Thread for Women Discerning Religious Life

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I am Seventeen and i am discerning the cloistered Poor Clare nuns in Barhamsville Virginia. i will be visiting them next month

How wonderful Josephina!

Have you arranged your visit yet? If so how did it go?

What branch of the Poor Clares are they??? How did you hear about them???
Is this your first visit to a Poor Clare Community???

If you feel so inclined perhaps you might share some of your discernment process thus far? (Not to put you on the spot)

 Blessings on this feast of Pentecost

Sr Debbie, O.S.C:nun2:

 

[Sunlight]

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing this video. Please forgive me if it has been posted. It’s very interesting to see. Such a lovely video.

Investiture of a Contemplative Dominican Nun Vocation Video

youtube.com/watch?v=jJRbB0Oahls

 

[Christine85]

I want to be a Discalced Carmelite
Will be visiting the nuns I want to join at the end of October

 

[discerningnun]

The community i like the most is Maryknoll and they are also Dominicans

 

[AllyC1991]

I probably posted in this thread a long time ago and I don’t remember. But I think things have definitely changed since the last time I was on these forums. I am now 21 and discerning with the Salesians and the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist.

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

I probably posted in this thread a long time ago and I don’t remember. But I think things have definitely changed since the last time I was on these forums. I am now 21 and discerning with the Salesians and the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist.

Awesome! I love DSMME. My daughter is in her 6th year there. She is graduating from Eastern Michigan University this spring (teaching degree) and renews her temporary vows this summer. Then in 2 years she takes her final vows.

If you have any questions you can message me.

Peace,
John

 

[AllyC1991]

And I am also going to be discerning with the Daughters of St. Paul and possibly the Passionists.

 

[morningprayer]

I am 66 and actively discerning with some rather new communities that are really coming into being mostly FOR older women. These newer groups have been very welcoming except for one thing - my divorces. One superior just flatly said, get in touch when you have the annulment in your hand (kinda crossed that one off). One said, you cannot enter without the annulment but it is possilbe to be a postulant at least and exception can be made. Unfortunately there are 2 annulments needed. though I do NOT understand why the church cares about #2 since it was noncatholic and civil only and 25 YEARS before I converted. One other group is willing to make excpetins for me. Actually 2 groups are, I am kind of guessing you can enter if you are in process of annulment and actually go thro the novitiate but not make vows. You know older women now are not like older women a generation ago…

And above is one of the reasons there are age restrictions. I imagine some of you mature ladies will be interested in that but the younger ones, do not have to go through this. I did not convert until I was 53.

I am posting now because one of you, a young woman, was strugging with spiritual directors. I thought it was just me, that I was being brushed off as a silly old woman, but NO. I have actually just backed off for Holy Week, I’m so frustrated.

 

[irisfromohio]

I am 66 and actively discerning with some rather new communities that are really coming into being mostly FOR older women. These newer groups have been very welcoming except for one thing - my divorces. One superior just flatly said, get in touch when you have the annulment in your hand (kinda crossed that one off). One said, you cannot enter without the annulment but it is possilbe to be a postulant at least and exception can be made. Unfortunately there are 2 annulments needed. though I do NOT understand why the church cares about #2 since it was noncatholic and civil only and 25 YEARS before I converted. One other group is willing to make excpetins for me. Actually 2 groups are, I am kind of guessing you can enter if you are in process of annulment and actually go thro the novitiate but not make vows. You know older women now are not like older women a generation ago…

And above is one of the reasons there are age restrictions. I imagine some of you mature ladies will be interested in that but the younger ones, do not have to go through this. I did not convert until I was 53.

I am posting now because one of you, a young woman, was strugging with spiritual directors. I thought it was just me, that I was being brushed off as a silly old woman, but NO. I have actually just backed off for Holy Week, I’m so frustrated.

