Other Possible Vocations for Mature Persons

Vowed community life isn't the only option for mature vocations.  There are several options, of which most Catholics have never heard:

Consecrated Virgin living in the world according to Canon 604:

We are listing this vocation as many have never heard of it.  Signs of attraction to consecrated virginity (CV) from the beginning are usually better than hearing about it second-hand, though.   The CV vocation is not to be used as either a stop-gap or last resort option.  CVs are the only consecration (vocationally-speaking) in the church. The women are consecrated to God by their bishop, who is a form of superior to them.  The CV vocation was one of the first in the church, and predated actual religious life. The Code of Canon Law of 1983 brought the CV, and diocesan hermits, back as vocations. 

For more information on CVs, please see the following link:

United States Association of Consecrated Virgins

If an organization claims to consecrate either widows or males, those consecrations fall in the category of "Dedicated Laity."  Only in the Eastern Rite churches are Consecrated Widows a recognized form of consecrated life. 

Is "consecrated virgin" available to males?  

Yes and no.  

No, in that only women can be admitted to the Order of Virgins according to Canon 604.  

Yes, in that men can make some form of commitment to live a celibate life in the world as a male virgin.  This is usually in the context of a secular institute, although we have heard that some bishops have consecrated individual male virgins.  (We do not have evidence of this.  If the reader knows of these, please leave a comment).  There's also the possibility of a private vow of perpetual celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God. 

Diocesan Hermit according to Canon 603:

One develops their own plan of life, which can include 50 percent external work time.  One is responsible for their self-sufficiency.  The Vows are made to one's bishop, who is seen as their superior. 

There are no national associations of diocesan hermits. 

Lay Contemplative:

Very similar to diocesan hermit. Unfortunately, we do not have more information. 

Secular Institutes:

Secular Institutes (SI) are similar to third orders/oblatures/lay associates/coworkers or whatever a congregation has named their laity.  Some SI require celibacy of their members.  Others do not.  As to whether anyone knows that a person is an SI member--or not--depends on the SI itself and its guiding document.  Please follow this link to learn more:

United States Association of Secular Institutes

Third Orders/Oblatures/Lay Associates:

The name of the vocation depends on the congregation.  

Third Orders developed exclusively for the laity and diocesan priests to follow a particular spirituality. On very rare occasions will a vowed religious become a third order member.  For example, we have heard of a Sister of Mercy who was also a Benedictine Oblate, and a Redemptorist priest who was a Secular Franciscan.

Third Orders usually require a monthly meeting of the membership.  Community is extremely important, and most third orders will not permit isolate members unless they've been in the chapter for a time. Then, they will recognize the isolate members as a form of contemplative branch. 

Only one Benedictine Abbey will work with isolate oblates that we know of -- St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.  Please click here for St. Vincent Archabbey Oblates & Cyber Deanery

The Passionists have "free-range" laity, unless a local monastery has its own laity program.  St. Paul of the Cross envisioned a non-meeting laity to help spread devotion to the Sacred Passion and the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. 

Closing One's Life at a Convent-Run Retirement Center:

We actually had one discerner realize that they were not called to vowed life when they encountered a home conducted by the Little Sisters of the Poor.  They are now in residence there.

The attraction to a particular convent does not necessarily mean that you're to end up living vowed life there.  That convent is a stop along one's journey with the Lord, and He will have gifts for you when you stop by.  

An incomplete list of Nursing Homes Conducted by Religious Congregations:

Link to Our Religious Retirement Home List on the Dehey Tour Blog

Cloistered Extern Sisters

Cloistered monasteries usually need one or more extern sisters.  These sisters, who do not make a vow of enclosure, meet the public in the external quarters of the monastery.  While the cloistered community goes about their horarium, the externs meet the public and are the "face" of the monastery.  Externs have also been known to visit vocation fairs as representatives of their monasteries. 

If attracted, please enter discernment on the matter.