Sarah Mitchell
Joining a Catholic religious order is a special vocation within the Catholic Church, requiring a great deal of sacrifice. It involves giving up life in the world and dedicating oneself entirely to God within the context of a religious community. There are different religious orders in the Church, each with its own purpose. For example, the Franciscans are known for their special love for Christ, while the Benedictines are another option for those who don't want to become monks. The path to joining a Catholic religious order as a nun or a monk is similar, and in modern times, all Catholic organizations have an in-depth process of psychological examinations and criminal background checks before accepting new members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visiting multiple monasteries or communities | To find the place where God is calling them |
| Psychological examinations and criminal background checks | To identify areas that are problematic |
| Consecrated religious life | A special vocation within the Catholic Church |
| Vows | Solemn or simple |
| Marriage | Not allowed for members of religious orders |
| Property | Not allowed for those who have taken a vow of poverty |
| Types of orders | Franciscans, Benedictines, Jesuits, mendicants, monastics |
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What You'll Learn
Visit monasteries or communities to find the right fit
Joining a Catholic religious order is a special vocation within the Catholic Church, requiring a great deal of sacrifice. It is a calling where a woman or man gives up their life in the world and dedicates their entire life to God within the context of a religious community.
There are many different Catholic religious orders, each with its own purpose. These include the Cistercians, the Poor Clares, the Franciscans, the Dominicans, the Jesuits, the Missionaries of Charity, the Carthusians, and the Trappists. Each order has its own unique characteristics and way of life. For example, the Carthusians are a "community of hermits", isolated from both the world and one another, whereas the Benedictines follow the motto "prayer and work", with monks spending their time in prayer and some form of work.
It is important to visit monasteries or communities firsthand to find the right fit. Most people discerning a call to religious life will visit multiple monasteries or communities before finding the place where they feel called to be. This allows them to get a more accurate sense of the life and community in each place.
When visiting different monasteries or communities, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the type of order and its focus. As mentioned, each order has its own purpose and way of life. Some orders are more active, having more direct interaction with the world, while others are more contemplative and bound by the walls of a monastery. For example, the Trappists may be more lenient than the Benedictines. Secondly, the location of the monastery or community is important. There are monasteries and communities all over the world, such as in France, Italy, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois. Lastly, it is worth considering the age requirements of each community, as some orders have specific age ranges they accept, while others are more flexible.
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Understand the sacrifices and dedication required
Joining a Catholic religious order is a special vocation that requires a great deal of sacrifice and dedication. It is a lifelong commitment to God within the context of a religious community. Those who join a Catholic religious order freely embrace a call to seclusion, intending to draw closer to God and uplift the world outside the monastery through prayer.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the consecrated life is a way of experiencing a "more intimate" consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated entirely to God. This life is characterized by a profound consecration, where individuals propose to follow Christ more closely and devote themselves wholly to God. Such a commitment demands a willingness to forsake worldly pursuits and desires, prioritizing a life of prayer, service, and devotion to God.
Members of Catholic religious orders typically take vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty. These vows are not to be taken lightly, as they shape the very fabric of one's existence. The vow of chastity precludes marriage and any intimate relationships outside of the religious community. The vow of obedience entails submitting to the authority of the religious order's leadership and, in some cases, the bishop. The vow of poverty requires relinquishing personal possessions and relying on the community for sustenance.
Joining a Catholic religious order often involves an extensive discernment process, including psychological evaluations and criminal background checks. This process helps identify any areas of concern and ensures that individuals are prepared for the sacrifices and dedication required. It is important to visit multiple monasteries or communities to find the one that aligns with your calling.
Living in a religious community for life is a significant sacrifice and adjustment. Individuals must be willing to set aside personal preferences and submit to the rules and rhythms of the community. This may include adhering to specific prayer schedules, participating in communal meals, and engaging in shared labor or service projects. Members of Catholic religious orders often find deep fulfillment in their dedication to God and their community, but it requires a strong commitment and a willingness to put the needs of the order above their own.
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Learn about the different types of orders
There are several different types of Catholic orders, each with its own purpose. Here are some of the major ones:
Canons Regular
Canons and canonesses regular recite the Divine Office and serve a church and possibly a parish. The Canons Regular of Saint Augustine are organized into eight congregations, each headed by an abbot general.
Clerics Regular
Clerics regular are priests who take religious vows and lead an active apostolic life. The Jesuits and Dominicans are examples of clerics regular. The Jesuits are known for their educational work within the Catholic Church, and the Dominicans are known for their serious intellectual pursuits.
