R
Has anyone (preferably women) experienced "the calling" after 40?
- Status
R
Refaela
Guest
Thanks, Lainey. It feels strange that a calling for a way of life should be leading me to a person. I guess, anyway that is what is happening. You don’t sound crazy to me!! Good luck with talking to the priest.No, no one will think you’re nuts…The Jewish are our elder brothers…we celebrate the birth of a jewish baby every December 12th and Mary was very faithful to her Jewish Faith. So don’t even think that way…but I can identify with exactly how you feel though…because I am getting up the nerve to talk to a priest and look for a spiritual director as I have been advised and I’m thinking that they are going to think I’m crazy as well. And to be perfectly honest…I am.
Refaela
I
irisfromohio
Guest
I believe I have had the call all of my life, but didn’t face the reality of it until I was in my 40’s. Actually, I think most people aren’t fully cooked before 40, but that is another story…
I am going to live the life of a private consecrated secular now. I am writing my musings on my blog: irisfromohio.blogspot.com/
I love the freedom to be verbose that blogs give.
Pax,
I am going to live the life of a private consecrated secular now. I am writing my musings on my blog: irisfromohio.blogspot.com/
I love the freedom to be verbose that blogs give.
Pax,
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
Father John Corapi was called to priesthood at age 44!
I
irisfromohio
Guest
I am meeting with my parish priest this afternoon to discuss my vocation. Pray for me? I will probably make an entry on my blog, irisfromohio.blogspot.com/ . When I return, as I plan to begin focusing on my faith more during Lent.
That blog is a Lenten project for me, because I have been short on courage all of my life and am challenged to share my thoughts. But, I think it will help me grow and, maybe, I can bring others along in my progress.
That blog is a Lenten project for me, because I have been short on courage all of my life and am challenged to share my thoughts. But, I think it will help me grow and, maybe, I can bring others along in my progress.
S
StarMaiden
Guest
I remember many, many years ago when I was much younger, I turned to my parents and said ‘I am going to be a nun’. Much water has gone under the bridge since then, my Father passed away just over 5 years ago and I was my Mothers carer until she sadly passed away last July
The call is still strong but I have placed my vocation in the Lords hands knowing that he will guide me to where I am supposed to be 
The call is still strong but I have placed my vocation in the Lords hands knowing that he will guide me to where I am supposed to be
S
StarMaiden
Guest
I will hold you in my prayersI am meeting with my parish priest this afternoon to discuss my vocation. Pray for me? I will probably make an entry on my blog, irisfromohio.blogspot.com/ . When I return, as I plan to begin focusing on my faith more during Lent.
That blog is a Lenten project for me, because I have been short on courage all of my life and am challenged to share my thoughts. But, I think it will help me grow and, maybe, I can bring others along in my progress.
T
Trilor
Guest
i experienced the calling before 40 but for money reasons wasnt able to join up until I was past 40. does that count
J
JacyRussell
Guest
I left domestic violence and abuse just over 3 years ago. I am a convert to Holy Roman Catholic Church. I have 2 children over age 18. Today, this Ash Wednesday, I have finally put my request to the Servite Sisters and requested the help of healing priest Fr. Peter Mary Rookey. I feel terrified…yet profoundly called to serve. During this lenten season, I am asking for prayers and guidance. I understand the fear and I feel like Our Lady and The Lord are calling. If it is Gods will…it will happen…keep praying
J
JacyRussell
Guest
Use this lenten season for intense prayer and guidance! Hail Mary and Amen.
R
RevDrNorth
Guest
God bless you on your journey and for your being open to service.
I left domestic violence and abuse just over 3 years ago. I am a convert to Holy Roman Catholic Church. I have 2 children over age 18. Today, this Ash Wednesday, I have finally put my request to the Servite Sisters and requested the help of healing priest Fr. Peter Mary Rookey. I feel terrified…yet profoundly called to serve. During this lenten season, I am asking for prayers and guidance. I understand the fear and I feel like Our Lady and The Lord are calling. If it is Gods will…it will happen…keep praying
I
Iamresolved
Guest
I am 45, and Yes, I have.
A year and a half ago I sat up in bed the day after I had decided to leave my boyfriend and become celebate and I heard a voice in the room telling me to go back to church. I obeyed it, for I had promised never to ignore that voice again. I was confirmed last Easter after a 34 year absence. I began spending a lot of time in prayer and adoration. I walked the stations a lot and prayed at the outdoor crucifix at church many a night, alone. Then one day about 4 months ago I heard another voice as I walked toward the crucifix. “Sell everythning and follow me.” I turned, as I had done before and asked, “who said that?” Then I said, “are you crazy?” It took me a month or so to tell the priest. I still haven’t had a proper meeting with him. I’ve just sat with it prayer. My children are both on their own. I worry about my debt. My cats. My health. In my heart, I still melt even at the thought of Jesus. Mass is the highest place on Earth to be. In fact, Mass takes me to a place that sure feels like Heaven. I firrst began thnking of this at the age of 9. If I am not accepted, of if I discern it isn’t the path for me, I am not sure what I am supposed to do with the burning and the pull.
