Recent Converts And Religious Vocations

[oremus1]

For converts, how long do you think they should have been practicing the faith to be suitable for a religious vocation?

 

I am a candidate for consecrated virginity, i converted about 8-10 years ago. but a few bishops and priests thought this was not long enough, and the vocation shold only be open to middle aged converts who had practiced the faith for a couple decades AND have 7 years of formation like that of priests and hermits.

 

meanwhile i know a guy who is becomign a brother, who has been catholic less than 2 years, and his SD encouraged him to take a vow of chastity which was put on his baptismal certificate.

 

i know a girl who has also been catholic less than two years and is spending a few months with the cameldose beneditcines or carthusians, one of those types of orders to join.

 

i also know of some orders who want you to be practicing the faith for about 3-5 years before starting to discern, then have a few years of regular visits with them, then you can join. some of those comunities have upper age limits of about 30. so if you convert say when you are 21, you spend 4 years being catholic, then you spend a year deciding which community, trying different ones, then you spend 5 years discerning with the one you want to join, you are too old! so this artificially blocks converts from joining.

 

is there any official guidelines?

 

as CVs have no specific ministry and indeed are not obliged to do anything other than remain celibate, why should they have a higher standard to meet than ones who are joining an order?

 

what are your views of converts and vocations?

 

what do you think of the required lopng duration of being catholic, combined with the low cut off age of some insititutes?

 

finally, most people who are converts, say "i've been catholic for about a year. but i was practicing the faith for about 5 years" what does this mean? surely all converts must practice the fiath for at least two years before converting, since that is the duration of most RCIA. but bishops and insititures are interseted in when you JOINED the church. what do you think of this?

 

 

[Carson]

I think 2 years is enough, but you have to make sure that you're informed completely about the faith. When it comes down to it, if God is calling you, then you should do what you think he wants.

[SilentJoy]

I don't know anything about the vocation to celibacy within the world, but if you are interested in a religious community, ask them. From my limited research it seems like the norm for converts is 2 years before being able to apply (you could probably be discerning with the community before that). Some advise, but do not require, that you wait 3 years. Others do not have a requirement about the number of years since your conversion; they look at each candidate on a case-by-case basis. I think a lot depends on the individual convert, not so much on the years they've been Catholic.

[SilentJoy]

 

what do you think of the required lopng duration of being catholic, combined with the low cut off age of some insititutes?

 

finally, most people who are converts, say "i've been catholic for about a year. but i was practicing the faith for about 5 years" what does this mean? surely all converts must practice the fiath for at least two years before converting, since that is the duration of most RCIA. but bishops and insititures are interseted in when you JOINED the church. what do you think of this?

 

"duration of being Catholic combined with the low cut off age of some institutes"...

:beg: YOU.THINK.I.HAVE.THIS.KIND.OF.TIME? I AM TWENTY-FRIGGIN-NINE ALREADY!!! :stars:

 

(And if they see you with THAT attitude, they'll say "Ummm...not mature yet.") :smile2:

 

 

 

The length of RCIA can be very open-ended. Some people go for several years because they haven't made up their mind whether or not they can accept Catholicism, or perhaps they are waiting on a tedious annulment, or something. Others, if they have already been baptized in a Christian denomination and don't have certain impediments, can enter the Church at *almost* any time. I studied Catholicism privately for at least a year before entering RCIA, and I wouldn't have spent very much time in RCIA except someone mistakenly told me at the beginning that I had to go through the whole thing even though I was a Candidate rather than a Catechumen. (I asked again 8 months later and the person in charge said "Oh! You could've entered pretty much anytime.")

[TheresaThoma]

I'm a convert  officially Catholic now for 3 years (it will be three in April!)  and practicing for almost 5. I think many converts say how long they have been "practicing" (ie Catholic except for not having the Sacraments) because for some the road is shorter or longer. I waited a year and a half before I started RCIA and then was in RCIA for about 6 months (Oct-April). However some people may start RCIA sooner or later after their initial conversion.

I really do agree now looking back that the 2 year request is prudent. I thought that I knew a lot about my faith but I realize now that I needed time for it to "take root". It was hard and frustrating at times to have to wait but definitely needed. I was however discerning and talking with communities during that time. I think if one is concerned about age limits go ahead and talk with the community, just go in with the understanding that they will probably ask you to wait. Then they will at least know you are interested and even if you have to wait they might be willing to make an exception on the age limits.

