Are members of third orders called monks or nuns?

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. Are members of third orders called monks or nuns or are they called something else?

 

[puzzleannie]

they are called oblates, seculars, tertiaries, or whatever the designation their order chooses for their lay associates. Some do call themselves brother or sister, but don’t know if that is “official” or just a custom some have adopted. Do know we do not have permission to wear a habit. some other orders may permit their lay associates to wear habits, however. don’t know if there is a blanket rule. Lay associates make promises or commitments, we do not take vows, as professed religious do (monks and nuns).

 

[Holly3278]

they are called oblates, seculars, tertiaries, or whatever the designation their order chooses for their lay associates. Some do call themselves brother or sister, but don’t know if that is “official” or just a custom some have adopted. Do know we do not have permission to wear a habit. some other orders may permit their lay associates to wear habits, however. don’t know if there is a blanket rule. Lay associates make promises or commitments, we do not take vows, as professed religious do (monks and nuns).

Ah okay. So being an oblate, secular, or tertiary is less restrictive than actually being a monk or nun? I think I may have asked this before but I know I don’t qualify to be a nun because of my mental disorders but would I qualify to be a member of a third order?

 

[puzzleannie]

Ah okay. So being an oblate, secular, or tertiary is less restrictive than actually being a monk or nun? I think I may have asked this before but I know I don’t qualify to be a nun because of my mental disorders but would I qualify to be a member of a third order?

a monk or nun makes vows, which are solemn promises usually before a bishop, for a period of time, or after a long formation period, lifetime vows. After solemn profession they cannot leave the order without permission, sometimes from the head of the order or the bishop, in some cases from Rome. Religious life is a vocation, and those called to the vocation are granted the charisms necessary to fulfill the demands of the vocations.

any lay Catholic in good standing can be an associate of a religious order who has such members. Some common ones are Benedictine Oblates, Secular Franciscans, Dominican Tertiaries, can’t remember what Carmelites are called. I believe there is a sticky on top of this forum with more info.

I am a Benedictine Oblate, and we have married people and singles, mostly laity, but 3 priests and 2 seminarians in our chapter and several ladies who are discerning vocations as Benedictine sisters, or with other orders. We are now over 65 members attached to our small monastery (3 sisters and a postulant).

Our commitment, which we make after a year of formation, and renew each year during our annual retreat, is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, pray with the Scripture daily with lectio divina, and to study the rule of St. Benedict and apply it to daily life in the world. the promises are hospitality, stability and fidelity. as long as one is able to fulfill these commitments to the extend of their abilities, a mental health issue is not necessarily a barrier.

 

[Holly3278]

a monk or nun makes vows, which are solemn promises usually before a bishop, for a period of time, or after a long formation period, lifetime vows. After solemn profession they cannot leave the order without permission, sometimes from the head of the order or the bishop, in some cases from Rome. Religious life is a vocation, and those called to the vocation are granted the charisms necessary to fulfill the demands of the vocations.

any lay Catholic in good standing can be an associate of a religious order who has such members. Some common ones are Benedictine Oblates, Secular Franciscans, Dominican Tertiaries, can’t remember what Carmelites are called. I believe there is a sticky on top of this forum with more info.

I am a Benedictine Oblate, and we have married people and singles, mostly laity, but 3 priests and 2 seminarians in our chapter and several ladies who are discerning vocations as Benedictine sisters, or with other orders. We are now over 65 members attached to our small monastery (3 sisters and a postulant).

Our commitment, which we make after a year of formation, and renew each year during our annual retreat, is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, pray with the Scripture daily with lectio divina, and to study the rule of St. Benedict and apply it to daily life in the world. the promises are hospitality, stability and fidelity. as long as one is able to fulfill these commitments to the extend of their abilities, a mental health issue is not necessarily a barrier.

Ah okay. Thanks PuzzleAnnie. Your post is very helpful!