How old is too old?

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Just a quick update. Me chat with me priest has to wait until he gets back from his vacation.
I’ve waited this long- a week or two’s not a problem.
God bless,
Hallam:)
 
Your never too old. Ask Moses, err read about Moses, he was 80 years old when he was called.
 
Hallam said:
Hi,
a vocation has been on my mind recently. My question would be, however, is am i too old? I’m 40, be 41 this October coming.
God bless,
Hallam
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There is no such thing as too old for God’s will in your life. I am unsure if you are a man or woman, but either way, look into the Franciscan Brothers Minor or Franciscan Sisters Minor. One of their biggest things is there is no age drop off. Seventeen to seven hundred, so long as you are called and are physically and mentally fit, you may enter.
 
feed_me said:
Your never too old. Ask Moses, err read about Moses, he was 80 years old when he was called.
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We can read the book of Exodus all day long but the reality is that most diocese and religious communiteis have a cut off age after which they will not accept you.

Listen to what the vocations director of a Cistercian monastery says in the first 20 seconds of the video here.

I’m not trying to discourage the OP, but simply stating the reality that the cut off age for acceptance to formation for the priesthood and religious life in most places is 50, and anyone in their early or mid 40’s who feel that they have a vocation should act now, because your options go way down after you turn 50.

-Tim-
 
You might also consider becoming a Franciscan Friar. Not sure what their cut off age is, but you could become a brother and/or a priest.

Check out Marytown in Libertyville, IL.
 
Details, Daughter, details? Can you find out where he was accepted? G*d love ya!
 
Hallam said:
Hi,
a vocation has been on my mind recently. My question would be, however, is am i too old? I’m 40, be 41 this October coming.
God bless,
Hallam
Click to expand...
When I was 11 years old the Principal of my school resigned to start seminary in Rome. He was 62 at the time, ordained at 66. So i guess you’re not too old! 😃
 
Mark1970 said:
When I was 11 years old the Principal of my school resigned to start seminary in Rome. He was 62 at the time, ordained at 66. So i guess you’re not too old! 😃
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Surely it takes longer than 4 years?
 
paperwight66 said:
Surely it takes longer than 4 years?
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Well, the bishop and the seminary staff didn’t seem to think so! 😃

Seriously, there may have been other factors involved. Such as previous study, already being over the minimum ordination age - there could be any reason.
 
Hallam said:
Just a quick update. Me chat with me priest has to wait until he gets back from his vacation.
I’ve waited this long- a week or two’s not a problem.
God bless,
Hallam:)
Click to expand...
Hallam:

Yes, I suggest to talk to your parish priest first. You sound like he knows you too, so you won’t be a stranger.

Just FYI - some religious orders have a cutoff at 40. The reason for this IMHO is the time it takes for formation. Also, a younger man will normally be able to adapt faster to change than say, a 37 year old who has been on his own since he was 25. The period of adjustment (I liked what Fr. Donald Calloway called this - “Spiritual Boot Camp”) can be tedious.

My understanding is age requirements vary between dioceses - if you are considering diocesan priesthood. Some are examined on a “case-by-case” basis. I know of one diocese that is hesitant to take men over 45 who do not already have 4 year college degrees.

The Armed Forces has a cutoff age for Catholic Chaplains too, particularly for those who haven’t had prior military service before entering seminary. Forty-two (42) is often the high limit for a military chaplain, but sometimes waivers are granted. Much of this has to do with the fact that a Catholic priest (as well as other denominations) must meet certain physical requirements to serve in the Army, Air Force, or Navy. Others have to do with the fact that the Armed Forces is young (18 to 45 primarily), and some age requirements have to do with being eligible for a 20 year retirement (I may post something about this later).
 
