Admission to a convent has several guidelines. Foremost, a candidate must have a vocation. A vocation to religious life is dependent on three things: the candidate's personal
…fitness spiritually, mentally and physically, the desire of the candidate to enter into religious life and finally, the Church's invitation to the individual to enter into that way of life. Usually, a candidate must be healthy, sound of body and mind, a Catholic of good standing, have no outside debts or responsibilities (such as taking care of a parent or child, be married, etc.). Even if obstacles arise from the above, the candidate can seek a dispensation from her local bishop in order to proceed, though whether it is granted or not is at the discretion of the bishop. The candidate can then either approach her local parish priest and request assistance in pursuing a vocation to a convent, or she can go directly to a convent to speak with the abbess there about entry. Most convents will give potential candidates a few forms to fill out and require several character witnesses and wish an interview; it's not unlike applying for a position in a company. (MORE)