Burned by Religious Communities

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CTuck, I am no expert on all the nuances in RC orders. However, of all our duties to others given us by Christ Jesus, primary is the command to love others. By this we will be known.
There I see little we can do when trying to overcome hurts/disappointments of any degree but to give them over to God to deal with. Our job is to keep walking our walk. These events prove and refine us as gold is refined.
We don’t need to hear any opposing side’s version. We accept your hurt, and be all accounts by people who should be full of love and grace. But to move forward, we have to accept, for Jesus said don’t be discouraged if you’re treated poorly. They treated me thus too. Rejoice in it and know I am with you unto the end, and beyond to eternity. (paraphrased from multiple scripture passages)
Also, as we approach end of days, evil will increase 10 fold such as was never seen from beginning of man. 18,000 Syrian kids missing and likely murdered for their organs. One case on you tube is particularly troubling. We know the love of many will grow cold, but if we preserve grace then we will win.
BTW, do you know what kind of ministry appealed the most to you?
 
In my experience, I had no qualms with any of the parts of the life like you mentioned. I found certain things more difficult than others, like going on little sleep, but that’s life. It was the pressure not to think about or address things that concerned me. It felt like no one really cared.
 
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Also, you mentioned something in an earlier post about young men joining communities looking for a father figure. That was a big part of what I was looking for and also one of my biggest letdowns. Thank you for bringing that up.

My favorite part in the apostolate was teaching and speaking with people, which is interesting because I’m more introverted.
 
Not without the Bishop’s permission.

Even if I were to start a OCDS group. I would first have to get permission from the Bishop, then the Order itself.

If they choose not to be Catholic, then yeah they can do what they want.

However, Catholics must get permission from the Bishop of the dioceses to create a religious organization.

The group I’m referring to no longer exists and haven’t since they were ordered to disband.

Also, the founder is no longer alive.

Jim
 
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The former OCDS who started the Teresian Adorers of the Holy Eucharist in Florida had to leave the OCDS to do so. Several OCDS went with her to start this new secular institute. The group has grown. They are to be receiving their letter from the bishop sometime soon. I should know, they have a letter-of-kinship with us. She got the idea from one of our proposals.

While there is no blueprint for founding a new community, there are certain common threads. A bishop cannot approve an unlived concept. Therefore, the community has every right to live in common quarters, wear a habit indoors, and wear a uniform elsewhere. I encourage the founders we support on our Fullerton Society group to send a letter to the bishop to let them know of their presence, but they might leave the diocese if resources are offered elsewhere. The chancery needs this information just in case someone starts harassing the community about their existence.

New communities are supposed to help the local bishop fulfill his pastoral plan. That’s why the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus, posted this past week, have “diocesan” on their website. Everyone starts on the diocesan level, but if the bishop is hostile, they have a right to keep to themselves. (Clarifying: keep to themselves while developing/living the charism).
 
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Thanks Jim. I did not remember all the details. Also, didn’t they want to be governed by a lay board rather than the Bishop? I think that is the one that got them into hot water. Also, Mother Marium was told by the new Bishop to “move on.” I know she is still on the radio, but I think EWTN has distanced itself from her.
 
About the concept of time to 'settle in. One should never be so complacent to think three years or fifty years is a guide for settling in. Religious life is an ongoing ‘work in progress.’ Don’t ever think you graduate and get your diploma as in Religious Life, Ph.D.

In my own case, I have stopped traveling in one direction and have taken another road toward my destination due to the surprised onset of Renal Failure and A1C diabetes. That’s OK. I’ll take the detour with joy and wonder. Who knows what I may find along the wayside. As long as the road less traveled doesn’t take a wrong turn and leads me over the side of a cliff-got to watch out for potholes and obstacles along the way and I am a happy camper. This I have more time to meditate, pray and consider where I have been and where I am going.
While we all want a ride on that cloud with a silver lining- even that blackest of black clouds can bring rain and gain to someone, somewhere.
CTuck, I wish joy and happiness on your journey. Change your perspective o “what I have learned and value along the way”
P.S. I have had to go back and edit my spelling and punctuation a couple times. I can see my epitaph now. Here lies Mary Estelle-She just couldn’t spell.
 
