If not Religious Life, then What?

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I’m in the middle of applying to a religious order. I feel the pull to become a sister, I’ve never wanted anything more than to be Christ’s spouse. But if for some reason, God doesn’t will it for me to enter, where will I be? I don’t want kids (I get tired of them after a few hours), so getting married is out according to the Church. And being single (non-religious) for the rest of my life scares me so much (is the single life a vocation even?). I would end up the crazy cat lady (I already have 2). It’s hard when you want something so bad. Everything seems to be working out a little TOO well, and I’m worried that the other shoe will drop.
Thanks for letting me vent. My friends wouldn’t really understand.
 
If the religious life doesn’t work out, you can become a consecrated virgin, or join a third order. There is nothing wrong with remaining single for the rest of your life, not everyone is called to religious or married life. God likes variety! 🙂
 
I’m like you. I am discerning religious life and I know I’m going to be a Carmelite Nun (I just don’t know which monastery, yet). If I wasn’t going to be a nun, I would probably be in a secular Carmelite order and single the rest of my life. I don’t want kids, and though marriage is a beautiful Sacrament, I’ve given my heart to Jesus and no one else can top Him. 😉
 
I am a firm believer in if it is God’s will it will happen. Maybe he wants it to be easy for you, you are his true follower, and you are obeying his will and gifts for you. For you it may be easy but for others it may be tough. God bless you in your journey as a nun. I always wanted to be a nun, but I really want children so that is out of the question for me. But an alternate plan could be teaching religious ed to RCIA children/adults, or being the Youth Minister for Teens (dont know how you feel about teens), or you could go around the world evangelizing for Catholics. You could write books, or even create bible studies that incorporate scripture and tradition…
-Sorry if these ideas sound crazy, just thought it would be a couple good ideas for you!
 
Like CarmeliteGirl25, I’m also like you! Not to mention, the whole cat lady thing. I have 3 cats, so I’m at a greater risk for being the cat lady, hahah.

Though, I love kids but I’m unsure about my ability to be a good mom… and I do want to remain solely for the Lord!

I also think that maybe my path to the consecrated life is too easily accomplished. But I always forget that this is only a means to an end, and not an end in itself… and maybe after joining then all the hardships and challenges will tidal wave… I must consider the possibilities, there are several saints who were among the most saintly (St. Gemma Galgani, Blessed Catherine Anne Emerich) yet were unable to become nuns. Also, people like St. Teresa Benedicta (Dr. Edith Stein) waited a long time (10 years?) before she could enter the monastary if I’m not mistaken.

Just have confidence in what God has in store. It’s easier said than done, but that’s pretty much the key to make you happy with whatever will happen in your life.
 
Thank you for all your replies. I hope I didn’t come off as whiny. I already teach religious ed to eighth graders, volunteer as a youth minister for middle school students (it was my mother’s youth service group, I took it over when she passed away last year), sing in the choir, help with young adult ministry activities around our town, in addition to working full-time for a bank. I like it, but it isn’t what I would do if given a choice (except for the choir). That is what happens when you belong a small parish and you are the ONLY single person there. I should just wear a sign that says ask me to help you and I can’t say no (since I have nothing else to do apparently :mad:)!
It is just everything in my life has been hard until I told God “I’m in your hands”. The calling to religious life has been with me a 10 years, and I always pushed it away because I was going to Nashville and make it big! 😉 HA HA HA I’m used to things being difficult and when things work out, I get suspicious.
 
CountrySinger said:
Thank you for all your replies. I hope I didn’t come off as whiny. I already teach religious ed to eighth graders, volunteer as a youth minister for middle school students (it was my mother’s youth service group, I took it over when she passed away last year), sing in the choir, help with young adult ministry activities around our town, in addition to working full-time for a bank. I like it, but it isn’t what I would do if given a choice (except for the choir). That is what happens when you belong a small parish and you are the ONLY single person there. I should just wear a sign that says ask me to help you and I can’t say no (since I have nothing else to do apparently :mad:)!
It is just everything in my life has been hard until I told God “I’m in your hands”. The calling to religious life has been with me a 10 years, and I always pushed it away because I was going to Nashville and make it big! 😉 HA HA HA I’m used to things being difficult and when things work out, I get suspicious.
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Stop by the St Cecilia Dominicans while you’re there. Jesu Caritas retreats are for discerners up to age 35.

There is an emerging charism in the Archdiocese of Chicago that plans to witness to Christ through the arts. There is no age limit, and physical disabilites are not an impediment.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Colonel Sanders heard 1009 no’s before he got his first yes to franchise his fried chicken recipe. Sylvester Stalone heard hundreds of no’s before making it big with Rocky. You may hear some no’s, but if you keep at it, you’ll hear your yes…

Also, I know it’s easy to be suspicious when things go well, but shouldn’t we just trust that our Father loves us and loves giving us good things. If we ask for a fish, why should he give us a serpent?
 
CountrySinger said:
I’m in the middle of applying to a religious order. I feel the pull to become a sister, I’ve never wanted anything more than to be Christ’s spouse. But if for some reason, God doesn’t will it for me to enter, where will I be? I don’t want kids (I get tired of them after a few hours), so getting married is out according to the Church. And being single (non-religious) for the rest of my life scares me so much (is the single life a vocation even?). I would end up the crazy cat lady (I already have 2). It’s hard when you want something so bad. Everything seems to be working out a little TOO well, and I’m worried that the other shoe will drop.
Thanks for letting me vent. My friends wouldn’t really understand.
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Be patient already! Besides, patience is a virtue…Do you want to be a nun or do you just wish to pray? Nuns are called on to teach also. So to think that you would never be asked to involve yourself with children is something you will have to find out from a priest or another nun. I know that in order to be a nun you must be open to doing whatever it is that the Abbey or monastary has in mind for you. If they tell you to minister to the sick, you minister to the sick, if they tell you to pray in seclusion you pray in seclusion, if they want you to teach children in a school you will teach children in a school. It is not about being with people who pray all the time. It is about providing a service for others with Gods help
I hope that you aren’t running to a monastary or abbey to find a hiding place or a place that will take you in to provide for you. This is not what religious orders are. They are places of employment that the church has set up so that those who wish to involve themselves in the service of others go to be ordained[priests], or have their vows consecrated [nuns] in the eyes of God.
God will provide for you, make sure you can provide for yourself, money, a place to sleep, food to eat, etc. before you decide to go full force ahead and be a nun.Know what will be expected of you first.
:blessyou:
 
Thank you for all your replies. The monastery I’m applying has their sisters doing all sorts of things. They have a homeless shelter that they run that caters to families, and teaches the adults skills they need and help the children. I fell in love with it when I stayed at the monastery recently. 🙂 It felt like home, but also a place where I can grow. I know the life will be full of challenges, but also great joys.
I’m not trying to hide anywhere, there are a lot of better places than a convent, in my opinion.
 
CountrySinger said:
Thank you for all your replies. The monastery I’m applying has their sisters doing all sorts of things. They have a homeless shelter that they run that caters to families, and teaches the adults skills they need and help the children. I fell in love with it when I stayed at the monastery recently. 🙂 It felt like home, but also a place where I can grow. I know the life will be full of challenges, but also great joys.
I’m not trying to hide anywhere, there are a lot of better places than a convent, in my opinion.
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Can I ask which monastery?
 
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