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

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Pope John Paul II’s Prayer for Vocations

Holy and provident Father, You are the Lord of the vineyard and the harvest and You give each a just reward for their work. In your design of love You call men and women to work with You for the salvation of the world. We thank You for Jesus Christ, your living word, who has redeemed us from our sins and is among us to assist us in our poverty. Guide the flock to which You have promised possession of the kingdom. Send new workers into your harvest and set in the hearts of pastors faithfulness to your plan of salvation, perseverance in their vocation and holiness of life.

Christ Jesus, who on the shores of the Sea of Galilee called the Apostles and made them the foundation of the Church and bearers of your Gospel, in our day, sustain your people on its journey. Give courage to those whom You call to follow You in the priesthood and the consecrated life, so that they may enrich God’s field with wisdom of your Word. Make them docile instruments of your love in everyday service of their brothers and sisters.

Spirit of holiness, who pour out your gifts on all believers and, especially, on those called to be Christ’s ministers, help young people to discover the beauty of the divine call. Teach them the true way of prayer, which is nourished by the Word of God. Help them to read the signs of the times, so as to be faithful interpreters of your Gospel and bearers of salvation.

Mary, Virgin who listened and Virgin of the Word of God made flesh in your womb, help us to be open to the Word of the Lord, so that, having been welcomed and meditated upon, it may grow in our hearts. Help us to live like You the beatitudes of believers and to dedicate ourselves with unceasing charity to evangelizing all those who seek your Son. Grant that we may serve every person, becoming servants of the Word we have heard, so that remaining faithful to it we may find our happiness in living it.

Amen.
 
The website for my aspiring private association, The Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene, is having a change of address. You will be able to access our group’s site at oblatesistersofmarymagdalene.net/.

Of course it’s under construction, but should be taking shape very soon. So, in the future, if you or any woman you know is interested in a traditional vocation that accepts women with no age limit, that is where you may be directed.
 
I found this link on a yahoo group message. It is a community of consecrated lay women that accepts older vocations AND wears a more traditional habit.

daughtersoftheimmaculata.com/Vocations.html

Now, their habit is almost identical to the habit that will be worn by the community I am in the process of forming & of course I would like for women so interested to consider mine:D, but I am more interested in women over 40 finding communities to accept them and meet their needs, so I am told by the Holy Spirit to share this community on this forum.

Just in case you haven’t done so as of yet, the website I am constructing for my group, The Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene is oblatesistersofmarymagdalene.net. Pray for my journey and I will pray for yours! 🙂
 
irisfromohio said:
I’ve said it before & I will say it again, people are not fully cooked until they hit 45 years of age. There is a wisdom that comes with age that cannot be tapped until they have life experience. And that is something Mother Church needs in her vocations.
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That’s is so very true and not only about religious vocations, but also any vocation. Perhaps we’re taking longer to mature, surrounded by expensive toys such as cars, houses, entertainment, etc, and the rising of the age to start earning one’s livelihood.

:blessyou:
 
anode said:
Here’s a link to an interview of three Benedictine novices in their 50’s and (early) 60’s:

sbm.osb.org/Portals/3/PDF/Novices%20page%202.jpg

(I also posted this under a Benedictine thread.)
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This is VERY interesting! My only pause comes from the fact that most of the established religious congregations for women don’t wear a habit. More surprising is that women of my generation would be attracted to that way of life. BUT I do not complain, because the important thing is that they answered His call 👍
 
irisfromohio said:
This is VERY interesting! My only pause comes from the fact that most of the established religious congregations for women don’t wear a habit. More surprising is that women of my generation would be attracted to that way of life. BUT I do not complain, because the important thing is that they answered His call 👍
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I realize that many potential candidates, especially the young, prefer a habit. Also I have noted that among some habited orders, there is a good representation of Asian sisters.

But I think that older candidates do not find wearing a habit as compelling, especially a full length hot habit with headgear. They appear to be less attracted to the romantic side of religious life, and don’t tend to think of themselves as being wedding to Jesus. They often have had annulled marriages, some with grown children (some with grandchildren!), are highly educated, had responsible jobs and generally been around the block a few times. They are not many of these entrants, but as the large congregations, among whom these candidates are scattered, shrink and merge, which is already happening, they will become more numerous in each group. They are entering in a sort of steady drip, but aside from the order’s newsletters and occasional local newspaper piece, no one hears much about them. They aren’t ‘interesting’ to write about. No puff pieces on national television of teenagers in full habits playing soccer.

