Comparison of Third Orders?

[lalindsay225]

Hello, all. I am interested in exploring the third orders near me, and eventually, discerning one in which to enter formation. The actual visiting and/or formation would have to take place at a later date; I am a single mother, and my son, who is 11, has autism. I would probably not be able to give the full process the attention it deserves until my son is older.

Of course, I can start reading about the various orders now. I belong to a Jesuit parish, which I love, but they don’t seem to have anything local.

Does anyone know of a good book, or good books, that compares the different orders? Franciscan, Dominican, Carmelite, Redemptorist, Passionist, etc.

Thanks in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Casilda]

Does anyone know of a good book, or good books, that compares the different orders? Franciscan, Dominican, Carmelite, Redemptorist, Passionist, etc.

Thanks in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[lalindsay225]

I have done a bit of research. Here in Raleigh, there are lay Carmelites, lay Dominicans, lay Franciscans, and lay Passionists. The nearest Benedictines are in Belmont, several hours away, so I may tentatively focus on learning about the others for now.

Does anyone know much about the charisms of these orders? I know the Carmelites are deeply Marian, and the Dominicans are known for their preaching.

 

[Casilda]

pathsoflove.com/religious-communities.html
shc.edu/theolibrary/orders.htm

I have been researching to become a lay associate of a religious society. Maybe attending retreats at various religious communities will help us with the info we need. One of the sites I listed have a few communities that take in older candidates. I wish you well on your search and your future vocation.

 

[Bookcat]

Historical Third Orders Secular:

(the names have been otherwise in the past…have changed over time…ie being called the Third Order…but now being called Secular Order etc):

Secular Franciscan Order
Lay Dominicans
Third Order Secular of the Carmelite Order
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
Secular Order of the Most Holy Trinity (Third Order Secular of the Most Holy Trinity)
Mercedarian Third Order (Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy)
Servite Secular Order (Secular Order of the Servants of Mary)
Secular Augustinians
Secular Augustinian Recollects
Minims Third Order
Praemonstrian Third Order

(and they all still exist)

They all seek Christian Perfection in the world and live their particular Charism in the Church and the world.

So one could compare the Charism and Rule or Constitutions etc of each as one way to compare them (or to begin to).

 

[asia53]

I have done a bit of research. Here in Raleigh, there are lay Carmelites, lay Dominicans, lay Franciscans, and lay Passionists. The nearest Benedictines are in Belmont, several hours away, so I may tentatively focus on learning about the others for now.

Does anyone know much about the charisms of these orders? I know the Carmelites are deeply Marian, and the Dominicans are known for their preaching.

Carmelites: Prayer
Dominicans: Evangelizing
Franciscans: the Poor
Benedictines: the Liturgy

The Carmelites are deeply Christocentric. We love and revere our Blessed Mother, she always leads us to her Son.

I know nothing about the Lay Passionists or the Lay Augustinians.

Asia, Lay Carmelite, 2nd year of Formation