Lay Religious Vs. Nun (outside of convent)

[AveSantaMaria]

What is the difference between being a person such as St. Catherine of Sienna, a single Dominican tertiary, and St. Therese of Liseux, a Carmelite nun? Now that nuns can leave their convents and live on their own, separate from a parish or convent, is there a real difference at all between a single lay religious and an unconvented nun?

Thoughts
Is it the fact that the ideal nun lives in a convent or diocese and so the nun who has left a convent is non-ideal, in some sense the nun who leaves the convent or diocese? Just like a Priest who leaves his Priesthood and gets married is not ever returned to what he was before. He is still one who has been sacredly ordained, the sacred state is not lost, but the clerical state is lost. Yet, Mother Teresa fit into this categorization so it can hardly be a non-ideal state.

Is it the difference in training and preparation? A lay religious and a nun are trained differently, so they have a different way of looking at Catholicism and the world?

Is there a difference in vows?

Is there no difference at all?

Thank you for your kindness in reading this message.

 

[Cloisters]

What is the difference between being a person such as St. Catherine of Sienna, a single Dominican tertiary, and St. Therese of Liseux, a Carmelite nun? Now that nuns can leave their convents and live on their own, separate from a parish or convent, is there a real difference at all between a single lay religious and an unconvented nun?

Thoughts
Is it the fact that the ideal nun lives in a convent or diocese and so the nun who has left a convent is non-ideal, in some sense the nun who leaves the convent or diocese? Just like a Priest who leaves his Priesthood and gets married is not ever returned to what he was before. He is still one who has been sacredly ordained, the sacred state is not lost, but the clerical state is lost. Yet, Mother Teresa fit into this categorization so it can hardly be a non-ideal state.

Is it the difference in training and preparation? A lay religious and a nun are trained differently, so they have a different way of looking at Catholicism and the world?

Is there a difference in vows?

Is there no difference at all?

Thank you for your kindness in reading this message.

Yes, there are differences.

St. Catharine of Siena was a Lay Dominican–just like the Dominican laity of today. Back then, though, third orders were permitted to wear a habit of sorts–the mantle, and they were called the Mantellata. Third Orders go through their own kind of formation process, then make promises.

St. Therese was a Discalced Carmelite nun who lived in a cloister. When she made profession, she made solemn vows. If she had wanted to leave the cloister (exclaustration), and then return, she would have been given the black veil when she put the habit back on. She would not have been made to go through the novitiate (training) again.

The “nuns” out in the world are actually referred to as religious sisters, and take simple vows.

Canon law requires one year of novitiate training. Some vocational brochures will refer to the first novice year as the ‘canonical year.’ Everything else in the formation program is set out in their constitutions. So, theoretically speaking, those coming into the organization could receive a year’s training, and that would be it. However, experience has shown that that could be disastrous for the souls of those involved.

In truth, the only difference between a single woman of today, and a religious sister not wearing the habit and living in her own apartment are the vows and the bond to a religious organization, and the title “Sister” if she wants to be known as such. A lot of them don’t.

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[AveSantaMaria]

Thanks Cloisters

Why might God call one to be a tertiary versus a nun? Why do you think that God called St. Catherine of Siena to be a Dominican tertiary instead of a Dominican nun? For the majority, I would guess that it is so that they can also bear children (as tertiaries), but for someone like St. Catherine of Siena who never married… why was she called to be a nun versus a tertiary?

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Thanks Cloisters

Why might God call one to be a tertiary versus a nun? Why do you think that God called St. Catherine of Siena to be a Dominican tertiary instead of a Dominican nun? For the majority, I would guess that it is so that they can also bear children (as tertiaries), but for someone like St. Catherine of Siena who never married… why was she called to be a nun versus a tertiary?

My guess is that the Dominican nuns of the time where cloistered. It seems that St. Catherine of Siena (one of my most favorite saints, by the way) was called to live the Gospels outside in the world as a nurse. Being a Dominican tertiary gave her that freedom. It echos the active/contemplative Dominicans today.

