Vocations

Welcome to our Vocations Pages!  Check out our blog, our vocations stories and some links that may be of interest and guidance to you. 

Our next monastic weekend for women aged 22-40, will be 21-23 May 2010.  Monastic Experience weekends are a unique opportunity for people to join us and get to know something about our way of life here at Glencairn.  We all come to the monastery by different paths.  Some have wanted to be a nun from an early age.  Others would never have dreamt of it until a later personal discovery of God and growing desire for Him Alone.  Still others simply experience a persistent longing for a more fulfilling way of life.  Wherever you are in your discernment, if you feel drawn to monastic life, this is an invitation for you!  Please see our Contact Us page for further details.

You can also find out more about our way of life by exploring our recommended reading introducing Cistercian spirituality and follow what’s happening in Glencairn by visiting our news page and gallery.

The Spirit of God calls many different kinds of people to monastic life! Someone who feels that God is calling her to the monastery would need:

• to be a practising Catholic with a sincere desire to seek God;


• an ability to live in a community, balanced by a desire for solitude and silence;


• good physical health and psychological maturity;


• some work experience after school or college. Our usual upper age limit is 40 years.


• The process of discerning a vocation includes visits to the monastery, some time spent in the guest-house, and a short period living in the community.

Initial formation consists of at least six months’ postulancy; two years’ novitiate; and three years in temporary vows.

Through the vows of stability, fidelity to monastic life, and obedience, the sister renews and strengthens the consecration received in baptism, giving herself to Christ and committing herself in this particular community.