Vocation With a Twist

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Lorrie

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A friend of mine has expressed interest in joining an order, but she doesn’t want to have to be in a convent. She would prefer to be out in the world so to speak, close to her family, etc. while consecrating her life to God. I really don’t have an answer for her as I don’t know much about this sort of thing. First I told her that she could do it on her own, making a vow to God and living up to it, but she said she would rather be involved with a group of women who are also doing it. Any suggestions on where to begin?

Thanks in advance!
 
Many orders have Third Orders which allow lay people to join while continuing to live in the world.

And there are orders of nuns nowadays who don’t live in a convent and are completely immersed in the world as teachers, health care workers, social workers, etc. Depends on what interests your friend has.

Your diocesan vocation office might be a good place to start.
 
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Brain:
Does she know that a convent and a cloister are different?
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She mentioned that she wants to remain living on her own. The difference between “convent” and “cloistered” is the one thing I knew and asked her about it. Even though when one lives in a convent they can visit their families, etc. BUT only at certain times of the year, she wants more freedom than that (hence my statement about her wanting to still be out in the world).
 
Dr. Bombay:
Many orders have Third Orders which allow lay people to join while continuing to live in the world.

And there are orders of nuns nowadays who don’t live in a convent and are completely immersed in the world as teachers, health care workers, social workers, etc. Depends on what interests your friend has.

Your diocesan vocation office might be a good place to start.
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Thank you!! I’ll tell her to start there. 🙂
 
I thought a vocation with a twist was joining the Benedictine sisters, or the Ursulines (who knows what they are now) and instead of a habit you decide the business women look, fits better.
 
The Second Vatican Council provided for circumstances such as your friends- its called becoming a “Concrecated Virgin”. I don’t know the steps or formation. But I do know that it involves the permission of the local Ordinary.
 
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Lorrie:
She mentioned that she wants to remain living on her own. The difference between “convent” and “cloistered” is the one thing I knew and asked her about it. Even though when one lives in a convent they can visit their families, etc. BUT only at certain times of the year, she wants more freedom than that (hence my statement about her wanting to still be out in the world).
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Maybe she is not called to the formal religious life then.

I would do as others have suggested and have her look into the various lay orders.

It sort of sounds like she may feel a calling but wants to do it on her own in her own way.

Another suggestion for her is to get a good spiritual director and to explore her motivations. As I said, maybe she is called but she wants it on her terms.

I sort of went though this and tried to do things my way. When I finally surrendered and did as I knew I should was when I finally found the right order and was accepted into formation.
 
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