Qualifications for religious

[kristie_m]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

 

[BarbaraTherese]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

Technically speaking, yes such a woman could become a nun. However it depends on any Order in question and whether they would accept her. Some Religious Orders for example will not take a mother even if the children are completely grown and independant and she is a widow. Others have no such impediment in place. I am unsure about the priesthood…Blessings at Lent - Barb

 

[ASimpleSinner]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

There are no canons against a woman of this state doing just that (and throughout history many have) but then it becomes a matter of finding an order that would accept such a candidate.

Many may not, but some could.

 

[Cloisters]

We’ve talked this issue to death on Phatmass.

Whether a widow is accepted is dependent on the charism. Dominicans and Norbertines are very community oriented. However, Carmelites and Benedictines are less so, and older women are oftentimes more adaptable to that.

If you or someone you know is in this position, please tell them that they need to not rush to judgement–or conclusions–as to where Jesus wants them.

The only age limit we have for our proposed Cloister Outreach foundations is 17, and that’s set by Canon Law.

cloisters.tripod.com/

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[kristie_m]

We’ve talked this issue to death on Phatmass.

Blessings,
Cloisters

Forgive me then, for beating a dead horse…I’m new at this forums thing. Thanks for the info.

 

[1234]

Forgive me then, for beating a dead horse…I’m new at this forums thing. Thanks for the info.

…you can search phatmass (www.phatmass.com/phorum) in the Vocations forum under search words ‘older vocations’ , ‘delayed vocations’, etc.(I think that you have to be a member to search)

but

it would be more direct and fruitful, I think, to approach the orders and members of same directly.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Forgive me then, for beating a dead horse…I’m new at this forums thing. Thanks for the info.

Nothing to forgive:thumbsup: …if someone finds a question worth asking, then it is worth an answer…

 

[1234]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

The order of the Visitation was formed particularly for widows and older women not up to the rigors of the orders around then.

There are several federations of Visitation nuns, some who teach in their academies, some enclosed, women with a modified habit, some with a full habit and all with varying degrees of observance.

The only impediments to entering are having an ongoing marriage, dependent children or family, debts and bad health, both physical and mental. Bad health, not average health.

But it all depends on the order. Orders that don’t have a lot of vocations are much more flexible, and I suspect, vary their responses after they have met the person.

Many women with annulled marriages are entering now, so I see no problem with a widow with grown children not dependent on her who is without debts, in reasonable health. But you have to search and apply and put yourself out there and ask.

 

[wina]

…you can search phatmass (www.phatmass.com/phorum) in the Vocations forum under search words ‘older vocations’ , ‘delayed vocations’, etc.(I think that you have to be a member to search)

but

it would be more direct and fruitful, I think, to approach the orders and members of same directly.

Well, the web is very wonderful and many things that help me how to start my discernment.

Thanks

P.S. But I need to know how to register to that web??

 

[1234]

Well, the web is very wonderful and many things that help me how to start my discernment.

Thanks

P.S. But I need to know how to register to that web??

Go to that link.

There are clear instructions about how to register.

 

[water]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

Our Young Adult Legion of Mary’s spiritual director is a religious sister. She has children and one day she quit her job and followed her vocation. We are so blessed to have her direct us.

 

[puzzleannie]

This might seem kind of a silly question, but I’m curious. Can a woman who has had a family, and say, the kids are grown, and the husband has passed away…can she then become a nun? I guess the same question applies to men…can they become priests after raising a family, or must they be completely free of “wordly ties”?

yes, in a religious order that accepts older candidates. in fact that is precisely how many orders originated, among widows.