Becoming a Nun against family’s approval

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I’ve been going to the same church now for almost two years now and I’ve strongly considered becoming a Nun. I was raised Pentecostal so, my family is deeply against my conversions. They’ve said I’m lost, following someone, seeking attention, and many other hurtful things. I’m not allowed to attend mass on Sundays because, my mom threatens to put me out and says all kinds of hurtful stuff about me not respecting her. I am not sure what to do but, I know if I don’t continue down this path I’ll never be happy. I’ve never knew what happiness was until I experienced the Catholic faith. I am currently 20 and able to make my own decisions but, I know my family will hate me even more than they do now for converting. My mom is already convinced the devil led me to catholicism because, I told her I know for a fact being a Nun is my calling.
 
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I’m in a similar boat. Raised Baptist, now I’m on my way home, but I haven’t told my parents yet. Only tested the waters, to see what they’ll do when I finally tell them.
It’s rough.
Pray without ceasing (the Rosary is, of course, great, as well as the Orthodox prayer rope). Meditate daily on the Lord, His providing, His graces, and on the Church He established. Look forward to the day you can be confirmed (if you’re not already…?), and have a great hope that you’ll one day be home.
 
Remember that many saints joined the religious life against their family’s wishes. St Thomas Aquinas for example, St Francis of Assisi, St Rose of Lima, St Clare of Assisi, etc.
 
As long as you live in your parents house, you must abide by their wishes. Once you turn 18, you can leave home and do whatever you want.
 
I know a Jesuit priest who was an only child of atheist parents. They had to cope with a son who ‘totally betrayed their beliefs and his upbringing’ and also the painful fact that there would never be grandchildren.
I often thought about that.
I’ll ask him to pray for you and your family.
God bless you, and your loved ones
 
I think that so long as you are under your parent’s roof you are bound by their rules. So, I’d say goal number one is to move out.

Once you are out on your own you can join a Catholic Church, wait the appropriate amount of time, and then start discerning your call to religious life.

As others have said, take courage, many of us converts have faced opposition from our families. Pray for the strength to respond to God’s grace.
 
I guess the best thing I can do is pray and go to Mass when I can even though my mom is against it but, I usually just go on the weekdays and don’t mention it. I’m already very active in my parish and a really good friend of mine whose a nun that also goes to the same church has been helping me. I think we are all sort of like a family down at the church I attended. We all know each other and they are so loving and they have helped me through this for the past two years since I started first attending Mass there.
 
Have you spoken with the Vocations Director or looked into any of the religious orders?

Your vocation is in my prayers.
 
I think that as you are only 2 years ‘in’ as a convert that you might consider letting your ardor to cool and stableize a bit. If you feel the same in one or two years then heed the call. Be conservative with your desires when with your parents. They need to get used to the ideas and changes, too. In the meantime I strongly recommend you advance your education and life skills. Most active communities are happy to consider applicants that are educated or in the process of furthering their education. Good luck and blessings.
 
You are 20 years old and owe your mom no explanation when you go to Mass or anywhere else. Have you been received into the Church? Remember that your obedience to God takes priority over your parents’ wishes. I can’t believe this is even in question. If it were me I’d tell my mother that as an adult I will live my life as God calls me to, and if she wants me to move out, that’s her right - I’d pack up my stuff that night. I don’t get all crazy about many topics but parents keeping their children from God really gets under my skin.
 
I would counsel patience above all things. If you wish to remain in your parents home, I would take a year or two and hopefully develop some skills that would allow you to move out on your own with a job in the marketplace. Establish your independence and continue your (somewhat) clandestine relationship with the CC and your desire to become a religious. If you can develop a skill such as teaching or nursing, or other areas of service many religious communities focus upon, all the better. And foremost, maintain an inner silence listening to God’s call. He may surprise you in ways you don’t currently suspect.
 
LisaB said:
but parents keeping their children from God really gets under my skin.
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You have to understand that her parents are not keeping her from God, they are trying to keep her from the Catholic Church, which they sincerely believe is wrong. You can’t just change people overnight, they’ve been her parents for 20 years and she lives in their home supported by them. The best thing she could do (in my humble opinion) is to get a job, move out, find a parish, and let them get used to her being on her own, while they all try to work this out. Possibly the parents could talk with a priest to learn how they’ve been wrong about the Church. Dishonoring ones parents is a sin against the Ten Commandments for ALL Christians, not just Catholics. I think that time will heal, especially when the parents can accept that she (sorry I don’t have a name) is grown up and capable of living her own life, and needs to do that. Sometimes that’s difficult for parents (especially mothers) to let go of.
 
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LisaB said:
If it were me I’d tell my mother that as an adult I will live my life as God calls me to, and if she wants me to move out, that’s her right - I’d pack up my stuff that night.
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Again, understand that she hasn’t been living her life as an adult… and to say “I’d pack up my stuff that night”, sorry, but that sounds like a defiant child.
 
I am a former Pentecostal. I somewhat know your pain and frustrations. May I suggest you read about the Lives of Saint Clare of Assisi and Saint Catherine of Siena?

They were devote Catholics and became nuns without family approval. Saint Catherine of Siena was imprisoned in her own home before God gave her the grace to leave.

Saints Clare’s father hunted her down and tried to kidnap her but with no success.
 
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Not attending Sunday Mass for two years while you get your education together and such is not an option either. Maybe not literally move out that night but I would make it clear to my mother that while I appreciate her sharing her opinion on the matter, my religion is up to me. I’m sure the mother just threatens to throw her out but won’t actually do it. I would then get busy looking for a job, so I’m ready to be on my own, not in two years, but in two months.

We have to remember that after you are no longer a minor, honoring your parents doesn’t mean obeying them.
 
Consider a different scenario. Suppose a parent said “my 20 year old son lives at home and wants to have his girlfriend stay overnight.” How many people would respond with a variation on “your house, your rules.” In this case it’s their house and their rules. If the OP wants to establish her independence by finding housing and a job – which I encourage – then she can make her decisions without her parents’ influence.
 
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