Saying Yes

[Mary-Kathryn]

I am 49, and I have finally surrendered myself to His Will and to discerning a vocation.

 

 My age will be seen by some as having formed a woman who is unbendable and set and focused on self. I can show them a mature woman who has learned that we are all human beings balanced by strengths and flaws. My judgement of others is tempered by remembrance of those who passed judmenet on me. I think I would fit in a community because my age has taught me to reach out, to understand rather than to judge, and to begin each day willing to love those God has put before me. 

 

Right now I am opening myself to all possibilities ( becoming a nun or even an Oblate living with the nuns is a wlecome) and most of all to The Will of Him who has loved me from the beginning. This is not some passing notion nor it is it an attempt to "run" from anything. My life is simple but enjoyable-friends, a job, an education-- but I know He is calling. I fully grasp that religious life will have its beauty and its sacrifice. As it should be. 

 

If you know of an Order who would be willing to speak with me, please let me know.  I live on the West Coast but am not particularly tied to a certain geographic area. I am open to contemplative/semi contemplative orders also.

 

Please pray for me,

Mary-Kathryn

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pax_et bonum]

Mater put together a beautiful site with lists of communities that accept older vocations.

[Luigi]

You've got Trappists in Whitehorn, CA. They've got a live-in coming up the end of May: http://www.redwoodsabbey.org/Life/Vocations/

 

There's another monastery in Sonoita, AZ - http://www.santaritaabbey.org/vocations/ 

 

Both of these are small communities - maybe ten or twelve nuns. 

 

 

But I'm sure there are a lot of other orders out there that would take you.

[OnlySunshine]

Mater put together a beautiful site with lists of communities that accept older vocations.

 

Thanks for the plug!  :)

[Luigi]

That web address, above, for Santa Rita is very abbreviated, but it does work. I don't know what happened there. 

 

Anyway, there are two Dominican monasteries in California, too.

 

Corpus Christi Monastery (in Menlo Park): http://www.nunsmenlo.org/formatio.htm This is about their formation process. They don't mention an age limit. They have a Facebook page, too - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dominican-Nuns-at-Corpus-Christi-Monastery-Menlo-Park/106307849430265 And they have a blog: http://opheartprints.blogspot.com/ You may decide not to join them, but at least you'll know who they are!

 

Monastery of the Angels (in Hollywood): http://monasteryoftheangels.com/ They have less information about the formation process, but they don't mention an age limit, either. 

[marigold]

Welcome Mary-Kathryn! :)

[petitpèlerin]

A community I don't see on Mater's list that does accept vocations on an individual basis (and has accepted some 50+ in recent years) is the Community of St John. They have both apostolic and contemplative sisters. Learning French and doing the latter portion of formation in France is required of all members. http://www.communityofstjohn.com/

 

I live by the brothers' novitiate in France, have gotten to know them, and I've noticed two things about later vocations: 1) an older person knows relatively quickly after entering whether or not they have found the right place, because they know themselves and the life they are called to live better than they did 20 or 30 years earlier (i.e. they either leave shortly or they stay and thrive), and 2) if they have found the right place, they actually seem to adjust more easily than many of the younger ones: I think when you've been looking for something all your life yet living without it, when you find it, you embrace it with gratitude, and all the good that has already developed in you through your life experience finds its home. Honestly, some of the 40+ brothers I know who are still in formation here are halfway to sainthood, and they're radiantly happy. Just my observation, and they're the ones who tell me how happy they are, in case it weren't obvious. So, I think it's great that this is happening to you now and I encourage you in your search.

Edited March 12, 2013 by petitpèlerin

[OnlySunshine]

A community I don't see on Mater's list that does accept vocations on an individual basis (and has accepted some 50+ in recent years) is the Community of St John. They have both apostolic and contemplative sisters. Learning French and doing the latter portion of formation in France is required of all members. http://www.communityofstjohn.com/

 

I live by the brothers' novitiate in France, have gotten to know them, and I've noticed two things about later vocations: 1) an older person knows relatively quickly after entering whether or not they have found the right place, because they know themselves and the life they are called to live better than they did 20 or 30 years earlier (i.e. they either leave shortly or they stay and thrive), and 2) if they have found the right place, they actually seem to adjust more easily than many of the younger ones: I think when you've been looking for something all your life yet living without it, when you find it, you embrace it with gratitude, and all the good that has already developed in you through your life experience finds its home. Honestly, some of the 40+ brothers I know who are still in formation here are halfway to sainthood, and they're radiantly happy. Just my observation, and they're the ones who tell me how happy they are, in case it weren't obvious. So, I think it's great that this is happening to you now and I encourage you in your search.

 

I was sure I added them!  Oops!  I'll add them now.  :blush:

[Mary-Kathryn]

Thank you so much everyone for all the wonderful information! I am leaving myself open to His Will and where he wants me to be.

[Gabriela]

The Visitandines, a cloistered contemplative order in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, has no age limit. (St. Francis de Sales forbid it, I believe.) They are all over, but mostly on the East Coast. Here is a list of their monasteries in the US:

 

http://www.deoestgloria.com/us.o.vis.html

[Mary-Kathryn]

Hello All,

 

Thank you for your prayers. I have a meeting with the Dicoese Vocation Director and a telephone "meeting" with the Superior of a community (please forgive me if I choose not to name any names-I am at the very beginning of this journey and wish to walk with babysteps.)

 

I ask for a special favor. Please remember me in your prayers. The Vocation Director and the Supeior both know about my age and certain details of my life. They did not shut the door so that is something to give thanks for.

 

Mary-Kathryn

[Guest Allie]

Hello All,

 

Thank you for your prayers. I have a meeting with the Dicoese Vocation Director and a telephone "meeting" with the Superior of a community (please forgive me if I choose not to name any names-I am at the very beginning of this journey and wish to walk with babysteps.)

 

I ask for a special favor. Please remember me in your prayers. The Vocation Director and the Supeior both know about my age and certain details of my life. They did not shut the door so that is something to give thanks for.

 

Mary-Kathryn

 

Prayers.
 

[marigold]

Hello All,

 

Thank you for your prayers. I have a meeting with the Dicoese Vocation Director and a telephone "meeting" with the Superior of a community (please forgive me if I choose not to name any names-I am at the very beginning of this journey and wish to walk with babysteps.)

 

I ask for a special favor. Please remember me in your prayers. The Vocation Director and the Supeior both know about my age and certain details of my life. They did not shut the door so that is something to give thanks for.

 

Mary-Kathryn

 

Prayers!

[inperpetuity]

Welcome and Prayers!

[Mary-Kathryn]

Thank you everyone!  I am grateful for the support and prayers--so far 2 communities and the Director of Vocations for my diocese has been willing to speak with me! Thanks Be To God!