Calm down. It’s not a weekend crash course. The whole process, from first visit to final vows, takes between 7 and 12 years. Yes, you read that right. It’s like a PhD in holy living.
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You’ll have stages: postulancy (a year of living in), novitiate (two years of study and prayer), and temporary vows (renewed annually for 3–6 years). Only then do you make final vows—poverty, chastity, and obedience. That’s the point of no return.
But Don’t Panic
Most orders let you leave at any point before final vows. It’s not a trap. If you walk away after three years, you’ve just had a very unique life experience. You’ll have gained incredible skills like meditation, community living, and the ability to sit in silence while eating a banana.
And if you decide it’s not for you? That’s okay. God has a sense of humour. Maybe you’re meant to be a nurse or a mum or a TikTok star. This journey is about discovering who you already are.
