New group for delayed vocations

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Thirty is still rather young, isn’t it? Just out of curiosity: about what age does one start becoming a late vocation?
 
Thirty is still rather young, isn’t it? Just out of curiosity: about what age does one start becoming a late vocation?
Thirty has been found to be the lowest cut-off age for American communities. That’s why we started there.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
What are the greatest hinderances or obstructions for delayed vocations at 40, at 50, at 60?
 
What are the greatest hinderances or obstructions for delayed vocations at 40, at 50, at 60?
The biggie is submission to an instructor who is younger than the older vocation. In convents where correction is gentle, this is not usually a problem. But if convents are using “in your face” correction, this is where the older vocation is thorougly insulted.

We have found that respecting the experience gets better results, and working with the women assists them in their journey to God.

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
what are the biggest hinderances or barriers for men?
Far fewer. I really can’t think of any, other than infirmity of some kind. There are seminaries for older vocations, and men can always become permanent deacons. Some religious communities and secular institutes include consecration of widowers, so that’s an option now.

Women run into trouble where their “nests” are concerned. Takes a lot for a woman to uproot and enter a convent. It can be done, but as one superior put it, they don’t need spiritual teenagers who can’t be formed. This is why we keep putting emphasis on getting a spiritual director–whose job is to keep one focused–and deepening in spirituality.

Anyone–male or female–who has an SD and is showing themselves to be spiritually mature has a greater chance of entering religious life than those who do not.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
My Grandmother has been an Associate of one of the religious Orders in our area for years, since my Grandfather died.

I think the older or widowed men may be tougher to handle by a Bishop or really younger Vocations Directors. Especially if they have been a manager or supervisor in business, the military or education and are well formed in their Faith. You would hope in theory there would not be a lot difference between the the younger seminarians/novices or older ones. However, if someone has raised a family, run a family budget worked in todays secular world and maybe has older children even with grandchildren, you simply have significantly different view and experience of what is relevant to God’s people in 2010, not significantly better or superior just different backgrounds.

I think this called “The Wisdom of Ages”.😃
 
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