Nonreligious residing at convents

[Digitonomy]

How common is it for the nonreligious to reside at convents? I wondered this after hearing that Axis Sally did this after her release from prison.

 

[Jean_Anthony]

I will allow this discussion if everyone stays on topic. This thread is not about Axis Sally or her crimes. If you wish to discuss her case, please take such such discussion to the Politics or Back Fence forums. Thank you all.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I think it depends on the religious community and what their consitution allows. Many convents have guest houses where family or friends of the religious can stay for visits–especially if the convent is away from towns where someone could easily stay in a motel.

Several religious congregations actually run retreat houses which would normally be used for groups or individuals coming for a set amount of time for religious instruction or direction. In that case, I can see how the community may decide to set aside a room or 2 for a semi-permenant guest.

I am not at all familiar with the case at hand so I can say nothing about that particular situation.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

The Benedictine (sisters) monastery near me often has guests. Some stay for a year or so and volunteer in the ministries, some stay for longer or shorter times.

 

[bpbasilphx]

The novel THE NUN’S STORY describes elderly ladies, judged “too sprightly for the nursing home” but with nowhere to go living in convents and helping with answering the phones, running errands, and the like.

 

[Sr_Sally]

The novel THE NUN’S STORY describes elderly ladies, judged “too sprightly for the nursing home” but with nowhere to go living in convents and helping with answering the phones, running errands, and the like.

Ok, that’s too wonderful! I now have a plan for if my dear husband preceeds me in death!! I will be a “sprightly” old lady answering phones at a convent somewhere!

 

[bpbasilphx]

Ok, that’s too wonderful! I now have a plan for if my dear husband preceeds me in death!! I will be a “sprightly” old lady answering phones at a convent somewhere!

If you’re that serious about it, traditional Eastern Catholic women’s monasteries are more open to older postulants trying their vocations.

 

[Sr_Sally]

If you’re that serious about it, traditional Eastern Catholic women’s monasteries are more open to older postulants trying their vocations.

I explored my vocation to religious life before my marriage and know that being a wife and mother is my vocation now. I would love to ‘retire to a convent’ as women used to do in the long past, but I don’t believe that one should change rites for the sole purpose of making something more convenient for oneself. We shall see what God has for my future. I very sincerely hope that dh and I will grow old together and celebrate our 50 wedding anniversary! I would like to not have too many ‘sprightly’ years after him.