Expert: Fr. Michael - 4/18/2008

Question
Dear Fr. Jerome,


                     Greetings Father. I have a calling to the traditional religious order. I don't know if i'm called to the sisterhood but I feel like I am being tugged into this life, but i like the idea of religious life. i have some questions for anybody in the know about such things.

how do you pick a religious order? i have heard of carmelites, benedictines, and dominicans, but there are probably more. why are there different orders, and what should i consider when trying to pick one?

what degrees or things should i study in college that would be helpful in preparation for religious life? Why do I have to go to college to become a nun? Cant you just enter like the old days what happens if i study something non-religion related?

I started to pray when I was 16  I would pray about it, pray some more, and keep my eyes open. I know that there are some small communities I have heard about from different avenues of being involved in Catholic life - volunteer work which I already do, lay associations, being social at a coffee hout after Mass on Sunday.

I always see this in my dreams يا رب يسوع المسيح ابن اللّه الحيّ إرحمني أنا الخاطئ what does that say or mean?

I am discerning still I have a spiritual directoress. And a Vocation directoress. I try to take Frequent the sacraments.
and try not to date. I Don't date. I am practicing my celibacy, I actually like it.

The reason I say that I do not date is because discernment is between you and God, My spiritual directoress Sr.Marilyn Marie a Franscican nun told me You KNOW when the right one comes to you, just like if you step on to the property of a seminary, convent, or monastery, and it's where you're supposed to be, you'll KNOW. I find most discerners are overly-anxious about what to do with their lives. I know from my own and others' experiences that if you're meant to be in religious life, all other stuff will fall into place. Don't sweat the small stuff--and it's all small stuff to God.  

Answer
In such a matter you need guidance.  The traditional Religious Orders of Sisters are listed in the Official Traditional Catholic Directory (http://www.traditio.com/nat.htm).  Start there, and contact one or two that seem appropriate.  Then speak to the postulant advisor there.