Is staying in a convent to work a "thing"?

[Striving_Catholic]

Hi there,

I was wondering if people ever go to live in a convent for a period of time to live as the religious do. I know all about “Come and See” events, but do people actually live in convents to see if religious life is for them for, I don’t know, a month or two? Perhaps these people would just pray with the Sisters and then do housework for them or something. I ask this mostly out of curiosity, which was sparked when I read about a Saint who grew up in a convent because her parents died, and the only one able to take care of her was a nun.

 

[edward_george1]

This would vary from place to place, depending upon the order, whether they were cloistered, and really what the superior and community would be willing to allow. Sometimes people do stay on at convents as long-term guests, but really what you’re talking about sounds almost like religious postulancy. This is the first step toward becoming a religious, or at least the first step in the discernment process. The postulant takes no vows, does not wear the habit, and lives in the community as sort of an observer for a period of a few months usually. I’m not sure if the application process has to precede this or not, though @Cloisters would be better informed than I on that.

At the end of postulancy, which in many communities lasts a minimum of about six months, the person may either leave (they’re free to go at any time, really) or else be admitted to the novitiate, which is the actual beginning of formation and usually lasts about a year.

Again, this is all a pretty general sketch of what goes on, since mileage may vary.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Cloisters]

There is such a thing as volunteering at a convent or monastery. Living arrangements would vary according to the house itself.

You’d have to ask the community themselves if they permit live-in volunteers. Cloistered orders would likely say no. Active communities or monasteries like the Benedictines may have this, and I’ve seen such advertised. It may have been Benedictine sisters.

If you’re really wanting to see what happens inside a cloister, then request a silent retreat at a Visitation monastery.

HTH.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/

 

[awesomecatholic]

For most orders, if you think about applying and are really serious about the community,they might have you do a live-in.

 

[nunsense]

Live-in visits are quite common amongst Carmelites who follow the 1991 Constitutions. They usually request a short visit first, a weekend or so, staying in the extern or guest quarters, but then will often allow a three month live-in visit after that within the cloistered area of the monastery.

Those who follow the 1990 Constitution are a bit stricter about coming into the cloister so usually request that you just start your postulancy and then you and the community make the decision together as to whether you are to stay or not after that.

Some Benedictine communities allow for live-in visits, but usually have you stay in guest quarters instead of living with the sisters.

Every community is different, depending upon whether they are active or cloistered, and what their charism or work is. I have done many live-in visits with Carmelites and Benedictines and every community has had different approaches to this, so contact the community directly and see what they say.

Just a note that might prove helpful: visiting a convent as a guest is very different from actually being a postulant or novice in that same community. There are different rules for guests than for those who are testing their vocation, and different expectations as well. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a try - it is, but it’s something to bear in mind. A visit won’t be exactly like religious life, but it will give you more information about the community you visit and about yourself.

PS If you like farm work, the nuns on Shaw Island have a land intern program there.The interns didn’t live with the nuns, but in a guest house, but they did interact with the nuns a lot and also attended the LOH in their chapel. That was kind of like ‘working in a convent’. Their website explains more
https://olrmonastery.org/

I think Regina Laudis may do something like that too.
https://abbeyofreginalaudis.org/

 

[nunsense]

Check out this internship at Regina Laudis.

https://abbeyofreginalaudis.org/visit-internship.html

 

[Fets]

I don’t have any specific links or resources, but I myself, as a man, worked at a Benedictine Abbey for some time. They would occasionally have lay men there, we would help out on the farm and on the grounds. We weren’t postulants or novices, but we had the opportunity to live closely to the monks. We lived their life about as closely as you can without joining officially.

I just met a woman who helps take care of a cloistered Carmelite monastery. She lives in a house outside. These situations are not often advertised, becuase there’s not a lot of people doing it. But most abbeys, monasteries, and convents will have lay people who work for them. And some of them in capacities where they’re quite close to the monks or nuns. So, if you have you’re eye on a place, then call or email them and ask them this. The answer is likely going to be yes, especially if you’re discerning a vocation.

I knew a monk who lived as a lay person in this situation for about 6 months before his postulancy began.

 

[angell1]

it depends on the order, I have had frineds who applied and then started postulancy or others orders who do let you have a discernment period beforeyou apply

 

[JHFamily]

This used to be more common, and I don’t honestly know of any that would let you stay without the intention of discerning their community to enter. However, when my daughter expressed the desire to do this for a few months, feeling full well that she is called to be married, yet wanting to develop a deep prayer life before doing so, our parish priest suggested that she contact some Benedictine communities because it would be in keeping with their life. She’s not at this point yet, so we don’t have any experience as to whether any would actually be open to this idea.

 

[HeDa]

It is more common for convents that have guest houses to have people come in and help with gardening, cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. Many times it is young adults who haven’t figured out if they are called to married life, religious life or the priesthood. Some are in between studies and work or come during school holidays. It is an excellent way of developing a prayer life as the work will be for some hours/day.

There are some Catholic organisation that have work experience places for young adults in convents, parish work etc.

 

[_ServusDomini]

Oh, yes, some of them at least certainly do! At least, a certain cloistered community I know of has a guest house where visitors can stay and experience the daily life of the sisters. I think that it’s mainly used by young women in the process of discernment.

 

[TomH1]

Yes, this is possible. You would need to look for a religious community that does this. Some may allow you to stay for a month and others for up to a year. Different communities have different names for this such as ‘alongsider’ or ‘intern’.

AFAIK you would not be paid even though you do the same work at the community. Of course, they provide you with bed and board. You would probably have to pay for your own personal things like toiletries. Although it wouldn’t apply here in the UK, but in some countries, e.g. the USA, you’d probably have to pay your own medical insurance whilst staying with the community.

Of the ones I have read about there is no expectation from the community that you would go on to apply to become a member of the community. Of course, they would be very happy if it did produce a vocation in you. Equally, having done one of these programmes there must be no expectation on your part that an application to be received into the community would be affirmative.

These are very suitable for young people. Perhaps it’s something to consider after university. It wouldn’t be easy at my age. First, of all I’m beyond the age most communities would accept so there’d be no point in my doing it from a vocational aspect. Then there’s my wife to consider. I’m not too sure she’d be happy if I went off to a monastery for a year. Perhaps she would. Perhaps I ought not to ask her as I might not like the answer. I doubt my children would be too bothered as long as the bank of dad stayed open. I do know for certain that my employer would not give me a year off work. It may also be suitable for someone who has had a major upheaval in their life and for them it could be very therapeutic.