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That’s not the order I was referring to.

The order I was referring to were “The Monks of the Adoration.” They had adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 24/7, as well as a webcam for people around the internet to tune into.

They began in Petersham MA, and moved to Florida, because Petersham already had three Papally approved religious communities and they were not growing.

They wrote to the Bishop in Florida and he welcomed them. I think it was the St Petersburg, Dioceses.

They moved and purchased a large home to be used for their community.

Then, the Bishop retired and new Bishop was assigned. After a few months he ordered them to disband and sell the assets. which they did. Two members returned to secular life and the found died not to long ago. The Bishop’s reason was that they had not grown beyond the three members.

You can wear religious habit, live in a community, etc. The Bishop won’t stop it. However, It’s when you begin to declare yourself as a religious order and begin to accept donations from benefactors, permission from the Bishop of that dioceses is necessary. The Bishop has control over such Catholic organizations in his dioceses, which are not granted Papal Approval in the first place.

I’m not a canon lawyer, so I would go further on it. But like I said, I’ve seen two orders dissolved by the local Bishop of the Dioceses.

Jim
 
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My general experience of human beings is that few know what they’re doing. So whether one is leading or following, use extreme caution.
 
Yes, I understand all of that. One’s group has to have the letter from the bishop to be able to solicit funds and call themselves Catholic in the official sense of the word.

I had a feeling you were talking about the Monks of Adoration. Even now, up to 100 years from the date of their suppression, someone can take up their constitutions and habit, and have another go at it. Such would be known as a restoration.
 
I am so grateful Pur Lord would use me to help you through this. Keep on keeping on 🙂

Edit: And also feel free to inbox me anytime. It helps to talk about t (like you’re doing now), it takes time to process it all.
 
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CTuck said:
But the keyword here is “help,” not coerce or manipulate. How could those methods ever communicate God’s loving counsel to embrace something so awesome?
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True. Not sure what gave rise to the perception of coercion or manipulation, so I’ll just have to take your word for it, that it’s objectively the case. 🤷‍♂️
 
If you do not expect members to consider or respond to your post then say so. We have a right to make assessments-not judgments-according to the information you present. Former Presiden Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.” You continue to offer one side of your story, but I am willing to bet that there is another side that you have not related. Just observing human nature.
 
CTuck has made a couple of responses that are in themselves critical and manipulative and coercion in their own way indicating that my own replies did not suit her well. CA is a two-way street. CTuck has a right to post and I have a right to respond. This is an open forum. Any response to what you don’t like should be up front and open. I have broad shoulders. I can take it.
There are more important thing in life that just one person’s complaint(s). Life is way too short to sweat the small stuff.
 
Why are you being so hostile to me? My original post was not asking anyone to assess anything beyond my asking if there were others who’ve gone through similar experiences. If that doesn’t suit you, I’m sorry, but please go somewhere else.
 
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Herein lies your dilemma. I am not hostile. I am trying to be honest. As far as the singular word assessment is concerned it is descriptive of how human nature survives. We need to assess in order to make a cognagent conclusion, then action or no need for actions. When posting you will get various replies and opinions. Some you will like, some you will not care for at all. Some will hurt deeply for a long time.

The Lord has counted every hair on my head and knows the number of my days. I hope to clean my comb and be truthful and honest in my last days. I look for joy, not confrontation. Therefore I wish you peace and pray that you find what you seek
 
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CTuck is telling me where to go-somewhere else. OH No! I hope she has ‘somewhere good’ in mind. Upper NY State is nice this time of there year. Wouldn’t mind going to France or to visit the Pope. Does anyone have any suggestion? Now keep it nice. The reality is that my traveling days have gone 'somewhere and my GPS is faulty, but I don’t mind. I am at peace no matter how low the fuel gets in the tank.
 
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