Take a moment to close your eyes and become aware of what you experience in this moment of darkness. What does darkness evoke in you? Are you able to welcome darkness as a friend? Do you experience darkness as a holy moment of engagement and encounter with the Holy One?

My favorite way to pray and to connect with God is in the dark. Somehow the darkness allows me to surrender all that is bound up in me and to enter a space of peace and quiet where I feel God is most present to me. Darkness is a balm that soothes me and brings me to a place of calmness where I can go into the deep corners of my heart and mind and where I believe God awaits me. In this holy darkness, there is a shining light that enfolds me in God’s loving embrace.  Indeed, darkness can be holy, a place of serenity, of connection, of enlightenment, and of union with the Holy One.

In Dan Schutte’s song, Holy Darkness, we hear in the refrain the mystery and symbolism of the Advent message of waiting in silence and embracing holy darkness:

Holy darkness, blessed night
Heaven's answer hidden from my sight
As we await you, O God of silence
We embrace your holy night

In this Advent season, we wait for the light to shine through the darkness while we await the celebration of the coming of the Christ child.  Advent teaches us to wait patiently for our God and to trust that darkness eventually recedes as light paves a new path of hope.

We hear Jesus talk about being the light of the world in John 8:12 and that “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  Are you ready for God to be present with you in your darkness and to let God’s light transform you?

For any woman who is discerning a call to religious life, who may feel in the dark about how God is calling you, our Vocation Ministers can help shine a light on your discernment process. We look forward to hearing from you and walking with you as you begin your journey of exploration. We welcome you to join us for our Zoom and See Discernment Retreat or any of our upcoming discernment events.