Orders That Will Recruit New Catholics

[nsper7]

Are there any religious orders that will recruit new Catholics (as in recently finished RCIA)? I will be finishing RCIA in April of this year and I am now in a bit of a bind.

I feel a desire for Holy Orders and have sort of put my eggs in that basked. My major (History) is virtually worthless, especially in this economy.

It is easy for the Church to say, “Well, you should spend some time as a lay Catholic before seeking Holy Orders,” but this is not an economy where you can stay in a long period of transition in. I have experience as a Christian (including as an Anglican, where I was active as an acolyte/lay reader/Lay Eucharistic Ministry [Anglican version of the EMHC]).

I just do not see how that waiting period is helpful. After all, all that can happen is that I get sidetracked (i.e. go back to college, run up student debt, have to pay that off, start a career, etc.).

 

[Trishie]

It’s difficult not to feel impatient when one has a goal, and a goal that is both good and desirable… but there is a discernment period that occurs between and Order and an individual…and if a person is distracted by the wait from their goal, it’s quite possible that they don’t have a genuine call for God to enter the Priesthood or a Religious Order. If the vocation is genuinely from God and not just the person’s wish, then it should, with God’s grace, last the distance. This time of discernment allows God time to prepare a person in ways that they cannot forsee.

There is some indication in your post that some of your urgency arises from the economy and because of a subject you have taken. This doesn’t mean you don’t have a vocation or are not spiritually advanced or prepared, you are clearly a wonderful person…I believe your desire is very genuine and in interactions I found your to be a genuine, gracefully humble, and religious person. However, the factors you mention of a study subject that is otherwise of little use, and the state of the economy, are not in themselves spiritually supportive of an early entry.

Our Friend, it would be well if you contact a some religious Orders that may be in the kind of apostolate you feel called to, and make direct enquiry of them asking that you may keep in contact so that you may receive guidance and may discern your vocation together. In this way you can become known and your possible entry be discussed on a personal basis. I was unable to find an answer to your question of how soon you might enter…but one thing is certain…a person cannot enter religious life unless there is a discernment process between you and God and with the Order. It cannot be assessed on a broad basis, but on a personal basis.There is a possibility of spending some discernment time actually living with the members of an order but that is something you can research.

I know you have experience in Christian spirituality and practice, and if an Order is satisfied that you may enter soon, I’m sure you can work it out with them, but it won’t be because of subject or employment issues, it will be regarding whether or not God is calling you.

Warmest regards, Trishie

 

[ReginaCoeli]

Are there any religious orders that will recruit new Catholics (as in recently finished RCIA)? I will be finishing RCIA in April of this year and I am now in a bit of a bind.

I feel a desire for Holy Orders and have sort of put my eggs in that basked. My major (History) is virtually worthless, especially in this economy.

It is easy for the Church to say, “Well, you should spend some time as a lay Catholic before seeking Holy Orders,” but this is not an economy where you can stay in a long period of transition in. I have experience as a Christian (including as an Anglican, where I was active as an acolyte/lay reader/Lay Eucharistic Ministry [Anglican version of the EMHC]).

I just do not see how that waiting period is helpful. After all, all that can happen is that I get sidetracked (i.e. go back to college, run up student debt, have to pay that off, start a career, etc.).

You will have to wait approx. 2-3 years before you are eligible to enter religious life. This gives one time to settle into the faith, learn more about the faith, and deepen your spiritual life. Sometimes the fervor of conversion can be mistaken for a call to religious life. It is like the “first blush” of love. The church in its wisdom recognizes this fact, and has wisely mandated the waiting period. If God is truly calling you to serve him as a religious, you will not be “sidetracked”. The things you mention that could “sidetrack” you (job experience, advanced education, etc.) could actually be of benefit to you in religious life. I’m in the same situation you are and I think the best thing to do at this point is to become active in your parish, get a spiritual director, and of course pray!! God bless you.

 

[thelordssheep]

You could see if an order that you are interested in (important, because you shouldn’t just jump anywhere that will take you) has an aspirancy/service program. This way, you’re not joining, but you’re actively discerning. You could also look into volunteer programs. There are some 1 year and 2 year volunteer commitments that will give you space to discern while serving God’s people and growing in your faith in community.
Try to stay patient, and understand that even if you have to wait, God will provide a way for you to pay off those debts or whatever (it just may be more on HIS time-scale than on Yours…

In Christ,
Lauren

 

[mdstanzel]

Are you looking for a religious order or a diocese? I can get you in contact with either. It’s your Anglican background that convinces me you may have a genuine vocation. You will have to discern. But if you know which order you wish to take vows in that is also important. If not you will need to discern some more. Dont’ think about it in terms of money. You could easily become a teacher until you figure it out. The pay is not that bad these days depending on where you’re at. Most states offer alternative teacher certification. Since priests and religious tend to preach, the also tend to teach. This will help you in the process. I know a lady who received a full scholarship at University of Dallas - a Catholic University - for 4 years. Surely you may be able to find that. You can also defer your loans if need be, like I did. I’m just now getting to pay them off.

 

[nsper7]

I spoke with a representative from the Legionaries of Christ yesterday. He said, assuming I deal with a couple issues, I could start in July (a trial period, followed by their two year Novitiate and then to Seminary).

 

[Trishie]

Congratulations upon finding a pathway to the vocation you wish to discern. May God be with you along the way!

 

[RevDrNorth]

Are there any religious orders that will recruit new Catholics (as in recently finished RCIA)? I will be finishing RCIA in April of this year and I am now in a bit of a bind.

I feel a desire for Holy Orders and have sort of put my eggs in that basked. My major (History) is virtually worthless, especially in this economy.

It is easy for the Church to say, “Well, you should spend some time as a lay Catholic before seeking Holy Orders,” but this is not an economy where you can stay in a long period of transition in. I have experience as a Christian (including as an Anglican, where I was active as an acolyte/lay reader/Lay Eucharistic Ministry [Anglican version of the EMHC]).

I just do not see how that waiting period is helpful. After all, all that can happen is that I get sidetracked (i.e. go back to college, run up student debt, have to pay that off, start a career, etc.).

It is not a bad idea to take some time to discern which order best suits your temperament. In other words is the fit right and is God calling you to share in the life of that order. Do not just take any order that will receive you right away. Waiting can be hard but well worthwhile. In my own life, the number of doors God has opened in His time has been amazing. One of the wonderful things about the Catholic church IS the number of orders and their different outlooks, ministries and so on.

God bless you on your journey.

 

[adowcday]

I would try to discern my call more precisely before joining the first religious order that would accept me as a new Catholic. It’s a serious, life-long decision that deserves a good deal of thought and prayer. Many orders have third orders or associate programs for lay people that form you in the spirituality and works characteristic of that order and let you “try it on for size” and see if it fits. You may also be able to find a good spiritual director that way.