People sometimes think that once you’ve answered the call, entering religious life is a piece of cake. Not so. Religious communities don’t accept potential members unless they are free from worldly ties, responsibilities and burdens. Including…student loans.

One blogger is asking for some help in paying off her student loan so she can enter the convent. Read more about her story and appeal at these links.

Some may ask why they should trust me. I suppose that in this world of cyberspace you can never be sure. I have the endorsement of the Salesian Sisters’ vocation director (you can call her directly, if you wish – email me for her personal number) and my spiritual director. I have been a Salesian Cooperator for almost three years now (not including 2 years of formation) and I was the local coordinator of my Salesian Cooperator Unit. A newstory about it (with a terrible picture of me) is on the Salesian website.

I am a published author of a 32 page booklet entitled “All Things to All, The Life of Blessed Artemides Zatti” available from the Salesian Missions (which you can obtain by calling them at 1-888-608-2327), and I have also written articles for the Salesian Bulletin and one of them can be found HERE.

I have taught Religious Education, run a youth group, worked at food pantries, and tutored English Composition to immigrants and ESL students.

You have my promise that any money you send will be applied directly towards my student loan. If you wish to be refunded should I leave the convent during my formation because I have decided that it is not my calling, you can note that in the “Optional Comments” box on the donation form. I will keep the information of all of my donors and and I will keep you updated once I am in the convent about what the formation process is like and what I am up to. I think of this also as a way of involving the general public in the life of a religious and giving you the opportunity to see what my life is like.

If you cannot afford to donate, PLEASE pray for me, not only for money, but for grace that I might do God’s will and persevere. It is not easy to leave everything and go into the convent, but it is a small thing in comparison to being able to give yourself totally to the service of others in love.

Do go read Brittany’s wonderful blog and consider helping her out in some way!

By the way, there is a group that exists for this purpose, as well – the Laboure Society:

Upon discovering that religious communities and dioceses require aspirants to be free of debt before entering formation, Minnesota businessman Cy Laurent decided something had to be done to mitigate the impediment of debt from those called to priesthood or religious life. Drawing from his twenty-plus years of experience in Fortune 500 companies and his twenty five years as an entrepreneur, Laurent began working with others toward assisting this population, which he expected could be quite a few.