“What are my options?”
Whether you are discerning your vocation as a young adult woman or as a mature woman, this question often assails the heart.
The Visitation Order has traditionally welcomed both the young and the mature woman for discernment as a monastic, contemplative Nun. While this stance may vary from community to community, in general the openness remains.
Just about a year ago, the Second Federation began a discernment initiative at our Georgetown Monastery called the St Jane de Chantal Gallery Community. We were particularly focusing on providing an environment to nurture young vocations. Currently we have one pre-postulant and several discerners, including college students making weekend retreats.
The Brooklyn Visitation and several other Communities in the First Federation accept the more mature candidate.
For example, the Visitation Monastery in Tyringham featured this interesting story from a discerner who many mature women may identify with.
http://vistyr.org/discerning-a-vocation
On Sunday May 25 at 7:30PM, we will discuss in our Living Jesus Chat Room the options for a mature discerner and communities who are open to the later vocation. Please bring your questions and advice!