A couple of ?s about the 2 year waiting period

[justagirl]

Hi, everyone.

I’m in the very beginning stages of discerning religious life. I just started practicing my faith this year. By the time I graduate college, I will have been practicing for about 20 months, which is less than 2 years, of course.

I think the 2 year waiting period makes a lot of sense, and I’m not impatient. I just want to get a better understanding of what I’m dealing with.

1. Do all communities have the waiting period?
2. Does it mean I can’t contact any communities until 2 years have gone by, or can I start talking to communities and visiting before then?

It would be really useful if I could talk to and maybe visit communities next year while I’m still in college. I’d like to form a better idea of whether I do or do not have a religious vocation next year while I’m in school. If I think I do have a future as a religious, I can focus on that when I graduate college, and if not, I can go job-hunting!

Thank you!

 

[OKCatholic]

Yes, all dioceses and religious communities want applicants to have some time living as practicing Catholics in the real world before applying. This is for the benefit of both the community and the individual. Often times new converts will have an emotional and spiritual high having just been received into the Church. To fully appreciate the magnitude of this decision, a person should be in a normal emotional state. This requires a sort of cooling off period. It would be wise to utilize this time to pray and actively discern possible vocations.

Dioceses and religious communities invest great amounts of time and funds into the formation of seminarians, postulants, novices, etc. But, please know that the 2 year period isn’t all about dollars and cents. It’s about making sure you as a potential religious are in the best position to make an educated decision about becoming a religious.

Of course, you can begin speak with a community whenever you like. It is very important to develop a relationship with the community that interests you. I would recommend getting to know several so that you have something to compare them to and discover where you feel God is calling you.

I hope this helps.

Lance

 

[justagirl]

Thanks, Lance! I’m not actually a convert. I went to CCD classes when I was growing up and had my First Communion and all when I was little, but my parents only rarely took us to Mass, and after finishing my CCD education I fell out of the faith. After a couple of years on my own, though, God called me back Home!

I think I’m still subject to the waiting period since for several years I didn’t follow Church teachings and denied the Truth of the Church.

 

[Ohiomom]

I actually started looking into religious life and writing congregations soon after I converted and all were open. Discernment is a process and it takes time to learn what you are drawn to (active vs contemplative) and the order has to discern if they feel you would fit.

I suggest you try to attend daily mass and pray the liturgy of the hours (at least lauds/morning prayer and vespers/evening prayer). Also start to look up orders to see what is near you and what you are interested in doing. If you want a traditional order (ie wear a habit, live in community and pray together) the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious is a great resource. www.cmswr.org. Many orders have come and see weekends that give you a chance to meet and talk with some of the sisters.

 

[justagirl]

Thank you, Ohiomom! I love attending daily Mass! It’s the center of the day. I recently started praying a few hours of the LotH every day, which has really helped me structure my prayer life on “dry” days and other times when I don’t feel like praying. I’m blessed to live a short walk from my church, so I spend time in Adoration every day, too.

Thank you for that link! I will check it out. I’m going to try to find a spiritual director to help me, I think.

 

[SisterSnowflake]

By all means, start looking into various communities now; that way, you will get a great chance to establish relationships and potentially find the group to which God is calling you.

God bless!