A year and a half ago I sat up in bed the day after I had decided to leave my boyfriend and become celebate and I heard a voice in the room telling me to go back to church. I obeyed it, for I had promised never to ignore that voice again. I was confirmed last Easter after a 34 year absence. I began spending a lot of time in prayer and adoration. I walked the stations a lot and prayed at the outdoor crucifix at church many a night, alone. Then one day about 4 months ago I heard another voice as I walked toward the crucifix. “Sell everythning and follow me.” I turned, as I had done before and asked, “who said that?” Then I said, “are you crazy?” It took me a month or so to tell the priest. I still haven’t had a proper meeting with him. I’ve just sat with it prayer. My children are both on their own. I worry about my debt. My cats. My health. In my heart, I still melt even at the thought of Jesus. Mass is the highest place on Earth to be. In fact, Mass takes me to a place that sure feels like Heaven. I firrst began thnking of this at the age of 9. If I am not accepted, of if I discern it isn’t the path for me, I am not sure what I am supposed to do with the burning and the pull.
I
irisfromohio
Guest
Just curious, but have you considered a secular institute? They make the vows of the Evangelical Counsels & are a very legitimate means of consecration. But they do so secularly. I have looked into them for myself, but they aren’t well represented in Central Ohio & I don’t travel all THAT well. But, it’s an idea.
Do yourself a favor and talk at length with your priest. Maybe he can recommend a religious sister or a priest who concentrates on discernment. And, take a look at vocationquest.org/, a very basic and easy tool on the journey. Google Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, Vita Consecrata, as it also sheds a lot of light on consecrated life in this time & I feel is most relevant to moving forward in the 21st Century.
I have been discerning a vocation since I was about 43 & I am 55 now. I am a REAL work in progress
I
Iamresolved
Guest
If I read your blog correctly, I think you have said you’d gone in the direction of secular concecration, but it is not what you really, in your heart of hearts are being called for. It is the same for me. I do believe I am being led to being a nun. Oh, I’ve got a ways to go to really get to the bottom of it. I don’t have anything holding me back from going the whole way. Except my cats. And my debts. If I believe God it capable of everything, then these issues are nothing at all. I can’t even imagine wasting all this burn to follow Him fully in a crazy attempt to just pay my student loan and my car payment. My eldest daughter said she will take the cats in. I spend a lot of time at church and in private prayer. But, I do want community, purpose and guidance. So, like you, I suppose I need to get brave and have that priestly talk.
I
irisfromohio
Guest
If you had never been married, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary are a secular institute & they wear habits. They live alone or with other Schoenstatt sisters. The Kolbe group is also for never married & very Marian. There are a couple like that, actually. I also inquired about the Sisters for Life in New York REALLY piqued my interest, but alas, they only want women with no children living. You have your task ahead of you, this I know. But, you will find it. As my former discernment coach (my term for the spiritual director who isn’t the Holy Mother herself ) used to say, “…if you feel the calling at all, it’s meant for you.” But you do have to look & it is just not simple. None of the best fruit borne of Christ is ever just easy, except the Love.
I will pray for you if you pray for me…
) used to say, “…if you feel the calling at all, it’s meant for you.” But you do have to look & it is just not simple. None of the best fruit borne of Christ is ever just easy, except the Love. I will pray for you if you pray for me…
I
irisfromohio
Guest
And, just one more thing!!! I am on an email list group for women with delayed vocations & found this today that might be of great interest for many women, especially on this thread. A new email group is forming, groups.yahoo.com/group/stedithsteincarmel/ for women over thirty five who are called to a vocation with the Discalced Carmelites after age 35. It is in Clinton Michigan, and I do believe the ultimate goal is to start a monestery for this demographic. Good news, eh?:extrahappy:
Cloisters
Well-known member
Actually, the prioress at Clinton Township is assisting with the discernment process, which is one thing that we were needing–a “professional.”
St. Edith Stein Carmel will physically be located only God-knows-where, although there are a few Carmels who are so low in population right now that it might be God’s will to procure one of those monasteries for this emerging community.
Blessings,
Cloisters
L
Lainey63
Guest
I guess I picked the wrong time to try to speak with the pastor…also, I work for a CPA firm (Tax Time)…I need a how to for dummies through this process. According to one priest I spoke with I have to pay for a spiritual director…I don’t even know where to begin…
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
Mother Angelica of EWTN has a Franciscan order in Arizona. that was just started a few years ago.To know that God has called you to be his is truly a beautiful expience. I am not a religious yet, but I do know that the past 2 years have been time of discernment for me and at times I just can’t wait to find the right place, and then at other times I have turned my back on God, feeling that this is just a passing fancy and I will get over it, but the next thing I know that old feeling is coming back. I have been through the I can’t go because of my love for my grandchildren and then it was because I shouldn’t leave my daughter which I will do one day anyway one way or another until my Priest told me all these things were normal for some people and after all the struggles I know now that my discernment is close to over and I feel good about what I’m trying to do and all the road blocks have disappeared no family to care for no bills life is good here but it would be fantastic (for lack of a better to describe it)if I can find and order that would consider me and one I feel right with. And God will make that happen. Thats been my belief, that an older vocation can be very real, even if we don’t have as many years left, God is callling us for some reason so just pray all the time I am really happy that you have found some orders open to older vocations. I’m sure I will to, because I trust in him and he will put me where he wants me but until he says Yes Right Here I will do my part and keep looking.
God Bless
Does anyone know of any orders that will take older vocations? I have been searching for 2 years (55 yr.) and have only found 3 all are Benedictine. I feel more in tune with the Fransican or Carmelite orders probably active/contempletive. I am really interested in the west of the US because there are so few monastic orders their.
Cloisters
Well-known member
No, you don’t have to pay for a spiritual director. There are “professional” directors out there, but I’ve never heard anything good about such situations.
HTH.
Blessings,
Cloisters
- Status