 

[PhuturePriest]

I don't think I have all the answers, so I leave this up to communities. In general, I've seen communities mostly say that you must be a Catholic for 2 to 3 years before entering their community. That seems reasonable enough to me, anyway.

[Blue.Rose]

I'm a convert and have to wait 2 years.

[oremus1]

"duration of being Catholic combined with the low cut off age of some institutes"...

:beg: YOU.THINK.I.HAVE.THIS.KIND.OF.TIME? I AM TWENTY-FRIGGIN-NINE ALREADY!!! :stars:

 

(And if they see you with THAT attitude, they'll say "Ummm...not mature yet.")  :smile2:

 

 

There is no need to be so rude about it. grow up. 

 

My point is, if most insititutes have a cut off age of about 30 ish and they require candidates to be catholic for say 5-10 years then this effectively precludes converts from joining their orders.

[oremus1]

I'm a convert  officially Catholic now for 3 years (it will be three in April!)  and practicing for almost 5. I think many converts say how long they have been "practicing" (ie Catholic except for not having the Sacraments) because for some the road is shorter or longer. I waited a year and a half before I started RCIA and then was in RCIA for about 6 months (Oct-April). However some people may start RCIA sooner or later after their initial conversion.

I really do agree now looking back that the 2 year request is prudent. I thought that I knew a lot about my faith but I realize now that I needed time for it to "take root". It was hard and frustrating at times to have to wait but definitely needed. I was however discerning and talking with communities during that time. I think if one is concerned about age limits go ahead and talk with the community, just go in with the understanding that they will probably ask you to wait. Then they will at least know you are interested and even if you have to wait they might be willing to make an exception on the age limits.

 

 

what does 'practicing' catholicism are not catholic and are not doing the RCIA?

 

and why do most converts 'practice' the faith for a few years before starting RCIA?

 

Personally, depending on the order, it is my view that converts should have at least 3 years before joining an active order, at least 5 years before a contemplative order, and about 8-10 years for an eremetical/solitary vocation or some of the more extreme orders like the carthusians and lauras of hermits etc. and i am not including the years practicing the faith pre conversion. i think this because while a convert may have loved the Lord a lot, they need to demonstrate a fidelity and stability in that faith. they need to develop a sense of spiritual identiy.you cant do that in 18 months.

Edited February 20, 2014 by oremus1

[Sponsa-Christi]

There is no need to be so rude about it. grow up. 

 

I don't think Silent Joy was trying to be rude here. I think she was just trying to commiserate with the other people on this thread who've had similar experiences. (And actually, I got a good chuckle out of her post!)

[SilentJoy]

I don't think Silent Joy was trying to be rude here. I think she was just trying to commiserate with the other people on this thread who've had similar experiences.

 

Yup.

 

I'm sorry, I don't always word my posts as could as I clearly.

 

(:smile4:)

[SilentJoy]

 

and why do most converts 'practice' the faith for a few years before starting RCIA?

 

 

For me, my reason for entering RCIA was that I was already convinced and desired to enter the Catholic Church. I was practicing to become a 'practicing Catholic', if that makes sense.

[oremus1]

For me, my reason for entering RCIA was that I was already convinced and desired to enter the Catholic Church. I was practicing to become a 'practicing Catholic', if that makes sense.

 

 

in general though, what does what does 'practicing' catholicism mean, before one becomes catholic or is doing the RCIA?

[Eowyn]

in general though, what does what does 'practicing' catholicism mean, before one becomes catholic or is doing the RCIA?

 

 

It depends on the person, but from my experience as a convert it might include - attending mass (not receiving communion), praying the rosary, perhaps adoration.  It might include learning about different Catholic devotions.  For many of us converts, it takes some time to discover the truth of the Catholic Church.  It also takes time to find a parish and become familiar with what it is to be "catholic."  I think for a lot of people it is a very gradual process. 

[Kayte Postle]

in general though, what does what does 'practicing' catholicism mean, before one becomes catholic or is doing the RCIA?

 

I know for me it meant making sure I went to Sunday mass, and often went to daily mass, while making a spiritual communion with the Lord since I could not yet receive him. It also meant integrating myself into the Catholic faith by doing a lot of spiritual reading, and a lot of praying (the rosary, LOTH, personal meditation, adoration, etc.).  Pretty much everything I do now as a Catholic, except receiving the Eucharist and going to Confession.

