Mental Illnesses and Vocation

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. I have a few mental illnesses that are manageable through use of medication. Would a monastery or convent accept me like that if I have away to pay for the medicine such as Medicaid?

[Cloisters]

You'd have to go knocking on doors and inquiring. Every convent/monastery is different.

I should think it would depend on the severity of the illness, esp. when/if your medication "gives out" and you start exhibiting symptoms again. Everyone's safety would be the first consideration.

There are always Third Orders, diocesan hermit, and consecrated virgin options, too, which might be more appropriate. You'd have some support from others, but would be able to stay on Medicaid/Medicare.

We are offering the Claustral Oblates of the Military Martyrs, for which we have one committed foundational aspirant.

http://cloisters.tripod.com/claustraloblates/

As always, I'll be more than happy to discuss this with you off-board.

Blessings,
Cloisters

[Holly3278]

Thank you cloisters for your help and support. I do appreciate it. I know you mentioned third orders. What exactly is that? Is that the same thing as a secular religious order where you are part of a religious order but you don't live in a convent? I have considered that before but would much prefer to actually live in a convent. It is quite important to me that I can actually become a nun sometime in my future. I hope that some day I will be a nun.

[Friar David, O.Carm]

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hi everyone. I have a few mental illnesses that are manageable through use of medication. Would a monastery or convent accept me like that if I have away to pay for the medicine such as Medicaid?

If an order did accept you, you would be on their medical plan so Medicaid would not be needed most likely.

You need to talk to the different groups out there as each one has its own rules and who they will accept.