I want to be a nun!

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I’m just happy to read all the replies and see the same energy and happiness in all the other girls/young women expressing an interest/desire to be a nun.

Holly, I think that you’ve recieved a lot of wonderful advice to pray, to attend the RCIA classes, and meet with other Sisters.

I can’t say anything about conversions, as I’m “only” a revert after I left a cult 2 years ago and lost my faith when I left the group. I’ve been a re-vert for the past year and all I’ve been able to really understand from God so far is that He does indeed want me to be a nun.

I don’t think there is an exact formula on how to go through all this and grow in relationship with God, but I do know that I’ve passed my denial stages, and I was really accepting of it after a few months. Now what hits me is fear of what a huge change in my life this will be.

Prayer, conversation with God is MUST. I like to remember Mary, and the Angel’s compassionate “Be not afraid.”

God Bless you & keep you on this journey! :getholy:
 
Holly3278 said:
I am wanting to be a nun someday but I haven’t even officially converted to Catholicism yet. I am attracted to the contemplative life. I have felt called to be involved in the religious life since a few years back when I felt the call to be a missionary. Now I feel more called to the contemplative life. I just want to worship God and be more and more dedicated to Him all the time. :bowdown:
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So do I!!😉
But not solely contemplative.

I’m currently Lutheran though.

I’m in Norway. The closest churches here are either Lutheran or some kind of other Protestant.

Frustrating:confused: I can’t wait to be old enough to move.
 
mercygate said:
The vocational discernment process usually requires a battery of tests to determine one’s psychological fitness for Religious life (not that those tests are terrifically reliable – but they can discern serious personality incompatibilities with Religious life). Clearing that hurdle would be indicative.

Some time ago, I corresponded with someone who was terribly put-out because a friend of hers who has Asperger syndrome was not accepted into a Carmelite monastery. But think about it! Asperger syndrome would make a person absolutely MISERABLE in a monastic community. A vocation is a two way street. The community has to be right for you. And just as important, you have to be right for the community.
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Speaking as an Aspie who discerned the cloister for years, I can attest that the cloistered life is THE thing for us–the schedule is immovable, and we’re prolly the most obedient because we don’t give anyone any backtalk. We just need for things to be explained to us according to our particular form of Aspergers, and for the community to show charity and compassion for our “quirks.” The silence is wonderful, because we have a tendency to be overwhelmed by noise. I truly believe that Aspies are being called to religious life, and I’m founding the “Hermits of Blessed Herman Contractus and Leonie Martin” specifically for those who are high-functioning autistics, known as Asperger Syndrome. I don’t have the website published yet.

I’m a homeschooling mom who took her Aspie son out of public school for reasons I won’t go into right now. I’m also the Coordinator of the Society of Our Lady of the Cloister, and in addition to promoting the cloisters, we’re founding many new charisms, both cloistered and contemplative/active.

cloisters.tripod.com/
cloisters.tripod.com/id60.html
cloisters.tripod.com/id61.html

If your friend discerned with Carmel, there is prolly another reason she was turned away (aside from the order’s ignorance of the condition)–diet. Many Aspies are allergic to milk, and Carmel uses milk, cheese, and eggs for their main sources of protein.

An order has to have the charism to accept people like us–which is why I’m founding all of our orders based on Salesian spirituality (that of the gentle St. Francis de Sales), and I’ll be having “Individualized Formation Programs,” the idea for which has been taken from the public school’s “Individual Educational Program” (IEP) for those with learning issues.👍

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Cloisters said:
Speaking as an Aspie who discerned the cloister for years, I can attest that the cloistered life is THE thing for us–the schedule is immovable, and we’re prolly the most obedient because we don’t give anyone any backtalk. We just need for things to be explained to us according to our particular form of Aspergers, and for the community to show charity and compassion for our “quirks.” The silence is wonderful, because we have a tendency to be overwhelmed by noise. I truly believe that Aspies are being called to religious life, and I’m founding the “Hermits of Blessed Herman Contractus and Leonie Martin” specifically for those who are high-functioning autistics, known as Asperger Syndrome. I don’t have the website published yet.

I’m a homeschooling mom who took her Aspie son out of public school for reasons I won’t go into right now. I’m also the Coordinator of the Society of Our Lady of the Cloister, and in addition to promoting the cloisters, we’re founding many new charisms, both cloistered and contemplative/active.

cloisters.tripod.com/
cloisters.tripod.com/id60.html
cloisters.tripod.com/id61.html

If your friend discerned with Carmel, there is prolly another reason she was turned away (aside from the order’s ignorance of the condition)–diet. Many Aspies are allergic to milk, and Carmel uses milk, cheese, and eggs for their main sources of protein.

