Has anyone (preferably women) experienced "the calling" after 40?

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Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let people know that there is a Monastic Experience weekend in Esopus, NY for women 25-50. It isn’t just for those interested in their community but for anyone feeling they may be called to monastic life and wants to see what it might be like. It is run by the Redemptoristines… nyreligiouslife.org/media/files/RedempNuns052009.pdf

Also, does any know of any good books on Religious life. I am finding it difficult to stay focused. One day I seem clear and then the next day I get cold feet and I’m not sure what I want. Since this desire for Religious life has been on my heart to varying degrees for years I have made a conscious decision to really commit to really check it out and see if it’s where the Lord is calling me. But a decision and feelings can be really far apart some times. Anyway, I thought if I could find a book or two on the call to Religious life it might help stay on track. Blessings on your journey!
 
Tezza said:
Hi everyone.

There is an order in Rochester, NH, that has no age limit. They run a home for children ages 3-12 who are removed from their own homes. You can check the website at www.stcharleshome.org. Here’s info from a letter I received:

We also do not exclude women because of age. What is important for older women to pray about is that it is hard to submit in obedience when you have been living independently for a long time. It can also be a challenge to learn new ways of parenting children, if a woman seeking to enter consecrated life is a widow who has already raised children of her own. The third thing for older women who have grown children of their own to keep in mind is that consecrated life is a total commitment. The Daughters of Mary want very much to foster the relationships with our families of origin. However, we don’t have the kind of availability to be with grandchildren that an independent woman would have. So the sacrifices for an older woman, especially one who has raised a family, are very important to consider.

God bless you all on the path to which God is leading.

Peace in Christ,
Teri
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Hi Teri, I thought it funny that you said they “run a home”. When I checked out their website they really do “run”. They use running as a way of helping the kids deal with many of the emotions they have to face. What a great ministry they have.

Theresa
 
theresam111 said:
Hi Teri, I thought it funny that you said they “run a home”. When I checked out their website they really do “run”. They use running as a way of helping the kids deal with many of the emotions they have to face. What a great ministry they have.

Theresa
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Yeah, I was going to make a nun pun about how they run…😃

I’m going to visit with them next week, but I’m not a runner, so we’ll see how this goes:thumbsup:
 
Lainey63 said:
Could you please share your experience? Is a mystical experience? A longing, yearning to be completely united to God? How do you know? Were or are you torn between overwhelming longing and fear? Do you feel like Jesus is the only one for you? I have been going through all of the above-I have filled out info at vocations.com but all the responses I get are either nuns or sisters who don’t wear a habit–I feel more drawn to contemplative-cloistered…I think. Or the travel is too far-money and time off work is a major issue at this time. Also, I try to picture being a nun & quite frankly-I can’t. But at the same token I really don’t know anything about being a nun and the lifestyle. I have been going through this for the past year. I thought for awhile it was because I wanted to run away…but my life has improved dramatically within this year and I am relatively happy BUT the longing & yearning has not gone away. Everytime I start to pray it’s like my heart is literally on fire and Jesus is the love of my life that I have been waiting for all this time! Also can anyone explain to me what a hermit is and how they live? Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you
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I myself am painfully aware of my calling, but about 20 years ago I got into some drug related trouble, and that disqualifies me from the clergy. Breaks my heart, but I will find some other way to serve.
 
I’ve thought of starting my own order.

I’d call it the Sisters of St. Joseph (for those women whose husbands refused to divorce them quietly, or tried to pursue the stoning option.)

There’d be rules of course:
  1. You’d have to change your name. Don’t want the ex and the kids to find you.
  2. Bars on the doors. To keep the kids out.
  3. Maid service.
  4. Everyone gets to be called Mother Superior. Why stop now?
  5. No ringing phones, no blaring tvs, and no video games.
  6. You get to make your final vows when your right eye stops twitching. It’s a sign you’ve made spiritual progress.
  7. No one under 35 allowed. They’re just little girls. What do they know?
  8. Pictures of grandchildren allowed.
  9. Absolutely NO teenagers allowed on the premises. That includes the front driveway.
  10. Wake up when you want, go to sleep when you want. You’ve paid your dues.
Anyone else in? 😉
 
Tezza said:
Yeah, I was going to make a nun pun about how they run…😃

I’m going to visit with them next week, but I’m not a runner, so we’ll see how this goes:thumbsup:
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Are you going for the full week or just like a weekend? I’d be sure to bring sneakers. They sound pretty active:dancing:
 
Lothair said:
I myself am painfully aware of my calling, but about 20 years ago I got into some drug related trouble, and that disqualifies me from the clergy. Breaks my heart, but I will find some other way to serve.
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Sorry about that. It is so hard when our past comes back to bite us! Would that stop you from being able to be a Religious brother?

Theresa
 
Lothair said:
I myself am painfully aware of my calling, but about 20 years ago I got into some drug related trouble, and that disqualifies me from the clergy. Breaks my heart, but I will find some other way to serve.
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Who told you that this 20 year old drug conviction would keep you from religious life? Is that in Canon Law? That does not sound right.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away behold all things are new.”

There are some new communities that take in ladies who are not the virgin type, who have a “shady past” but I think they are part of the Latin Rite. I will try to find their name.

God bless you
 
Kathy2004 said:
Who told you that this 20 year old drug conviction would keep you from religious life? Is that in Canon Law? That does not sound right.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away behold all things are new.”

There are some new communities that take in ladies who are not the virgin type, who have a “shady past” but I think they are part of the Latin Rite. I will try to find their name.

