Purpose of this Blog

The purpose of this blog is to assist mature vocations (those usually over age 35) with discernment.  

We have culled the list primarily from the Institute on Religious Life (IRL); Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR); and the Leadership Council for Women Religious (LCWR). 

With the LCWR, we found four different vocational scenarios: 

1.  Those nearing completion, and not accepting vocations.  Lay associates were usually accepted.

2.  Those with no age limit.

3.  Those with an age limit.

4.  Those with an age limit, but were open to mature vocations.

The CMSWR congregations usually did not accept mature vocations.

The Institute on Religious Life (IRL) had member profiles which stated whether or not mature/belated vocations were accepted. 

How to use the blog:

The Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church states that no one is permitted to enter a novitiate unless they've achieved their 17th year.  This being said, each congregation is tasked with restricting age according to their circumstances.  

We have started the blog with the lowest ages we have found, and how those congregations will work with them. 

Age limits are listed, and "OIB" has become the catch-phrase for those who will consider "Older on an Individual Basis."  Sometimes, OIB comes with certain conditions. 

There are more than just age-related options.  There have been a number of congregations founded in recent years who are either exclusively for mature vocations, or don't have an age limit.  (The blogger's new congregation falls in the latter category). 

The blog pages then go in sequence from those without, to those with, age limits. 

While most discerners are advised that they should find the spirituality (Augustinian, Benedictine, etc.) that they're attracted to, this may or may not apply in the case of mature vocations.  Statistically speaking, the number of mature discerners is very low.  This leads to more difficult discernment.  

We have also advised mature discerners to drop any and all expectations (must do this or that, must wear a habit, etc.). This is a trust walk that will lead one to represent Christ in the world.  How does HE want you to do that?  EVENTS will often lead one to His Will.  

Of course, if one finds a community that is not truly living the Gospel or following the Magisterium, then please let their local bishop know.  Evidence of the same is helpful.