Help with entering a religious order?

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Imcatholic7

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Most religious orders have a minimum age requirement of say 23 (example). My question is, what is the person suppose to do between the ages of 18-23 (if they are planning on joining a religious order). They (most) would not be able to attend college because that would probably put them into debt, which again, a requirement for all religious orders I have seen is to be debt free. Would they be able to begin their journey (retreat, postulant, etc.) before the age requirement and just make final/solemn profession after that age? OR could the person attend seminary? Does the Church have a way for people in this situation to have schooling without having debt left over? If anyone could please help me with this would be amazing. Thank you!
 
Imcatholic7 said:
Most religious orders have a minimum age requirement of say 23 (example). My question is, what is the person suppose to do between the ages of 18-23 (if they are planning on joining a religious order). They (most) would not be able to attend college because that would probably put them into debt, which again, a requirement for all religious orders I have seen is to be debt free. Would they be able to begin their journey (retreat, postulant, etc.) before the age requirement and just make final/solemn profession after that age? OR could the person attend seminary? Does the Church have a way for people in this situation to have schooling without having debt left over? If anyone could please help me with this would be amazing. Thank you!
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To my knowledge, many actually begin their journey by keeping in close contact with the religious community they are interested in before formally registering as a postulant. During this time, they experience the charism of each community and become more aware of their way of life, and this can give them a taste of what is to come before they submit themselves as a postulant. I recommend this as a way to keep yourself engaged with the community while you discern your religious vocation.

Many also take some time to work elsewhere to gather valuable life experience, especially if they feel it suits their charism. For example, prospective Franciscans may like working with the poor and the sick, while I know some prospective Benedictines who took to the countryside to work as a farmhand.

In fact, I’m aware of many religious who completed university studies first, but then again my country subsidises tuition fees, so it may not all be that applicable to your situation and concerns of debt.

However you choose to take advantage of these few years before being eligible to enter the order, the most important thing is to devote your time to developing your spiritual life. Celebrating the Sacraments, learning the Traditions, and growing in love and holiness. 🙂
 
Would you be able to work and to attend and pay for part-time community college?

I suggest that you make an appointment with the vocations director in your diocese to discuss this.
 
My daughter entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor MI when she was only 18. This month she will be 24 and is finishing her teaching degree at Eastern Michigan University (paid for by the order) and will take her final vows in 2 more years. I get to go visit her next weekend! 👍

They are a thriving fantastic order ( www.sistersofmary.org ). They hold discernment retreats every year too.

They are not afraid to go into the world to evangelize. (They were on the Oprah show a couple of times, and recently they were on the American Bible Challenge with Jeff Foxworthy).

Good Luck!
Peace,
John
 
You should speak to the vocations director at the order or in your diocese. Many orders have age requirements because they expect that young people will need time in discerenment. I do suggest that you at least begin college perhaps at a community college or going to a state school to keep your debt down. You should also continue to be involved with your parish or diocese.
What I don’t reccomend is just sitting around doing nothing for a few years while you wait to get older. 😉
 
There are a multitude of orders, so even deciding on which one you wish to enter can be a long process. As noted in other answers, you may wish to explore that order by getting to know some of the members.

Keep in mind that acceptance is two sided; you need to determine if this order, or that order, is really the one you may wish to devote the rest of your in. The order also has to determine if they want you to do so.

I go to Mass periodically at the (not quite) local Trappist abbey. Recently on of the younger guys took final vows and about the same time, one of his confreres left; they both had been there a number of years. the other left because, after a number of years, he determined that the life of a Trappist really did not fit as well as he had hoped; and from all I heard, he was not “invited out”; rather it was his decision. In a way I was sorry to see him go (they are not a large monastery to begin with), and on the other hand, if it wasn’t fitting, he spent a good time discerning.

And don’t assume, if they suggest that you go to college, that any particular degree is “needed”, or another one is “not worthy”. Members of orders have degrees all over the spectrum. Just as you need to discern which order may be what you are called to, so with a degree. You may have talent in art, or business (they really do need business managers!) or zoology, or languages, and the list goes on. In other words, don’t presume you need a degree in theology (and that is not a put-down of such degrees).

Our new Archbishop has, if I recall, an undergraduate and a Masters degree in engineering. Not that he is in an order; just simply that you should not make presumptions as to what “they” need. In short, I agree that attending college is not necessarily a bad thing; it may be the best thing you do. It is entirely possible you may choose an order, go and start with them, and find, after a period of time that is not where you are really called. That is not to question that you feel called now; it is just meant to give a bit of perspective to someone who is most likely well over 3 times your age.

That, and I spent two years of college in seminary. Not where I belonged, and I would not go and do that two years differently were I to have the choice. It was awesome. Just not what I was called to do.
 
Most orders, or at least the main one, I have been looking into are where the eventual callings of the monks leads to priesthood. Therefore, would it or would it not make sense to be taking classes/getting a degree that could help with that?
 
Imcatholic7 said:
Most orders, or at least the main one, I have been looking into are where the eventual callings of the monks leads to priesthood. Therefore, would it or would it not make sense to be taking classes/getting a degree that could help with that?
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That is getting the cart entirely before the horse. The order you are looking at is the one which makes the decision whether or not you would go to seminary. Jumping that issue may not be looked upon favorably when you seek entrance.
 
otjm said:
That is getting the cart entirely before the horse. The order you are looking at is the one which makes the decision whether or not you would go to seminary. Jumping that issue may not be looked upon favorably when you seek entrance.
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I would probably study theology anyway because it is my interest.
 
Imcatholic7 said:
I would probably study theology anyway because it is my interest.
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On your own, and not as someone entering an order, you certainly can stuydy whatever you wish.

Upon entering an order, you pretty much do what the order wants you to do; that could be sturying theology, working in the kitchen, engaging in wht is their charism, or studying something else.

Best wishes and paryers on your journey.
 
otjm said:
On your own, and not as someone entering an order, you certainly can stuydy whatever you wish.

Upon entering an order, you pretty much do what the order wants you to do; that could be sturying theology, working in the kitchen, engaging in wht is their charism, or studying something else.

Best wishes and paryers on your journey.
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Thank you! However, I did find other houses of the same order that have lower entrance ages so it is not a universal age I guess.
 
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