Initiating the Discernment Process

God calls all the souls he has created to love him with their whole being, here and thereafter, which means that he calls all of them to holiness, to perfection, to a close following of him and obedience to his will. But he does not ask all souls to show their love by the same works, to climb to heaven by the same ladder, to achieve goodness in the same way. What sort of work, then, must I do? Which is my road to heaven? In what kind of life am I to sanctify myself?

Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Pray often. The one who calls also gives the courage to respond. Seek advice from someone who knows you and is familiar with contemplative communities.

As those already called to the contemplative life will confirm, a contemplative vocation is a mystery well worth answering. There is no perfect candidate, and most of us are surprised at who God calls!

If you are thinking about religious life, we encourage you to contact us to talk about your questions. You can contact us at denver.capclares@gmail.com for more information and you may also visit our Monastery if you are able, to learn more more about the contemplative life as lived by the Capuchin Poor Clares.

Requirements for entrance

You need to be a practicing Catholic woman between the ages of 18 and 35 with good physical, mental and emotional health.

• Be a High School graduate or have a G.E.D.
• Be free of debt.
• Be single; or if you were married, have received a Church annulment and have no dependent children.

And especially to experience a call from the Lord; a vocation is a special gift from God. To have a deep desire of God and to grow in friendship with Jesus Christ; the desire to live the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare; be able to live the vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, to live in community and have the skills for the cloister contemplative life: serenity, maturity, openness for healthy relationships among the sisters; and have the generosity to pray and sacrifice for the Church and the entire world.

The form of life of the Order of the Poor Sisters … is this: to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience, without anything of one’s own and in chastity.

Rule of St. Clare