I think there is a definite problem when a community is more concerned with how fat a candidate is over what her spiritual life is like.
Are we really "weighing" the value of a vocation in pounds and dollars?

Jesus loves me, fat and all. If a community does not want to accept a good, solid vocation because they are heavy, shame on them. And I donl't think very young vocations stay any more then an older vocation would. I dont think Jesus would be happy with the age discrimination thing either. Again I must point out, from the look of many seminarians I see, many are older. I saw a 60 something year old, widow with kids and grandkids accepted to the seminary. Yet many convents still want never married woman. Double standart for sure

Our priest was one of those. He was going to be a deacon, when his wife died, and the Bishop asked him to continue on and become a priest. Another transitional decon we had converted (he had been Lutheran) and he'd been divorced (while he was Lutheran). I think he needed speical permission from the Bishop, though.

I have personally met two older priests--one who was an Irishman from Scotland, and who taught for many years before he entered the seminary--the other was a Trappist brother for 19 years (!) before heeding a call, actually an all-points bulletin, to study for the priesthood to serve in rural New Mexico, where both of these priests now serve. Both appeared to be very happy.

...but many accept not only married women, but grandmothers with grandchildren. I don't think that the most trad cloisters want grandmothers, tho' I think this varies, but the 'updated' unhabited convents belonging to the largest orders--Bennies, Dominicans, Franciscans, have a substantial percentage of those joining who are older, formerly married, divorced, annulled, grandmothers with grandchildren who often attend their profession ceremonies!

Many of these new religious also have weight issues.

When my oldest was joining the Navy, the recruiter mentioned to me that of the high school kids he was trying to recruit, 50% were unavailable because of their weight, and 25% because of their hearing (ipod buds too high). In a time of hard vocations, it doesn't make any sense to me to cut 50% of potential novices out because they are average in our society.

The president of my University is a sister, and her mother became a sister after he husband died and all the children were grown. It's really funny to be around them because you have one sister calling another "mom."

that's not the only daughter-and-mother-who are sisters pair--Gemma can name others--foundresses and saints, I think...

I can't agree with you more. God loves us for who we are...not what we look like or how old we are.

Caramel, I love your moniker!

I believe that Mother Angelica's first postulant was her own mother. That's not first hand information but I do believe the person who told me this is a very good source.

Jkaands,

You say it in an much softer - and therefore probably much better - way than I did...but this is the point I was trying to make. I believe we have to be not only more kind but more honest with each other..and just say "what is" rather than defer to the "will of God" concerning things that are really a choice...sometimes for good reason, other times for not such good reasons..but even then, at least it's honest.