For further information about the Worth Abbey Compass Programme please contact the Leaders, Fr. Mark Barrett OSB and Sr. Agnes Cullen UJ on 01342 710 312 and visit the website: www.compass-points.org.uk

For further information about Compass North West, please contact the Leaders: St. MaryAnne fcj - maryannefcj@gmail.com or Fr. Richard Reid C.Ss.R - richard.reid@redemptorists.couk

A participant in the Compass programme shares her experience

A few years ago, I was in a pub one evening with a few friends when I couldn’t help but over hear a conversation two young men were having at the bar.  In a not so sober kind of way, they were asking each other ‘if you were a curry, which one would you be?’  This was an interesting question leading to some very interesting answers.  For example, one of the men speculated about being a korma to go with his smooth personality.  Some of the other answers I will leave to your imagination.

What struck me, though not at the time, was that in order to answer that question, you actually have to know who you are.  It was clear to me that these two men were confident in knowing who they were.

About four years ago at the age of 25, I also thought I knew who I was, where I was in my life and what the future held.  I had been to university and was now happily working as a Civil Engineer in the south east.  Then along came the question of vocation.  A question which, I tried my best to ignore, to suppress or bury under other thoughts.  But it persisted. 

Two years ago, I succumbed, opened up the internet and typed in the words ‘vocations’.  It was there when I discovered the Compass website.  The website posed the same questions that I had been asking myself for some time, almost as a mirror of my own mind.  There was the question of whether life in a religious order as a nun, monk, sister, priest or brother might just be the life for you and interestingly this didn’t put me off.  From the time of discovering the website, it then took me several months to pluck up the courage to make contact.  This was mainly because it would be the first step in the self acceptance that these callings could actually be for real.  I distinctly remember the speed of Fr Luke’s response and how it surprised me as I had sent my e-mail at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon and by 10 o’clock that same night, I had a reply.

I was fortunate to be able to attend the open day in June.  We were blessed with a gorgeous summers’ day which made it all the more pleasurable.  Beforehand, I was quite apprehensive especially as Fr Luke had mentioned interviews, it all sounded a bit serious.  Also, deep down I knew that this could have a huge effect on my future and I would be doing it with a whole bunch of people I have never met before.  It was, by far, an incredibly valuable day because we met with the previous Compassites and heard of their experiences.  They spoke of what had initially drawn them to Compass programme and again, hearing this felt like a direct reflection of my own thoughts.   As soon as I left, I knew that this was the right decision.  Thankfully so did Fr Luke and Sr Anne.

So far, Compass has been extremely useful providing a great balance between content and personal space.  The timetable has been very full but well structured and has never felt pressured.  I have been provided with some real insights and experiences that I just cannot imagine where else these would be possible, ranging from a silent lunch with the monks to hearing the testimonies of some of the visiting speakers. 

Living and operating as a small community in Compass house has definitely been beneficial towards growing as a group, not to mention the added fun provided during our attempts at cooking.  Staying in Compass house has also provided an atmosphere of detachment from the monastery though having it there and having the interaction with the monastic community has given us the best of both.

Throughout the Compass programme, each weekend has had a theme.  Alongside this, we have also been provided with a wide variety of information on a whole range of religious subjects.  I have found that the gaps between the weekends have been just as valuable.  These providing both time and space to consolidate any thoughts or emotions generated during a weekend and then to look ahead and prepare for the next.  This has helped reinforce in my own mind that Compass is an ongoing process.

I still feel that religious life is calling me and through Compass, I have a greater understanding of the numerous possibilities that lay ahead.  Not only have I learnt a lot so far but also it has been a springboard on which to carry on my journey of faith. 

As for the curry, I am still undecided as to which one I would be.

Ruth (Compass 2006-7)