The old orders *are *shrinking and aging, but were too large in the first place. They were founded during peak immigration and interest in religious life. Much too large to support the current level of interest. For example, there are ***58 ***Benedictine abbeys, priories and houses for women in the US -that’s too many.

atlas.osb-international.info/atlas_results.php?c=NA&Name=&ClosestMajorCity=&AirportCode=&tipo_monastero=sorores&tit=all&offset=4

Ditto for the Dominicans, who have already started to merge their many groups, (the new Dominicans of Peace and Dominicans of Hope are merged congregations), who were scattered all over the Midwest, with separate orders in Ohio, for example, in Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron alone. I notice that the much-maligned Adrian Dominicans have people entering.

adriandominicans.org/BecomeaSister/InFormation.aspx
 
anode said:
But I think that older candidates do not find wearing a habit as compelling, especially a full length hot habit with headgear. They appear to be less attracted to the romantic side of religious life, and don’t tend to think of themselves as being wedding to Jesus. They often have had annulled marriages, some with grown children (some with grandchildren!), are highly educated, had responsible jobs and generally been around the block a few times. They are not many of these entrants, but as the large congregations, among whom these candidates are scattered, shrink and merge, which is already happening, they will become more numerous in each group. They are entering in a sort of steady drip, but aside from the order’s newsletters and occasional local newspaper piece, no one hears much about them. They aren’t ‘interesting’ to write about. No puff pieces on national television of teenagers in full habits playing soccer.
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Well, as a woman in her 50’s who has had a marriage annulled & who has grown children (mercifully, no grandchildren), I am also highly educated & held a responsible job. I have been around the block many times. But, still, I prefer to live consecrated life with a congregation that wears a habit and most of the women who are older that I have met interested in The Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene feel likewise. Life experience doesn’t mean that you have lost your dreams & ideals. Moreover, I consider myself a bride of Christ. That is how most if not all women religious feel about that vocation. Up until recently, Mother Church hasn’t been very enthusiastic about women seeking a second vocation later in life while it has embraced men’s calling to the priesthood regardless of life experience and sometimes their state in life. The love of Our Lord knows no age limit and I think that we mature ladies have a surprisingly fresh perspective to bring to the table. Like I have said before, people aren’t fully cooked until they reach their forties and can have a good grip on who they are and where they are going. I think resistance to women over 40 is eroding and the evidence I see is in my own experience.

Just a thought!🙂
 
Have you read about Mother Antonia’s story?

amazon.com/Prison-Angel-Antonias-Journey-Beverly/dp/1594200564

My Legion of Mary’s spiritual director is a sister of this religious order. She entered the order around age of 60!!! I am not kidding.

eudistservants.org/site/index.php

On the group picture: the spiritual director is the third one (of the back row) on the right side of your computer. 🙂

Mother Antonia’s story is amazing! I have met her in person at our parish.
 
withwind said:
Have you read about Mother Antonia’s story?

amazon.com/Prison-Angel-Antonias-Journey-Beverly/dp/1594200564

My Legion of Mary’s spiritual director is a sister of this religious order. She entered the order around age of 60!!! I am not kidding.

eudistservants.org/site/index.php

On the group picture: the spiritual director is the third one (of the back row) on the right side of your computer. 🙂

Mother Antonia’s story is amazing! I have met her in person at our parish.
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As I said, everything old is new again! 👍 Thanks for this!!! I am distributing the information to my connections immediately.
 
irisfromohio said:
As I said, everything old is new again! 👍 Thanks for this!!! I am distributing the information to my connections immediately.
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You’re very welcome. If I heard it correctly, Mother Antonia said about a week ago that there would be 5 women entering the order this year.

