Can you become a nun at the age of 60?

While it is theoretically possible for a 60 year-old woman to become a sister or a nun, this is rather rare. It is also theoretically possible that an older candidate may have been previously married and may have had children (provided they are properly cared for). Requirements for admission to a religious community vary from community to community, and most will be very hesitant to consider such a candidate.

Admission to an institute of religious life foremost implies that a candidate has the flexibility and ability to accept the vows of religious life, (chasitity, poverty, and obedience), which experience shows is very difficult the older a candidate is. Indeed, many 'hard core' communities have age cut-offs much lower than 60 years old, not out of discrimination or other issues, but precisely because older candidates (even 30-40 year olds) are not able to adequately make the adjustments of giving up their home and money, their 'freedom', or their families, and taking on the life of prayer, formation, and apostolate.

Another concern with older candidates is a tendency for these candidates desiring to 'run from the world' for reasons other than the legitimate reasons that one would take the habit. One never joins a religious order simply to retreat from the world... no matter how contemplative the person or the community may be.

Again, it remains theoretically possible for an older candidate to join a community. Through God's grace, even an older candidate can make an exceptional member of a religious community. If a community is willing to accept a postuant who is 60, the candidate will normally go through all of the stages of formation which their juniors would to discern the authenticity of the religious vocation... Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of joining a community is not 'becoming a nun', but becoming perfected in Christian Virtue- this can be done as a nun, as a postulant, or even in one's secular state of life... the question before a postulant is whether God is calling her to a religious community to aid and perfect Christian virtue.

In addition to the spiritual concerns, hesitancy in accepting older candidates may also be due to concerns over a candidate's health and ability to carry out a ministry as a sister, should she be allowed to profess vows. Religious orders may prudently decline applications of candidates who cannot actively serve in the mission of the order. (While communities take exceptional care of their retired sisters, their raison d'etre is not to be a retirement home.)

First answer by ID1098180450. Last edit by BTDonovan. Contributor trust: 43 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].