 

[AveSantaMaria]

My guess is that the Dominican nuns of the time where cloistered. It seems that St. Catherine of Siena (one of my most favorite saints, by the way) was called to live the Gospels outside in the world as a nurse. Being a Dominican tertiary gave her that freedom. It echos the active/contemplative Dominicans today.

Thank you for your response.

She was a NURSE!

So perhaps it is most likely the time difference between Mother Teresa and St. Catherine of Siena that made one into a Dominican tertiary and one a nun who left her convent. Or perhaps it is simply the fact that Mother Teresa received her calling while in the convent while St. Catherine of Siena received her calling prior to entering!

Why do you think that God gave Mother Teresa her calling after her entering? Perhaps to add suffering, persecution, and a cross to her trials in order to make them more glorious? She was convinced at 12 that she was meant to be a religious. Perhaps her path was simply a very unusual one. Most people, who aren’t definitively sure of what God is calling them to do, ought to wait several years before deciding to see the clarity of God’s plans for their lives (of course she did wait 6 years until age of 18). Or perhaps her story was like Abraham and Issac. Given that joining a convent is intended to be a life-long commitment, God wanted Mother Teresa to join the convent for him but he truly always had another plan for her life.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Thank you for your response.

She was a NURSE!

So perhaps it is most likely the time difference between Mother Teresa and St. Catherine of Siena that made one into a Dominican tertiary and one a nun who left her convent. Or perhaps it is simply the fact that Mother Teresa received her calling while in the convent while St. Catherine of Siena received her calling prior to entering!

Why do you think that God gave Mother Teresa her calling after her entering? Perhaps to add suffering, persecution, and a cross to her trials in order to make them more glorious? She was convinced at 12 that she was meant to be a religious. Perhaps her path was simply a very unusual one. Most people, who aren’t definitively sure of what God is calling them to do, ought to wait several years before deciding to see the clarity of God’s plans for their lives (of course she did wait 6 years until age of 18). Or perhaps her story was like Abraham and Issac. Given that joining a convent is intended to be a life-long commitment, God wanted Mother Teresa to join the convent for him but he truly always had another plan for her life.

Yep, St. Catherine was a nurse! The reason I know for sure is that I am a nursing assistant and the Sisters I am applying to may want me to become a nurse. I was noticing how St. Catherine has played a crucial part in my life thus far and how her name pops up everywhere. (Even here, it’s strange because St. Catherine and St. Therese are who I love the most). I noticed that she was a nurse during the Black Plague. And she is the patron saint of nurses.

As for Mother Teresa, I don’t have much to add about what you wrote about her. I just have never really been a big fan of her. I don’t know why. I am a supporter of her canonization and all, but I’ve never felt close to her or anything.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

In fact, referring to St. Catherine and St. Therese, the religious name I am going to take when I enter Carmel (God-willing), will be:

Sr. M. Catherine Therese of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(M. for Mary)

 

[Ocarm]

As for Mother Teresa, I don’t have much to add about what you wrote about her. I just have never really been a big fan of her. I don’t know why. I am a supporter of her canonization and all, but I’ve never felt close to her or anything.

In fact, referring to St. Catherine and St. Therese, the religious name I am going to take when I enter Carmel (God-willing), will be:

Sr. M. Catherine Therese of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(M. for Mary)

Well, perhaps you should feel close to her!

After all, Mother Teresa did take her religious name from St Therese, as you hope to. (Therese simply being the French form of Teresa, of course). She alluded to this more than once and its recorded in several of the books collecting her sayings.

As a Carmelite I rather like this link to Mother’s own unique spirituality.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Well, perhaps you should feel close to her!

After all, Mother Teresa did take her religious name from St Therese, as you hope to. (Therese simply being the French form of Teresa, of course). She alluded to this more than once and its recorded in several of the books collecting her sayings.

