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I'm having trouble finding a religious community that will consider me as a candidate because I'm older. Why?
I'm having trouble finding a religious community that will consider me as a candidate because I'm older. Why?
Category:
Consecrated Life,Vocation and Discernment
Many communities don't accept older candidates; however, some will consider making exceptions. We usually advise older discerners to directly contact communities that interest them and discuss their circumstances.
There are several reasons why communities are less inclined to consider older discerners. For starters, the formation process can take as many six years, which makes candidates that much older when they finally enter.
Financial concerns are another reason. New members are expected to work and older candidates have fewer years to do so. There are also greater potential healthcare costs associated with aging.
But the biggest reason is that communities have found that it is harder to adjust to community life after living as a single or previously married Catholic for so many years. The transition to community life and the loss of independence at a later age is simply too difficult for many older discerners. It's also hard for religious who have spent their lives in community to adjust to new members who have had a lifetime of very different experiences.
However, finding a community when you're older is not impossible. Below are links to resources that might help you, including a list of communities that will consider older discerners.
Reprinted with permission from PrepareTheWord.com. ©TrueQuest Communications.
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