Religious Life

All religious orders are called to share and reflect the Good News of Jesus Christ. To do so, each religious order has a unique charism, or ‘gift’ given for the service of the Church, that informs its ministry and community life. A religious order’s community is made up of either religious sisters or brothers who have taken the same vows and devoted themselves to the same ministry.

Sexual activity in the past does not prevent someone from becoming a brother, sister, or religious priest. In other words, no, you do not have to be a virgin. But, if you want to enter religious life, you do have to be willing and able to commit to living as a celibate.

You must be unmarried to enter religious life in the Roman Catholic Church. That said, there can be exceptions for widowed or divorced people if they have had their marriages properly annulled by the Church.

Brothers, sisters, and priests in religious orders take at least three vows: a vow of poverty, a vow of celibacy, and a vow of obedience. Some religious orders observe additional vows.

Think of it like dating. You don’t try to date every guy or girl, you only date those you’re attracted to and feel you could have a connection with. So, when trying to discern which religious order is right for you, identify a few communities to “date” and then discern your compatibility with these communities in comparison to one another. But, remember it is a mutual discernment: it has to be right for you and it has to be right for the community, too. When you have found the right place, it’ll feel like home.

Most religious orders require candidates to be debt-free. That said, there are non-profit organizations founded to help young people become debt-free in order to enter religious life, such as Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations and Labouré Society.

Yes, most communities allow for visits from loved ones, but the specifics for these visits vary from community to community.

Holiness, which is living a life free of sin which models the life of Jesus Christ, can only be accomplished through the grace of God. As long as you desire to grow in holiness, then you can become a consecrated religious.

The call to religious life requires the renunciation of marriage and children. This is a true sacrifice! However, this does not mean you are losing your femininity or masculinity. It means that you have been called to bear witness to a heavenly reality by reminding the world that our true love and spouse is God.

This varies from community to community. But first, there will be a pre-novitiate stage. Then, most communities have a two-year novitiate, which is the canonical beginning of religious life. After the novitiate comes First Profession of Vows, which are renewed over several years before making Final Profession of Vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience).

There are three staples to religious life across the board of religious orders: prayer, community, and apostolate (ministry). The daily schedule of religious communities will vary, but is sure to consist of Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, meals together, work, and recreation.

There are 35 religious orders for men and women with a presence in the Diocese of Tucson. 

VIEW THE LIST OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN THE DIOCESE OF TUCSON