Too Young?

[chrysostom]

On 10/13/2020 at 6:12 PM, Anastasia said:

I can see I gave my advice about visiting various monasteries out of the Eastern Orthodox practice: in our Church a person who comes to the monastery with a thought of eventually - maybe becoming a nun shares some menial work with the nuns. She is usually placed into special "guests quarters" (very austere dormitory) an is immediately immersed in to the monastery life (that can be very difficult).

The discernment in West appears to be much more formal.

As with everything this depends on where you look, as monastics in the West will often do much the same thing with inquirers - no particular formal programme needed.

Edited October 23, 2020 by chrysostom

[chrysostom]

Take my advice with a grain of salt but I think one of the important points is the need for maturity to a certain extent. One needs to be able to deal with acceptance or rejection with a little bit of detachment, to have the wherewithal to accept or reject concerning situations yourself, and most of all to hearken to the love of God above all. As long as your time is spent well, time (spent in the fear of the Lord) will lend you the gift of perceiving more easily the truth of things - i.e. wisdom.

I think that is in part behind much of the cautionary advice in this thread.

If you are sufficiently mature to proceed that is good and I would not say you are too young. If you are not, a little time, well spent, would help maintain your peace of mind.

There is no way for any of us to tell here.

Actual contact with the communities will help. Prayers for you!

Edited October 23, 2020 by chrysostom

[M. Therese]

On 10/9/2020 at 11:02 PM, StrivingforSainthood said:

Hi!

I am new here on phatmass, so I am not sure If I am doing this correctly, but I would really like some advice.... I am a cradle Catholic, and after getting closer to my faith in the past few years, I started the discernment of religious life. While I am still not 100% positive, I think that this is what God is calling me to do. I am currently a junior in highschool, and after I graduate I would love to enter postulancy or candidacy with an order. After doing some research, my  favorite order is the Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus with the ICKSP.  I also am interested in the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. I have several questions that I would love If anyone would help me with:

1. Since my birthday is in September, after senior year when I will hopefully be applying to be a postulant  I will be 19. Will the religious order be concerned that I will be so young? Will my age be considered a negative factor in deciding whether I would be fit for postulancy? Are most of the Sister Adorers or Benedictines college graduates? 

2. When should I begin inquring about candidacy and writing to the orders to show my interest, If I would like to begin postulancy within six months- a year of my highschool graduation?

3. When I do begin to inquire with orders, will they be concerned that I do not have a Spirituality director? (I am shy and seeking a Spiritual director seems like a daunting task.)

4.  (This is related to question one.)  Am I too young? Should I attend college first? (I know that I am young, but I am so eager to join an order, and I feel that college is not necessary if I want to become a nun.)

I apologize that this is so long, and I appreciate any response. 
AMDG.

If you want specific answers to your questions especially from the two religious communities you mentioned, then contact them directly and find out what their process for entering is.
Having a spiritual director is critical to discernment and is a requirement.