Religious Orders - Late Vocations

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WanderAimlessly

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I am wondering if there are any religious orders that will accept late vocations (40-45). I know some of the Benedictines and Cistercians to accept men over 40, but I have not found many others.

Increasingly, I have become disenchanted with secular life and am pursuing a religious vocation. Although it has been concentrated on the Diocesan priesthood, I have been increasing looking at various religious orders. I have submitted a Guidance Summary to one Benedictine Archabbey and have emailed Vocation Director there.

Ironically, the Archabbey also runs the Seminary to which the Diocese which I have been in contact with send their candidates.

Thanks in advance,

PF
 
Had a friend in his 60s who really wanted to be a Franciscan. He was already a secular, but wanted a regular religious vocation as his wife had passed away. He was told that older vocations are not accepted. I think it is pretty much all Orders as they have to care for you in your old age and if you are already older, they can’t afford to risk it. My friend became a parish priest. He went to Hales Corner, Ind. for his studies. They specialize in later vocations and you are certificated in theology rather than receiving a degree. My friend has a beautiful parish near Yosemite in California. He actually says Mass in more than one church.

May God bless you in your discernment.
 
I have spoken with Franciscans of the Assumption BVM Province. I believe that they might consider candidates over 40.

The Carmelites might also but it would be on a case by case basis.

Can’t hurt to contact them.
 
The Sacred Heart School of Theology is actually in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (western Milwaukee area).

Here’s the website: shst.edu/
 
If there are religious orders you are drawn to, you should definately seek them out and speak with the vocations director of that order. Even if they have a “policy” of not accepting “late vocations”, if it is where you are meant to be, exceptions may be made. I am sure other factors will be considered besides age too, like amount of debt, family obligations, etc.

Good luck in discerning your vocation and finding the place you are meant to be. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to find what you need. You are in my prayers.
 
Just got an eMail from the Vocation Director at St. Vincent Archabbey. It seems they do make exceptions for men over forty (Their two current novices are 57). He is going to try to contact me next week to discuss this further.

This will also allow me to concentrate on both the Diocesan and Religious Order paths since the Diocese offices and the Archabbey are only 15 minutes away from each other.

I think this bodes well for me since I now have two avenues to explore. Last time I checked, the Dioces only had two candidate at the main semninary (ironically St. Vincent Seminary). In addition, the Vocation Director for the Diocese was a classmate of a Late Vocation that I am familiar with in the Diocese.

I just have one question. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? :banghead:

PF
 
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WanderAimlessly:
I just have one question. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? :banghead:
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Instead of focusing on that, praise God that this avenue may be opened to you!

With the shortage of priests (and other religious vocations) that we have in this country, it only makes sense for the seminaries and religious orders to be more open to late vocations.

I think the same should be true for the orders of women religious. There are some “older” women who aren’t married and have no families – you never know how many of them might be ripe for the picking!
 
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CarolAnnSFO:
Instead of focusing on that, praise God that this avenue may be opened to you!
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Carol Ann:

I know that. However, being a Systems Analyst, I tend to over analyze everything (Paralysis by Analysis). And, when I get to thinking about decisions about choices where one has an uncertain outcome, I tend to avoid the uncertainty. Right now, I have three choices:

  1. *]Stay in my current career path and be unhappy
    *]Religious Order
    *]Diocean Priesthood.

    Of the three, #2 is sounding the best right now. I like the idea of serving God where I can concentrate on it. Plus I like the additional possibilities that are in addition to the Priesthood like teaching. There are some drawbacks, but they do not outweigh the possibilities.

    PF
 
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WanderAimlessly:
Carol Ann:

I know that. However, being a Systems Analyst, I tend to over analyze everything (Paralysis by Analysis). And, when I get to thinking about decisions about choices where one has an uncertain outcome, I tend to avoid the uncertainty. Right now, I have three choices:

  1. *]Stay in my current career path and be unhappy
    *]Religious Order
    *]Diocean Priesthood.

    Of the three, #2 is sounding the best right now. I like the idea of serving God where I can concentrate on it. Plus I like the additional possibilities that are in addition to the Priesthood like teaching. There are some drawbacks, but they do not outweigh the possibilities.

