Q&A Home > M > Monastic Orders

• I know that monasteries and convents now require that anyone who is seeking monasticism has to have completed a university degree. I am wondering if there is a maximum age—an age limit, by which convents will not accept anyone seeking the monastic life past that point? If someone decided to pursue higher studies and do graduate school because they wanted to be diligent in their role as a student and to achieve the highest education they can so they can then offer it as a sacrifice for Christ and leave it all behind, but after they obtain their degree, they will have to first work for a few years to pay off their school debts, so they will likely not be able to enter the convent before age 32-33. Is that too old? Can convents turn down people because they are seeking the monastic life at an older age? I have been frequently visiting a particular convent and my father of confession knows the desires of my heart. I haven't spoken openly with the Abbess there yet, but I will in my next visit, God willing. I recently spoke to a bishop who is like a father to me and knows my situation. He told me to make sure there wasn't an age limit, because I will not consider entering the convent unless I have personally paid off all my schools debts. He was worried that I might be turned away at that point because of my age.
• If our mission here is to evangelize and spread the good news of the Gospel to the people, do monastic orders then seem futile? Most of the monks and nuns would make amazing Sunday school teachers and evangelists especially to our dying youth who need it the most. Why do such amazing servants take monastic orders when they could be saving millions of souls? Instead, they are hidden away in cells feeding their already healthy souls. I understand repentants who want to make up their lost time with God. Although St. Paul was a “repentant,” he became one of the most influential of the disciples. Also, I understand that the monks and nuns serve from within the monastery to those who go to the monastery, but the people who need the most help are not those who visit the monastery.