How long until God calls you?

[ladylinguist]

If you convert to Catholicism and God wants you to join a religious community, how long after conversion do you think it will take to make that call known? Does He let you know soon after or do you think He waits until you’ve been an established Catholic for a while? I’m just wondering, as I was confirmed this Easter and am exploring the possibility of joining a religious community. I don’t know if what I’m feeling is a call from God or merely an interest born of my own fascination with the idea of a religious life. Any thoughts? How can you tell the difference between God’s call and your own inner voice?

 

[esshaki3]

My advice would be to just keep praying and turn to the Blessed Mother and ask her to intercede for you and help you know what God wants of you. It will come through prayer in a matter of time. Adoration is also a good way to find out.

 

[chris_molter]

God doesn’t work on our schedules. Sometimes he calls you even BEFORE you come into full communion with the Church (of course, He is calling you to come into the Church as WELL, but there is often more to His call than just that). Quite a few folks have felt the calling to religious life before they became Catholic and once they came into the Church, continued to explore and discern that call.

That being said, most orders and communities require that you be a Catholic for two years at least before you apply to the novitiate, also that you receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism and confirmation), so if you haven’t been confirmed yet, get going!

 

[ladylinguist]

That being said, most orders and communities require that you be a Catholic for two years at least before you apply to the novitiate, also that you receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism and confirmation), so if you haven’t been confirmed yet, get going!

I was actually confirmed on Easter of this year (woo-hoo!), so I’m still a veritable infant in the Catholic Church. Of course, if God is actually calling me to join a religious community I wouldn’t be able to go about it in any real way for another year and a half since my enlistment isn’t up until next November. That beng said, how soon is too soon to get in touch with orders that interest me? Or do they only want questions from those who are fairly certain that God has called them to the religious life?

 

[JohnnyReb]

God doesn’t work on our schedules. Sometimes he calls you even BEFORE you come into full communion with the Church (of course, He is calling you to come into the Church as WELL, but there is often more to His call than just that). Quite a few folks have felt the calling to religious life before they became Catholic and once they came into the Church, continued to explore and discern that call.

That being said, most orders and communities require that you be a Catholic for two years at least before you apply to the novitiate, also that you receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism and confirmation), so if you haven’t been confirmed yet, get going!

This is valuable information. Thanks for sharing. I have wondered the same thing as the original poster. I have already been asked by Catholic relatives, since I am coming into the church, if I would consider a religious life, the priesthood or the deaconate.

My response is “If God calls, I must answer the call” Right now I am coming into the church, and I will see what state of life God ultimately calls me to.

 

[Ahimsa]

Go on retreat for a month or so, and see what happens. Since you’re from Georgia, God will take extra good care of you.

 

[RobNY]

Go on retreat for a month or so, and see what happens. Since you’re from Georgia, God will take extra good care of you.

This is indubitably true.

I know a Brother from Georgia.

-Rob

 

[chris_molter]

That beng said, how soon is too soon to get in touch with orders that interest me? Or do they only want questions from those who are fairly certain that God has called them to the religious life?

congratulations on your Confirmation! I would say if there’s an order that you have an interest in, don’t wait. Call their vocations director and find out if they have some sort of retreat weekend or if you can visit their monastery/priory. Most orders will want to help you in your discernment, even if it’s a couple years before you actually apply to the novitiate. Some college freshmen become aspirants four years before they apply to the order they feel called to.