Mendicants
Friars and religious sisters comprise this order. They may live and work in a friary or a convent, and they support themselves by begging for alms. Examples of mendicant orders include the Carmelites, the Order of Friars Minor, the Order of Preachers, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Order of Saint Augustine.
Monastics
Monastics, or monks and nuns, live and work in a monastery or nunnery and recite the Divine Office. The Order of Saint Benedict, or the Benedictines, is an example of a monastic order. Founded in 529, it is one of the earliest Catholic orders. The Benedictines are known for preserving Greek and Roman culture after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Franciscans
The Franciscans have a special love for St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Poor Clares in 1212.
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Prepare for psychological examinations and background checks
In the past, entering a Catholic religious order was relatively straightforward, and almost everyone was admitted. However, today, all Catholic organizations have an extensive process of psychological evaluations and criminal background checks. This stage is crucial as it helps identify any potential issues. Some problems can be addressed with appropriate counselling and development, while others may be permanent obstacles. Joining a religious community for the rest of your life is a challenging decision, so anyone with significant psychological issues will need to address them before entering.
The Archdiocese of Boston, for example, conducts thorough background screenings for its clergy, educators, volunteers, parish and school staff, and men preparing for the priesthood or deaconate. They use a centralized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system to check the backgrounds of individuals aged 18 and older. The Archdiocese is committed to ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations it serves, including children, youth, the elderly, and the disabled.
Other Catholic organizations may have similar procedures, and it is essential to be prepared for comprehensive psychological examinations and background checks. This may involve providing detailed information about your personal history, education, employment, and any previous criminal records or offences. Being honest and transparent throughout this process is crucial.
Additionally, psychological evaluations may involve interviews, questionnaires, and assessments with mental health professionals. These assessments aim to evaluate your emotional stability, maturity, and ability to handle the challenges of religious life. It is beneficial to be open and cooperative during these evaluations, demonstrating your commitment to the process and your willingness to address any concerns that may arise.
Overall, the psychological examinations and background checks are an integral part of joining a Catholic religious order. They ensure the safety and well-being of both the individual and the community. By identifying and addressing any potential issues, individuals can be better prepared for the unique challenges and sacrifices of religious life.
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Consider the vows and their implications
Joining a Catholic religious order is a special vocation that requires a great deal of sacrifice. It is a lifelong commitment to God, and one that necessitates a deep understanding of the vows and their implications.
The vows taken by members of Catholic religious orders are typically the threefold evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are not to be taken lightly, and they have profound implications for how one lives their life. The vow of poverty, for example, means relinquishing ownership and control of material possessions and wealth. This includes not only the inability to acquire new possessions but also the potential loss of any currently held assets. This vow of poverty is an essential aspect of the religious life, signifying a detachment from worldly goods and a dedication of one's life to God.
The vow of chastity is another critical component of the religious life. It entails a promise to remain celibate and unmarried, which can be a challenging path that requires careful discernment. This vow is often misunderstood as simply abstaining from sexual activity, but it goes deeper—it is a commitment to channel one's love and energy into a higher purpose, often through service to God and humanity.
Obedience, the third traditional vow, involves submitting to the will of God as interpreted by one's religious superiors. This vow demands a profound trust in the wisdom of the Church and a willingness to set aside personal desires in favour of a higher calling. It is about finding unity in community life and being open to guidance and direction from those in authority.
In addition to these three primary vows, members of Catholic religious orders may also take additional vows specific to their order. These could include vows of stability, conversion of life, or hospitality, among others. Each of these vows has its own set of implications and should be carefully considered before joining a Catholic religious order.
It is important to remember that the process of joining a Catholic religious order is not a quick or impulsive decision. It involves a period of discernment, where individuals visit various monasteries or communities to find the right fit. This is a time for deep reflection and prayer, ensuring that the call to religious life is clear and unwavering.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic religious order is a community of consecrated life with members that profess solemn vows. They are classed as a type of religious institute. There are different religious orders in the Church because each order has its own purpose.
The path to joining a Catholic religious order is similar for those discerning the call to become a nun or a monk. It involves giving up your life in the world and dedicating your entire life to God within the context of a religious community. Before joining, one must visit multiple monasteries or communities to find the right fit. All Catholic organizations have an in-depth process of psychological examinations and criminal background checks. After these initial stages, there are typically two separate stages called the "postulancy". The average number of years required to profess perpetual vows is 8-12 years.
The different types of Catholic religious orders include canons regular, clerics regular, mendicants, and monastics. Mendicants are friars and religious sisters who may live and work in a friary or convent, while monastics are monks and nuns who live and work in a monastery or nunnery.
Members of Catholic religious orders are barred from marriage and any marriage they attempt is invalid. However, it is possible to be married and belong to a third order or an oblate group associated with an institute.
