The First 3 Steps to Becoming a Nun
From the picture, guess which of my college friends decided to become a nun? Find out later at the end of the article.
As I’ve written in a previous post, the path leading to a religious life is not so different from a regular job search. At the outset, your quest will start with the consideration of several convents through what’s called a “search in.”
1. Attend several convent “search ins.” Here in the Philippines, there are more than 300 convents to choose from.
A “search in” is usually in two stages, with the first stage eerily sounding like one of those introductory seminars where they show a video and then a couple of people share their personal experiences. The main difference is the subject—“How do you know you’re being called to a religious life?”
The objective of a “search in” is to find a convent whose congregation suits your needs and character. There are basically two kinds of congregation—the contemplative and the apostolic.
The contemplative is the kind that everybody’s more familiar with, the kind wherein the nuns pray and work within the confines of the convent, oftentimes shunning contact with the outside world.
The apostolic congregation is the kind that chooses community work as the basis of their vocation. For example, the congregation can be involved with health and education projects within the communities that they adopt.
2. Make a shortlist of the congregations that you’re interested in. After you’ve gone to several convents, determine the ones you’re really interested in. These are the only ones that you will actually consider for a second “search in.”
The second “search in” involves going to the convents in your shortlist at least once a month, and spending the day there so that you can get a taste of the kind of life you will have with that specific congregation.
Most likely, a vocation animator, who’s somewhat like a buddy, will be assigned to you, so that you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, and she will also help you discern your thoughts through meditation and prayer.
The second “search in” period will usually last for about 6 months to a year.
3. Choose a congregation. After keeping your options open, choose the congregation that you feel would suit you the best.
The next stage is called the aspirancy stage, the stage when you actually live with the congregation. Don’t worry, you will still be expected to continue working, and you will still retain ownership of your worldly possessions like your clothes and money.
However, you are expected to devote your weekends for the congregation’s activities like recollections, tasks, prayers and recreational activities. This is an excellent time to discover if you are truly suited for a religious life, because you will be immersed, in a limited way, in the congregation’s world.
Just like the second “search in,” this period can be for a period from 6 months to a year, after which you have to make a decision whether to proceed to the next stage.
Below are the contact numbers of the two kinds of congregation. I’m sure they would be more than happy to assist you in finding other congregations aside from theirs.
Contemplative Congregation
Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration 722.8828
Apostolic Congregation
Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 721.7316
(Look for Sister Emma Villanueva)
And my friend who became a nun is the lady who’s seated second from the right. If you guessed correctly, do let me know, so that I can tease her about having an invisible halo.
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Thank you for posting the steps on how to become a nun. I know young people now are searching for something that will make their lives meaningful. I just want to add that aside from married life and religious life, there are other options that young women who are in search of meaning in life can choose from. The Teresian Association (Institucion teresiana in spanish) is one of these options. It is an International Catholic Lay Association whose members fulfill their mission through their profession. Since this is a lay association, members are immersed in the world, working in different companies as accountants/ consultants/lawyers or are working with the formation of young people as teachers in both public and private schools, guidance counselors, principals, campus ministers or in the hospital as doctors and nurses. Some members are working with the indigenous people of kalinga Apayao and Malaybalay, Bukidnon while others are helping the farmers and the poor people of Davao.
For more information about this group, please visit http://www.institucionteresiana.org or call 9261642/ 9241195.
We also offer a once a month life direction encounters for young men and women. For more details, call 9280137 (look for Jelorie) or email buhay_teresiana@yahoo.com
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL… don’t let it slip through your fingers.
Different Congregations respond to the different needs of the Church. In choosing a congregation, consider your capacities,talents and gifts and ask God to direct your ways. God has given you talents and gifts, you are to share these with those in need. Remember, life is worth living when it is shared.
Do you feel God calling you to love and serve Jesus Christ in the poor sick? Contact us: Camillian Sisters
PO Box 125 Q-Plaza 1900 Cainta Rizal
tel (02)645-2463
e-mail:camilliansisters@yahoo.com
SUMMER VOCATION SEMINARS
I am Canossian Sister. We annually offer week-long vocation seminars during summer. One is on Vocation Orientation which guides the searcher to Come and See what religious life is all about. Another is Vocation Discernment which provides experiences of prayer, community life and mission. Both seminars are occassions for one to live with a Canossian community and fellow searchers.
For summer 2006: Those in Luzon will be housed with the Canossian Community in San Pablo City, Laguna. This will be on April 10-16, 2006. Those in Mindanao will meet on April 20-24, 2006 in Canossa Youth Center in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
For inquiries, you may contact the ff:
Sr. Esther Vasquez, FdCC
(049)5620-595
0919-604-2228
estewfdcc@yahoo.com
Sr. Lita Base, FdCC
(046) 413-1380
0917-410-6208
Sr. Sally Navera, FdCC
(02) 255-5311, 253-1526
0927-380-6739
CANOSSIAN VOLUNTEERS PHILIPPINES (CVP)
During summer, Canossian Sisters commission their young volunteers (highschool, & college students, young professionals) in various mission areas like Kiangan (Mt. Province), Nueva Ecija, Tondo (Manila), Infanta (Quezon Province), other provinces like Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and the Mindanao region (Bukidnon & Cagayan de Oro City). This MEANINGFUL SUMMER is a month-long service to make Jesus KNOWN & LOVED.
First Formation will be on Feb. 26 (Sunday), 2006 at Canossa Calamba Laguna. Mission service start April 2006. You may contact: Sr. Rose Aquino, FdCC, (049) 534-1867, 0916-482-8729