Poor Clare Nuns FAQs

How old do you have to be to become a nun?
One must be at least eighteen years of age, and must have already graduated high school.

What are some of the other requirements?
One must be single, a practicing Catholic, have good mental and physical health, and have a capacity and willingness to grow in the spiritual life through a life lived in community with other like-minded individuals.

Is there an upper age limit?
Preference is given to those in their twenties, but we would consider someone between thirty and thirty-five if we feel they might truly have a vocation to our community.

What about someone who has been married?
If you have been married and your spouse is still living, an annulment must be obtained before you can be accepted into religious life. Also, there must not be any children who are dependent on you.

How does one go about becoming a nun?
Well, congratulations - if you are reading this you have already taken the first step! That is, you have already considered it a possibility and have begun looking for information about religious vocations. You must pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance, and it is highly recommended that you have a spiritual director who can help you discern. If you feel an attraction to the Poor Clare way of life, and think you might be called to our particular community, we will help you in the discernment process by means of correspondence, visits, etc. If, after a time of mutual discernment, it seems that you might have a vocation, the next step would be to fill out an application form and begin the necessary paperwork. We require a medical checkup as well as an interview.

And then what happens?
If you are accepted you will spend six years in formation before taking final vows to the religious life. The first year covers the postulancy, which is like a guest stage, in which the discernment process continues as you adjust to life in our community. And honestly, it is usually obvious in the first three to six months if this is where you belong. If it's not a good "fit" for you, you simply leave. If you make it through the first year and still think this might be the life for you, you then enter the two-year novitiate stage, which marks the true beginning of religious life. Then, the final three years of formation are spent in a period of temporary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before making a decision to commit to them for the rest of your life.