Entering the Convent at Age 23 - Mini Doc #12

What is it like to be a Millennial entering the convent? Sister Fiat says, “it’s an act of love to give ourselves” and “love does crazy things, right?” Her love, as you can see, radiates through authentic joy — and will change the way you think about sisters.

Sr. Fiat (whose baptismal name is Rachel) joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration as a postulant in the Summer of 2016. The postulant year is a time of further discernment in preparation to receive the habit and become a member of the community.

The congregation allowed Grotto Network to film Rachel getting her hair cut in preparation of becoming a sister in August 2017 and professing her final vows in seven more years.

On August 1, she received the habit (veil) and the name Fiat, which is Latin for “let it be” in reference to Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel when he asked her to bear Christ to the world.

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|Video Transcript|
Sister Fiat Staley: Sister Lois said, “You know, you could just be one of those people who shaves the side of their head.” I said, “Sister Lois, do you remember like four years ago when I did that?” She was like, “Oh. Yeah,” because she thought it was crazy.

Sister Fiat entered the convent at age 23.

Sister Fiat: Saint Teresa of Calcutta has this wonderful quote, “The Lord doesn’t ask for success. He asks for fidelity.” The world tells us to be successful is to be rich, powerful, or in the limelight, but with the Lord, success is measured in a different way.

It’s just if we love Him and we’re trying to love Him, that’s enough, and how freeing that is to know that, and joy is so attractive, right? If we see someone living that authentic joy, we desire it as well, so that is very much my experience. As I saw the sisters’ true joy, that drew me very deeply into the invitation of this life.

In anticipation of taking final vows and wearing a habit, Sister Fiat’s usually long hair must be cut short.

Sister Fiat: It’s not over yet.

Speaker 2: Oh my gosh. There’s half a head up there.

Speaker 3: Look at that hair!

Sister Fiat: I know. I told you!

Sister Fiat: As Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, we have a specific adoration chapel set aside to adore Jesus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there are always two sisters there before Him.

Yeah. That means that some nights I get up in the middle of the night at 1:30. I try to pull myself up out of bed. It’s an act of love to give ourselves.

One of the sacrifices is not being around our family in the same way. I don’t get to go home and see my family whenever I want. I send them letters, and they send us letters. It’s different. It certainly was a little bit of a challenge to figure out that new form of communication, because I don’t think I ever wrote letters to my family before, but it really is beautiful.

It might seem kind of crazy to be seeing a 24-year-old leaving the world and preparing to be living in a convent as a young adult, but love does crazy things. Right?

[evalevy]

The friendship between the sisters is so fun to watch.

[BrookiethecOoKiE]

When you’re 23 and you’re thinking about joining a convent and this video pops up, idk do I need a bigger sign?

[jfarris]

I was the sister of Notre Dame in Covington Kentucky in 1981 and I was 18 years old. I stayed for five years and during those times I made a great friendships and grew closer to God. It was a wonderful experience but at the same time I was definitely not called so I left at age 23. Now I’m 55 years old and I still have contacted some of the sisters who have left and we remember the good times the laughter the funny things that occurred in every day life and I am so grateful for that time even though it wasn’t meant to be. I wish you all the joy

[DYNAMITEDORK]

Being the father of a nun, this really made me happy! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[challyy]

I am not a religious person, but watching this gives me pure joy. I deeply respect what you are doing! A lot of people would probably see you entering a convent as giving up live...but I see, that enetring a convent for you is living life to the fullest. This is at least what i think about it, how i recive it :)

[cmcas]

As a Roman Catholic I feel so blessed that nuns and monks exist. I feel as though you do all the spiritual heavy lifting for us regular people who have to deal with the world and many times need your prayers. My heart goes out to all of you.

[verinawrinn]

I'm an atheist. However, I see how happy these women are and I'm happy for them even if I don't agree with their religious views.

[RachelDeRosier]

Nuns in movies and tv: strict, stuck-up prudes with rulers as weapons

Nuns in real life:

[bethroesch]

She's a 24 yr old who knows her calling. Bless her.

[MrBandaman]

It took me 2 years of discernment before I finally decided to enter seminary. Somehow you feel a fire burning inside you, a desire to live a life for God and for God's people. You can only understand or feel it I guess, if you grew up in a fervent Catholic family. So that was in 2002. I was finally ordained a priest in 2013. And I haven't had a single moment of regret so far. Yes you give up your family, your hobbies, your life in a certain way, but as the Gospel says...you earn also a.hundred times more. I hope and pray that many young people will feel God's call.aand respond to it. May God bless young woman and her sisters. Their prayers keep the world going and the fire of love burning.

[__seeker__]

I’m a man and did this when I was 18. I joined a cloistered monastery and lived there under strict vows as a monk for 10 years. We also had a 24 hour vigil in our temple. Believe me guys, this girl has a strong heart.

[barbara-lozd]

I’m 21 and I also want to give my whole life to Jesus.. I feel called to the carmelite vocation. I hope the Lord will lead me there, or wherever I’ll be most united to Him❤

[lynseychinnery]

there is a level of peace in what she's doing.

[Muslima.ljiljan]

Im a Muslim and i find this beautiful❤️❤️

[beverlythacker]

Sister, if you feel the need to pray at 2 am, then the lord is calling you. I showed my mom this video as her aunt was a nun. My mom said how times have changed. She remembers having very strict sisters as teachers in her Catholic school years. She loved seeing you all laugh and having fun.
Bless you all.

[fatherramen]

I’m lesbian and agnostic but it’s really great seeing how happy she is.

[michellepaul]

To all the people saying it's a waste of time...If becoming a nun is what you want to do and makes you happy then that's a good thing. Everyone is different and not everyone wants the same things in life. Most people who live a "normal" life and do "normal" stuff and have a "normal" career or job aren't too happy. And people who do the "normal" thing and date and get married end up getting cheated on and divorced and end miserable most times.

[ILoveLamp_]

Watching the sisters being so joyful, is beautiful. I love that they're so happy devoting themselves to their faith

[OTAKUANIME]

Everyone who is saying this is a waste of time and life is an embarrassment to every nonreligious/nonChristian person. Respect other people's beliefs please. This girl did nothing to you nor did she criticise you, so please do not look down on her to make yourselves seem better. Thank you.

[glennwilliams]

Having grown up (and still remain) a faithful practicing Catholic, I remember the exodus from the religious orders in the 1960s and 70s, and watched the aging of those who remained. It is so great to see the recent increase in vocations and especially of young beautiful women being called to the traditional orders. It fills me with such hope for the future of the Church and the world.