Some communities accept women up to age 40, some beyond their 40s and into their 50s. If you’re older, don’t be discouraged from pursuing religious life. This may be addressed on a personal basis.
Alabama. Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Mobile, AL
Arkansas Olivetan Benedictine Sisters, Jonesboro, AR
Benedictine Sisters - St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, AR - age limit 18-45 but will consider older applicants on an individual basis
California Carmelite Monastery, San Diego, CA - Prefer under 45, but will consider each candidate individually
Dominican Sisters, San Rafael, CA
Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour, San Diego, CA
Norbertine Sisters, Tehachepi, CA
Colorado Benedictine Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs, CO - “We do not have an age limit. We take each person on an individual basis. We look at the health of the person and how well she can adjust to a life which is based on dependences on the community and interdependence among the members”
Florida Benedictine Sisters, Holy Name Monastery, St. Leo, FL - will consider older candidates
Idaho Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID - age limit 20-45 with exceptions possible
Illinois Benedictine Sisters - St. Scholastica Monastery, Chicago, IL - age limit 50
Benedictine Sisters - Sacred Heart Monastery, Lisle, IL
Sisters of Christian Charity, Wilmette, IL - age limit is ordinarily 50, but each applicant will be considered on an individual basis
Indiana Indianapolis Carmel
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent Depaul, Evansville, IN
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN - no age limit
Benedictine Sisters - Dwelling Place Monastery, Martin, KY - will consider over 50
Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine, KY
Iowa Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, IA - no age limit
Kentucky Sisters of the Lamb of God - no age limit
Maryland Sisters of Bon Secours, Marriottsville, MD - age limit 50 but will consider exceptions
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent Depaul, Emmitsburg, MD
Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, Salisbury, MD - age limit 50 with some exceptions possible
Oblate Sisters of Providence, Baltimore, MD - age limit 49
Visitation Monastery, Frederick, MD
Massachusetts Poor Clares - Monastery of St. Clare, Jamaica Plain, MA
Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception - no age limit but will work with each woman individually
Grey Nuns, Lexington, MA
Holy Union Sisters Milton, MA - no age limit, it depends, of course, on the mutual discernment of candidate and congregation
Sisters of St. Anne, Marlboro, MA
Sisters of St. Joseph, Boston, MA
Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield,MA - age limit 50 with exceptions on an individual basis
Michigan Daughters of Divine Charity, Bloomfield Hills, MI - age limit 50
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, MI
Minnesota Benedictine Sisters - Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Crookston, MN
Benedictine Sisters - St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN - no age limit
Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul, MN
Rochester Franciscans, Rochester, MN
Visitation Monastery, Mendota Heights, MN
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Missouri** Benedictine Sisters - Our Lady of Peace Monastery, Columbia, MO - age limit 50
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, O’Fallon, MO - no age limit but will work with each woman individually
Visitation Monastery, St. Louis, MO - age limit 45 with possible exceptions
Nebraska Franciscan Sisters of Joy, Omaha, NE - no age limit
Servants of Mary of London (Servites), Omaha, NE
New Jersey Benedictine Sisters - St. Walburga Monastery, Elizabeth, NJ
Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ - age limit 21-40 with some exceptions on an individual basis depending on circumstances
Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham, NJ
I went on a few websites for contemplative cloistered orders, and for their age limit it said 18-34 or 18-35.
(although I do realize that we can’t plan everything and we don’t know the future, and it’s really all up to God)
