Dawn Hausmann
From: Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, United States
Consecration Date: 11/16/2019 Feast of St. Gertrude (my Bishop’s choice)
Immediate Family: My immediate family is made up of twelve people.
Spiritual Children: I have 8 godchildren, 1 confirmandi & many spiritual daughters I’ve accompanied in discernment!
Education: Bachelors in Social Work from MSU, Masters in Theology from JPII Institute, TOB Institute certification, Encounter school graduate, spiritual direction program
Current Job: Director of Consecrated Vocations & Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry & Delegate for Consecrated Life
How did the Divine Bridegroom call you to be His bride as a CV and how did you respond?
Various “God-moments” confirmed my calling to consecrated virginity. Experiencing God’s profound love for me along with an invitation to trust him more, began a deeper journey of seeking my vocation. Going on mission with religious sisters helped me affirm that religious life wasn’t a fit for me. I kept sensing a deep intimacy with the Lord when I would have moments along with him and then go serve the people. I would meet two consecrated virgins in very important moments of my discernment journey. Over time, through Scripture passages of God wooing me, and continuing to learn how God wanted me to be a gift of myself in the world, I came to realize the call to this vocation.
Outstanding moments/graces from your Consecration Mass?
When I looked out at all the people who were there with me, family and friends, witnessing my espousal to the Lord. When I put my hands in Bishop’s hands and professed my resolution of perfect chastity. Receiving Holy Communion as a bride of Christ.
Typical Day in Your Life:
Eucharistic Holy Hour in my house before leaving for work. Work for 8 hours (sometime on nights/weekends). Go to daily Mass middle of day. Go on a walk after work & pray the LoH. Sometimes going out to dinner with a discerner, friend, or having a family over for Mass and dinner at my house, and sometimes I make a meal in silence with just the Lord. Do normal household things. I end my night with another 1/2 hour of prayer, praying the LoH various times throughout the day.
Hobbies/what you like to do in your free time:
- Walking in nature
- Dinner with a friend
- Cooking/baking
- Yard work
How you serve in the Church?
The work that I do for the Church as vocation director and young adult minister takes up much of my life and ministry service.
How do you take care of your health?
Eat healthy, exercise almost daily, converse with friends a few times a week, make sure to have some “chill time” a few evenings each week.
What does community look like for you?
My own family, friends from college who have families now, consecrated virgins, and friends from the work I do in vocations.
Challenges in the CV vocation and how you address those?
Learning how to truly trust in the Lord’s providence in my life and care for me as a spouse, especially when house stuff breaks down. Sometimes he blesses me with people who help in tough situations and other times he wants me to do/work things out with just him. Another challenge is the misunderstanding of this vocation in the Church. Being a witness of this vocation lived out well is the way I see through this challenge.
What causes, subjects, or current events are you passionate about?
Consecrated Virginity help (for women in discernment and formators). Theology of the Body, helping us understand the glory of God’s creating us male and female and our body-soul unity.
Favorite Scripture verse or passage and why?
Isaiah 62:1-5 is the main Scripture that God used to speak to my heart and propose marriage to me.
Favorite CV resources and why?
And You Are Christ’s
The One Bride: The Church & Consecrated Virginity
Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago (the updated instruction for consecrated virginity).
How has your relationship with God changed/deepened since becoming a CV?
There is a great beauty and restfulness in a permanent commitment made. I have a new resting in God’s love and in this vocation in it’s permanency.
How have you/your life changed since becoming a CV?
I would say that there are new graces given and strengths…like a deepening of spiritual motherhood and in living daily life in the espousal, counting on Jesus to help me through all things…and he does!
Which Saint has been your biggest inspiration as a CV and why?
Catherine of Siena. I relate in various ways to her in her life with the Lord but most especially of her confidence in assisting the pope to know that the Lord wanted him in Rome. I too have had confidence in something God was asking me to fight for and he accomplished it.
Most inspiring art in general in your life and why?
Honestly…God’s creation. I never fail to be enamored by God’s own creation in nature.
Advice to women discerning this vocation:
Trust in the Lord. Wait patiently for him. He will come for you. Walk and knock on doors when he asks you to, but overall, trust that the Lord will have his way when you follow his promptings.
Anything else you’d like to share that wasn’t asked or answered in the questions above?
Enjoy the journey of discernment in whatever stage you are in. Don’t rush it away…the Holy Spirit is doing things and forming you. Just keep working on listening and following the Lamb wherever he leads you.
Resources:
My personal YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@2012dlf
Wildflower Reunion YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@WildflowerReunion
