Debt as a hinderance for entering

[CalledToBeHoly]

Peace in the Lord!

I am a 21 year old young woman who has discerned a vocation to the religious life. I feel I have found the order to which God is calling me and I will be staying with them for five days over Thanksgiving. This is the second step in discernment with this particular order. I hope to speak with them during this time about a projected date to begin applying. However, I have a very large concern… I have a large sum of school related and personal debt. Also, I have spoken with the vocation dirtector about having to bring with me upon entrence 3-5 thousand dollars for insurance and travel expenses for my first three years of formation. I come from a family that has lived below the poverty level almost all of my life, and this is a challenge that I do not want to keep me from Gods call. I trust in the Lord’s providance and timing, yet in my human weakness fear this challenge ahead of me. My question is, are there ways in which I can diminish my debt quicker so that I can in fact enter. Are there foundations or places that are willing to help someone in this circumstance? Currently I am working for a parish in my diocease and live a simple life trying to pay as much as I can each month on my loans and bills. I fear that continuing to do this will prolong my enterance into religious life and that the Lord is asking me to humble myself and take action in asking for some help.

Blessings,
Amanda

 

[Catholic1954]

If God’s plan for you is to enter this religious order, He will find a way. I would submit to the authority of the vocation directior, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to pay off your debt. Everything will work out in the end!! :nun2:

 

[Gertabelle]

Peace in the Lord!

I am a 21 year old young woman who has discerned a vocation to the religious life. I feel I have found the order to which God is calling me and I will be staying with them for five days over Thanksgiving. This is the second step in discernment with this particular order. I hope to speak with them during this time about a projected date to begin applying. However, I have a very large concern… I have a large sum of school related and personal debt. Also, I have spoken with the vocation dirtector about having to bring with me upon entrence 3-5 thousand dollars for insurance and travel expenses for my first three years of formation. I come from a family that has lived below the poverty level almost all of my life, and this is a challenge that I do not want to keep me from Gods call. I trust in the Lord’s providance and timing, yet in my human weakness fear this challenge ahead of me. My question is, are there ways in which I can diminish my debt quicker so that I can in fact enter. Are there foundations or places that are willing to help someone in this circumstance? Currently I am working for a parish in my diocease and live a simple life trying to pay as much as I can each month on my loans and bills. I fear that continuing to do this will prolong my enterance into religious life and that the Lord is asking me to humble myself and take action in asking for some help.

Blessings,
Amanda

Religious life is a beautiful and challenging vocation – blessed be God for this gift to you!

As Catholic1954 posted, if this is God’s will for you, then let Him work out the details. What you need to do now is whatever you can, always leaving the outcome in God’s hands. Consider taking a second job for additional income. Consider living with family or friends (with little or no rent) to save money. And then let God work out the rest – don’t let your concerns about money consume your thoughts. Do everything for love of God and in thanksgiving for His grace.

If there are organizations that help those with vocations pay off their debt, then get in touch with them and see what happens.

Regardless of the outcome, put all your actions into God’s hands, surrendering to His holy will for your life. Don’t try to force anything – just let Him work through you and those around you.

God bless you. Know that you are in my prayers

Gertie

 

[Lainey63]

Yes there are organizations that are specifically for getting rid of one’s debt so they may pursue their vocations in the church. I don’t know the names of any of them…one is new, I just read about it a couple of weeks ago. I believe I read it through the newslink on the ewtn website. There was a story about a young woman who ran a marathon in order to raise enough money to reduce her debt and become a nun. So the organizations are there you just have to find them. I wish I could give you better information.

Found this on another thread, its the article I mentioned above cbs2chicago.com/local/college.debt.Catholic.2.1253610.html

 

[plato3]

Received a paper from my diocese on entering religious life. It said while many men’s orders will help with debt problems of their new members lives, the women’s religious orders generally do not. Don’t know the reason.