Belated Vocations Website

[Sister Leticia]

16 hours ago, NovemberFourth said:

Hi Sister Leticia, I am 51 - so a bit of a burnt offering! I know I am very lucky to be based in the UK as a greater proportion of UK congregations will look at those of us with a few more miles on the clock! I am also lucky because, as you know, the way student debt is set up in the UK means that it is not always so much of an issue. I am aware of the lovely Mater Ecclesiae but feel drawn to a larger community with a wider apostolate. However, I am discounting nothing!

Well, November, I'm sure this little holocaust is very pleasing to God! I expect you already know the UK religious life website run by the National Office of Vocation. It lists all UK congregations as well as advertising discernment events. That bit of the site is currently down for upgrading, but when it comes back up, why not contact the orders advertising weekends (unless they've stated an upper age limit), tell them your age and see how they respond? You will probably get more positive responses than you expect!

And in the meantime, you can check out the congregations listed, if you haven't already. Some might state an upper limit of 50, but you could still contact them, as 51 is only just over. http://ukreligiouslife.org/

[NovemberFourth]

Sister Leticia, it is indeed a great blessing that God loves us all, even if we are a little crispy around the edges!  Thank you so much for the link. I have, tentatively, emailed a couple of communities to find out a little more. One has answered and seems quite positive - I haven't heard anything from the other yet, but they are rumoured to be open to us oldies! Early days yet! But thank you so much for your encouragement - it means a lot.

[Sister Leticia]

I know that the vocations director for my congregation believes in discerning individually if she gets an enquiry from a woman of around 50, just as she would discern with a 25 yo. And in fact at our last vocations w/e one of the participants was a 50 yo, who undoubtedly raised similar questions and issues to the ones you would raise. Anyway, I have no idea what sort of spirituality, charism etc you feel attracted to, but in case the Sacred Heart and our charism and mission attract you, here's a link to our next weekend

http://www.societysacredheart.org.uk/vocation-discernment-events-2016.html

The UK religious life page of events is still down, but this link offers an address you can email for the list. I hope the page comes back soon, as there are several weekends with different orders, plus - if I recall correctly - some days of prayer with the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, which might be on their website.

http://ukreligiouslife.org/events/for-discerners

 

 

Edited December 9, 2015 by Sister Leticia

[NovemberFourth]

Thank you for this Sister Leticia. I have been reading up on the RSCJ. I have emailed to ask if I might be considered for the weekend in Roehampton as the community does look very interesting and I would like to find out a little more!