By: Sr. Shirley Bodisch, OP
Did you know that all of us have both an outer and an inner ambience? The word itself means all that surrounds us, in other words, atmosphere. However, I prefer to use the word ambience. What I mean by this is that we experience both an outer and an inner one. Let me explain: our outer ambience can be described as that which our senses take in; it involves how we decorate our surroundings, what we see, feel, hear, and taste. For example, when any of us enters a department store or café at this time of year, we notice the autumnal décor, we may smell pumpkin spices in the air or even taste a spiced latte or pumpkin pie. And if we take the opportunity to walk outdoors in a park or our backyard, we feel the cooler, crisper air, smell the soil around the trees, notice the leaves turning beautiful colors, and draping the surrounding ground. This is the seasonal atmosphere all around us, our outer ambience.
So what is inner ambience? It is the atmosphere that surrounds your soul, your heart, and your inner awareness. Are you aware, for example, of how you respond to others around you? Do you notice if someone is hurting or sad? Is the next person you meet smiling at you, and do you respond with a greeting? And how are you feeling today? Are you feeling numb, refreshed, excited, or anxious about the tasks ahead? All these feelings are your inner ambience. This is the place where you can also quietly experience the Holy Presence, where our loving God speaks to your heart. And if you are alert, open, and desiring a deeper relationship with the Lord, this is the ambient space within where that communication happens. Often, along the journey of life, God gives clues to notice God: a scent that gives delight so that one might ask: Why this scent now? What does it mean? Or perhaps something you’ve read in a book touches your inner spirit as being relevant at this time. Maybe a recent conversation with someone you admire remains strong in your memory. What is God saying to you in the midst of these experiences?
Are you then leaning more into giving yourself to God’s service? This is a good time, while the atmosphere surrounding your heart, your inner ambience, might be encouraging you to look at religious life. So, if you are interested in learning more and discovering if God might be calling you to explore religious life, please contact one of our Vocation Ministers. You can also join us for a soul-feeding mini-retreat focusing on what the saints have told us about gratitude and trust on Sunday, November 9, 2025, 2-5 pm Eastern time. For more information, please email Sr. Mai-Dung Nguyen, OP or call or text her at (405) 248-7027, or click here to register for this retreat.