If you need to contact our spiritual director, Sister Lillian, I can connect you to her. She is currently living in Texas. (the order is in Mexico).
 
irisfromohio said:
Well, as a woman in her 50’s who has had a marriage annulled & who has grown children (mercifully, no grandchildren), I am also highly educated & held a responsible job. I have been around the block many times. But, still, I prefer to live consecrated life with a congregation that wears a habit and most of the women who are older that I have met interested in The Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene feel likewise. Life experience doesn’t mean that you have lost your dreams & ideals. Moreover, I consider myself a bride of Christ. That is how most if not all women religious feel about that vocation. Up until recently, Mother Church hasn’t been very enthusiastic about women seeking a second vocation later in life while it has embraced men’s calling to the priesthood regardless of life experience and sometimes their state in life. The love of Our Lord knows no age limit and I think that we mature ladies have a surprisingly fresh perspective to bring to the table. Like I have said before, people aren’t fully cooked until they reach their forties and can have a good grip on who they are and where they are going. I think resistance to women over 40 is eroding and the evidence I see is in my own experience.

Just a thought!🙂
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The thrust of my remarks is that most, if not all, of those entering the ‘updated’ orders appear to be ‘mature’–30’s (yes, some are young!) on up into the 60’s.

…but ‘older’ women are also entering the habited orders, when they are permitted to do so!

It appears that orders set their upper limits according to the number and quality of their candidates, as most order would prefer younger candidates, and their own experiences. I have heard anecdotally of orders–usually individual cloistered monasteries–that have had bad experiences with older applicants, and so don’t want to take more chances. Others may not have had this experience and are willing to ‘take a chance’.

There are a lot of mature vocations out there.

…and here are some more:

Three Benedictines from Yankton, South Dakota–I think at least 2 are in their 40’s or 50’s…

yanktonbenedictines.org/vocationTemporaryProfessionDoor.html
 
There are many women over 40 who are called to religious life. I am in the process
of forming a monastic order. I have written the rule, constitution and charism.
The spirituality of the order will be the “Little Way” of St. Therese of Lisieux.
My vision is to have Perpetual Adoration. The name of the monastery is
the Holy Face of Jesus Monastery. I have not yet set a age limit, I would
be open to talking to anyone who feels they are called to live a hidden life.
I intend to also have extern nuns. We will wear a full traditional habit. There
are many requirements to start a new order. I am following Canon Law and
Civil Law. I can provide an address for you to write me if you send me a
Private Message. If you feel called to religious life my advise is to seek
spiritual direction and pray, pray, pray.
Abscondita
 
I am responding to Anode’s recent entry.

I am kind of confused about some of your comments. First, what orders are
shrinking? One example of this not being true is Mother Angelica’s order.
She has more that 30 nuns, also her order has started 2 new foundations.
As far as being on TV this is a wonderful way to evangelize. If the young
nuns want to play soccer, more power to them. How do you connect
wearing a full habit with romanticism? Also the National Dominicans
wear a full habit and they are receiving many, many vocations. Why do you
say that we don’t hear about some orders is because they are not interesting?
Abscondita
 
Correction: My last comments were for irisfromohio, not Aode.
Sorry.
Abscondita
 
Abscondita said:
I am responding to Anode’s recent entry.

I am kind of confused about some of your comments. First, what orders are
shrinking? One example of this not being true is Mother Angelica’s order.
She has more that 30 nuns, also her order has started 2 new foundations.
As far as being on TV this is a wonderful way to evangelize. If the young
nuns want to play soccer, more power to them. How do you connect
wearing a full habit with romanticism? Also the National Dominicans
wear a full habit and they are receiving many, many vocations. Why do you
say that we don’t hear about some orders is because they are not interesting?
Abscondita
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The large associations of Benedictines, Dominicans and probably Franciscan sisters in the US are shrinking. These associations consist of congregations or separate orders, not individual houses. Mother Angelica’s convent is one of a small group in an order, the PC of Perpetual Adoration. Other members of this group are shrinking or have been shored up by her nuns. Some are starting to have novitiates.

Mother’s convent in Hanceville, AL has one branch that I know about, the ‘desert nuns’ near Phoenix, formed by 5 of her nuns, about 3 years ago or so. They are trying to get money together to build what looks to me like a very grandiose, expensive monastery. So far I have not seen any candidates, postulants or novices in their group.

