the "non" nun

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Are there any vocations that allow women who have been married previously to be something similar to a nun in a convent but not a full nun since nuns must never have been married?
Just curious.
 
therese_lisieux said:
Are there any vocations that allow women who have been married previously to be something similar to a nun in a convent but not a full nun since nuns must never have been married?
Just curious.
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I think all orders will admit widows, and many would admit women with annulled marriages.

Do you mean divorced women w/o a decree of nullity?

God Bless
 
Yes. I tho’t that that wasn’t possible if you’ve had sexual relations before, then you are considered “tainted” in a way and not 100% pure for the vocation.
Pardon my ignorance if I have a misconception.
 
Nuns must never have been married???
What about the two women, one a Discalced Carmelite, and the other an Ursuline, known as Blessed Marie of the Incarnation? What about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Marguerite d’Youville, the foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, and all the grandmothers who have entered convents and monasteries over the last thirty+ years?
 
Pardon my ignorance. I am not confirmed yet and am still learning about all aspects of Catholocism.
I also never went to Catholic school.
 
therese_lisieux said:
Yes. I tho’t that that wasn’t possible if you’ve had sexual relations before, then you are considered “tainted” in a way and not 100% pure for the vocation.
Pardon my ignorance if I have a misconception.
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No, that’s not correct. Many great orders were founded by widows.

Sexual realtions outside of marriage are also not a bar to become a sister, brother, priest or deacon. The person just needs to demonstrate the ability to live chastely for several years before vows/ordination.

We are all sinners, confession makes us all pure again.

Take St. Augustine. He had several mistresses over 20-30 years of debauchery and became a Bishop, Saint, and Doctor of the Church.

If you are interested in pursuing a vocation, you should talk to your diocesan vocations director.

God Bless
 
therese_lisieux said:
Pardon my ignorance. I am not confirmed yet and am still learning about all aspects of Catholocism.
I also never went to Catholic school.
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No problem, we were all ignorant once 🙂

This forum is great for answers, so don’t hesitate to ask!

God Bless
 
therese_lisieux said:
Pardon my ignorance. I am not confirmed yet and am still learning about all aspects of Catholocism.
I also never went to Catholic school.
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No pardon necessary. There are many things I read on this forum that are new to me. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

God bless.
 
therese_lisieux said:
Pardon my ignorance. I am not confirmed yet and am still learning about all aspects of Catholocism.
I also never went to Catholic school.
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Honey, it is okay that you have some ignorance ;). You are here trying to rectify that so, be it known that many if not all orders will take a widow who no longer has responsibilities with any children. The same is true for a widower, he can become a Priest or Brother/Monk once his responsibilities as a father are done.

God bless you in your search for knowledge and don’t worry about some of the responses, some of us forget that we know more about the Faith and our wonderful Saints than others do and it just flabbergasts us that someone doesn’t know this 😊.

Brenda V.
 
I’m not considering it at this time. However, I was curious as I learn more about the Catholic faith. THanks for the info. And thanks for not being shocked at my question like the other poster.
 
Brenda_V said:
Honey, it is okay that you have some ignorance ;). You are here trying to rectify that so, be it known that many if not all orders will take a widow who no longer has responsibilities with any children. The same is true for a widower, he can become a Priest or Brother/Monk once his responsibilities as a father are done.

God bless you in your search for knowledge and don’t worry about some of the responses, some of us forget that we know more about the Faith and our wonderful Saints than others do and it just flabbergasts us that someone doesn’t know this 😊.

Brenda V.
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Thank you. I find that life very interesting and admire those who choose to pursue it. I also enjoyed reading about the saint I have chosen for my confirmation, Therese of Lisieux, and am truly inspired by her and her intense devotion to her vocation.
 
I am taking RCIA classes so all questions asked help all of us who are learning. Don’t feel bad for asking something you really would like to know about.👍
 
As others have said a past marriage is not a bar to religious life and most communities these days don’t even ask about virginity - it’s just not an issue any more. Something that hasn’t been mentioned though is that it can be possible for women to live as a religious even if the marriage has not been anulled - though not in solemn vows. Some orders take internal Oblates - these women have the same formation process, wear the full habit and live the full life as the other nuns but they often do more external work - such as being guest sister and doing the shopping - and they can’t make full vows. Instead they make promises for one year at a time. This means they don’t get a vote in Chapter and can choose to leave or be asked to leave at the end of each year.

