Confraternity of Penitents?

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Br_Mark said:
I would think if one wanted to follow the rule of St. Francis and be a part of a group sanctioned by the church; one would join the Secular Franciscan Order, one time known as the Third Order of St. Francis.
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Because some of us, for various reasons that are unique to each individual, feel a need for a life of penance that cannot be provided by the traditional orders. But such a life is hard to put together and put into action without support from like-minded individuals.

This includes NOT wearing a habit that would draw attention. It does involve living at home. Some, like myself, will continue our daily jobs. Over a 4 year period I will be expected to build up a solid prayer life, simplified eating habits, simplified clothing, and a simplified lifestyle. With support, I have faith that this can be done, if it is God’s will for me.

I am not sure if I can find the support I need for this drastic change in lifestyle from the traditional 3rd orders and/or secular orders. But for now, this is my proposed path.
 
i’m just waiting to begin the lessons so that i can start my 4 years! i’ve been in contact with them at the BSP and they seem like nice enough people. only problem is that there is no chapter in my area. i’ve also been looking at CFP. if they have a chapter somewhere closer to here i may prefer that. however fun it would be to start a chapter in my area, i’m in no position to be any kind of founder or leader at this point in time! lol

i agree that it would help to focus… really the only things i need to change would be the prayer and the eating habits, and yet i get opposition from people i know. i’ve told a couple people who i usually speak with about spiritual things although one of them isn’t religious, that i had found these groups and i’m looking more into them. it’s wierd because although the only real changes to my daily routine would be regular prayer and a change in my eating habits, and trying to go to daily mass when i can, i get opposition. which is partly why i need this i think. except for sunday morning, i can find no support or encouragement for my (attempted) catholic lifestyle! i sort of have to just absorb all i can from church one morning per week, and hope it sustains me until the following week. i go to some catholic websites but this is the only forum. i think for people in my situation, groups like these, with a defined rule that you can live by and specific expectations, and support, it really can make a world of difference. i hope!

i really admire St Francis and the idea of living the 1221 rule is so inspiring to me!

thanks for the read! i hope this discussion continues!
 
chsngtailodogma said:
i’m just waiting to begin the lessons so that i can start my 4 years! i’ve been in contact with them at the BSP and they seem like nice enough people. only problem is that there is no chapter in my area. i’ve also been looking at CFP. if they have a chapter somewhere closer to here i may prefer that. however fun it would be to start a chapter in my area, i’m in no position to be any kind of founder or leader at this point in time! lol

i agree that it would help to focus… really the only things i need to change would be the prayer and the eating habits, and yet i get opposition from people i know. i’ve told a couple people who i usually speak with about spiritual things although one of them isn’t religious, that i had found these groups and i’m looking more into them. it’s wierd because although the only real changes to my daily routine would be regular prayer and a change in my eating habits, and trying to go to daily mass when i can, i get opposition. which is partly why i need this i think. except for sunday morning, i can find no support or encouragement for my (attempted) catholic lifestyle! i sort of have to just absorb all i can from church one morning per week, and hope it sustains me until the following week. i go to some catholic websites but this is the only forum. i think for people in my situation, groups like these, with a defined rule that you can live by and specific expectations, and support, it really can make a world of difference. i hope!

i really admire St Francis and the idea of living the 1221 rule is so inspiring to me!

thanks for the read! i hope this discussion continues!
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👋
Hi! There are small differences between the BSP Constitutions (the way we live the original rule today) and ours, even though we both follow the 1221 Franciscan lay rule. I think we’re a little tighter in the dress code but don’t quote me. They ARE nice people.

If you come into this life via the CFP, please feel free to PM me at any time with questions or concerns! (We’re nice people, too!)
 
👍

thanks! i’ll pm you if i can figure it out… i tried once but i’m not sure if the person got it. then i got a pm and i could never open it lol…:confused:

i’ll try!
 
chsngtailodogma said:
👍

thanks! i’ll pm you if i can figure it out… i tried once but i’m not sure if the person got it. then i got a pm and i could never open it lol…:confused:

i’ll try!
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You could also just post to this thread if your questions are of a general nature.

I made my life pledge with vows at the annual CFP retreat at the end of July. Andrushak, who started this thread, was with us. It was a TERRIFIC retreat with retreat master, Fr. John Randall of the Dioces of Providence. Wow! The Holy Spirit was busy, busy, BUSY!

This year in the Confraternity, two people pledged for life without vows. Four people pledged for life with vows, and two people who made their life pledge last year added vows . . .
 
mercygate said:
You could also just post to this thread if your questions are of a general nature.