An order has to have the charism to accept people like us–which is why I’m founding all of our orders based on Salesian spirituality (that of the gentle St. Francis de Sales), and I’ll be having “Individualized Formation Programs,” the idea for which has been taken from the public school’s “Individual Educational Program” (IEP) for those with learning issues.👍

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters
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This is very creative, and I hope it will open some doors for people who have been unable to access Religious life through other avenues.

I still say, though, that certain people with Asperger syndrome do not handle change well, especially sudden change, and in a cloister, there are always little – and not so little – adjustments to be made: more than you would think. The diet thing, of course is a big deal as well.

What you are planning for younger vocations needs to be done – not for learning issues but in general – for older vocations, that is, for people over 50. Religious communities have had a poor record of incorporating these people into monastic life. We need someone like you to assess the particular needs of older vocations and either learn how to train them for existing communities or found communities (perhaps of hermits?) that will be formed around the quirks and the talents and gifts which come along with maturity.
 
Thanks, Mercygate. I was almost afraid I had been a typical Aspie and been far too blunt for charity.

As one discerner told me years ago, I’ll be another Mother Seton–she took everyone else’s rejects. I also said on Phatmass and other venues that I never use anyone’s test results against them, only for them. I always look first at established orders for the person, then ours.

Our Hermanite hermits will be on the Charterhouse configuration (as will all of our eremetical communities, except the recluses, and they will be in monolithic domes). I’m working with my yahoo group co-owner on the project, since she’s had training on how to help people like myself. Individual choir stalls, instead of those that are joined; “blow off steam” rooms; etc. I will be needing neurotypicals to help the Aspies–mainly to keep people from taking advantage of them.

I can relate to the “sudden change” issue. I have “adjustment disorder,” so I’m having to really take that into consideration.

Thanks for responding. I’d like to get to know you better.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
I want to be a Nun too, but I don’t know if that’s what God’s calling me to. For the past 6 years it’s been my dream! but there are some obsticles and I don’t know if the obsticles are God telling me religious life is not for me or if I just need faith. Pray for me!
 
djamu said:
I want to be a nun too, but I am a methodist.
I think I’ll start a methodist nun group type thingy.
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There is a Methodist religious order called the Order of Saint Luke. It is a Third Order so the brothers and sisters of the order live in their own homes (with their families, etc).

saint-luke.org

They have a habit that they wear in community (when they gather). This is an approved religious order within the United Methodist Church but it is ecumenical (members as I recall range from Catholics to Nazarene to UMC).

Note: Not to be confused with the Order of Saint Luke the Physician.
 
Hey Holly,

Our sisters have about 4 hours of prayer a day and then dedicate themselves to sharing the fruits of their prayer with others. If you’re interested, feel free to check out

apostlesofil.org

Have a great day and God bless!
 
djamu said:
I want to be a nun too, but I am a methodist.
I think I’ll start a methodist nun group type thingy.
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There’s an ecumenical Benedictine monastery in Madison, Wisconsin,

Holy Wisdom Monastery

benedictinewomen.org/

They used to be an RC order. They have a lovely monastery, which they own, along with their land, and have a lot of lay support. They give retreats. A Presbyterian minister has joined them; several couples are associates.

Their advantage is they’re ecumenical. It’s hard for Protestant groups to get much traction in monastic life. There are Lutheran monasteries abroad and one small one in the US, St. Augustine’s. There are a number of small Episcopal orders and quite a number in the Anglican Communion.
 
Dale_M said:
You might not have to start your own group. Holy Wisdom Monastery is an ecumenical monastery for women in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. They had been a Roman Catholic monastery in the Order of Saint Benedict, but earlier this year they officially left the Church in order to more equally treat their sisters. They currently have Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian and Presbyterian members and would likely welcome a Methodist sister.
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Sorry, Dale, for duplicating your info.
 
