A Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a Cistercian nun is a profound and beautiful vocation, a call to dedicate one's entire life to God in prayer, community, and service. It is a journey that involves a deep commitment to living the Gospel, cultivating a contemplative spirit, and embracing a life of simplicity, humility, and love. This blog post will explore why someone might feel called to this unique way of life, what the requirements are, and provide a step-by-step guide for discerning and pursuing a vocation as a Cistercian nun.
Why Become a Cistercian Nun?
The call to become a Cistercian nun is a response to God’s invitation to live a life wholly dedicated to seeking Him. Here are a few reasons someone might feel drawn to this vocation:
A Deep Desire for Contemplative Prayer: Cistercian nuns devote themselves to a life of contemplative prayer, striving to deepen their relationship with God. If you have a strong yearning for solitude, silence, and deep communion with God, the Cistercian way of life might be for you.
Living in Community: Cistercian nuns live in close-knit communities, sharing their lives with others who are equally dedicated to seeking God. This communal aspect is rooted in mutual love, support, and the pursuit of holiness together. If you feel called to live in a community bound by prayer and charity, this could be a meaningful path.
A Simplicity of Life: The Cistercian charism emphasizes simplicity, poverty, and humility. It involves detachment from material goods and a focus on the essentials of life. If you feel drawn to a simpler, more intentional way of living, becoming a Cistercian nun could offer you the chance to live this more fully.
A Life of Service and Work: “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work) is central to the Cistercian way. Nuns balance prayer with work, contributing to the upkeep of the monastery and its apostolic mission. If you are inspired by the idea of combining prayer with meaningful work, this might be the vocation for you.
Responding to a Personal Call from God: Ultimately, the decision to become a Cistercian nun comes from a deep, personal sense of calling from God. This is often experienced as a persistent inner desire to give oneself wholly to God in the context of the Cistercian tradition.
Requirements to Become a Cistercian Nun
Before exploring the steps to becoming a Cistercian nun, it’s important to understand some basic requirements:
A Genuine Sense of Vocation: You must feel called by God to the Cistercian way of life. This sense of vocation will be discerned in prayer, conversation with a spiritual director, and interaction with the Cistercian community.
Age and Health: Most communities accept candidates who are between the ages of 18 and 40, although this can vary. Good physical and mental health is generally required to endure the rigors of monastic life.
Catholic Faith and Practice: You should be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who is in good standing with the Church. A strong foundation in the Catholic faith and regular participation in the sacraments is essential.
Freedom from Obligations: You should be free from marital or parental responsibilities and any legal or financial obligations that would prevent you from entering religious life.
Emotional and Psychological Maturity: Candidates should possess a level of emotional and psychological maturity that will allow them to live in community, handle the demands of monastic life, and maintain healthy relationships with others.
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Cistercian Nun
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you discern and pursue a vocation as a Cistercian nun:
Step 1: Discern Your Vocation
Begin by discerning whether God is calling you to the Cistercian way of life. Spend time in prayer, ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and listen to the desires and movements of your heart. It can be helpful to read spiritual books, especially those related to monastic life and the Cistercian tradition, such as the Rule of Saint Benedict or the writings of St. Bernard. Speaking with a spiritual director or a trusted priest can also provide valuable insights.
Step 2: Visit Cistercian Communities
Reach out to a Cistercian monastery to arrange a visit. Spending time with the community is an essential step in discerning your vocation. This visit will allow you to experience their daily rhythm of prayer, work, and community life. This is especially important since the vocation to Cistercian life involves the vow of stability. You do not just choose an order, you choose a specific monastery. Many monasteries offer "come and see" programs or retreats for women considering this vocation.
Step 3: Start a Formal Dialogue with the Community
If you feel a strong pull toward the Cistercian way of life after your visit, begin a formal dialogue with the vocation director of the community. This involves sharing your story, discussing your sense of calling, and asking any questions you may have. This step helps both you and the community to discern whether you might have a vocation to be part of this community.
Step 4: Apply for Admission
If you believe that you might be called to this way of life and your first contact with the community was at least a year ago, you can apply for admission. This process usually includes a written request of admission, a medical clearance certificate and a recommendation of your local priest or spiritual guide.
Step 5: Enter the Monastery as a Postulant
Upon acceptance, you will enter the monastery as a postulant. This is a period of initial formation, typically lasting a year, during which you live with the community and participate fully in their daily life. The postulancy is a time of learning and discernment, allowing you to explore the Cistercian charism and deepen your prayer life.
Step 6: Begin the Novitiate
If, after the postulancy, you and the community believe that God is calling you to continue, you will enter the novitiate. The novitiate is an intensive period of formation, usually lasting two years, where you receive more formal instruction in the Cistercian way of life, including the Rule of Saint Benedict, liturgy, prayer, and monastic history. You will be given the novice habit and a religious name and begin to live according to the vows, but without yet making a formal commitment.
Step 7: Take Temporary Vows
After completing the novitiate, if both you and the community discern that you are ready, you will take temporary vows and be given the black scapular and cingulum. The vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of life are taken for a period of three years and then renewed annually to a total of five years. During this time, you continue to live in the community, deepening your commitment and growing in your understanding of the monastic vocation.
Step 8: Make Final (Solemn) Vows
If you and the community discern that you are ready for full commitment, you will take your final, solemn vows. This is a lifelong commitment to the Cistercian way of life, binding you to live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict in the context of your specific monastery. You will receive the black veil as sign of your commitment until death. Your life will now be fully dedicated to prayer, work, and community life within the monastery and you have all rights of a full member of the community.
Step 9: Continue to Grow in Your Vocation
Even after taking final vows, your journey as a Cistercian nun is one of continual growth. You will continue to deepen your relationship with God, serve your community, and grow in holiness throughout your life. The monastic life is a journey of ongoing conversion, always moving closer to God.
Additional Tips for Discerning a Cistercian Vocation
Be Patient: Discernment is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and trust that God will reveal His will in His time.
Stay Open: Be open to God’s guidance and the counsel of those around you. God often speaks through others.
Seek Solitude and Silence: Create space in your life for quiet reflection and listening to God’s voice.
Visit Multiple Communities: If possible, visit more than one Cistercian community to experience the differences between the houses and find the one where you feel most at home.
Keep Close to the Sacraments: Regular participation in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, will sustain you during this journey.
Conclusion
Becoming a Cistercian nun is a beautiful and sacred calling that involves dedicating your entire life to seeking God through prayer, work, and community life. If you feel drawn to this unique way of living, take time to discern your vocation prayerfully, seek guidance from others, and trust that God will lead you on the path He has chosen for you. Remember, this journey is one of love, joy, and a deep commitment to living a life wholly devoted to God.
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