Women's Orders!

[ACS67]

I think the overall caution here is to be willing to have serious conversations with the community you are discerning with. Some of these questions I hadn't thought of needing to ask but now that they were pointed out I knew I needed to. A couple that come to mind is how does the community sustain itself financially? What about personal financial matters before and after vows? (I know some communities allow members to keep bank accounts and such open until vows) When does one get an official "say" in community matters (novice/temp vows/final vows?).

Yes.  I agree.  Ask questions.  Ask a ton of questions.  This was one of the first questions I asked the Carmelites in Christoval, "How do you support yourself?"  Carmelites are mendicant therefore they rely mostly on donations from the faithful.  The Sisters do not have an "industry" like their brother hermits do in the same town.  However, the Order of Carmelites (O. Carm) have been around for a long time and they are well established financially and can provide for formation and other expenses.  I also asked, if I were accepted into the community, what I would need to bring.  Would I need health insurance? (no) Would I need to provide for my own personal items for the first 6 months to a year? (No) Would I keep my bank account and any personal property?  (If I wanted to I could, until solemn vows, it would be my choice).  I have found that if you don't ask these questions and others, many of the communities will not volunteer the information.  Not out of ill-will.  I think perhaps they just assume either you already know the answers or such and such an issue is not important to you. 

 

I understand these newer orders are not well established and therefore they may be asking a lot more of their postulants/novices than an older, more established community but I must say some of the requirements and the list of things that a postulant has to bring with her is just astounding to me, not to mention all the tests, physical and mental, sometimes 2-3 different priests references (I barely know my parish priest and he barely knows me because our parish is so large and he has so many other duties outside of the parish), 3-4, sometimes 5 character references from others, then all the personal items, many of which you have to go out and buy!  It can be overwhelming.  This element factored heavily in which community I would and could choose.  

[Benedictus]

Two more institutes: 

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles 

Abbey of Regina Laudis (I find Mother Dolores Hart very inspiring ;)) 

[Anselm]

Am I the only one to whom the idea of sisters all having to raise money individually and a record being kept of 'who got what' both a little distasteful and divisive?

[Benedictus]

Am I the only one to whom the idea of sisters all having to raise money individually and a record being kept of 'who got what' both a little distasteful and divisive?

From an accounts perspective I understand it. I can also understand this being something superiors may raise with a religious in new communities. I've read the same for new brother communities, raising money for priestly studies and formation by benefactors. But I don't think this should be used as a measure of competition or humiliation within that community (I don't personally know whether any do this intentionally or not, but I'd hope they don't. I'm not intending to join a new community so this isn't an issue, but would want to ensure I could raise the money before entering if I was)