How strict are the requirements

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Student09

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So, let’s say someone had a single episode of depression in high school and was on medication for two years, but then, shortly after graduating high school, was able to stop taking the medication, and has been completely medication-free and therapy-free for six years, with no further episodes of depression. And let’s say that halfway through this six year period, this person converted to the Catholic Church. 😃

Would that person be eligible to enter a religious order, or would that one episode of depression in high school prevent them from doing so?
 
I’m not sure. Maybe it depends on the order. 🤷

In any case, the person would need to disclose this fact in the interview process. It seems to me that, so long as the person passes the psych evaluation and demonstrates that they are balanced, it shouldn’t be an impediment. But this is just my off-the-cuff answer. It’s not based on anything concrete.
 
Most active communities that I have dealt with say you must be medication and chronic illness free for at least a year before you can discern with them. You are way over that mark, so that bodes well in your favor. Cloistered communities are a little bit different, but with good reason. Cloistered life is more intensive than active life and you don’t generally interact with people outside of those in community. As far as I can tell, they don’t cut you off completely (without good reason) if you have a history of depression, but I think it’s better to build up a relationship with the community first BEFORE telling them about your medical history. I’ve got a history of depression as well, and I am discerning with a Carmelite monastery. I have not made a personal visit yet, so I am just getting to know their Prioress through telephone and letters. When I make that personal visit and she is able to see me for me, that’s when I will tell her, not before. It’s been my experience that VDs and Superiors respond better when they know that the person is well. 🙂
 
All things considered, I don’t think what you described would be a “deal breaker”.
 
It will depend on the order. You can certainly get to know a community, visit, etc before you give them this info, but when you do start a more formal process, please be open about this experience. Also, you will under go psychological testing, a physical, etc. so you’ll need to give your complete medical history.
 
To be clear, I’m not exactly discerning a vocation, at least not at this time. But I’ve thought about it, and I was curious whether an isolated incident of depression, such as I had, would necessarily exclude one from, say, a contemplative order.

Most of the people I know have had at least one episode of depression at some point in their lives. What if they only ever have one?
 
Student09 said:
To be clear, I’m not exactly discerning a vocation, at least not at this time. But I’ve thought about it, and I was curious whether an isolated incident of depression, such as I had, would necessarily exclude one from, say, a contemplative order.

Most of the people I know have had at least one episode of depression at some point in their lives. What if they only ever have one?
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To be honest, in this day and age (especially with the financial stress of the economy), I wouldn’t doubt that everyone had at least one episode of depression. It’s becoming more common place. If you had only one and you became more mature from it, it may prepare you for the future. 🙂
 
Student09 said:
To be clear, I’m not exactly discerning a vocation, at least not at this time. But I’ve thought about it, and I was curious whether an isolated incident of depression, such as I had, would necessarily exclude one from, say, a contemplative order.

Most of the people I know have had at least one episode of depression at some point in their lives. What if they only ever have one?
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It is still the best policy to be open with your spiritual director and vocations director about whatever health issues (or family situation, etc.) that you have at the time you are discerning. I just cannot understand anyone not being forthcoming in that situation.

The vocations director of that order will know best what conditions are compatible with their way of life and which are not. Also aspirants usually go through a few years of temporary vows before their final profession, so there will be time for any issues to surface.
 
Mrs_Sally said:
It is still the best policy to be open with your spiritual director and vocations director about whatever health issues (or family situation, etc.) that you have at the time you are discerning. I just cannot understand anyone not being forthcoming in that situation…
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Um, I don’t think you read my posts carefully; I don’t know where you got the idea that I was planning to lie to a vocations director. I do not even HAVE a vocations director, and since I’m only a catechumen, I cannot pursue any of this in a concrete way for at least several years.

It was a hypothetical question.
 
Student09 said:
Um, I don’t think you read my posts carefully; I don’t know where you got the idea that I was planning to lie to a vocations director. I do not even HAVE a vocations director, and since I’m only a catechumen, I cannot pursue any of this in a concrete way for at least several years.

It was a hypothetical question.
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To be fair, I believe Mrs Sally was speaking generally, not trying to point the finger at you. That’s the way I read her post anyway.
 
