Responding to God’s call to a religious life is a rewarding yet challenging journey. Entering a religious community requires deep discernment, prayer, and preparation for a lifelong commitment. Here are the key steps to understand how to respond to this call and join a religious community
1. Listening to God’s call
The first step to joining a religious community is to listen to God’s call. This call may manifest as a profound desire to dedicate yourself entirely to Him and to live a life centred on prayer, service, and fellowship. Take time to pray, meditate on the Word of God, and speak with a spiritual guide to discern whether you are being called to a religious vocation.
2. Vocational discernment
Discernment is a crucial step for anyone considering the religious life. It involves taking a step back to reflect deeply on your calling. Participating in spiritual retreats or visiting religious communities can be helpful in understanding what consecrated life truly entails.
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3. Meeting a religious community
There are many religious communities with different charisms. Some focus on contemplative prayer, while others are active in social or missionary work. To become a religious, it is important to find a community whose charism and mission align with your spiritual aspirations. Visiting these communities, speaking with members, and understanding their daily life are essential steps.
4. Pre-postulancy or candidacy
Once you have found a community that resonates with your calling, you typically enter a phase known as pre-postulancy or candidacy. The name of this stage may vary among communities, but the essence remains the same, in accordance with Canon Law. This period allows you to live with the community while continuing your discernment to see if this form of religious life suits you.
5. Postulancy and novitiate
Following this stage, you become a postulant and then a novice. Again, the names may differ depending on the community, but the canonical structure is similar. The novitiate is a time of spiritual and communal formation, where you learn to live according to the values of the religious community. It is a crucial phase before making your first vows and gradually committing to religious life.
6. Temporary vows
After the novitiate, if you still feel called to religious life, you take temporary vows. This allows you to live fully as a religious while renewing your commitment annually. During this time, you continue to discern whether you are ready for a lifelong commitment.
7. Perpetual vows
The final step to fully joining a religious community is to make your perpetual vows. This solemn commitment means you dedicate your life to God, following the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Joining a religious community is an adventure of faith, discernment, and self-giving. If you feel called to live for God, take time to discern, meet with different communities, and pray for guidance on how to respond to this divine invitation. Each step of the process will bring you closer to the joy of living a religious life, wholly dedicated to the Lord and in service to your brothers and sisters.
