Vocations for a 62 year old RCIA Candidate?

[Andruschak]

Over at catechismclass/com , we get assigned “activities” to be done outside the classroom, so to speak. This week’s activity is…

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Married folk have this week off. For the single, this week’s activity is to look into a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Look for traditional seminaries, monasteries, and convents of your favorite diocese or religious order.

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Single, yes. But 62 years old with a variety of health problems. The Moderators will not allow me to mention one of those problems. Any suggestions for a realistic search?

 

[FightingFat]

Well you must have an idea- like give us some clues!!! Do you want to be enclosed? Do you feel like a secular calling? Pastoral? What sort of life appeals to you? Quiet reflection? Missionary work? Academic study? Community stuff?

 

[puzzleannie]

if as it sounds this is primarily a research exercise, why not look into various secular institutes, third orders, or lay associates. I believe you said you are already a member of such a group, why not do more research on the order with which you are affiliated, and present a report that could be useful to other members of your RCIA group, or just explore ways you can more fully carry out your commitment to that group, with a view to inviting others in the class to consider it.

 

[Andruschak]

if as it sounds this is primarily a research exercise, why not look into various secular institutes, third orders, or lay associates. I believe you said you are already a member of such a group, why not do more research on the order with which you are affiliated, and present a report that could be useful to other members of your RCIA group, or just explore ways you can more fully carry out your commitment to that group, with a view to inviting others in the class to consider it.

Good idea. Mymain concern is/was my age. I think 45 is the cut-off for Priests, First Orders, and all that big stuff. At that, my interest in CFP may be more then enough

 

[chicago]

Does it have to be realistic to your own state in life or can it just be general information about such vocations? If it’s the latter, then I don’t see why it should be a problem. Just research the orders or even call and mention that you are doing such a project and was willing if someone could answer a few questions about what exploring a vocation with them involves.

 

[Titus]

Good idea. Mymain concern is/was my age. I think 45 is the cut-off for Priests, First Orders, and all that big stuff. At that, my interest in CFP may be more then enough

45 is not the cut-off. We had a priest ordained aged 81! He was an Anglican vicar. HE then ministered as our associate pastor & convent Chaplain for 12 years before dying last year.

 

[Jared123]

45 is not the cut-off. We had a priest ordained aged 81! He was an Anglican vicar. HE then ministered as our associate pastor & convent Chaplain for 12 years before dying last year.

I have noticed that several diocese are so in need of priest that there bascially is no age limit. In my diocese the age limit is 30, and only on special occasions will they allow a man over 30 to enter the seminary.

 

[Andruschak]

Does it have to be realistic to your own state in life or can it just be general information about such vocations? If it’s the latter, then I don’t see why it should be a problem. Just research the orders or even call and mention that you are doing such a project and was willing if someone could answer a few questions about what exploring a vocation with them involves.

Which, I suppose, is more or less what I have been doing. I will do more of it when I go on that retreat 5 - 16 February. It will include Spiritual Direction.

Yet in the end, I may just be content to be a member of BSP or CFP. (Not sure if dual membership is acceptable). I can live a rule of life at home, doing penance quietly, but allowed to spoil senior cats rotten.

Thanks to all who have replied. One of the reasons I love CAF:thumbsup:

 

[Titus]

I have noticed that several diocese are so in need of priest that there bascially is no age limit. In my diocese the age limit is 30, and only on special occasions will they allow a man over 30 to enter the seminary.

Do I get the feeling you’re from Lincoln, Nebraska? In my diocese ‘we need all the vocations we can get’ has been the approach for many years. Not so much now, thanks to awesome Vocations Director , but this guy didn’t fall into that category. He was Anglican Vicar, applied to follow Bishop Leonard into Catholic priesthood, then his wife got sick and he had to care for her, she was sick for 15 years, then she died, and he was ordained age 81.