Changing Third Orders - Common?

[Marauder]

Oh yeah? WHAT sort of ‘plans’?

I guess I must be spiritually ‘tone-deaf’ then…

I’m just not good with groups. Once burned, twice shy, as the saying goes…

Based on just your posts it may be that you are trying to force a vocation/discernment. Not allowing it to happen. If your vocation to a particular Order is right you will feel it. Everything will line up. There will be obstacles in your way, but you will be able to overcome them. Things like being nervous and feeling “I am not worthy” will typically happen during the process, but if an obstacle appears that you can’t overcome then it probably wasn’t meant for you.

Sometimes the answer might be that you weren’t ready then but might be ready now or in the future, but based on your posts IMHO it sounds like you might not be ready, but I am in no way capable of judging you. I suggest getting a good spiritual adviser and talking over things with them. If you still feel called to one of the Orders you tried before, maybe go back to them. I know SFO has changed a lot, and every fraternity has a different feel to it. But only you will be able to determine what that call is, if any at all. Not everyone is called.

 

[barb_finnegan]

Based on just your posts it may be that you are trying to force a vocation/discernment. Not allowing it to happen. If your vocation to a particular Order is right you will feel it. Everything will line up. There will be obstacles in your way, but you will be able to overcome them. Things like being nervous and feeling “I am not worthy” will typically happen during the process, but if an obstacle appears that you can’t overcome then it probably wasn’t meant for you.

Sometimes the answer might be that you weren’t ready then but might be ready now or in the future, but based on your posts IMHO it sounds like you might not be ready, but I am in no way capable of judging you. I suggest getting a good spiritual adviser and talking over things with them. If you still feel called to one of the Orders you tried before, maybe go back to them. I know SFO has changed a lot, and every fraternity has a different feel to it. But only you will be able to determine what that call is, if any at all. Not everyone is called.

I’m not trying to ‘force’ a vocation/discernment–I’m only relating my own past experiences.

I’ve tried to find a spiritual director, but nothing doing. Whenever I think I’ve found a good one, he (always a priest-won’t go to some crazy ‘priestess-wannabe’ or equally nutty layman) always either got transferred or had more duties placed on him.

As I said, ‘once burned, twice shy’…I’m better off being alone……no good with groups…

 

[Marauder]

I’ve tried to find a spiritual director, but nothing doing. Whenever I think I’ve found a good one, he (always a priest-won’t go to some crazy ‘priestess-wannabe’ or equally nutty layman) always either got transferred or had more duties placed on him.

Your spiritual director moving on is always a risk you have to take. Of my last two spiritual directors one was sent to Italy and the other had to retire from active ministry for health reasons. Both of them were very good and the 2nd wasn’t a priest he was a friar. Other then not being able to go to confession with him it was a very good experience.

If you have a monastery, friary, convent or something like that near you it may be a good place to look. Usually you can get a feel for whether someone there is assigned long-term vs. short-term. Many Diocesan priests seem to have to move at the drop of a hat.

 

[barb_finnegan]

Your spiritual director moving on is always a risk you have to take. Of my last two spiritual directors one was sent to Italy and the other had to retire from active ministry for health reasons. Both of them were very good and the 2nd wasn’t a priest he was a friar. Other then not being able to go to confession with him it was a very good experience.

If you have a monastery, friary, convent or something like that near you it may be a good place to look. Usually you can get a feel for whether someone there is assigned long-term vs. short-term. Many Diocesan priests seem to have to move at the drop of a hat.

There are no monasteries, convents or friaries in my diocese. There used to be religious Order priests in years past, but for the most part they all got pulled out because they were needed elsewhere. All we have are diocesan priests, and they are few and overworked as it is.