B
BVM_1221
Guest
What are the age limits, if any, on becoming a Priest, Deacon, or Monk? I am 65 years old:blush:
- Status
B
bpbasilphx
Guest
In most of the Latin Church, I really doubt you would be considered for a vocation at your age.
More’s the pity.
The late Mother Alexandra, foundresss of the women’s Monasatery of the Transfiguration (Orthodox) entered the novitiate when she was 60, I think.
Eastern Catholic communities also are more likely to consider vocations who weren’t born yesterday. There are several in this country.
The Diaconate is another proposition. Discuss this with your pastor or spiritual director.
More’s the pity.
The late Mother Alexandra, foundresss of the women’s Monasatery of the Transfiguration (Orthodox) entered the novitiate when she was 60, I think.
Eastern Catholic communities also are more likely to consider vocations who weren’t born yesterday. There are several in this country.
The Diaconate is another proposition. Discuss this with your pastor or spiritual director.
G
goldenfrog
Guest
You may find that at your level of experience, knowledge and maturity you would be more useful working directly with the members of the community using the support of the church leadership. Why spend the time to become a priest when God would be happy and pleased to direct you through the Holy Spirit into ministering to those who need your abilities NOW?
One Man’s opinion
One Man’s opinion
J
JReducation
Guest
There is an emerging community in FL, the Franciscan Brothers of Life. I sent you a PM about them. Depending on your health, backgroiund and other, it may be a fit for you. Many emerging communities do take older people who are healthy and free of other commitments. However, one who joins an emerging community has to understand that the work and life will be challenging, because the whole community is being formed at the same time. Those who join it are setting the foundations for the future.
Fraternity,
Br. JR, OSF
A
anode
Guest
Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Wash DC accepted candidates to age 60. Maybe there are exceptions. E-Mail them to find out what their true upper limit is and if they know other seminaries taking older candidates. They can also give you info about deacon training.
blessedjohnxxiii.edu/about/
Are you academically inclined? There’s a lot of study in seminary. I personally think that it would be easier being a diocesan priest at your age than entering a monastery, however.
I have personally known two late vocation RC priests, both very fine, one entering after 19 years as a Trappist brother! Both were probably younger than you are now when they entered.
A
anode
Guest
Here’s a sort of 'official ’ link on the diaconate:
usccb.org/deacon/
Also go to the thread “How to become a deacon” and other “deacon” threads–lots of studying–it rather sounds like the priesthood! --(I’m not sure about the language requirements).
B
BVM_1221
Guest
As a matter of fact, that is the case. I am a recovered alcoholic, 25 years sober, and I do extensive 12 step work with newcomers. I was just wondering if being a deacon or priest might help me to work better with alcoholics.
But as you noted, the time and money committment would be excessive. Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut
J
jimcintosh
Guest
There is a long history of older men – usually widowers – who join a monastery after the death of their wife. They must be old enough that they have no dependent children, and, of course, they would have to give over their money to the monastery so they would need the agreement of their children, if any.
I did a retreat one year at a Benedictine monastery. One, older monk was very helpful in finding hymns, the psalms for the different offices, etc. I mentioned to another monk how helpful this first monk had been, and he replied, “Oh, yes. He’s our new novice.”!!!
(With the dwindling vocations to women’s religious congregations, there is more openess there too to "sister moms"and even “sister grandmoms”.)
In effect, it’s a contract in which you would be able to have companions and live a religous life for whatever years you have left, and the monastery would receive money which would cover your care and provide for the future.
Each monastery is different, so you would have to contact different ones to see if they would be open to you joining them. This is something you would want to do anyway since monks vow stability, you will be vowing to live with this group of men in their monastery for the rest of your natural life. That’s not something you would want to do without considerable thought.
I did a retreat one year at a Benedictine monastery. One, older monk was very helpful in finding hymns, the psalms for the different offices, etc. I mentioned to another monk how helpful this first monk had been, and he replied, “Oh, yes. He’s our new novice.”!!!
(With the dwindling vocations to women’s religious congregations, there is more openess there too to "sister moms"and even “sister grandmoms”.)
In effect, it’s a contract in which you would be able to have companions and live a religous life for whatever years you have left, and the monastery would receive money which would cover your care and provide for the future.
Each monastery is different, so you would have to contact different ones to see if they would be open to you joining them. This is something you would want to do anyway since monks vow stability, you will be vowing to live with this group of men in their monastery for the rest of your natural life. That’s not something you would want to do without considerable thought.
- Status