said Haydel, who has 11 nieces and nephews. “And then life happens and you realize everyone is on their own journey. And it’s where God is leading you so you have to go where he is telling you to go.

“If (the vocation of marriage) is something the Lord wants for me, he will send me the right man and what will be will be.”

Her focus began to shift when shortly before she entered graduate school a friend asked Haydel to attend a Bible study. There, she met Julie Holden, who would eventually become her mentor and eventually Haydel, her faith blossoming, began to host a Bible study group for her family.

Holden also introduced Haydel to a silent retreat in Grand Coteau, a spiritual weekend that left her “in tears.” She now eagerly anticipates the annual retreat, saying she needs “that recharge, that silent time.”

As her spiritual life has grown, her faith life has blossomed. She attends daily Mass at St. Gabriel Church, where she recently moved, and often remains in the pew after Mass to pray. 

“There is such a peace,” she said. 

Her experiences have inspired her to consider a religious life but not just yet. She said the Nun Run was “nice and something I would do again” but she “did not have any questions that came to mind or no strong feelings. 

“That was an opportunity for me to see if I felt like the Lord was calling me to any of those places.”

More impactful was the relationship she instantly developed with the young girls, the majority of whom were teenagers. 

“Something hit me with speaking with them, almost like being a role model for them,” Haydel said. “There was a sense of this could be something to come out of this, something with guiding youth, guiding young girls at that age.”

Haydel’s prayer life will guide her discernment but she does plan to be more direct with God, asking him to show her if religious life is where he wants her to be. She also plans on spending more time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, either at eucharistic  adoration or after Mass. 

“Sitting there in peace, sitting in the quiet and still, you know the Lord is speaking to you,” she said. “That is a place I can always write down thoughts and feelings.” 

She admitted she has given some thought about what her life might be as a woman religious but still does not have enough knowledge of the daily routine of convent life. She quickly points out that any concerns she might have would “not matter because if this is where the Lord wants me to be he will give me the grace to be okay with any fear I might have about being away from my family.”

No matter the outcome, Haydel eagerly anticipates the journey, saying her “vocation is coming from him, so there is an excitement it is going to be good. I am going to be joyful and peaceful because it is going to come from the Lord but it’s just getting there, having the patience.

“Sometimes you have to rest in the Lord and let him lead you.”

“I want what the Lord wants for me because I know I will be the happiest where he wants me, doing whatever he wants me to do,” she added. 

The Vocations Office is planning additional Nun Runs. For more information, contact the Vocations Office at 225-336-8778 or email [email protected].