For centuries God has called women and men of every possible background to the contemplative, monastic life. In our post-Christian age, this divine summons to a life of unceasing prayer and self-gift is still heard and responded to. For some, this call is immediately obvious while for others it is a vague stirring of discontent discerned as being a monastic vocation after years in other styles of life.

To be called to OJN is thus a call to give up everything for God and to receive everything from God. It is a call into the depths of Christ's death and into the joyful gift of his Resurrection. It is an invitation to become profoundly alive in Christ, to become, as the early monastics wrote, 'all flame.'

The life of the individual monk or nun in OJN is not one of severity, rigid ascetics, or hardship, but of discipline, on-going conversion of life, and commitment to life-long spiritual development within Christian community. From this base of monastic spirituality, the Order reaches out to the Church and world in tangible ways. We offer spiritual direction and provide places at our houses for individuals to make retreat. Occasionally monks and nuns of the Order leave the monastery to lead retreats for parishes and other groups.

Our first work however, is liturgical, intercessory and contemplative prayer. The meaning of our life is thus largely interior and hidden: the conversion of the monk or nun to a life of union with God.

Those eligible to explore a monastic vocation with us will be single women and men, generally between 20 and 55 years of age, in good physical and mental health.

If you are interested in exploring a vocation with The Order of Julian of Norwich, please contact Mother Hilary, OJN, the formation director, at Julian House Monastery at 262.549.0452 or hilary@orderofjulian.org. When you contact Mother Hilary, please be sure to send your regular mailing address and include your full name.

Also, if you wish, you may download a PDF version of our Initial Questionnaire by clicking on the link to the left, and send this along to Mother Hilary, OJN by email or regular mail.