As a Carmelite I rather like this link to Mother’s own unique spirituality.

What’s so interesting to me is that we both have the same personality (ISFJ). I am trying to really like her because she did such wonderful things. It’s a cross, and I’m confused as to why I don’t appreciate her more, but I do love her as my spiritual sister in Christ.

 

[Sister_Helena]

What is the difference between being a person such as St. Catherine of Sienna, a single Dominican tertiary, and St. Therese of Liseux, a Carmelite nun? Now that nuns can leave their convents and live on their own, separate from a parish or convent, is there a real difference at all between a single lay religious and an unconvented nun?

Thoughts
Is it the fact that the ideal nun lives in a convent or diocese and so the nun who has left a convent is non-ideal, in some sense the nun who leaves the convent or diocese? Just like a Priest who leaves his Priesthood and gets married is not ever returned to what he was before. He is still one who has been sacredly ordained, the sacred state is not lost, but the clerical state is lost. Yet, Mother Teresa fit into this categorization so it can hardly be a non-ideal state.

Is it the difference in training and preparation? A lay religious and a nun are trained differently, so they have a different way of looking at Catholicism and the world?

Is there a difference in vows?

Is there no difference at all?

Thank you for your kindness in reading this message.

It is accurate to say that all Nuns are Sisters, but Sisters are not Nuns, because of the difference in the type of vows they make. Nuns take solemn vows which means they cannot own anything, even what we call “patrimony” or an inheritance. They also are bound to their **monasteries **because they are bound by what we call “Papal enclosure.”

“Sisters” take simple vows. The name does not imply the vows are simple. It means they cannot own anything personally but are allowed to have patrimony or inheritance PROVIDED they do not administer this and find somebody else who will run and manage the inheritance in their name. They may or may not live in Community. For those who choose to live in Community, they live in** convents.**

A vocation to be a 'tertiary" or lay-religious and vocation to be a Sister or Nun are different because the goal of the vocation is different. A Secular Third Order do not make vows, they make promises. So if they promise poverty, it will be poverty according to their state in life (they can have money and spend it the way they want.), if they promise chastity, they can still marry. Their obedience is not specific to a Superior of a Congregation. They can wear their order’s habit.

The difference between the “lay-religious” and a Nun/Sister is in the laws which govern them. The Church is very specific about these laws. The lifestyle is different.

God chooses our vocation for a reason. He knows what is best for us. All we do is to respond to the call.

 

[AveSantaMaria]

It is accurate to say that all Nuns are Sisters, but Sisters are not Nuns, because of the difference in the type of vows they make. Nuns take solemn vows which means they cannot own anything, even what we call “patrimony” or an inheritance. They also are bound to their **monasteries **because they are bound by what we call “Papal enclosure.”

“Sisters” take simple vows. The name does not imply the vows are simple. It means they cannot own anything personally but are allowed to have patrimony or inheritance PROVIDED they do not administer this and find somebody else who will run and manage the inheritance in their name. They may or may not live in Community. For those who choose to live in Community, they live in** convents.**

A vocation to be a 'tertiary" or lay-religious and vocation to be a Sister or Nun are different because the goal of the vocation is different. A Secular Third Order do not make vows, they make promises. So if they promise poverty, it will be poverty according to their state in life (they can have money and spend it the way they want.), if they promise chastity, they can still marry. Their obedience is not specific to a Superior of a Congregation. They can wear their order’s habit.

The difference between the “lay-religious” and a Nun/Sister is in the laws which govern them. The Church is very specific about these laws. The lifestyle is different.

God chooses our vocation for a reason. He knows what is best for us. All we do is to respond to the call.

Ahh, thanks. Very very helpful.

How do I find out more about the difference between a promise, and a vow, and the specifics of church laws? And also how God looks at all of these laws, promises, and vows?

