What About My Student Debt?

Because of the high cost of post-secondary education in Canada, many young people today are faced with student debt.

In order to enter into religious life, candidates are usually required to be free of debt.

If you believe that you are being called to consecrated life, but are facing the obstacle of student debt, don't give up!

If you need to work for a period of time in order to pay off your debt before entering into religious life, use that time to deepen your discernment and grow in the spiritual life. Having to work and wait for something can reveal the depth of your desire and ability to persevere in your calling.

If your student debt is more than you are able to resolve, there are organizations dedicated to helping young people with vocations pay off their student debt. These include:

The Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations

The Laboure Society

Also: don't forget to pray about it! Your vocation is God's idea, and He knows all about the obstacles you will face. It is not at all uncommon for Him to provide in unexpected ways, removing barriers from your path and enabling you to answer His call. If He is calling you, He will enable you to respond.

Even if His will is for you to delay your entrance because you are resolving debt, He will make that time fruitful, using it to prepare your heart for the graces of religious life. Be not afraid!