Age Limits for Formation into Religious Life

[InThePew]

IMHO 21 is too young for a lower limit and 40 too low for an upper limit. From experience, I would argue that there are distinct advantages to having had some prior experience in life. I agree that increased age can bring with in increased inflexibility (and have seen examples of this) although that it not necessarily true in every case. Instead, I would place a notional upper limit at 55 (with the proviso that this isn’t an absolute).

what strikes me a odd though is that some dioceses and orders will happily accept a candidate straight out of high school while at the same time imposing (what seems to me at least to be) an very low upper age limit. While older candidates are not without their difficulties and challenges, these are far less than those of very young candidates.

 

[Rosebud77]

IMHO 21 is too young for a lower limit and 40 too low for an upper limit. From experience, I would argue that there are distinct advantages to having had some prior experience in life. I agree that increased age can bring with in increased inflexibility (and have seen examples of this) although that it not necessarily true in every case. Instead, I would place a notional upper limit at 55 (with the proviso that this isn’t an absolute).

what strikes me a odd though is that some dioceses and orders will happily accept a candidate straight out of high school while at the same time imposing (what seems to me at least to be) an very low upper age limit. While older candidates are not without their difficulties and challenges, these are far less than those of very young candidates.

THis can never be cut and dried across the world.

Always depends on the person and on the discernment of the Order as well as practical considerations.

But I disagree with your last sentence

There will always be very young woman who ARE ready at less than 21. Especially with a contemplative vocation. The less life in the outside world the better then.

We today are educated to think for ourselves, run our own lives. Be firm and decisive and that can make it very hard indeed to enter an order with a Rule,with younger women “in charge” … the keynote of religious life is Obedience.

Younger women are more malleable and adaptable. quicker to learn.

Older women have perforce developed in ways unique to them.

 

[Cloisters]

The easiest way to work with older vocations is ask what they’re used to, then gradually introduce them to the new way of life. By giving that first task at the start of the day, they sometimes will pick up the ball and run with adapting to their new way of life.

A superior/formator may or may not allow the person to take the next step until the first is accomplished. This is similar to not getting postulants up for nocturnal adoration, then gradually introducing them to the night risings.

I got this Idea from what the teen volunteers were told at a Knoxville area hospital. When giving directions, take the person(s) the first leg of the journey, and they will snap up the rest of the route on their own.

Yes, if told to get their own apartment and job, there will be temptations. They need to know what a budget is, however, and how to abide by one. They may end up superior someday.

Unfortunately, such independence is not taught in schools. The new high school in my hometown has just built senior apartments, where the seniors get practical living experience before graduating. I rejoiced to see this development.

Blessings,
Cloisters