Need advice on vocation as a monk

[John_Russell_Jr]

My dear friends

I’m sure I have a vocation as a monk but know very little about monks. I’m a 42 y.o. male with good enough health. I’ll have no trouble living as a monk. I’m paying off debt which may take a year or two, and trying to avoid bankruptcy. I’m tired of the world and have known of this vocation since early this year. I know next to nothing about monks though. I have no university degree, is this needed absolutely?

Can people who know all about monks fill me right in please ? I’m off to Mass now but will check here regularly.

God bless all:thumbsup:

John

 

[Spiritu]

Hi John,

Like you, I was interested in the religious life before I knew much about it, so I can see where you’re coming from. Here are some links to give you a picture of what’s out there, so that you can focus your search a bit:

Quick look at the religious life for men:
catholicvocation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&catid=89&Itemid=191

The Sydney vocations website would also be a good place to look:
vocationcentre.org.au/ (Their Links page is pretty good).

Here are some links for Australian communities of monks:
benedictine.org.au/
cistercian.org.au/

and friars (BrotherJR will be very disappointed with me if I fail to distinguish between monks and friars)
carmelite.com/friars/default.cfm?loadref=10
op.org.au/index.html
norbertines.org.au/
franciscans.org.au/

And a more general page to scroll through:
catholicvocation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&catid=89&Itemid=191

Here are two links to discernment pages that you might find interesting. They’re on websites for women’s Orders (I’m hoping to become a Sister, so that’s what I’m looking at), but the information on discerning isn’t limited to women:
adorationsisters.org/called.html
parishvisitorsisters.org/ (Go to Contact Us and Links, then “How do I know if I’m being called?” under Related Links.)

I hope this is helpful!

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Hi John,

Like you, I was interested in the religious life before I knew much about it, so I can see where you’re coming from. Here are some links to give you a picture of what’s out there, so that you can focus your search a bit:

Quick look at the religious life for men:
catholicvocation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&catid=89&Itemid=191

The Sydney vocations website would also be a good place to look:
vocationcentre.org.au/ (Their Links page is pretty good).

Here are some links for Australian communities of monks:
benedictine.org.au/
cistercian.org.au/

and friars (BrotherJR will be very disappointed with me if I fail to distinguish between monks and friars)
carmelite.com/friars/default.cfm?loadref=10
op.org.au/index.html
norbertines.org.au/
franciscans.org.au/

And a more general page to scroll through:
catholicvocation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&catid=89&Itemid=191

Here are two links to discernment pages that you might find interesting. They’re on websites for women’s Orders (I’m hoping to become a Sister, so that’s what I’m looking at), but the information on discerning isn’t limited to women:
adorationsisters.org/called.html
parishvisitorsisters.org/ (Go to Contact Us and Links, then “How do I know if I’m being called?” under Related Links.)

I hope this is helpful!

My dear friend

Thank you. I’ll check it out. I’m sure I have the support of my parish priest in this? I’ll ask him later too, as he’s sure to know what , where, when and why for me. It’s good to learn what you can.

God bless you and pray for me please:thumbsup:

John

 

[TheRiver]

Cool vocation for sure, padre pio was the man!! But I don’t know if you should be one just because you’re tired of the world, I know a guy who’s 18 now and he entered the seminary for capuchins, he’s an ace rugby player, a hit with the ladies, and can down quite a few beers in a few minutes, awesome bloke.

At the same time he was really religious, always reminding me to pray the rosary, giving me vocation cards, big guy, with a big heart, and he was being made fun of at school for deciding to become celibate, I mean the girls were all over him, strong in mind for sure, and he’s definitely not sick of this world, but he chose the path of the monk all the same.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Cool vocation for sure, padre pio was the man!! But I don’t know if you should be one just because you’re tired of the world, I know a guy who’s 18 now and he entered the seminary for capuchins, he’s an ace rugby player, a hit with the ladies, and can down quite a few beers in a few minutes, awesome bloke.

At the same time he was really religious, always reminding me to pray the rosary, giving me vocation cards, big guy, with a big heart, and he was being made fun of at school for deciding to become celibate, I mean the girls were all over him, strong in mind for sure, and he’s definitely not sick of this world, but he chose the path of the monk all the same.

My dear friend

Thanks for the story. I’m not just tired of the world though. My whole 42 years God has been leading me to this decision. I can see His hand in my whole life and especially this year. I’m definitely called but to which or where I’m not sure yet.