I made my life pledge with vows at the annual CFP retreat at the end of July. Andrushak, who started this thread, was with us. It was a TERRIFIC retreat with retreat master, Fr. John Randall of the Dioces of Providence. Wow! The Holy Spirit was busy, busy, BUSY!

This year in the Confraternity, two people pledged for life without vows. Four people pledged for life with vows, and two people who made their life pledge last year added vows . . .
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And I, Andruschak, made a pledge to continue my Postulancy for one year. However, the retreat was badly flawed, in my opinion, by all these requests to get up at 6 AM. I don’t DO mornings:crying:
 
Andruschak said:
OK, I checked out both websites. Both seem to want very much the same dedication for those truely called. What are the differences that I should consider?:o

And obviously I’d like some members nearby for support and help as needed. It does NOT look like something that can be done by myself without substantial help)😦
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I think that the main difference between the Confraternity of Penitents and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance is that the BSP allows one to substitute 20 decades of the rosary or one hour of mental prayer for the Divine Office, while the CP does not.
 
Andruschak said:
Stumbled across this website. I read it, and wondered if anybody has more information on this outfit. :confused:

penitents.org/

I might or might not be interested in joining, although they do have some strict fasting and abstinence guides. Finding time for the prayer requirements would also be a challange. 😦

Chastity is NOT a problem, and simple living is something I need to practice, and have already undertaken. :o

In any case, I couldn’t do anything until after Confirmation next Easter:(

In other word, just curious at the moment:thumbsup:
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I was and am a member, I let it lapse. Good people, good place and all around good. 👍
 
Saint_Gemma said:
I think that the main difference between the Confraternity of Penitents and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance is that the BSP allows one to substitute 20 decades of the rosary or one hour of mental prayer for the Divine Office, while the CP does not.
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Yes: that point of the rule is the same (but the CFP allows a 15-decade rosary). I tend to gloss that option because it never would have been my choice. The point is that the 1221 Rule, with its constitiutions adapting it to 21st Century life, is intended for laymen. Both the BSP and the CFP are for LAY people living in the world. We want people to be able to DO this. I believe that both the BSP and the CFP Constitutions (or statutes) state that the full Divine Office is the “preferred” option.
 
mercygate said:
Yes: that point of the rule is the same (but the CFP allows a 15-decade rosary). I tend to gloss that option because it never would have been my choice. The point is that the 1221 Rule, with its constitiutions adapting it to 21st Century life, is intended for laymen. Both the BSP and the CFP are for LAY people living in the world. We want people to be able to DO this. I believe that both the BSP and the CFP Constitutions (or statutes) state that the full Divine Office is the “preferred” option.
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I only read the original rule, but not the added footnotes. 😊
 
mercygate said:
Yes: that point of the rule is the same (but the CFP allows a 15-decade rosary). I tend to gloss that option because it never would have been my choice. The point is that the 1221 Rule, with its constitiutions adapting it to 21st Century life, is intended for laymen. Both the BSP and the CFP are for LAY people living in the world. We want people to be able to DO this. I believe that both the BSP and the CFP Constitutions (or statutes) state that the full Divine Office is the “preferred” option.
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Which brings up a problem for me. I just love both BSP and CFP, and the people in it. But its it allowed to be a full member of BOTH groups, or would I have to make a choice in 3-1/2 years?:confused:
 
Andruschak said:
Which brings up a problem for me. I just love both BSP and CFP, and the people in it. But its it allowed to be a full member of BOTH groups, or would I have to make a choice in 3-1/2 years?:confused:
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That is a good question, Harry. I suppose you would have to consult with the governing Councils of each group. My own inclination would be to think that once *is, *indeed, enough. As one progresses in these associations, one takes on responsibilities. For example, as a Regional Minister in the CFP and as a formator of 2 postulants and a novice, my hands are full. I could not imagine handling similar tasks for TWO societies.

And if one were called to vows, it would also seem that one form of life would be sufficient.

As you know, we have people in the Confraternity, who have been through our formation but are pledged to Third Orders that do not permit their members to pledge with a second group. They follow our way of life as Associates.
 
i think both groups are great too, but i’m more considering the bsp because it is a lot closer to me than the cfp. although i think it’s handy that the cfp offers a handbook for study, i suppose i could just print out any page off the 'net from the bsp cause they offer their lessons online only. you could say that i’m more of a page-turner than a mouse clicker.

on the other hand, this other idea has come to me very recently:

osb.org/obl/index.html

i may have to learn more about that. both inspire me, both will help me where i am lacking, and i admire both saints tremendously. i’m sure that if i were truly driven i could acclimate to both simultaneously. guess i’ll just pray, pray, pray…🤷

does anyone else have any thoughts on becoming an oblate?
 
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