I think I could have written this, even though I converted almost 40 years ago and have had only one marriage with an annulment granted. I have not been able to find many communities or congregations that want older women, however and I am frustrated.

I am tired of being treated as if I am “untrustworthy”, used goods. I am beginning to feel as if my best years are behind me and that whole attitude, given the history of Mother Church, is mind boggling. You know, people from our generation do come with a little extra baggage, given that we are the first to finish through the so-called “sexual revolution”, but our sins have been forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Humans are not so easy to forget. Oh, I am about six years behind you in age. I discovered the difficulty of being an older inquirer when I embarked on this journey at the age of 42. I will be 60 this fall.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

I think I could have written this, even though I converted almost 40 years ago and have had only one marriage with an annulment granted. I have not been able to find many communities or congregations that want older women, however and I am frustrated.

I am tired of being treated as if I am “untrustworthy”, used goods. I am beginning to feel as if my best years are behind me and that whole attitude, given the history of Mother Church, is mind boggling. You know, people from our generation do come with a little extra baggage, given that we are the first to finish through the so-called “sexual revolution”, but our sins have been forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Humans are not so easy to forget. Oh, I am about six years behind you in age. I discovered the difficulty of being an older inquirer when I embarked on this journey at the age of 42. I will be 60 this fall.

I created a website for women and men like you in mind. It’s for Belated Vocations and lists communities that will consider them either on an individual basis or altogether. I hope this will help. I am of the strong belief that anyone, no matter the age, can be called by God to religious life. It may be a little difficult but that doesn’t make it impossible.

Resources for Belated Vocations

 

[Cloisters]

Pennyyak’s blog is divided–very precisely–according to age:

womenreligiousorders.blogspot.com/

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[joamy]

Quote:
(*Originally Posted by morningprayer
I am 66 and actively discerning with some rather new communities that are really coming into being mostly FOR older women. These newer groups have been very welcoming except for one thing - my divorces. One superior just flatly said, get in touch when you have the annulment in your hand (kinda crossed that one off). One said, you cannot enter without the annulment but it is possilbe to be a postulant at least and exception can be made. Unfortunately there are 2 annulments needed. though I do NOT understand why the church cares about #2 since it was noncatholic and civil only and 25 YEARS before I converted. One other group is willing to make excpetins for me. Actually 2 groups are, I am kind of guessing you can enter if you are in process of annulment and actually go thro the novitiate but not make vows. You know older women now are not like older women a generation ago…

And above is one of the reasons there are age restrictions. I imagine some of you mature ladies will be interested in that but the younger ones, do not have to go through this. I did not convert until I was 53.

I am posting now because one of you, a young woman, was strugging with spiritual directors. I thought it was just me, that I was being brushed off as a silly old woman, but NO. I have actually just backed off for Holy Week, I’m so frustrated*. )

I think I could have written this, even though I converted almost 40 years ago and have had only one marriage with an annulment granted. I have not been able to find many communities or congregations that want older women, however and I am frustrated.

I am tired of being treated as if I am “untrustworthy”, used goods. I am beginning to feel as if my best years are behind me and that whole attitude, given the history of Mother Church, is mind boggling. You know, people from our generation do come with a little extra baggage, given that we are the first to finish through the so-called “sexual revolution”, but our sins have been forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Humans are not so easy to forget. Oh, I am about six years behind you in age. I discovered the difficulty of being an older inquirer when I embarked on this journey at the age of 42. I will be 60 this fall.

Prayers… .:byzsoc::byzsoc: It is not an easy thing to be older and discerning.

 

[morningprayer]

Prayers… .:byzsoc::byzsoc: It is not an easy thing to be older and discerning.