 

[Sister_Helena]

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/rc_con_ccscrlife_doc_31051983_magisterium-on-religious-life_en.html

You maybe interested to read the Code of Canon Law pertaining to Religious Life.

 

[AveSantaMaria]

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/rc_con_ccscrlife_doc_31051983_magisterium-on-religious-life_en.html

You maybe interested to read the Code of Canon Law pertaining to Religious Life.

Thank you for your kindness in answering my questions. To all who may be curious, it may be interesting to know that Mother Teresa was also a nurse in addition to a teacher. It seems that all nuns receive training in teaching and nursing as well. I hope to read the document linked above: Magisterium on Religious Life 1983 as soon as possible as well as Rite Expiatis papalencyclicals.net/Pius11/P11RITEX.HTM on St. Francis of Assisi and Code of Canon Law vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM. However, it seems the Code of Canon Law has information for nuns, priests, and monks but not lay religious? I hope that I have not accidentally skipped over or missed the information on lay religious and that is not why I do not see it!

I think that it is very important to fully and truly understand what one is commiting to and to think about it over a long period of time before making a commitment in order to abide by that commitmet over the long-run so I an very appreciative and grateful for further knowledge about these sorts of things.

 

[JReducation]

It is important to understand that if you enter a Secular Order, that they are different too. Not only is the charism different, but their relationship to the religious family is different.

I can best describe the Franciscans, but Sister may be able to describe the Carmelites. The Secular Franciscans are a true religious order with their own rule, constitutions, government, mission, community, profession of vows and prayer life.

Though they belong to the Franciscan family, they actually have superiors of their own to whom they owe obedience. These superiors actually exercise their authority over the fraternities at the local, regional and international levels. The superiors are considered canonical successors of St. Francis, because he actually founded the order. It is the oldest secular order in the Church.

The Secular Franciscans do not come under the jurisdiction of the Friars or of the Poor Clare nuns. However, in the rule of the friars there is a command from Francis that they are to serve as the spiritual assistants to the Secular Franciscans and the Poor Clares, if requested. They cannot turn them down. The same command is in the rule of the Poor Clares. They must serve as spiritual directors to the friars and the Secular Franciscans, if requested. This was Francis way of keeping the family united.

The Secular Franciscans have a Superior General, just like the friars and any other religious institute. The Superior General of the Secular Franciscans belongs to the Council of Franciscan General Ministers that coordinates the life of the entire Franciscan family.

In addition, the Secular Franciscans may have money, but may only use it for their family’s needs. The Rule and Constitution limits their use of money for personal use to what is considered basic needs of health, education and welfare. They are bound to live a materially simple life. Chastity is practiced by all, married and single.

In addition, the Secular Franciscans cannot establish themselves in a diocese without the permission of the local bishop. In other words, they cannot set up a fraternity where ever. The Regional Superior must get the approval of the local bishop and then submit the decision to the General Superior in Rome. An individual Secular Franciscan can move into a diocese, but may not function publicly as a Secular Franciscan unless the above permission has been taken care of.

Finally, like the other Franciscan Orders, the Constitutions of the Secular Franciscans can only be modified with the consent of the Holy See. The last time that they were modified, it took five editions and 10 years before the Holy See would approve them. Pope John Paul II and the Sacred Congregation kept sending them back to the committee and the committee had to keep going back to the General Chapter.

Every Secular Order is different in their internal structure, not just their charism. Before you make a permanent commitment you must make sure that you understand what you’re in for.

However, there is no risk in entering a formation program of any of the existing secular orders. There is no commitment until several years later. It takes three to five years of formation to make perpetual profession as a Secular Franciscan. I believe it may be the same for the OCDS.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[AveSantaMaria]

It is important to understand that if you enter a Secular Order, that they are different too. Not only is the charism different, but their relationship to the religious family is different.

I can best describe the Franciscans, but Sister may be able to describe the Carmelites. The Secular Franciscans are a true religious order with their own rule, constitutions, government, mission, community, profession of vows and prayer life.

