Very few are the number who have entered religious life without having to overcome some obstacle. Perhaps one not so graphic as Jane Francis de Chantel's son throwing himself across the doorstep so that she would have to step over him to go to the convent, but painful difficulties arise nonetheless. The fact that a thing is difficult does not mean that it is not to be done. Once you have thought it over, prayed about it, and reached a conclusion that you ought to do it, then you should act without further hesitation or delay. You must put your faith in God, for as St. Thomas says "they who enter religion trust not to stand in their own strength but in the aid of the power of God."
What are these obstacles?
They generally fall into three categories: the world, the flesh, and the family.
The first thing you hear is usually "You're too young to know your own mind yet," "Wait a while and go to college first," or "have a little taste of the world, you don't know what you are giving up." These are only worldly temptations to avoid a better life. What is so noble and uplifting about the world and society that we should "taste" it? Do they mean partake of immorality, get drunk, take drugs? Hardly, but if they mean simply have fun then they are presupposing wrongly that there is no fun, entertainment or pleasure in the convent.
What an offering to give God the leavings when there is not much left of our life but a decrepit frame, yet that is all that worldly people feel is fit for God and that they are doing Him a favor besides. Can you suppose that God would choose out of all the world the homeliest, the dullest. the most unfit to be His bride? He would be a poor Judge to take for the holiest service the castoffs of the world. Certainly a girl should take ample time to decide, but ample time does not mean to wait until there is no other prospect but to be an old maid.
If God is calling you to the religious life follow that voice as soon as you are certain of the calling. Do not delay. The very fact that God calls you now means that He wants you now. If He wanted you later on the call would come then and not now. We might rather pity those who are not called to religious life, for though the world may grant them pleasures and honors it cannot keep them from sorrow, affliction, and loss. Those in convents are saved much of the suffering that the world doles out to its followers.
The second obstacle can be the candidate's own pride, vanity, love of ease, or lack of piety. Those who enter the convent are no different from other mortals. They have just surrendered themselves to His love. True it will be difficult, but then He is there with us urging "Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart." "The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away."
The truth remains that God selects enough souls to carry on His work; unfortunately lack of piety makes them deaf to the voice of God, and love of finery and pleasure renders them blind. If you would see the world with eyes twenty years older, you would see misery and unhappiness in places where now you see but bliss.
The major obstacle to most candidates, however, is their family. It is most natural to want our parents' blessing, and many parents, unfortunately, work on the sensitive natures of their children, appealing to their goodness and filial piety to keep them home. If a girl is drawn to the love of Christ and prefers it to the love of man, is it a kindness to thwart it? Rather is it not ignorance or selfishness, or perhaps a mistaken idea of the girl's happiness?
To such a girl I would give this advice: if you are not yet old enough to leave your parent's custody then pray and wait until you are of age. If you are of age, then, recall the words of Christ: "A man's enemies shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." Make up your mind whether you will obey God or man!
Since this is a most important and difficult decision. I will call to your attention the advice of other competent and holy people, St. Teresa of Avila, who was no weakling, confessed that at the moment of leaving her parents she suffered so much she felt only death could be worse, and vet she left. The holy doctors of the church unanimously teach that a parent's permission is not necessary to follow a religious vocation. Our Lord gave us His own example by remaining in the Temple without Joseph and Mary's permission. Finally. here are the words of St. Jerome to Heliodorus on this very subject:
"I invite you: make hast. You have made light of my entreaties, perhaps you will listen to my reproaches. Effeminate soldier! what are you doing under the paternal roof? Even though your nephew entwine his arms around your neck: even were your mother, with streaming hair, to show you, through her rent garments, the breast that nurtured you: even though your father were to throw himself across the threshold of your house, step over the obstacle and with unquivering eye, rush to take your place beneath the standard of the Cross. Lo, your sister presses you in her arms: your attendants, your grandmother, your tutor exclaim: 'Wait a while until we are dead. bury us before you go’: love of God and fear of hell easily break all chains. Oh soldier, all spangled with the flowers of Jesus Christ! Blessed retreat where one enjoys familiarity with God! Brother dear, what are you doing in the world which is so far less than you? Do you fear hardship? What athlete was ever crowned without a struggle? It is my love for you, Oh brother, that has urged me to say these things to the end that on judgement day you may share the glory of those who now live amid the rigors of penance.
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