Help in finding a Order who will have me despite my age

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miltell04

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I am a 56 year old man with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame College. Does anyone here know of a Order who would be willing to accept me despite my age? I am a very devote and committed Catholic who feels called, but I also have had a very difficult time locating a Order who is interested in me becoming a Brother, Deacon or Priest.
 
You should definitely try to get in touch with the Dominicans. They have age restrictions for the candidates, but they discuss every case individually.
In general, religious communities for men are more open for “late” vocations than those for women. I am sure you will find many that will accept you, if your age is only difficulty.
religiousministries.com/directory/index.asp
God bless you!
 
miltell04

A possible avenue to consider in providing direction to you may be to contact Blessed John XXIII National Seminary near Boston, MA in which they may be able to connect you with those diocese and religious communities that sponsor older candidates to the priesthood.

Here is the link their website and a section from their Mission and History :blessedjohnxxiii.edu/mission.html
Mission
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**Blessed John XXIII National Seminary is a Roman Catholic professional and graduate theological institution **dedicated uniquely to the preparation of seminarians thirty years of age and older responding to a call to priestly ministry.
Its program is based on the Ratio Fundamentalis of the Holy See, the Program of Priestly Formation of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Post-Synodal Exhortation of Pope John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis.
It fosters the human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation of its seminarians. The program especially respects and utilizes the life experiences of its seminarians as it prepares them for ordinained ministry.
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History
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Forty years ago Richard Cardinal Cushing saw the need for a Catholic seminary such as ours. In 1964, with the encouragement and the explicit blessing of Pope Paul VI, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary became the first seminary in North America established for the formation of men answering the call to priesthood at a later time. Over 500 alumni now serve in dioceses and religious communities around the world.
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With an age range of about 30 to 60, the men come with various backgrounds and represent virtually every sort of career,such as: law, business, medicine, banking, sales, military, social work and teaching, to mention a few. The seminary is open to full-time resident candidates for diocesan priesthood, as well as resident and nonresident seminarians from religious communities. In 1972 the seminary was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to grant the Master of Divinity degree. In 1983 Blessed John Seminary became an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools. To date candidates have come to the seminary from 115 dioceses and 23 religious congregations
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miltell04 said:
I am a 56 year old man with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame College. Does anyone here know of a Order who would be willing to accept me despite my age? I am a very devote and committed Catholic who feels called, but I also have had a very difficult time locating a Order who is interested in me becoming a Brother, Deacon or Priest.
Click to expand...
Orders may be harder, but many dioceses will accept older candidates.

NY has ordained at least one man in his sixties, and has a seminarian currently (he was a seminarian but left about 25 years ago) who is about 60.

I would reccomend e-mailing some vocation directors.

God Bless
 
Blessings! I did a search on a religious communities database for orders that would accept older vocations. Here are some of my findings:

St. Mary’s Monastery
stmarysmonastery.org/
About belated vocations:
“No strict age limit. Older and younger case given individual examination; considered on case-by-case basis.”

Servants of Charity
servantsofcharity.org/
“An age limit is not set, but is determined on a case by case basis, depending on the man’s background, education, and whether the brotherhood or priesthood is desired.”

Missionaries of Mariannhill
mariannhill.org/
“Age range: After high school. Each case is judged individually.”

Congregation of Marian Fathers
marian.org/
“The Marians do accept mature men for vocations. Outside of the normal age range, they have accepted men over the age of 45.”

Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis
stlouisabbey.org/
“Belated vocations are considered.”

Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception
cricusa.com/
“Candidates over 35 are considered on an individual basis depending upon (but not limited to) education, professional training or other skills.”

Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
fsspolgs.org./
Vocations over the age of 40 are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
 
Try vocationsplacement.org/ to find a discernment retreat. There are fewer places for older candidates, but they do ask what age you are looking at. For instance, as an older woman I look for places with a maximum age of 60 years old. Most of these orders are going to be more contemplative.
 
The Sisters of the Visitation in Snellville, GA do not have an age limit. Their age requirements are 18+, that’s it. db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/36
Needless to say, I will be in contact with them. I’m 43 and looking for a contemplative community. This one is cloistered.
My prayers go out to all discerning their vocations. 🙂
 
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