Double Vocation

[Veritas]

[quote name='alicemary' post='990588' date='May 25 2006, 04:41 PM']
I do not mean to take this off topic, however, it is VERY difficult for a women over age 35 to find a convent to accept her. 35 is not old by any stretch of the imagination. I know several women, in good health, who are profesionals, that are turned down because of age. Ask Lauren what she has gone through, and she is only 30. Certainly the adjustment is more difficult the older one is, but it is not an impossiblity. Yet they will accept a priest into the seminary well into his 50's. Yes, there is a double standard,and no, no one wants to admit it. By belated vocations they mean age 35-40. And to bring up Sr. David, God rest her soul, is not comparitable. She was the foundress' mother, hardly anyone would refuse her.
[/quote]


+

It is a mistake to equate religious life with the seminary. It makes perfect sense that one called to live in community (religious life), is called to be young, whereas one called to be a spiritual father, living alone, can be relatively speaking, any age.

I don't think it's that we "don't want to admit it", I think it's that the standard is the same for religious women AND men and it makes sense that it is different for seculars (diocescen priests) as their lifestyles are completely different.

Ultimately, religious have the history, and the right as "private" associations, to decide and determine their own requirements -I know they do not make these decisions arbitrarily, although from the point of view of us "outsiders" it may appear so. Fundamentally, we must respect their right to self-determination. Do we really think that with hours and hours of prayer, daily masses, rosaries, liturgy of the hours, adoration, etc... they would be missing this? I can only say these women are probably a lot closer to discerning God's will than I am, and for that reason, it is only prudent for me to respect there determinations, however "inconvenient" it may seem to me personally.

Blessings!

Edited August 9, 2006 by Veritas

[GodChild]

very nice. God's ways are at times beyond our understanding .... but His will is PERFECT

God bless ....

Oh and just a question for Gemma, you said you were an aspiring lay foundress ... of what community / charism etc? I'm just curious but you don't have to answer if you don't want

[curtins]

Our pastor was married and has 5 kids and like 2374858023098234 grandchildren

[memory-singer]

Hi Phriends,

I ended up stuck in traffic for a an hour or so (mariners game, soccer game and concert all disgorging their patrons at the same time/ then a drawbridge) and caught the update on this thread.
It's hard for me to imagine the frustration and pain a person has when they aren't given the chance to try their vocation.

I am pretty ignorant about discernment processes. I just looked for traditional Benedictine communities on-line and when I came to St. Emma's web-site, My heart said try here. And when I talked with Mother, I was able to open my heart to her. If that hadn't happened, I probably would have contacted another Benedictine Community. (ANd believe me, it was a grace. My director was amazed.) SO when folks talk about checking out several places, it's a different process.) But I hope and pray that every precious desire to give oneself to Our Lord is fulfilled in His time.

You know, the postulant they have at St. Emma's now is 51 and Sr. Petra, their most recent solemn Professed is 61. Mother told me they have 2 sisters who are 30 but I think they are now not taking older folks. Maybe communities just need to understand their own limits.

It's funny. I feel so old (and am) on this site. But I'll be the youngest age-wise if I enter there. WHich as you know is my hope and prayer. And I'm actually a little nervous about it. I hope I don't get on people's nerves.

For what it's worth. That's my few cents.

love and prayers,

dare

P.S. I would think that Communities that do active ministry would be thrilled to have such experienced and skilled people enter. In contemplative communities, I think health, physical strength and "trainability" may matter more.

[Gemma]

[quote name='GodChild' post='1040419' date='Aug 9 2006, 08:30 PM']
very nice. God's ways are at times beyond our understanding .... but His will is PERFECT

God bless ....

Oh and just a question for Gemma, you said you were an aspiring lay foundress ... of what community / charism etc? I'm just curious but you don't have to answer if you don't want
[/quote]

Right now, I'm trying to get the Nuns and Monks of Our Lady of the Cloister (Cloisterites) founded. I'm getting the paperwork together for the bishop/Rome/Ecclesia Dei Commission.

You can also go to [url="http://cloisters.tripod.com/id60.html"]http://cloisters.tripod.com/id60.html[/url] and
[url="http://cloisters.tripod.com/id61.html"]http://cloisters.tripod.com/id61.html[/url] to see the other proposed charisms.

All will be Ecclesia Dei Traditionalist (in communion with Rome). And yes, all will be habited!!!

Please feel free to email me off-list if you wish.

Blessings,
Gemma

[chatbox829]

[quote name='curtins' post='1040435' date='Aug 9 2006, 07:36 PM']
Our pastor was married and has 5 kids and like 2374858023098234 grandchildren
[/quote]
hey that could help priests be more of a sheperd
and by the way some decons become priests after their wife dies
for example what if they want to be a priest but couldnt because they were married well thay lived out their wedding vows by remaining married and then becoming a priest there for forfilling both vocations
just some food for thought
PS sorry for rambling

[karin]

the vocation director of my dioceses ( please forgive me if i spelled that wrong) has like 8 kids he is a widower. pretty cool. God Bless and Mary keep you all