It’s not ideal and may not be something ‘you’ would usually choose but it does allow some to live the consecrated life when there are no other options. Some women also choose this in the first instance as it is a valid calling in its own right. As the formation process is usually the same there may come a time when the woman is legally able to make solomn vows and may choose too. I have heard of this happening and it was a happy experience for all concerned.
Code: 
I too am a convert - of 4 years- and at present I am in formation and hopefully will take vows within the next 2 years. I do understand there is lots to learn and take on board, oh my gosh, there are times when people are chatting away and I have no idea what they are talking about - some Saint or ceremony or using bits of Latin that are common to the Church or can sing a hymn or say a prayer without a book and I am totally lost. Being brought up Catholic there is loads people learn almost by osmosis and I am baffled - I'd like to have had the first holy communion looking like a bride bit too. But hey, there are some seriously great converts out there - John Henry Cardinal Newman for one - who is hopefully going to be beatified soon - please God.

     enjoy your journey,
 
therese_lisieux said:
Yes. I tho’t that that wasn’t possible if you’ve had sexual relations before, then you are considered “tainted” in a way and not 100% pure for the vocation.
Pardon my ignorance if I have a misconception.
Click to expand...
not true.
no, if you have had relations you no longer fit the medical definition of virgin, but that does not disqualify you from entering a religious order (if you are otherwise free to do so and have a vocation).
 
To become a consecrated virgin requires that a woman have refrained from sexual relationships throughout life (rape does not count), This is not the same as becoming a nun or sister.

The requirements for becoming a sister or nun are dependent on the order. These requirements mostly have to do with age and health. At one time that age limit was 14 through 30. Today, few orders will take a woman under the age of 21 and most will not take anybody over 45 although a few will take women up to the age of 60. You also need to be free from debt and other obligations.

The woman needs to be single. If widowed, her children need to be grown and no longer in need of her care. The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are taken after becoming a part of the community. The past, whatever that involved, is the past.
 
Brenda_V said:
Honey, it is okay that you have some ignorance ;). You are here trying to rectify that so, be it known that many if not all orders will take a widow who no longer has responsibilities with any children. The same is true for a widower, he can become a Priest or Brother/Monk once his responsibilities as a father are done.

God bless you in your search for knowledge and don’t worry about some of the responses, some of us forget that we know more about the Faith and our wonderful Saints than others do and it just flabbergasts us that someone doesn’t know this 😊.

Brenda V.
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Ditto what brenda posted so well! Welcome and yes do feel free to ask any questions you have. To furthur add here yes some orders in the way distant past may have frowned somewhat on non virgins being nuns however , with time that changed ,and… there were many widows that joined after familiy obligations ended… in fact many monastaries and convents were founded by royal widows who then entered. And yes many widows became nuns. My point here being and I am rambling on [so sorry]… please please keep posting and asking questions… there are so many knowledgeable people, here that you are bound to learn many new things… Hoping You are finding this time to be blessed and exciting! and keep the questions coming! blessings of peace and good!
 
Ordinary Joes and Janes are not allowed to have dependents, but exceptions are made for founders and foundresses-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (five children), Bl. Edmund Rice (one handicapped daughter), Ven. Catherine McAuley (five or more adopted children).
Apologies if my earlier reply seemed a bit intemperate.
 
My last pastor was 60 years old when he was ordained as a priest. He has 6 grandchildren. The opinion of his grown children, who fully supported his decision, was considered in the discernment process. There was a write-up in the diocesan paper when a grandmother made her final profession at the age of 56 with the Daughters of Charity. Her grandchildren cheered her as she was handed the Bachelor of Science degree she earned at the local college.
 
:juggle: St.Maugerite D’Youville founded the Sisters of Charity,also known as the Grey Sisters from whom several communities spronge,like the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart,Grey Sisters of the Cross,etc.

The Church has always allowed widows andwidowers to enter religious communities,and some have even been founded by such people.

Or the person could join the Franciscan’s, Dominicans ,benedictines etc and become a secular tertiary of the community.Just talk to the vocation director of your local diocese they should have information that can help you in this matter.
 
Are you talking about the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul? If so, the grandmother couldn’t have made final profession; the Daughters are always in a state of temporary profession. They renew their vows on March 25 every year. Hence, their community is, technically, a Society of Apostolic Life, and not a Religious Congregation.
 
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