Though they belong to the Franciscan family, they actually have superiors of their own to whom they owe obedience. These superiors actually exercise their authority over the fraternities at the local, regional and international levels. The superiors are considered canonical successors of St. Francis, because he actually founded the order. It is the oldest secular order in the Church.

The Secular Franciscans do not come under the jurisdiction of the Friars or of the Poor Clare nuns. However, in the rule of the friars there is a command from Francis that they are to serve as the spiritual assistants to the Secular Franciscans and the Poor Clares, if requested. They cannot turn them down. The same command is in the rule of the Poor Clares. They must serve as spiritual directors to the friars and the Secular Franciscans, if requested. This was Francis way of keeping the family united.

The Secular Franciscans have a Superior General, just like the friars and any other religious institute. The Superior General of the Secular Franciscans belongs to the Council of Franciscan General Ministers that coordinates the life of the entire Franciscan family.

In addition, the Secular Franciscans may have money, but may only use it for their family’s needs. The Rule and Constitution limits their use of money for personal use to what is considered basic needs of health, education and welfare. They are bound to live a materially simple life. Chastity is practiced by all, married and single.

In addition, the Secular Franciscans cannot establish themselves in a diocese without the permission of the local bishop. In other words, they cannot set up a fraternity where ever. The Regional Superior must get the approval of the local bishop and then submit the decision to the General Superior in Rome. An individual Secular Franciscan can move into a diocese, but may not function publicly as a Secular Franciscan unless the above permission has been taken care of.

Finally, like the other Franciscan Orders, the Constitutions of the Secular Franciscans can only be modified with the consent of the Holy See. The last time that they were modified, it took five editions and 10 years before the Holy See would approve them. Pope John Paul II and the Sacred Congregation kept sending them back to the committee and the committee had to keep going back to the General Chapter.

Every Secular Order is different in their internal structure, not just their charism. Before you make a permanent commitment you must make sure that you understand what you’re in for.

However, there is no risk in entering a formation program of any of the existing secular orders. There is no commitment until several years later. It takes three to five years of formation to make perpetual profession as a Secular Franciscan. I believe it may be the same for the OCDS.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thanks for all of this information! I hope to read the Magisterium on Religious Life before getting back to you in order to make an informed reply, but some of the points that you raise are highly educational and informative to me - particularly, the points that - relation to religious family is different between orders, the Rule and Constitution can be greatly different and in this case the Rule to limit money for personal use to health, education, and welfare as well as the call to live a materially simple life are unique, and that diocesean and Secular Franciscan relationships are complex - particularly the note that a Secular Franciscan cannot function ‘publicly’ without the above permission. I never knew there was a concept of functioning ‘publicly’ and would love to know more details about what functioning ‘publicly’ means.

 

[aspiringnun]

[As an older woman of 50 I have been looking into the possibility of following a more authentic life, a devoted life. I have a family who are now grown and am a widow but it seems that many convents are looking for very young women as postulants. I think this is a shame because it seems to me to be a natural progression that as ones rssponsibilities diminish ones heart turns to God. I was very heartened to read this thread, that there is a possibility of allying with an Order and yet still living in the community but do not know where to inquire about this possibility.
I wonder which Orders find this an acceptable facet of their religious community as I would genuinely like to try and persue this. I am in very good health and not looking for a cut price care facility in my dotage, I am hoping to spend this part of my life in a meaningful way before age and infirmity take their toll and am quite happy to make my own housing arrangements and contribute what is required or what I am able to offer to an Order to help meet the community’s needs but do not know where to start.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I am in the UK.