I don’t see anything wrong with playing soccer in a habit, but that’s the sort of thing that the media loves. They are less interested in 3 middle-aged novices in civvies. But there is a spectrum of religious life in this country, and the national media, always interested in video clips, likes to concentrate on one part only. Other events, like the interview with the 3 novices is reported in the local or diocesan press. As an aside, I think that religious orders would do well to *avoid *the national media, as the media so often gets it wrong. Diane Sawyer interviewed two groups of cloistered nuns, Roswell Poor Clares and the Wrentham Trappistines, two very different groups, and she managed to insult both of them. and she managed to insult both of them.

When I read the remarks of younger posters in these forums and their interest in religious life, partic. in threads such as choosing the most beautiful habit, I detect a clear thread of being attracted to the ‘romanticism’ of religious life. Others such as a cloistered nun posting on this forum, noted the same thing.

I don’t know who the “National Dominicans” are, but I presume you mean the Nashville Dominicans. They teach, which is always popular, and wear a beautiful habit which was vetted by a French fashion designer. They have a very aggressive media campaign, which has been described in the national press, which includes their vocation director having a Blackberry, which she uses a great deal. They appear to attract and accept girls right out of high school. They have a lot of nice retreats. Girls looking for the traditional form of religious life are interested in them and their sister, the DMME’s. There are a few other orders also rapidly growing. All of these orders are still small, Nashville being the largest and oldest, with about 220 members. But for every habited group growing, there are others dying. The habited enclosed Dominican nuns in New Jersey closed their monastery in Union City, and may be closing Camden. Among the Discalced Carmelites, the Valparaiso NE monastery has grown rapidly, as other conservative habited monasteries are down to under 10 and close to 5 members.
 
As far as Mother Angelica’s nuns who are building a new monastery in Arizona,
they have a postulant, they also have a waiting list of women who will join them
once they move on their new property. Mother Angelica also is starting a new
foundation in Texas. Why do you have a problem with the Arizona nuns building
a beautiful monastery? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but you sound
very negative.
 
Abscondita said:
As far as Mother Angelica’s nuns who are building a new monastery in Arizona,
they have a postulant, they also have a waiting list of women who will join them
once they move on their new property. Mother Angelica also is starting a new
foundation in Texas. Why do you have a problem with the Arizona nuns building
a beautiful monastery? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but you sound
very negative.
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I do not see Anode as being overly negative, just factual about what is going on in convent life. It is true that many communities are shrinking. I also have observed the romanticism of many when they talk about going to Carmel, etc. It is the way in which it is stated, not that anything is wrong with that. I love Jesus and I want to be married to Him alone also.

I believe that most young women are being attracted to the communities that are joyfully and fully in love with Jesus and not just religious. I have heard that some communities are going back to habits in hope of attracting young vocations but that will not happen if the attitude of community is lax, tired and old. The scripture which speaks about having the form of Godliness but lacking the power comes to mind.

I also read that the Nashville Dominicans are more welcoming to the families of the sisters. I think they might encourage family bonds to continue? The times are changing and the religious must be open to new ways of ministering also. There have always been waves of renewal to Church life.

Come Holy Spirit and rekindle our hearts!

Kathy
 
Kathy2004 said:
I do not see Anode as being overly negative, just factual about what is going on in convent life. It is true that many communities are shrinking. I also have observed the romanticism of many when they talk about going to Carmel, etc. It is the way in which it is stated, not that anything is wrong with that. I love Jesus and I want to be married to Him alone also.

I believe that most young women are being attracted to the communities that are joyfully and fully in love with Jesus and not just religious. I have heard that some communities are going back to habits in hope of attracting young vocations but that will not happen if the attitude of community is lax, tired and old. The scripture which speaks about having the form of Godliness but lacking the power comes to mind.

I also read that the Nashville Dominicans are more welcoming to the families of the sisters. I think they might encourage family bonds to continue? The times are changing and the religious must be open to new ways of ministering also. There have always been waves of renewal to Church life.

Come Holy Spirit and rekindle our hearts!

Kathy
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Interesting what you say about the habits. Can you name any congregations or monasteries that are doing this? I would think that it would be reasonable to at least give people a choice.
 
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