Religious life and Mental Disabilities

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Dorothy_Brown

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So I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and light Aspergers, and I have been on medication for ADD most of my life because it helps me be much more focused and energized. I’ve read that those with mental illness (anxiety, depression, etc.) are often turned away from religious orders even if they are currently emotionally stable. Is it the same for ADD and Aspergers? And if not, are nuns allowed to be on medication?
 
It depends on the community. You would have to ask the vocation director.
 
Definitely pursue an exploration of religious life as you continue to pray about it. If it’s God’s Will for you to be in religious life, you will be.

I have ADD, as well. But I would not consider it an impediment in most cases to joining religious life.
 
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Always look locally first. There may be communities there in your own diocese who would accept you should your attractions lead you to them.

Generally speaking, no convent is going to say that that they will accept a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is what your, and my, condition is now called, unless they get to know you better. Once you start discerning with them, the Holy Ghost will speak through them as to what He wants of you.

My organization’s emerging Society of Apostolic Life with contemplative branch, has an Autism Ministry, and a network of lay Contemplatives. I will forward this thread to our Ministry members, and see what happens.

There had been a Community of the Epiphany in Florida which accepted women on the Spectrum, but I’m not sure where they got off to.

If you’d like more information on what my group is doing, please feel free to PM me.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
 
My guess is that it would be a case by case basis. I think age and expense to treat would be given greater scrutiny. Financial security would definitely be viewed as an asset.

Over the years, I have met diocesan and religious people who seemed to have personality disorders. (I am not a psychologist, so take my diagnosis with a grain of salt.) Sometimes a disability such as Asperger’s or ADD can prove to be an asset. There are several Saints who probably had personality disorders.

Opening an honest dialogue with vocation directors is something you should do.
 
It is unlikely you will be accepted.
It is hard enough to live such lifestyles for the well balanced.
There is a reason why only the mentally robust get into space programs.
 
Our Leonie League has a list of saints who were probably ASD – St. Thorlak of Iceland; St. Gilbert of Sempringham, O.Semp.; Blessed Herman Contractus, OSB (for whom our homeschool was named); and Sr. Francois Therese (Leonie) Martin, VHM. A Catholic social worker seems to think that today’s saint, Agnes of Montepulciano, OP, was possibly on the Spectrum. She received permission to enter the cloister at age 9.

St. Solanus Casey, OFM, is also thought to have had ASD, along with St. Joseph Cupertino.

The problems encountered by Spectrum persons is 1) they’re too slow to be useful to a regular religious community; and 2) “in your face” fraternal correction simply doesn’t work.

Our League has a religious priest as member. He has recently been diagnosed with ASD, but has been a member of his community for several years.

Everyone on our eremitical network has ASD. One member is working toward canonical recognition of his plan of life.

Here are our links:

Leonie League for the Advancement of Autistic Persons (“Leonie League”):
http://cloisters.tripod.com/leonieleague/

Blessed Herman’s Eremitical Network:
http://cloisters.tripod.com/blherman/
 
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