Spending A Little Time At A Convent

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RushBreeze

RushBreeze

Member
#1
Dec 20, 2011
70
5
8
#1
Hi Everyone!
I have a kind of a bizarre question.

All through my teen life and into adulthood I have found myself fascinated by the lives lead by nuns. I think it can be a really beautiful and fulfilling calling. I don't nessisarily believe I am called to it (who am I to say what God has planned) but feel that it would be amazing to take six months or a year and go and live with a cloistered order. To have no contact with the outside world, less distraction, and just time to spend me and God and really getting to know him and what he wants for me.

I'm sure I could go and do a mission trip or even dedicate myself to fast from all electronics, and worldly entertainment, but I feel something a whole lot closer and intimate and separate is what I need/am looking for. The problem comes in where I am not at all Catholic. I grew up in Pentecostal and Alliance congregations and so the whole process is a little foreign. I also have a few key issues I contest with (praying to saints, praying to Mary and calling her holy, communion as a literal transfiguration rather then a symbol) and am thinking that might throw a wrench in the works.

Does anyone know if this would be an issue? And if so if there is a more relaxed order/non-Catholic option?

Thanks everyone!
<3
 
LightningClap0002

LightningClap0002

Senior Member
#2
Feb 10, 2008
3,371
16
38
#2
Take this as you will... I always viewed those who separated themselves as somewhat selfish. God chose to come and be among the people. He commanded us to be among the people.

For a short time, it can be beneficial to separate yourself from all distractions, but any long term commitment to such just seems wrong. Just my $0.02.

And unfortunately, no I don't know anything about the process or what commitment is involved.
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#3
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
4,269
113
#3
RushBreeze said:
Hi Everyone!
I have a kind of a bizarre question.

All through my teen life and into adulthood I have found myself fascinated by the lives lead by nuns. I think it can be a really beautiful and fulfilling calling. I don't nessisarily believe I am called to it (who am I to say what God has planned) but feel that it would be amazing to take six months or a year and go and live with a cloistered order. To have no contact with the outside world, less distraction, and just time to spend me and God and really getting to know him and what he wants for me.

I'm sure I could go and do a mission trip or even dedicate myself to fast from all electronics, and worldly entertainment, but I feel something a whole lot closer and intimate and separate is what I need/am looking for. The problem comes in where I am not at all Catholic. I grew up in Pentecostal and Alliance congregations and so the whole process is a little foreign. I also have a few key issues I contest with (praying to saints, praying to Mary and calling her holy, communion as a literal transfiguration rather then a symbol) and am thinking that might throw a wrench in the works.

Does anyone know if this would be an issue? And if so if there is a more relaxed order/non-Catholic option?

Thanks everyone!
<3
Click to expand...
I would contact a convent or an order of nuns and find out from them directly if those things would hinder you from living in a convent. My guess is that they will love the idea and will do whatever they can to make it happen. My guess is also that they might ask you to attend RCIA classes (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) just so you will have an understanding of the official doctrine of the catholic faith before you enter. I love the idea too and hope you get to try it. God bless. :)
 
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R

rainacorn

Guest
#4
#4
There are protestant nuns. Use google.

Be warned, though, their service is often more evangelical and mission-based and not so much 'locked away in the middle of nowhere to be alone with your thoughts.'
 
R

Rickee

Guest
#6
#6
zeroturbulence said:
Not sure if you already knew about this, but Oprah's correspondent, Lisa Ling, spent a day living with nuns in a convent and they did a whole show on it. Here's the writeup about the experience from Oprah's site:

Life at Dominican Sisters of Mary - Oprah.com
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Question....Why would a Non- Catholic want to go live with Nuns for a Day? Yes, they probably are soft spoken, and probably worldly intelligent as well. Some of them are Whackos....some of them that taught me in grade school were straight from the Twilight Zone!. Many of them adhere to this " Christ suffered, so you my child must also suffer" which is utter rubbish. When Jesus died for our sons he said " It is finished" meaning nothing anyone could ever do could ever add to his sacrifice.
 
RushBreeze

RushBreeze

Member
#7
Dec 20, 2011
70
5
8
#7
I cant speak for the reporter specifically, but the mystery of living in a convent, in particular a cloistered (closed) convent draws a person in. It feels like something that is so holy and totally seperate from us its something we want to experiance and understand.

Personally, its something I want to do so that I can be free of all the distractions from the secular world and just hunker down with God and his Word and find out what he has for me.
 
A

amiracle

Guest
#8
#8
I understand what you mean. I felt that way too before. Have you ever read Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God by Rebecca st. James? Instead of living in a convent or moving to an Amish country lol I would suggest just getting away and reading a daily devotional. I fast from electronics plenty of times when I feel like they are too big of a distraction and Im not spending time with God enough. If you can make it through the fasting and the devotional helps then maybe you could join a convent. Check out the book though. It might give you ideas of other things you can do like mission trips or whatever instead of becoming a catholic nun.
 
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