 

[JReducation]

[As an older woman of 50 I have been looking into the possibility of following a more authentic life, a devoted life. I have a family who are now grown and am a widow but it seems that many convents are looking for very young women as postulants. I think this is a shame because it seems to me to be a natural progression that as ones rssponsibilities diminish ones heart turns to God. I was very heartened to read this thread, that there is a possibility of allying with an Order and yet still living in the community but do not know where to inquire about this possibility.
I wonder which Orders find this an acceptable facet of their religious community as I would genuinely like to try and persue this. I am in very good health and not looking for a cut price care facility in my dotage, I am hoping to spend this part of my life in a meaningful way before age and infirmity take their toll and am quite happy to make my own housing arrangements and contribute what is required or what I am able to offer to an Order to help meet the community’s needs but do not know where to start.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I am in the UK.

Hi:

I read in your profile that you are an aspiring Catholic. Would it be correct to assume that you have not yet been received into the Catholic Church?

If this is the case, you will have to be received into the Church before you can join an order, either regular or secular. Members of order make a solemn commitment to be faithful Catholic, in full communion with the Church and obedient to the Magisterium and the Holy Father.

Once a person has been received into the Church, most religioius orders require that the person wait at least two years before they join. This may be different in the UK. This is the general policy in the USA. The religious orders and the espiscopal conferences make their own rules on this matter.

In the meantime, a person can be associated with an order or a congregation. There are some communities that have an associate program and communities allow people to become affiliates until the are elegible to become candidates.

If you are interested in a secular order, the big three in the UK are the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO), Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular (OCDS) and the Lay Dominicans (OP).

If I knew what part of the UK you lived in I could give you a few contacts with UK Secular Franciscans. This is the address for the national office of Secular Franciscans in the UK. You may want to contact them and find out if there is a fraternity in your area. They will be happy to give you the name and other necessary information to contact them.

National Council
Leon Davison, SFO
San Damiano
22 Upcroft Avenue
Edgware
Middlesex, HA8 9RB

E-mail:leondavison@sky.com
leon@leondavison.co.uk
leondavison@dsl.pipex.com
Tel.: +44-208 959 9321

I hope this helps.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sesame]

I don’t know if this is possible in the UK, but here in the US some Benedictine monasteries accept non-Catholic Christians as oblates. It’s worth a try. God bless!

 

[MadMaxi]

I too am older, 46, and would dearly love to become a member of a religious order. Unlike the previous lady in the UK, I am a Catholic who returned in earnest almost 3 years ago. I feel God is calling me but have also found the majority of orders will not take older women, It is a shame but I can understand it from a finacial standpoint, if not from a religious one. I never married or had any children and felt that God had plans for me my whole life but I was the one who failed Him until He decided to uncover the veil from my foolishness. When I was woken up by God’s baseball bat between the eyes I have felt a calling that has not faded in almost 3 years but has grown even stronger. All this despite the fact I tried to tell myself “it is only because I have come back and felt God’s love,make yourself wait a couple years”, or “maybe it is what I want and I am not descerning well so I will just focus harder on my prayer and devotion” or “they must know more then I about why they don’t prefer older women.” LOL, all the wild conversations that travel through the mind and heart, while trying not to feel that aching desire and sadness at again possibly missing the bus.

I have been in touch with a few wonderful orders that do consider older women in the US. Benedictine Orders for the most part. Still it would be wonderful if more Orders opened up and allowed people who are called in their middle aged years. We live longer, healthier and our age has been a difficult one especially growing up in the 60s and 70s, so many of us were too easily lead astray by this world. This is an age where the people have lived in the world, learned from their own mistakes or witness others’ falling and come back to God like the prodigal son eager and sometimes more fervant then those who are young when entering religious life. The soul is not bound by chronological years I would think. But then again, maybe they wish to not have people within the orders that have walked through the muck literally and figuratively thinking we are too old to change or too old to contribute or too stained by our sins? I sometimes think of the wisdom that is lost by this age requirement leaving so many good, striving women to live unknown and to pass without sharing their insights with the others.