Has anyone heard of the House of Formation? It’s a convent that excepts young women (from junior in high school on up) interested in religious life. The “aspirent” lives with the Sisters and it’s a great way to see if Religious life is for you. If anyone is interested check out the House of formation in La Crosse WI. God bless! Please pray for me.👍
 
Hello, I am nearly 30 and have 2 children. I have felt for years that God was calling me to serve him, even before I had my children. I was always to scared to talk about this to anyone.
Once I had my children I always felt the same but thought I would not be able to do anything about this.
I am not Catholic but am joining the RCIA, which the first meeting is actually tonight.
My feelings are now getting even strongerand I want to be in church everyday. When I am in church I feel so safe and at peace. After I go up for a blessing at communion, I feel a presence with me. It feels like I am surrounded.
I am not sure exactly waht my vocation is yet but I do have strong feelings about becoming a nun.
I have kept all this hidden for a few years until last week when I went to meet my local parish priest and opened up to him. It was so hard top find the way to talk about my feelings and was so nervous before hand. Now I feel so happy to have shared my thoughts. He was very kind and understanding.
I am going to do the RCIA course first to become catholic and then once my faith grows even more I can look into vocations.
It is hard because I just want to be able to serve god now but I know that completing the RCIA first will help me. I have also booked onto a course through a retreat which I go on in October and am looking forward to this.
Although I have not told my Mum about my calling to serve God, she did say to me a couple of weeks ago ’ You are nearly 30 and it is time for your life to begin '. That was nice and I do think that my life is now beginning.
I look forward to what my future holds and if you have any advice I would appreciate this.
Thankyou, God bless Vicky
 
OutinChgoburbs said:
Before I forget, there was also a nice order of OPs (Dominicans) in full habit on Father Mitch Pacwa’s show Wednesday evening. I think they were from Michigan. EWTN should have a list of who was on the program June 22nd.
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Was it by any chance the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist? That is the order I’m hoping to join in August.
puzzleannie said:
that’s great, and we will all be praying for you, but a vocation to consecrated religious life is not a matter of “I want to do it” but a response to God telling you His will for your life. Discerning a vocation involves conforming your will to God’s will in all areas of life. Bear in mind also that there are many contempletives and mystics among lay Catholics who work and serve in apostolates in the world. God is surely calling you to come to know Him more intimately, and RCIA class is a great place to start learning about the Church He gave us to foster our prayer and devotion to Him.
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While that is true and VERY important, it’s also true that God works on attraction and it’s important to remember that God will never call you to something that you don’t want to do. It may seem like you don’t want to do it, but in the end wherever He calls you, you will want it.
Holly3278 said:
Well I am officially Catholic and I still want to be a nun but I don’t know if I can be or not because I have mental health issues.
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Remember that even if that causes some problems if God wants you, and you are open to that, then it will happen no matter what. Also if there are obstacles because of your health issues then you have a lesson to learn through it. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!
 
I feel like you do! I’ve just begun my RCIA and I feel called so strongly to the convent (don’t know which Order yet, that’s a subject of ongoing research) but my heart yearns for it almost as much as I so badly want to be able to receive the Eucharist. I was contemplating talking to my parish priest/deacon but I’m worried that they’ll think I’m just a silly little convert who’s let religion go to her head. I’ve set myself a time span of 5 years to see if this yearning endures. Sound like a good plan?
 
kleine_katerine said:
I feel like you do! I’ve just begun my RCIA and I feel called so strongly to the convent (don’t know which Order yet, that’s a subject of ongoing research) but my heart yearns for it almost as much as I so badly want to be able to receive the Eucharist. I was contemplating talking to my parish priest/deacon but I’m worried that they’ll think I’m just a silly little convert who’s let religion go to her head. I’ve set myself a time span of 5 years to see if this yearning endures. Sound like a good plan?
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Each day I find my feelings to serve getting stronger. I now attend mass during the week aswell as on Sunday. Everytime I go for a blessing I get the most amazing feelings of presence all around me. I just can’t describe it.
I was afraid to speak to my Priest but felt so happy after I had done. I thought too that he would think I was being silly but it was the complete oppisite. He understood. I had my second meeting yesterday which went ok. I am due to see him again in 2 weeks. I had things I wanted to say yesterday but did not know how to say them but I will make sure I do next time.
You should go and speak to your Parish Priest, he will help you. My Parish Priest is very kind and understanding.
Good Luck with what you decide.
God Bless Vicky
 
In order for people to enter religious life, they must have their marriages annulled and their grown children, of age (18 in the US) must be completely self-sufficient. They must not have any dependents or debts. This could include parents or other relatives they have been supporting or caring for.
 
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