    PF
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  1. Well, since you are an analyst, you can think about that instead of you “waiting so long”, you actually waited for the right time. God works in each of us differently and calls us to our vocations at different times. Was the call there in your 20’s? Maybe, but you are ready to say “yes” now. And you have to be open to that and be open to the fact that you may not have a call either. But, this path you are on will not be fruitless. As long as you are willing to say “yes” to God, no matter what He calls you to, you will be on the right path. Remember that our Blessed Mother, who gave the ultimate “yes”, didn’t know her call either. 🙂 My family will keep you in our prayers! Keep us updated. 🙂
 
The Ecclesia Dei Traditionalist communities which we propose to found will not have an upper age limit. We are limited as to the youngest that can be accepted by Canon Law (age 17).

Please check us out:

cloisters.tripod.com/

“SOLC Foundations” is what you’d be looking for.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
hi,
this is of great interest to me I have tried on a number of occasions (not formally) to ascertain if one could be accepted i am now 48 in good health. When i began the journey i had not completed seconary school and thus had no qualification. I have since completed a degree and am currently studying a masters. I have come and gone with the notion of vocation over the years. And when i think it has passed in my quiet time it returns and sends me searching. I am not overly holy or pious i do try to lead a good life but i still feel there is more that i would like to discover.
any suggestions
Padraigjmc
 
I am 60 years old today. From 1968 to 1977), I spent 10 years in the seminary, have a master’s in theology, and was ordained a deacon for a diocese in New England. After nine months working as a deacon in a parish, I left in 1977. I was quite disillusioned, and admittedly, angry.

I have spent a career working for nonprofit and cause-related organizations – much of which has been in healthcare. I have an MBA (finance) and a doctorate in management with a concentration in health services administration. At present, I work with nonprofit organizations to increase their ability to better provide services, am working with a national initiative on healthcare reform, and teach graduate students in management, business, and healthcare. I could easily run an organization, clinic or be an administrator in a hospital. Of course, I could teach college and graduate students.

Over the past three decades, what I have never lost is my sense of spiritually – I looked far and wide finally ending back at the Catholic church. At present, I attend daily Mass, pray daily and have a spiritual director (new).

I am interested in returning to ministry, and have a particular leaning to a religious order. I am especially impressed with the Franciscans and the Jesuits but certainly not exclusively. I am attracted to monasticism. But I am open to the right diocese but would prefer communal life.

So I am putting my question out there. I have read on this forum that while a number or orders (and dioceses) have an upper age limit, there are exceptions. Given my background, I wouldn’t have to spend a lot a time in school – probably more in formation and community. Is there a place for me? How do I start? Any recommendations?
 
I have had trouble to get in to an order because I am to old. But that didn’t stop our Lord from calling us. Now if men over , 35, 45, 50 all cut off ages, become a third order and take vows then live in community and call it a semi cloister, (They my have to work and come back) can they wear a habit. they would live on there own money. We would do and act just as a real cloister, monastery, or abbey. ( for prayers) What do you think?🙂
 
popsep said:
I have had trouble to get in to an order because I am to old. But that didn’t stop our Lord from calling us. Now if men over , 35, 45, 50 all cut off ages, become a third order and take vows then live in community and call it a semi cloister, (They my have to work and come back) can they wear a habit. they would live on there own money. We would do and act just as a real cloister, monastery, or abbey. ( for prayers) What do you think?🙂
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More and more concerend that so many seem to see religious life as… something special and the only way to live a holy life in Jesus; and seek recognition of some kind?

Re read our Baptismal Vows?

We are all and each called to live these fully and that is a life’s work.

Many choose to live as you suggest; no need to formalise it.Simply do it.
 
