Contemplative

[28yrolddiscerner]

I was wondering if a contemplative nun or monk could help me (or formerly contemplative)?

What are the pros and cons of contemplative life?

Thank you and Christ be with you!

[chrysostom]

One thread on Phatmass pertinent to your question: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/123232-activecontemplative-or-cloistered-how-do-you-know-which-is-for-you/

Although not specific to contemplative life, I started a thread asking for religious life book recommendations a long while ago.  Here it is: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/133510-book-list-for-the-discerner/

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Arizona have a page on contemplative life:  https://desertnuns.com/vocation-information/about-the-contemplative-life/   There's also a contact page there. This is just one monastery I found on the internet, so go ahead and write whoever you want, but I'm sure they would provide some helpful advice and reading if you got in contact.

Other ideas of religious to contact:

The Institute of the Incarnate Word is a large organization but it has a contemplative branch.

The Dominicans in Summit NJ - one of them occasionally posts on Vocation Station I believe. This is their website: https://www.summitdominicans.org/

Your diocesan vocations director

Benedictine monks and nuns. The Cistercian Monastery in Dallas is great. There's also St. Anselm's Abbey in DC...and many, many more. Write them. Monks won't let you down!

I would also post this question right on Vocation Station, too - many religious on Phatmass don't look at other parts of the phorum.

Just as a personal note (I am a new Catholic and not a religious!) - I would not say that religious life is about "pros and cons" - I doubt they measure it in that way. However there is a lot of real renunciation of self. In making vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience you deliberately impose on yourself "cons", as it were, which you unite to Christ Crucified. Jesus gives the grace for it and the peace that will lead you there if you are called.