Do People Still Discern and Enter Religious Life?

Yes! There is a growing number of women and men entering religious communities all across the country! As young as 17 and as young at heart as 60 depending on the community.

Religious Life Is Boring, Why Would Anyone Become a Religious?

Every day as a religious is a new adventure! Depending on the religious, you can catch them doing various things: skating, hiking, watching movies, reading books, cheering on their favorite team, eating pizza, drinking coffee and for every religious lots of laughter! While a religious gives of themselves totally to Christ and the Church, they still have their favorite hobbies and joys of life.

What type of Activities/Work do Religious do?

Each religious community has an apostolate or work that they do. Cloistered Communities main focus is prayer for the world hidden away. Several provide a place of retreat for people and share Mass and Adoration daily with the community. Many grow their own food and make items to sell in gift shops. Contemplative and Active Communities main focus is prayer through service such as Teaching, Nursing, Evangelization, Parish Staff, Retreats, Youth Ministry, Prison Ministry and more.

What Type of Vows Do Religious Take?

Religious take three Vows ( Counsels) of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Vow of Poverty- To be free of material goods of the world except for the essentials such as food, clothing and shelter. In a sense to live a simple life and possessions are typically shared amongst the community. Vow of Chastity- To not only abstain from sexual intercourse but to also live a life of love for God and the whole Church. This vow means to strive to life a pure life of prayer, service, eating habits and activity. Vow of Obedience- To listen to the call of God through prayer and that of the superiors of the community. It is the courage to be God’s love in the world.
 
How do I know if I have a religious vocation?

What may start as an unsettling idea becomes a reoccurring thought. The person with a religious vocation increasingly finds that there is a restlessness of spirit that only the things of God seem to fill. Marriage may be attractive, but there is the question of whether or not God has something more in mind. A few questions to consider include:

1. Are you happy, yet find that deep within you there is an unfulfilled longing? With all that you have is there is a sense that it is not enough?
2. Do you feel drawn to daily Mass and more prayer than your present schedule permits?
3. Do you enjoy sharing your faith with others, most especially those who are searching for God?
4. When you first considered religious life, did the idea catch you off guard-like someone who has been picked out of a crowd and responds, “Who me?”
5. Do you find that you possess a great love for the Church and her teachings?
6. When you have contact with priests and religious, is there a sense of connection, an attraction to the joy and conviction they possess?

The best answer to this question is to pray, pray and pray some more. God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. We can look for extraordinary signs, but God works best with our cooperation in prayer and honest investigation. The closer you move toward the light, the easier it will be to see the road. Make a plan for your spiritual life and include the following:

1. Examine your conscience daily and seek to know yourself better in the light of God’s love and mercy.
2. Go at least monthly to the Sacrament of Penance.
3. If you have access to a good spiritual director who understands religious life and has the wisdom to guide you, then let such help benefit you.
4. Attend Mass daily, if possible.
5. If you have a Blessed Sacrament Chapel with Eucharistic Adoration nearby, then set aside time in Christ’s presence. If not, try to visit a Church and give at least an hour or so a week for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
6. Read Scripture daily and look to Catholic classics to learn about the great founders of religious orders and the saints who followed them.
7. Participate in retreats, preferably at convents. Some Orders offer vocation discernment experiences, while others provide in-depth opportunities for prayer. Either way, there is much to be learned from such exposure and attention to your spiritual life.
8. Talk to a sister. Having experienced what you are going through, she will understand whatever apprehensions or concerns you may have. Learn as much as you can about the way the life is lived.
9. If you have taken initial steps, liked what you have read about a congregation, and have been encouraged by the vocation director, then plan a weekend visit.