Hopemercy said:
no need to formalise it.Simply do it.
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Many people DO need to formalize it. They can live a certain way, day after day- with no long-term plan for their life. I think at some point though, most of us are called to come to an understanding of what our vocation is. For most, it is marriage- so they get married, making a definitive step in entering into a vocation. For some, it is the priesthood, or the religious life (or both). Again, there is a definitive moment where they enter into that. When someone consecrates themselves to God, and continues to live in the world as a single person, they may not get a new name, new clothes, or a new home- but they make a formal consecration of themselves. I don’t think many people- if any- are called to go day after day, year after year without eventually making some definitive decision about their state in life. It may not involve a formal consecration (this is rare, especially for men), but I think we’re at least all called to come to some kind of conclusion.
 
i have been searching religious congregations in the Philippines willing to accept late vocations to the priesthood in their 50s… but none so far has indicated an open door to late vocations. They are strict in their age cut-off requirements. I wonder if I could be accepted in a foreign country outside the Philippines…I am a single professional , 57 years old and never got married …have been working in the real estate business as a licensed real estate broker and is currently an Philamlife insurance underwriter…I am humbly seeking your assistance if any …so I could get into a religious life as a priest soonest and hopefully to serve the LORD for the rest of my life as a priest…

In Christ,

(Edited to remove personal information as per the Forum Rules)
 
Deacon_Tony560 said:
Had a friend in his 60s who really wanted to be a Franciscan. He was already a secular, but wanted a regular religious vocation as his wife had passed away. He was told that older vocations are not accepted. I think it is pretty much all Orders as they have to care for you in your old age and if you are already older, they can’t afford to risk it. My friend became a parish priest. He went to Hales Corner, Ind. for his studies. They specialize in later vocations and you are certificated in theology rather than receiving a degree. My friend has a beautiful parish near Yosemite in California. He actually says Mass in more than one church.

May God bless you in your discernment.
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I have looked for 2yrs and found that some cloister ordes WILL take you up till 50 yrs old, I am now 58 to late for me. Sorry I don’t remember which one but just look up Cloister orders and you Will find it. I will not stop liveing my life as a holy man just because I cant live in a monastery. I too will become a Seculer Franciscan , for I was in the Franciscan order when I was young but left and got marred. Now after my wife left me of 30 yrs I will take my Secular Promise and then take privet VOWS and live my life as if I was in a monastery as a cloister in my oun house. I will have a chapel in it and live in my oun Holy House Of God. It will be called " The Divine Mercy Brothers of our Lady of Guadalupe SFO". I will live a simi-monastic life praying for the sick and dieing. I would live on my oun moneys because I am not part of an order and grow my oun food and live only for God. I will have a habit. If any men that didn’t make it in an order because of there age, can come and seve God here. Praise be to God. divinemercybrsfo@yahoo.com:gopray2::crossrc::highprayer:
 
m134e5 said:
Many people DO need to formalize it. They can live a certain way, day after day- with no long-term plan for their life. I think at some point though, most of us are called to come to an understanding of what our vocation is. For most, it is marriage- so they get married, making a definitive step in entering into a vocation. For some, it is the priesthood, or the religious life (or both). Again, there is a definitive moment where they enter into that. When someone consecrates themselves to God, and continues to live in the world as a single person, they may not get a new name, new clothes, or a new home- but they make a formal consecration of themselves. I don’t think many people- if any- are called to go day after day, year after year without eventually making some definitive decision about their state in life. It may not involve a formal consecration (this is rare, especially for men), but I think we’re at least all called to come to some kind of conclusion.
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You are missing/evading the point. And negating those basic Vows. They are a consecration
 
bremilesfo said:
I have looked for 2yrs and found that some cloister ordes WILL take you up till 50 yrs old, I am now 58 to late for me. Sorry I don’t remember which one but just look up Cloister orders and you Will find it. I will not stop liveing my life as a holy man just because I cant live in a monastery. I too will become a Seculer Franciscan , for I was in the Franciscan order when I was young but left and got marred. Now after my wife left me of 30 yrs I will take my Secular Promise and then take privet VOWS and live my life as if I was in a monastery as a cloister in my oun house. I will have a chapel in it and live in my oun Holy House Of God. It will be called " The Divine Mercy Brothers of our Lady of Guadalupe SFO". I will live a simi-monastic life praying for the sick and dieing. I would live on my oun moneys because I am not part of an order and grow my oun food and live only for God. I will have a habit. If any men that didn’t make it in an order because of there age, can come and seve God here. Praise be to God. divinemercybrsfo@yahoo.com:gopray2::crossrc::highprayer:
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Wow. God bless you.

There is someone I just read about who did the same thing in the middle ages I believe and I can’t remember who it was, but he didn’t have any brothers with him. He did it on his own.
 
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