Vocations Late in Life

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Hi folks. I’m a 48 year old single male. Retired US Military. I have an constant overwhelming want to get out of mainstream society and pursue virtue & perfection ; to do spiritual battle and be rid of the last vestiges of sin and occassions of sin. I’ve written several monestaries and they actually have age limits. What is a person in my place to do at this late stage in life? I really believe that I have the responsibility to do whatever it takes to be rid of sin. I can’t go out to a cave here in Arizona without trespassing. Anyone out there have any ideas? HELP!!!
:eek:
 
Your best bet is probably to talk to the diocesan Vocations Director - he should be able to direct you to communities that accept older applicants.

I’ll keep you in my prayers!
 
I think there are a lot of people 45 and up who would like to pursue a vocation to the priesthood or religious life who run into age limit problems. It doesn’t make it easier but at least you know you’re not alone.

What specific type of vocation are you interested in?

If you’re interested in becoming a diocesan priest, many dioceses accept older candidates for the priesthood. You would need to check with the vocations office locally and perhaps in other areas as well.

If you were interested in being a brother rather than a priest, you might check with the Jesuits. I understand that because their formation is so long they won’t accept someone for the priesthood, but at least some provinces will accept an older candidate to become a brother.

Vision is a magazine/guide to vocations. Their online site is at vocation-network.org/

Best wishes.
 
I hope that you find what you’re looking for, and I wish you the best. As to the contention made in your post that you are “late” in life, I disagree. If you are in good health and energetic, your best years are ahead of you, especially since you have renounced sin and accepted Christ.

There are some orders without age limits, and if you find such an order, I’m sure that they would like to have a person with your zeal. Although I must caution you–just because you live in a religious community doesn’t mean that all occasions of sin will disappear!
 
Thank you both, very much for your replies. My interest lies in the cloistered or hermetical life. Mainly getting away from the distractions/temptations that are all around me and are unavoidable. An environment that lends itself to the pursuit of virtue & perfection. I’m no stranger to work. I’m not looking for a free ride. I have a great admiration for St. Anthony of the desert but walking into the desert here in the US in this day & age is just not do-able.
 
If you find one let me know. Especially if they use the Rule of St Benedict:D
 
When the pastor of my parish retired, he was replaced by a recently ordained priest. The new priest was 60 years old. He has since transferred elsewhere to his own parish. He had been a CEO of pharmaceutical company.
Check on line to men’s religious communities (Catholic). I tried linking to vocations.org but only came up with a Chicago site.
 
Contact the vocations directors at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI and Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Massachusetts.

Both of these seminaries specialize in “later vocations” and should be great resources.

Also, I used to live in the Diocese of Saginaw, MI. There is a seminarian there in his 70s who is going to be ordained this December, and they have another “new” seminarian in his 60s. Maybe you can contact their vocation director.

Keep us informed.👍
 
I retired form industry at age 51, and at 53 I am now in my first year of the Deacon program. Have you considered becoming a Deacon?

I am posting a ton of information about my own journey through the Deacon program at prayforvocations.blogspot.com/ if you are interested.
 
AspiringDeacon said:
I retired form industry at age 51, and at 53 I am now in my first year of the Deacon program. Have you considered becoming a Deacon?

I am posting a ton of information about my own journey through the Deacon program at prayforvocations.blogspot.com/ if you are interested.
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Please note that the diaconate is a different vocation than the priesthood. Age should not be a determing factor between the two.
 
Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Boston and Sacred Heart Seminary in Wisconsin specialize in late voacations.
 
OP,
I’m not sure if they have an age limit, but the Intercessors of the Lamb are a fairly young community in Nebraska. They do have some older members. They have hermitages and also brothers and sisters who work with youth on retreats and who lead seminars and retreats for lay people and other religious about intercessory prayer.

You can read about the history of their community and what they do at their site listed below. They all wear habits (including veils for the sisters) although some of the brothers wear a modified habit at times with slacks and a type of long shirt instead of the more medieval looking habit with a rope belt.

I hope you find your place in the world (or away from the world).

bellwetheromaha.org/index.php
 
wml227 said:
Hi folks. I’m a 48 year old single male. Retired US Military. I have an constant overwhelming want to get out of mainstream society and pursue virtue & perfection ; to do spiritual battle and be rid of the last vestiges of sin and occassions of sin. I’ve written several monestaries and they actually have age limits. What is a person in my place to do at this late stage in life? I really believe that I have the responsibility to do whatever it takes to be rid of sin. I can’t go out to a cave here in Arizona without trespassing. Anyone out there have any ideas? HELP!!!
:eek:
Click to expand...
Becoming a Trappist Monk is a posibility. They will accept men up to age 55. They have weeklong retreats as well as weekend retreats. They are in the heart of Kentuckys “Holy Land”.

monks.org/aloneingod.html
 
In the eyes of the church, you are a young man.

Read a great book on later vocations called, The Collar.
It follows late vocation seminarians through their formation.
 
wml227 said:
Thank you both, very much for your replies. My interest lies in the cloistered or hermetical life. Mainly getting away from the distractions/temptations that are all around me and are unavoidable. An environment that lends itself to the pursuit of virtue & perfection. I’m no stranger to work. I’m not looking for a free ride. I have a great admiration for St. Anthony of the desert but walking into the desert here in the US in this day & age is just not do-able.
Click to expand...
wml227,

You and I sound as though we are seeking the same thing. I too am older and so much of today’s vocations are aimed at the youth (understandably, yet it doesn’t aid those who are in our position). There is however hope out there. If I can offer you this site: vocationsplacement.org/FindRetreatLocations.asp as a possibility. I’d also suggest that you speak with your diocesan vocations director. Also, a VERY interesting book that I have called, The Collar, by Jonathan Englert chronicles the journey of 5 men who start “later in life” on the path to Priesthood. You may not be thinking of becoming a Priest, but nonetheless, it is a very interesting read. As mentioned in another post, these men attend seminary at Sacred Heart in Wisconsin. I, like you, am looking at becoming a monk. It is a long process (usually 5 or more years before being allowed to take Solemn Vows). Please understand this as well; many Abbeys and monasteries say they have a maximum age. Don’t let that discourage you. Age limits are a general rule of thumb and exceptions CAN be made if a man’s heart and soul are right and a complete willingness of the one seeking to become a monk is evident. MANY monasteries will tell you this. Some of the requirements involved in becoming a monk are that the man be unmarried (or having received an annulment if had been divorced), no financial debt, be 21 years or older, have been a Catholic for X number of years (depends on the specific monastery), and some require at least a H.S. education. I pray that we both find what we seek within God’s will. God bless you brother.
 
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