God bless you and pray for me please:thumbsup:

John

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m sure I have a vocation as a monk but know very little about monks.

It seems like the first step is to learn more about monks.

Most monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict. (Carthusians are one exception and there may be others.) You can read the Rule here: osb.org/rb/text/toc.html

There are different orders of monks including Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists, and Camaldolese. They all follow the Rule but are somewhat different. If you Google the different orders you’ll find various monasteries online. It would also be good to visit them, perhaps go on retreats with different orders and at different monasteries.

What is it that attracts you to the idea of being a monk? Have you rejected other possibilities such as being a friar (Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, etc.) or some other type of religious?

Do you have a spiritual director? A director would be a good person to help you sort all this out.

 

[PoliSciProf]

Discernment is very important here. You really need to have a spiritual advisor to help with this. I have some limited experience with a friend who tried monastic life and found it was not for him. Discernment and honesty is the key. I would suggest reading A Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris who is not a Catholic but is nonetheless a Benedictine Oblate. It is among the best things written about the appeal of the monastic life.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

It seems like the first step is to learn more about monks.

Most monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict. (Carthusians are one exception and there may be others.) You can read the Rule here: osb.org/rb/text/toc.html

There are different orders of monks including Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists, and Camaldolese. They all follow the Rule but are somewhat different. If you Google the different orders you’ll find various monasteries online. It would also be good to visit them, perhaps go on retreats with different orders and at different monasteries.

What is it that attracts you to the idea of being a monk? Have you rejected other possibilities such as being a friar (Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, etc.) or some other type of religious?

Do you have a spiritual director? A director would be a good person to help you sort all this out.

My dear friend

I’m called to a way of life that is purely contemplative away fom the world ompletely. I’m sure the Holy Spirit is telling me I’m called to be a monk. I am just starting to research though. I’ve had a spiritual director for 20 yrs but need to get back on talking terms with him. It’s been a tough 20 yrs in which I went through many trials to cut a long story short. As an example one year ago customers of a failed business I worked for were chasing and following me around, Even to church sometimes, and threatening to attack and kill me if they did not get their money back. They were serious too. I’ve ben through lots of trials like this but am a completely differet person now. But after 20 yrs my SD is tainted to a degree I think. He does not know the real me and a lots been happening. I think I’ll contact him soon. I told him about the vocation but he is still stuck with the John in the past. He does not know me. I’ve known my parish priest the same time and I’m pretty sure he knows Im called to be a monk. I may talk to him soon? That’s the situation. Yor prayers are appreciated.

Gof bless you dear friend:thumbsup:

John

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Discernment is very important here. You really need to have a spiritual advisor to help with this. I have some limited experience with a friend who tried monastic life and found it was not for him. Discernment and honesty is the key. I would suggest reading A Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris who is not a Catholic but is nonetheless a Benedictine Oblate. It is among the best things written about the appeal of the monastic life.

My dear friend

Thank you. With my SD I’ve given an account in my last post, if you or any have any advice its appreciated. Please pray for me.

God bless you dear friend:thumbsup:

John

 

[baltobetsy]

Don’t discount your spiritual director. He has grace of state and objectivity, which are both necessary. Of course, objectivity is something that we do not have about ourselves. Please go to him with an open mind. The Holy Spirit will speak to you through him.

Betsy

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Don’t discount your spiritual director. He has grace of state and objectivity, which are both necessary. Of course, objectivity is something that we do not have about ourselves. Please go to him with an open mind. The Holy Spirit will speak to you through him.

Betsy

Dear Betsy

I have no doubt I’ll speak to him again soon. There’s a lot happening the last several mths and still ongoing. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with talking to him. I know I’m supposed to but not til the right time. It’s a long story. Are you aware that when the Holy Spirit speaks it can be to afflict you? SD’s are a chief means He can use to send us trials. You have a clue of my difficulty with Him. If the Holy Spirit wants me in a monestary I’ll end up in one, so I’m not too worried.

Please pray for me.

God bless you dear friend:thumbsup:

John

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Have you gone to visit a monastery? Perhaps made a retreat at one to get a tiny feel for what their lives are like? Have you spoken to the vocation director at one? Those would all be good things to do to see if this is the life you are called to.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Have you gone to visit a monastery? Perhaps made a retreat at one to get a tiny feel for what their lives are like? Have you spoken to the vocation director at one? Those would all be good things to do to see if this is the life you are called to.

Thank you dear friend from the city of Angels. I’m starting to learn.

God bless you and pray for me:thumbsup:

John