Well, I have settled on 3 - one is a latin mass community, All 3 seem interested so now it comes down to what I can do - older women - we have children. Other family, if I were semicloistered, (the Latin Mass one) not that huge an issue, but children? I mean they are grown men, 36 and 46 but the youngest, well, leans on me alot and has problems…like alcoholism and, well, abandoment issues (see divorces above- his DAd just …left and moved 12 miiles from us and almost never saw him). you know i totally get what I am saying here about codependency and all, but, but, but, I need spiritual directon so bad it hurts. I mean he is only 36 and he’s so lonely and needy…and worldly and caught up in stuff that will hurt him and he will need his mother, I can hardly believe I am typing this.

 

[joamy]

Well, I have settled on 3 - one is a latin mass community, All 3 seem interested so now it comes down to what I can do - older women - we have children. Other family, if I were semicloistered, (the Latin Mass one) not that huge an issue, but children? I mean they are grown men, 36 and 46 but the youngest, well, leans on me alot and has problems…like alcoholism and, well, abandoment issues (see divorces above- his DAd just …left and moved 12 miiles from us and almost never saw him). you know i totally get what I am saying here about codependency and all, but, but, but, I need spiritual directon so bad it hurts. I mean he is only 36 and he’s so lonely and needy…and worldly and caught up in stuff that will hurt him and he will need his mother, I can hardly believe I am typing this.

That’s a tough one. A spiritual director would be good but are just about impossible to come by, at least where I am located.

 

[Cloisters]

That’s a tough one. A spiritual director would be good but are just about impossible to come by, at least where I am located.

Dominicans suggest reading the spiritual classics and check in with a priest if there’s a problem. I was also advised that the LOTH was a good spiritual director if a discerner does not have one. I have found this to be true and it’s uncanny.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[saintrose]

Hi, my name is Phoenix. I’ve been discerning a vocation for almost 3 years now. I am going to be ninteen in September. I first started discerning with the Carmelites, then the Poor Clares. I went on 4 visits with them and am going on another one in August. I really feel I am being called to be a Poor Clare. I have a blog if any of you are are interseted in learning more about my vocation and I also write stories and prayers and stuff. ;D

www.vocationjourney.blogspot.com

God bless!

 

[irisfromohio]

I don’t think that it’s so much that your son will need his mother, but we all need family when we’re living in secular society. Don’t beat yourself up so much; we all go through this in some form even single people…like I know so much.

I am writing this on my phone & that’s not easy either!

 

[beccasmiles89]

I’m 24 years old, and I am currently interested in the Carmelites and the Poor Clares. I feel especially drawn to the contemplative orders. Of course, I’ve just started the discernment process, so this could change! I’ve contacted a few communities through email, and they’ve all given some helpful advice. I’m looking forward to more communication and future visits!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Hi, my name is Phoenix. I’ve been discerning a vocation for almost 3 years now. I am going to be ninteen in September. I first started discerning with the Carmelites, then the Poor Clares. I went on 4 visits with them and am going on another one in August. I really feel I am being called to be a Poor Clare. I have a blog if any of you are are interseted in learning more about my vocation and I also write stories and prayers and stuff. ;D

www.vocationjourney.blogspot.com

God bless!

How wonderful for you as you begin your vocation journey!

Perhaps you might share in the forums which communities you visited? What types of questions you might have asked the various sisters? How you might have narrowed your search to the Carmelites or Poor Clares???

What types of questions did the sisters ask you? What has helped you in your discernment process? I know you might be at the start however for many in the forums it helps to hear the different journeys, that each of us take…

Blessings to you,

Sr. Debbie, OSC

[And as a personal aside… which Poor Clare Communities did you visit?]

 

[mcrts]

Hi, my name is Phoenix. I’ve been discerning a vocation for almost 3 years now. I am going to be ninteen in September. I first started discerning with the Carmelites, then the Poor Clares. I went on 4 visits with them and am going on another one in August. I really feel I am being called to be a Poor Clare. I have a blog if any of you are are interseted in learning more about my vocation and I also write stories and prayers and stuff. ;D

www.vocationjourney.blogspot.com

God bless!

Hi Phoenix. I’m reading your blog and it is a beautiful treasure!