God bless you
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We have a couple of emerging charisms to offer:

Reparatrix Sister Magdalens of the Merciful Shepherd (a renewal)
cloisters.tripod.com/magdalens/

Srs of the Holy Innocents & St. Gianna Molla (new charism)
cloisters.tripod.com/holyinnocents/

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Lothair said:
I myself am painfully aware of my calling, but about 20 years ago I got into some drug related trouble, and that disqualifies me from the clergy. Breaks my heart, but I will find some other way to serve.
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Hi Lothair,

Who told you that, and what was this disqualification based upon? Thanks.

Dan
 
theresam111 said:
Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let people know that there is a Monastic Experience weekend in Esopus, NY for women 25-50. It isn’t just for those interested in their community but for anyone feeling they may be called to monastic life and wants to see what it might be like. It is run by the Redemptoristines… nyreligiouslife.org/media/files/RedempNuns052009.pdf

Also, does any know of any good books on Religious life. I am finding it difficult to stay focused. One day I seem clear and then the next day I get cold feet and I’m not sure what I want. Since this desire for Religious life has been on my heart to varying degrees for years I have made a conscious decision to really commit to really check it out and see if it’s where the Lord is calling me. But a decision and feelings can be really far apart some times. Anyway, I thought if I could find a book or two on the call to Religious life it might help stay on track. Blessings on your journey!
Click to expand...
I found the information from the Poor Clares in Ireland to be very spiritual and helpful in discerning a vocation. Someone from another post suggested this site. Read about vocations and then the reading material they provide. This community seems very good:

poorclares.ie/reading.html

All for Jesus:heart:,

Kathy
 
When Mother Angelica started her public ministry I am sure she was well over 40…Look at what God accomplished though her because she said yes
 
redrosetea said:
When Mother Angelica started her public ministry I am sure she was well over 40…Look at what God accomplished though her because she said yes
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Her story is so amazing. I just made a search for her to find out at what age she became a sister, she was 21. She later started EWTN after 40. I can see the mighty providence of God in her story;

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Angelica

Another person who said yes after 40 is Sister Antonia of the Eudist Servants of the 11 th hour. That is another amazing story.

Praised be Jesus:clapping:

Kathy
 
I am in the process of forming a new group of consecrated lay women. We are the Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene. If you or anyone you know is interested in living consecrated life either monastic, hermit, community or secular institute life, visit our website oblatesistersofmarymagdalene.org/ or contact me at irisfromohio@gmail.com. It is all rather new, but you can reach me to fill in the blanks. This is especially directed toward women who are over 45 and are having difficulty in the discernment process finding a place that meets their needs.

Thank you all! And, continue to pray for us.🙂
 
This might be a bit different from what you are thinking about OP, but I have seen a couple of older widows on EWTN who say they have consecrated their lives to God

They aren’t in any order, just willing to give what part of their lives remain to God…I think this is very fine, and quite special for those who aren’t called to an order
 
redrosetea said:
This might be a bit different from what you are thinking about OP, but I have seen a couple of older widows on EWTN who say they have consecrated their lives to God

They aren’t in any order, just willing to give what part of their lives remain to God…I think this is very fine, and quite special for those who aren’t called to an order
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It is different, but very close. I am not a widow and many women who seek consecration aren’t. I have been divorced and my marriage annulled, but I am directing my offer to not only formerly married women, but I do welcome committed singles, penitents, any way a woman who is not married sees herself. What I am looking for is a woman who holds the wisdom that usually comes with ages over 40 and who may feel that they have been searching, or as St. Mary Magdalene did, seeking the Living among the dead. Usually, by the time we hit this milestone, not only do we feel as sharp as we did 20 or 30 years ago, but we have a clarity in our thinking and we know what we need to move forward. My charism offers the best of what one might find in community, eremetic, monastic or secular institute. Like I said, you can read my blog or visit my website. Or you can contact me at my email address and I would be happy to expand on that. I am fervently praying for the Holy Spirit to work on my behalf and bring me like minded women who need this option.

Btw, what do you mean by “OP”? Just curious, as I thought it stood for “Order of Preachers” & used by Dominicans? 🙂 Just curious.
 
irisfromohio said:
It is different, but very close. I am not a widow and many women who seek consecration aren’t. I have been divorced and my marriage annulled, but I am directing my offer to not only formerly married women, but I do welcome committed singles, penitents, any way a woman who is not married sees herself. What I am looking for is a woman who holds the wisdom that usually comes with ages over 40 and who may feel that they have been searching, or as St. Mary Magdalene did, seeking the Living among the dead. Usually, by the time we hit this milestone, not only do we feel as sharp as we did 20 or 30 years ago, but we have a clarity in our thinking and we know what we need to move forward. My charism offers the best of what one might find in community, eremetic, monastic or secular institute. Like I said, you can read my blog or visit my website. Or you can contact me at my email address and I would be happy to expand on that. I am fervently praying for the Holy Spirit to work on my behalf and bring me like minded women who need this option.

Btw, what do you mean by “OP”? Just curious, as I thought it stood for “Order of Preachers” & used by Dominicans? 🙂 Just curious./QUOTE

OP means original poster, but thank you for taking the time to give me such a sweet answer…I am off to peek at your blog
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WHEW!!! I thought maybe you meant Old Person…😉 Just kidding. Glad I asked. I need to get to work on my blog, but I have been so busy preparing work on my charism to the Chancery office of the diocese, one thing that doesn’t come with age: MULTITASKING SKEELZ!!!😃
 
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