Consecrated Life in Canada

As a Catholic young person, you may have noticed a phenomenon via social media in Catholic circles: in certain parts of the world, religious life is blossoming. 

Some communities in the US, such as the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, are growing rapidly and are attracting a large number of young people. 

In Western Canada, we are blessed with a thriving seminary and vocations to the diocesan priesthood. 

However, if you are a young woman, or a young man interested in a form of consecrated life other than priesthood, you may be wondering: what are the options for young Canadians with vocations to consecrated life? 

Are there any thriving, young communities in our part of the world? 

What can I do if the order I feel called to does not have any Canadian communities? 

Fear not! Young Canadians are hearing and responding to God's call, and discovering viable options for entering into religious life. 

There are several young, vibrant communities of women religious in Canada, including:

• a Vancouver foundation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (apostolic; teaching apostolate)

• a Toronto mission of the Sisters of Life  (apostolic; pro-life apostolate)

• a Vancouver foundation of the Missionaries of Charity (apostolic; apostolate of service to the poor)

• Queen of Peace Dominican Monastery, Squamish, BC (contemplative nuns)

For men, and women who feel called to a different way of life, Canadians have found that travelling to the US to find a community is the next best thing to finding one in Canada. 

Young people in the Archdiocese of Edmonton have entered, or are discerning with, American communities such as:

• Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, Washington, DC (apostolic; apostolate of preaching and teaching)

• Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles (apostolic; apostolate of health care)

• Trappistine Nuns of Mount St. Mary's Abbey, Wrentham, MA (contemplative nuns)

• Sisters of Life, New York, NY (apostolic; pro-life apostolate)

Many US communities are very open to receiving inquiries from young Canadians interested in their way of life. 

Thanks to the internet, exploring and contacting American communities can be done easily via their websites and social media profiles. Many communities are active in social media and share a lot of their lives online. 

Be not afraid! If you are interested in the life of a community in another part of the world, contact them! And be sure to explore the Canadian options for discerners.