Contacting Vocations Office

[MeteorShower]

Hello everyone,
I was wondering if any of you could give me any advice. When one is discerning a religious vocation, is it normal to contact their diocese's vocations office?

To help with your answers, I will give you some background. I live on the east coast of Canada where traditional religious communities are virtually non-existent. All of the communities that I am in contact with are outside of my diocese - all are either in a different province or a different country.

Secondly, I went onto my diocese's vocations webpage. However, all of the resources and contact information there says it is only for men discerning priesthood (which I am obviously not).

So what do you think? Should I contact them anyway? Speak to someone else about? Is it even worth it since I might not even enter a Canadian order?

[Mary's Margaret]

I don't remember which thread it was in, but I remember reading that, although their diocese' vocations office dealt only with those discerning priesthood, the director was able to point them in the direction of helpful religious sisters. So, it might be helpful to speak with the priest in charge of vocations in your diocese. It certainly wouldn't do any harm, and who knows, perhaps if more women contact them seeking assistance, they may start providing more information for women discerners.
Sorry I don't have more help to offer. My prayers are with you.

[MeteorShower]

That makes a lot of sense Thanks very much for the help!

[ACS67]

With all the resources out there now I don't know that too many women contact their diocesan office. It was more the "thing to do" when there was no internet. I did it during that time (late 1980s through late 1990s) and both times was led in a bad direction. I think you have to have a good idea how your diocese "leans" and where it is you "lean." Are you more conservative? If so, is your diocese the same or similar? Will they support and/or even understand the type of religious order you are desiring to enter? Many diocesan priests and vocation directors unfortunately to this day still have very little knowledge about cloistered contemplatives (not saying that is what you wish to enter but just giving an example) and that is due to their formation. Many seminaries do not teach priests on spiritual direction for women entering the religious life because so few women were entering or inquiring in the last 30+ years. That is changing now however, so hopefully the seminary training will change as well.

So as not to sound as if I am painting with a broad brush, however, I will say that some diocese are very good. But I would certainly rely more on resources here on Phatmass and the internet obtaining web addresses, snail mail wirting to different orders. The Guide To Religious Ministeries is still quite helpful and even online now with just about every relgious order listed.

These are just my opinions based on personal experiences.

Edited September 18, 2012 by ACS67

[Orans]

[quote name='MeteorShower' timestamp='1347971935' post='2483684']
I live on the east coast of Canada where traditional religious communities are virtually non-existent. All of the communities that I am in contact with are outside of my diocese - all are either in a different province or a different country.

Secondly, I went onto my diocese's vocations webpage. However, all of the resources and contact information there says it is only for men discerning priesthood (which I am obviously not).
[/quote]

There seems to be a new religious group that started in your area, with both active and contemplative members. Also there are men and women groups. Just in case you may want to take a look at their web page: [url="http://www.franciscansofhalifax.com/Home.html"]http://www.francisca...x.com/Home.html[/url]

[MeteorShower]

[quote name='ACS67' timestamp='1347980899' post='2483733']
With all the resources out there now I don't know that too many women contact their diocesan office. It was more the "thing to do" when there was no internet. I did it during that time (late 1980s through late 1990s) and both times was led in a bad direction. I think you have to have a good idea how your diocese "leans" and where it is you "lean." Are you more conservative? If so, is your diocese the same or similar? Will they support and/or even understand the type of religious order you are desiring to enter? Many diocesan priests and vocation directors unfortunately to this day still have very little knowledge about cloistered contemplatives (not saying that is what you wish to enter but just giving an example) and that is due to their formation. Many seminaries do not teach priests on spiritual direction for women entering the religious life because so few women were entering or inquiring in the last 30+ years. That is changing now however, so hopefully the seminary training will change as well.

So as not to sound as if I am painting with a broad brush, however, I will say that some diocese are very good. But I would certainly rely more on resources here on Phatmass and the internet obtaining web addresses, snail mail wirting to different orders. The Guide To Religious Ministeries is still quite helpful and even online now with just about every relgious order listed.

These are just my opinions based on personal experiences.
[/quote]

When I first started discerning, I only looked at active and active/contemplative communities. However, I have since started to lean more towards cloistered communities and, more recently, missionary orders. I do consider myself conservative; I wouldn't describe my diocese as liberal, although they aren't uber-conservative either. I'm not sure, however, if they would understand why I am looking at orders mostly outside of the diocese.

Thank you for the advice - it helped a lot and you have given me much to think about.

[quote name='Orans' timestamp='1347999474' post='2483863']
There seems to be a new religious group that started in your area, with both active and contemplative members. Also there are men and women groups. Just in case you may want to take a look at their web page: [url="http://www.franciscansofhalifax.com/Home.html"]http://www.francisca...x.com/Home.html[/url]
[/quote]

Thank you! I have heard of this group, actually. A friend of mine who is also discerning religious life is trying to arrange a visit for the both of us.

Edited September 19, 2012 by MeteorShower