Monasticism at a young age

[Justin Farr]

Christ is Risen!

Currently, and God willing, I plan to visit monasteries and from there settle into one pretty much immediately after my high school graduation next year in 2009. What is the typical age for one to enter into monasticism? Is it "normal" to enter at such a young age? I will have just turned 18. Is that too young? Does age have anything to do with it?

Love, in IC XC,
Justin

[Paul Cowan]

Have you spoken to your priest? Have you visited with any monasteries? Are you currently in communication with any? Don't let current personal situations and idealism cloud your judgement. I am not trying to talk you out of this as I too want to become a monk when my family responsibilities are completed.

My cousin recently joined the army after long and hard debates with family and friends. During boot camp, he called home and chewed everyone out for not talking him out of it. Once the decision is made, it is made. Although you have a novitiate to complete before being accepted in a monastery unlike Uncle Sam who says once you sign on the dotted line, you belong to him.

food for thought.

Paul

[Robert Hegwood]

Christ is Risen!

There is a young man of 19 in our parish who will leave tomorrow to begin testing his calling to the monastic life in the novitiate. If he wants to after 2 or 3 years of testing and his abbot approves he will be made a rasaphore. Before he made his decision he visited three monasteries in the US for several days each and then had to opportunity to visit Mt. Athos for several days. He also maintained a correspondence for several months with certain monastics he met and when sure of himself he consulted with our priest and was blessed by him before he departed. Basically this young man took a little over a year to be sure he wanted to try. Our whole parish supports him in his decision as do his parents and we look forward to his prayers for us over the years to come if God willing he continues in this call.

[Herman Blaydoe]

Christ is Risen!

Currently, and God willing, I plan to visit monasteries and from there settle into one pretty much immediately after my high school graduation next year in 2009. What is the typical age for one to enter into monasticism? Is it "normal" to enter at such a young age? I will have just turned 18. Is that too young? Does age have anything to do with it?

Love, in IC XC,
Justin

Some people know what they want at an early age. You can join the British Navy at the age of 12. I know a former Catholic monk who entered the monastery at the age of 12. I don't know how "normal" or usual that is considered to be these days. How young is too young to be married? But you are certainly not too young to test the waters so to speak. It is a good idea to spend some time at a few monasteries. Extended visits can be arranged with the abbot. Ask the abbots! I am sure they have very valuable input on the subject.

God be with you on your spiritual quest.

Herman

[Misha]

elder Porphyrios went to mt Athos when he was 13 yrs old.
elder Paisios and elder Iakovos became monks older,almost 30yrs old.
st Seraphim of Viritsa,the clairvoyant and wonderworker staretz, was married and became a monk when he was 54 yrs old.

.

[Tim Grass]

I'd just say make sure you get a lot of guidance! Then..... let God bless it.

--tim

[Justin Farr]

Thanks for the responses!

Right now all of my family is against me. I've only been to a Liturgy a few times, but I am in regular correspondence with a monk at one of the monasteries I plan on visiting. He has said it is OK to come at 18, I was just wondering if it was normal. But from the looks of it, normal is anywhere from young to old! :D

[Effie Ganatsios]

Justin, even if you join at 18, I believe there is a "testing" period of a few years.

The following link explains the four stages of a monk or nun's life : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk

I remember reading that Mother Gavriela was tonsured as a Great Schema nun in the final years of her life.

Effie