The OP is from the UK and they might or might not have different rules over there. In the US most Religious Orders do not accept anyone over 38 and some over 35. The only exceptions to this is when the aspirant has worked for at least 2 years or more, preferably more, with members of the Order. For instance, if you worked at Jesuit high school at some capacity that exposed you Jesuit life and from there applied to join that Order, if you were a deacon or a sacristan at a parish conducted by Capuchins and then applied to join them, etc. Other cases involve the acceptance of exceptional people over 38.
In the case of the dioceses, they might be a bit more lenient, but as someone has already said, they require a bachelor’s degree if one is a certain age. So, a man must have a four year college degree before he turns 50 and that’s cutting it really close. But, in my opinion, if they seemed to be interested in you somewhere along the discernment process, turning 51 at the end of it will most likely not disqualify you, especially if you’ve done well in your parish and in school. Of course one has to be active in the parish for some time. So, I think you’re fine.
 
Hallam said:
Hi,
a vocation has been on my mind recently. My question would be, however, is am i too old? I’m 40, be 41 this October coming.
God bless,
Hallam
Click to expand...
I know someone who had a career in stage acting and the entertainment biz and became a priest in his 60s
 
Facite said:
You are never too old to be called to the priesthood/consecrated life!🙂
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That is funny because I had tried for 3 years to join a religious order and ALL 25 told me NO I WAS TO OLD.They all stopped at 40ys and I was 55. I didn’t even want to be a priest just a brother. Thy told me we were to set in our ways to spend money on us and then we leave. Then I found out I could become a diocesan hermit for a bishop and take vows under him and have followers, thus an order. (Canon Law #603) Then when there are a lot of us we can write Rome and ask to have them make us A New Order and there you have it. Now I have done just that;

Divine Mercy Brothers of Our Lady of Guadalupe DMB
For all men that were called by God but
men said you were too old,
may come and serve our Lord as Divine Mercy Brothers
We hope to become diocesan hermits for a bishop (Austin Tx)
and take vows with him and our charism will be the
Divine Mercy chaplet for souls, sick, dying and purgatory
We will be semi- cloistered, going out only for mass,
Eucharist adoration, praying for sick, food, and laundry
Any questions write to
divinemercybrsfo@yahoo.com Facebook; divine mercy brothers
blog; dmbsfo.blogspot,com
:highprayer::crossrc:
 
The Norbertines of Daylesford Abbey, the Redemptorists and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary accept men up to be 50 and maybe even older, in the case of the Norbertines. Only in that prticular Abbey though, as St. Michael’s Abbey, also Norbertine, is about 35 yrs old the cutoff age. Also, the Dioceses, most accept men over 50, but most would ask for a bachelor’s degree if you’re a certain age. Some contemplative monasteries will also consider older vocations. However, most other Orders will not accept men over 40 and some 38 and even 35.
 
👍;)The Redemptorists that I mentioned in my previous post were the ones of the Baltimore province, which includes most of the East Coast. I dont know about their other provinces, which might have a different policies for age. Also, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts includes all of the US. Daylesford Abbey of the Norbertines, however, is in Paoli, Pennsylvania.🙂
 
Why is it that older men are considered great candidates but women are not
If one is called to religious life, when did God put an age restriction on it…
The communities have no right to say no based on age…but they do it any way.
If there are any women out there over of any age that have been denied based on age , please email me…
 
Benedictine Girl:

I know some houses of Religious Sisters have age restrictions, which may have to do with issues such as formation and the charism of the community, as well as the mission of the Religious Order.

Something you can do is look into a few religious orders and find out more about them. If you like to teach, look up the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. I also recommend the Nashville Dominicans. These two orders are strong and thriving, and have an average age under 40.

I often tell the younger ladies in college considering vocations to look at the Nashville Dominicans and the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. These two orders have thrived in part because quite a few religious orders that were strong 50+ years ago have watered themselves down, and lost their way. The JPII generation is looking for the truth, and the young ladies are finding that truth within the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and the Nashville Dominicans.

If you are more interested in say, contemplative prayer and monastic life, you might want to look into some of the Carmelites. The superior could give you more information on formation.

Benedictine Girl, if you are older (I’ll suggest closer to 50), I would look up the community started a few years ago by Rosalind Moss. I believe she is now known as Sr. Miriam. She is on Catholic Answers Live normally on Wednesdays, and her community is based in Tulsa.

Hope that helps a little.
 
Thankfully for your info…sadly both the communities you mentioed said no…too old…54
And I haven’t heard back from mother Miriam
Where in scripture does it say there is an age cut off for doing what God is calling us to do
 
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