Be honest and open with the vocation director about your health needs and medication requirements. This allows them to assess whether the community can support you.
Your health condition is merely a factor in discernment, not a barrier. Do not let your health keep you from embracing your heart’s call and entering into religious life. The right religious order is waiting for you and will be blessed to have you as part of its family. You are valuable and worthy. Do not loose hope.
Please do not let the information here deter you from inquiry. Please contact the Religious Order for more information.
Can I Enter a Religious Order If…
I Have A Health Condition:
Each religious community has its own requirements, and some are more lenient regarding health than others. Some communities prioritize a candidate’s ability to participate in their specific way of life. Some orders, particularly contemplative or monastic ones, may have physically demanding routines or environments (e.g., lots of kneeling, stairs), which might be challenging for certain individuals. Contact the individual Order you are discerning and inquire into their health requirements. Be as specific about your situation (as you feel comfortable) and what your condition requires.
I Have A Terminal or Progressive Illness:
While having a terminal or progressive illness could make joining a Catholic religious order it does not outright disqualify someone with a terminal or progressive illness from entering a religious order. In some cases, a Papal Dispensation may be given or there may be cause to lead to an expedited process of Holy Orders. It is important to talk to the Order and share your concerns. But if you have a terminal or progressive illness, please do not let it eliminate your hopes of joining religious life.
I Have to Take Medication or Carry an Epipen:
Taking medication or carrying an Epipen does not exclude one from being able to join a religious order. While good physical and psychological health is generally required, “healthy” doesn’t automatically exclude individuals with managed illnesses or disabilities. Many communities have accepted individuals with various health conditions throughout history. Each religious community will evaluate your situation individually.
I Have A Chronic Illness with Temporary Flare-Ups (Epilepsy, POTS, Fibromyalgia):
Generally, a chronic illness with temporary flare-ups does not automatically disqualify you from joining a Catholic religious order, but it depends on the specific community and the severity of the illness. Orders need to determine if your condition is well-managed and if the treatment is sustainable and practical within their community. What matters most is whether you are physically and psychologically able to engage in the order’s specific mission.
I Have Diabetes:
A person can generally join a Catholic religious order with diabetes, but you must be able to meet the specific physical and spiritual demands of the order and demonstrate that your condition can be managed sufficiently to live its way of life.
I Have Drug-Resistant Illness (i.e., drug-resistant Epilepsy):
The decision rests with each individual community, which will evaluate your specific situation to determine if you can live a healthy religious life and engage in their mission. The community needs to ensure you are physically and psychologically capable of handling the demands of religious life. The new Code of Canon Law (1983) removed blanket prohibitions against conditions like epilepsy and instead focuses on evaluating if a “psychic defect” would render a person unqualified for ministry.
I Am Deaf and/or Blind:
Deaf or blind individuals can join Catholic religious orders (such as The Sacramentine Sisters of Done Orione), and many have done so. While there may be certain practical considerations for ministry, neither deafness nor blindness is an obstacle to a vocation. Many orders exist for members with disabilities, and the church has moved toward greater inclusivity over time.
I Have Depression or Anxiety or Other Mental Health Conditions:
Having a diagnosed mental health condition like depression or anxiety does not automatically disqualify you from joining a Catholic religious order, as the Church has become more accepting of mental health treatment and recognizes the value of individuals with these conditions. While your condition will be a factor in the discernment process, the ultimate decision depends on the specific order’s rules, your ability to fulfill their requirements, and whether your health condition would hinder your ministry or community life.
I Have Temporary Lapses in Consciousness (i.e., Fits, Faints, Collapses, or Seizures):
Generally, a history of temporary lapses in consciousness—such as fits, faints, or seizures—does not automatically disqualify someone from entering a Catholic religious order. However, each case is judged individually based on the nature, severity, and stability of the condition and its potential impact on religious life. The primary consideration is whether the condition would prevent the candidate from properly fulfilling the obligations of religious life. This includes participating fully in community life, prayer, and ministry. For example, a candidate for the priesthood must be physically and psychologically able to celebrate the sacraments.
I Have Anaphylaxis:
Whether a person with anaphylaxis can join depends on the specific religious community and their ability to safely accommodate the candidate’s health needs. It is best to be open about your condition and work directly with the vocation director of any order you are considering.
I Have Migraines:
In many cases, it is possible to enter a Catholic religious order if you have migraines, especially if the condition is manageable. However, admission is decided on a case-by-case basis and depends on the specific requirements of the religious community and the severity of your condition. You will need to be transparent about your health during the application process and work closely with the order’s vocation director.
I Have a Physical Disability:
A physical disability does not automatically disqualify you from entering a Catholic religious order, but it depends on the specific order’s requirements and the nature of your disability. While most communities look for candidates in good physical and psychological health, some orders have a special charism (guiding spirit) of accepting those with physical limitations.