Secular Orders are great if they are in your area, but I think it still is not the same as sharing a house with like minded individuals with one common goal speaking a common language and supporting one another in all things. For married people especially the secular orders are fantastic, or single people who have thriving professions that they are called to serve. But the invisible ones without children, spouse, jobs but no profession it be nice for some doors to be opened for them a bit wider.

Like I said I can understand the age limit, but at the same time I cannot. Oh well, if God really wants me, I figure He will somehow make it happen by lining up the path to intersect somehow, somewhere. Until then I’ll just try to not think about the “I wants” burning in my heart and to focus on the “What God wants” that may be placed in front of me. Still a woman, even at 46, can hope and keep on trusting in Jesus.

 

[JReducation]

I too am older, 46, and would dearly love to become a member of a religious order. Unlike the previous lady in the UK, I am a Catholic who returned in earnest almost 3 years ago. I feel God is calling me but have also found the majority of orders will not take older women, It is a shame but I can understand it from a finacial standpoint, if not from a religious one. I never married or had any children and felt that God had plans for me my whole life but I was the one who failed Him until He decided to uncover the veil from my foolishness. When I was woken up by God’s baseball bat between the eyes I have felt a calling that has not faded in almost 3 years but has grown even stronger. All this despite the fact I tried to tell myself “it is only because I have come back and felt God’s love,make yourself wait a couple years”, or “maybe it is what I want and I am not descerning well so I will just focus harder on my prayer and devotion” or “they must know more then I about why they don’t prefer older women.” LOL, all the wild conversations that travel through the mind and heart, while trying not to feel that aching desire and sadness at again possibly missing the bus.

I have been in touch with a few wonderful orders that do consider older women in the US. Benedictine Orders for the most part. Still it would be wonderful if more Orders opened up and allowed people who are called in their middle aged years. We live longer, healthier and our age has been a difficult one especially growing up in the 60s and 70s, so many of us were too easily lead astray by this world. This is an age where the people have lived in the world, learned from their own mistakes or witness others’ falling and come back to God like the prodigal son eager and sometimes more fervant then those who are young when entering religious life. The soul is not bound by chronological years I would think. But then again, maybe they wish to not have people within the orders that have walked through the muck literally and figuratively thinking we are too old to change or too old to contribute or too stained by our sins? I sometimes think of the wisdom that is lost by this age requirement leaving so many good, striving women to live unknown and to pass without sharing their insights with the others.

Secular Orders are great if they are in your area, but I think it still is not the same as sharing a house with like minded individuals with one common goal speaking a common language and supporting one another in all things. For married people especially the secular orders are fantastic, or single people who have thriving professions that they are called to serve. But the invisible ones without children, spouse, jobs but no profession it be nice for some doors to be opened for them a bit wider.

Like I said I can understand the age limit, but at the same time I cannot. Oh well, if God really wants me, I figure He will somehow make it happen by lining up the path to intersect somehow, somewhere. Until then I’ll just try to not think about the “I wants” burning in my heart and to focus on the “What God wants” that may be placed in front of me. Still a woman, even at 46, can hope and keep on trusting in Jesus.

Some religious communities have limits on age for two practical reasons.

1. Their formation programs are very long, usually up to six years. The concern is that older people are not always as flexible or are in a rush to get things through.
2. Other communities have a large number of older sisters and really need younger sisters who can take up where the older sisters leave off. Sometimes an older person, will be too old by the time she finishes her formation, especially if the formation includes getting a degree, which for sisters is usually a Master’s.

However, there are religious communities that do not require higher level academic degrees and they have shorter formation periods. The cloistered orders usually have more flexibility. If you’re looking for an active community that does not require a higher degree, if you don’t already have one, you may want to explore the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal.

Also, many members of Secular Orders do live in community houses. They are called cells. You can check to see if there is one where you would like to live and work. There are also secular institutes that live the consecrated life in community, but retain their secular status. They are active in their careers and in the secular world, but live in community, such as Opus Dei.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

PS I have a project for such a community for men and women. If interested, PM me. It’s a Franciscan pro-life project.