Why do some sisters leave religious life after many years?
In discerning our call to religious life, we make every effort to listen to where we can best live out with joy our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus in love. Every life has its struggles and difficult times. If these times persist beyond life s normal challenges, a sister may question if this is where God wants her to be. We know that God desires peace and happiness for us. It sometimes happens, as it does in marriage, that one comes to the realization that there is little hope that the vocation chosen will again bring joy and peace. If a sister has sought help through counselling and/or spiritual direction and prayer, she sometimes comes to a decision that remaining in religious life is no longer able to bring her closer to God and the people of God she desires to serve. The sister may apply for a dispensation from her vows.
