While the primary mission of the Vocations office is to help discern and form vocations to the priesthood, we are also happy to assist those who may be called to the religious life within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. You may feel a particular call to a way of life different from the diocesan priesthood.
Religious Life is a vocation in which members live in a community with a shared apostolate (or mission), charism (the particular expression of the community's life or "culture'") and spirituality.
All religious profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience according to the example and recommendation of Jesus. These vows help the religious to dedicate themselves in love to God alone, and to free themselves for service to the Church.
Religious Life comes in many different forms. Some communities are active, meaning they have an apostolate among people to aid or assist them with physical or spiritual necessities (teaching, missionary work, care for the poor, etc.) Some are contemplative, meaning their primary apostolate is prayer for the Church and the world. Many communities mix aspects of both active and contemplative life.
The lives of religious are full and richly rewarding, though this may seem contradictory to a worldy understanding of what makes people happy. While religious do not have their own spouses and children, they take the whole Church as their families, and are free to be present in all lives in a unique way. While they do not collect many possessions, they possess true joy and purity of heart, and have more than material possessions can give with the love of God. And while they have bound themselves in obedience, the freedom of trusting entirely in Divine Providence obedience brings allows profound peace and happiness.
Learn more about Religious Life for Men in the DIocese.
Learn more about Religious Life for Women in the Diocese.