I’m sorry if I misunderstood. Since Mrs. Sally quoted me in her post, I assumed it was addressed to me. I don’t think I or anyone else on this thread said anything to the effect that they were planning to be dishonest or that such dishonesty would be alright, so at best, what Mrs. Sally said was a non sequitur. 🤷
 
Student09 said:
I’m sorry if I misunderstood. Since Mrs. Sally quoted me in her post, I assumed it was addressed to me. I don’t think I or anyone else on this thread said anything to the effect that they were planning to be dishonest or that such dishonesty would be alright, so at best, what Mrs. Sally said was a non sequitur. 🤷
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Not to belabor the point (;)), but I know that I will often respond generally even if I’m answering a specific question. I think she just meant that, in general, she can’t understand why anyone would hide such information. I don’t think she meant that she thought you specifically were planning on doing exactly that. Nothing in any of your posts suggest that you have any intention of trying to hide that information (in the event that you pursue a religious vocation).

I always find it interesting how easy it is for us (a general “us”, not “you and me” specifically) to read the same post and come across with two different impressions. That’s the limitation of these forums, I suppose. 🙂
 
Well, ok. I am making a resolution to be more charitable! My apologies, Mrs. Sally. 😊
 
Student09 said:
I’m sorry if I misunderstood. Since Mrs. Sally quoted me in her post, I assumed it was addressed to me. I don’t think I or anyone else on this thread said anything to the effect that they were planning to be dishonest or that such dishonesty would be alright, so at best, what Mrs. Sally said was a non sequitur. 🤷
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I apologize. I was speaking generally. Unfortunately in previous discussions on this forum people have said things that indicated that they would omit information during discernment. I did not mean to imply that you personally would lie. My advice that these sorts of situations must be discussed with the order directly still stands. There is no way anyone on this forum can tell you what a particular community will and will not find acceptable.
 
Student09 said:
So, let’s say someone had a single episode of depression in high school and was on medication for two years, but then, shortly after graduating high school, was able to stop taking the medication, and has been completely medication-free and therapy-free for six years, with no further episodes of depression. And let’s say that halfway through this six year period, this person converted to the Catholic Church. 😃

Would that person be eligible to enter a religious order, or would that one episode of depression in high school prevent them from doing so?
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A previous episode of depression shouldn’t keep someone from being accepted to a religious order. Constant battles with depression might not prevent them either, if they can be managed. I have found, however, that doctors are quick to diagnose clinical depression and prescribe antidepressants- because they are either unwilling to take the time to help people uncover the true reasons for being depressed, or the people who go to see them are unwilling to make necessary changes in their own lives. If your depression is something you’re over, my guess is you were probably misdiagnosed for some reason. Depression is not a bad thing- as humans, it is part of our physiology. If I wanted to, I could go and snort cocaine- and I’d feel great even though my life situation will probably get worse- but I’m not going to do drugs. If something is making me depressed, either there is a reason and I need to fix it- or I need to adjust my attitude.
 
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A previous episode of depression shouldn’t keep someone from being accepted to a religious order. Constant battles with depression might not prevent them either, if they can be managed."

Lets leave this up to the religious orders themselves. They have a responsibility to their communities, to the individuals applying and to the Church in these matters. Better to let them discern these matters.

" If your depression is something you’re over, my guess is you were probably misdiagnosed for some reason."

It seems unlikely that you are qualified to say this, presumably not being a doctor, never having personally met this person you are making this statement about, not knowing family history, or the nature or duration of the symptoms…

“Depression is not a bad thing- as humans, it is part of our physiology.”

Actually depression is a bad thing- a result of being in a broken world. If you don’t know this by personal experience, count your blessings!

" If I wanted to, I could go and snort cocaine- and I’d feel great even though my life situation will probably get worse- but I’m not going to do drugs."

Taking medication for depression is nt the same as “doing drugs!” Are you TRYING to offend people?

“If something is making me depressed, either there is a reason and I need to fix it- or I need to adjust my attitude.”

And sometimes the reason that needs to be fixed is that something has gone wrong physiologically and we are blessed in modern times to have ways of treating this problem…which often has a genetic component, as well as a psychological component.
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I regret the flippant tone in my post above. I am sorry- I do not want to be that way.

I do think it is important to make the point that a person taking medication for depression is not the equivalent of “doing drugs.”
 
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