What is the process for having a women's religious order approved by the Bishop?

[seabird3579]

For a number of years I have been very interested in pursuing the idea of starting a women’s religious order within the Church.

It would not be your typical religious order, but instead, it would be an opportunity for older single women (those without dependent children) to have a life of dedicated prayer, fasting, service and tranquility in their older years.

The ages to initially join would be between 48 and 72, for example.

I find that many older women are sometimes very inclined to a life of prayer and service but ultimately find themselves alone or without knowledge on how to connect with other women desiring the same future calling.

I’m interested in all opinions, but would really like to hear from someone involved in this process, or someone well-acquainted with the process.

Please help. Thanks,
Seabird

 

[seabird3579]

This seems to be one of those questions that leaves most people wondering, also.

If there are any priests on line that have a clue, please tell us what you may know…

…maybe you could direct me to a particular reference, or some educational materials…?

 

[Della]

Make an appointment with (one of) your priest(s) to talk to him about your idea. If he thinks it has merit, he will help you find a contact in your diocese.

I too have had that idea and think it a good one. I am currently married, but if anything were to happen to my dh I would love to live in a community of the kind you described. It sounds like a very practical yet spiritual answer to a problem that is only going to increase as the baby boom population grows.

 

[seabird3579]

Della:

Make an appointment with (one of) your priest(s) to talk to him about your idea. If he thinks it has merit, he will help you find a contact in your diocese.

I too have had that idea and think it a good one. I am currently married, but if anything were to happen to my dh I would love to live in a community of the kind you described. It sounds like a very practical yet spiritual answer to a problem that is only going to increase as the baby boom population grows.

Thanks, Della,
I think you may be right about making an appointment with a priest, or possibly the Vocations Director for the Diocese, I just believe there must be some kind of process or discernment involved…

As a young adult I was seriously interested in religious life but my life took a different turn, however the “desire” has never left me.

One thing that most religious orders have in common is that they would like to have fairly young postulants and usually have a maximum entrance age of about 35 years. Also, you must be in pretty good health, and that makes sense given the apostolates involved.

However, there are many people who are “less than perfect” in health and quite a few who are older and yet, they have a very strong desire to live in religious community; particularly, one dedicated to prayer and quiet service.

I wonder if any women religious on this forum may know further avenues to be explored in light of this desired life path in increasing numbers.

 

[puzzleannie]

you should first find a priest to serve as your spiritual director for yourself, and for your group, then try to identify a few women as a core group to meet with him on a regular basis, draw up a rule or plan for your group, decide whether it is a lay organization or going to be a bonafide religious order with vows etc. Then you need to find assitance, possible from someone in the chancery, on the practical aspects of your plan, finding a place to meet, to live, how you will support yourselves etc. At that point, when you have a concrete plan for the spiritual and temporal care of your group, you would approach the bishop with the assistance of your spiritual director.

a good first step is finding out what orders, including secular institutes are already operating in your diocese, because there is a tendency to try not to duplicate efforts in one particular area.