 

I think the rule in general for most active and contemplative orders is 2 years, and I think that is very wise (although most active communities will let you discern with them after 1 year and enter once you hit the 2yr mark). It gives us converts the appropriate time to really learn what it means to live a sacramental life, and to let ourselves have time to just be Catholic. And I think most communities know that converts in general are practicing their faith to the fullest possible measure before they enter the Church (especially those who think they have a religious vocation).

[beccasmiles89]

in general though, what does what does 'practicing' catholicism mean, before one becomes catholic or is doing the RCIA?

Since I'm still participating in RCIA, I think of myself as "unofficially" Catholic...doing everything a Catholic does, except those things that I can't do until I'm "officially" Catholic, like receiving the Eucharist and going to Confession. For me personally, that includes going to Sunday Mass (and Daily Mass, when possible), spending time daily in quiet prayer and spiritual reading...basically trying to immerse myself in the Catholic faith as much as possible.

 

Counting down till April 19!!! :dance:

 

Here is actually a neat little article I found, for both "unofficial" and "official" Catholics! :)

 

http://thepracticingcatholic.com/what-is-a-practicing-catholic/

 

Most communities I've contacted have said that they suggest converts wait a year or two after entering the Catholic Church, so that the individual has time to practice and continue to grow in their faith in the world.

[maximillion]

 

 

as CVs have no specific ministry and indeed are not obliged to do anything other than remain celibate, why should they have a higher standard to meet than ones who are joining an order?

 

TBH I am not so sure they do. I think you are presuming that once a person enters a community, that's it, hey presto all is okay and I am on a direct route to heaven.

 

In fact, Entering the community is the first tiny step. Most communities ask the person to take another 5 - 7 years (in a few cases, longer) before making final profession.

 

I suppose it depends on how you view the vocation of a CV. Though the obligations may be as you state, from what I have read on here most CV's take their status and their vocation very seriously, no less than someone who enters a community.

[chrysostom]

It's just past my one year anniversary of BEGINNING to study the Catholic faith, haha, and almost my 7-month anniversary of being officially received into Holy Mother Church.  I have begun to discern religious life since January, and it's going to be at least 3 full years after my reception before I could enter anywhere due to college.  Who knows - I might need more time than that.  I'll trust the judgment of the community I seek to join.

 

I think the community that requires a few years of regular visits with them before postulancy would surely bend the rules if you're, say, 26 or 27.  In case of necessity (especially if the distance to travel is large) a small number of extended visits should be able to substitute for a larger number of short visits - at least, I've heard this from the monastery with which I plan to discern.  It would probably be difficult to manage this if you're 28 or older. 

 

Another way to shave time if you fear being too old at the end of the discernment process is simply to start looking earlier, so that maybe you don't take that whole year to decide between communities.  In those initial years after conversion, you could especially work on understanding the charisms of various communities.  Your affinity with a charism is probably the most important point, no?  Even though you might not officially be asked to discern until 3-5 years after conversion, I don't think there is anything stopping you from reading the works of founders, etc.  In general I think it's harmless to begin contact with a community earlier rather than later.

 

But I have about zero experience in this so I might be wrong haha!

[krissylou]

I remember one time hearing Mother Angelica say that "the call to holiness is very often confused with a call to religious life."

 

I could imagine this being especially true for catechumens/candidates for full reception.  It's often a heady, emotional, time.  And that isn't bad -- it's wonderful!  it's a gift!

 

But it would also be easy to confuse that call to give yourself to God <period> with a more specific call to give yourself to God through consecrated life.

 

And, of course, maybe God IS also calling you to follow him specifically through consecrated life.  Or maybe you're reacting to the call to be fully united with the Catholic Church and misinterpreting that as a call to religious life.

 

Can you figure that out in initial formation?  Is that sort of thing exactly what initial formation is for?  Sure.  But it's messier after you've given your things away, moved into the convent, etc.  A lot messier.

 

So, okay.  For people in a situation where those sorts of confusions are common, slow down.  If God is calling you to consecrated life, God will still be calling you in a couple years.  Get used to being Catholic first.  One big transition at a time.

 

<Now if you're bumping up against age limits, something has to give.  Maybe that's entering a bit earlier, maybe that's the community extending their age limit a bit.  If the community isn't willing to bend on EITHER well then that may be a sign God is calling you to a different community.>

 

That having been said, 10 years sounds like plenty of time!  Huh!

[vee]

I remember one time hearing Mother Angelica say that "the call to holiness is very often confused with a call to religious life."

 

 

krissy quoting mother angelica just made my day! :D