Differences in the Catholic Religious Orders?

[Christianacc]

So I’m really interested in all the Catholic religious orders. I understand for the most part that monastic orders are more contemplative and enclosed, where as mendicant orders are more focused on traveling around and poverty and evangelizing. I don’t get what separates the priests who belong to monastic orders from say canons regular or clerics regular as aren’t they priests who live together communally? Then there’s also Societies of Apostolic Life which are like the monastic orders without the vows though right?

Then I’ve heard of some other religious institutes that “have apostolates that require their members to interact practically with the secular world, such as teaching, medical work, producing religious artworks and texts, designing and making vestments and writing religious instruction books, while maintaining their distinctiveness in communal living”. What kinds of religous institutes or orders would those be?

It seems like the orders all take the vows of chastity and obedience and stability, and researching the differences between them has been kinda impossible. Like the Cistercians are famous for their architecture, in modern times do they do any architecture? Or the Dominicans where St Thomas Aquinas belonged to, do they still do a lot of theology and philosophy like what he was doing? I think I would find a lot of meaning in doing something where I would be studying historical or religious texts or philosophy or theology, something kind of intellectual, but I can’t find anything online about orders who do that. I’ve been doing a ton of research into this though, and short of visiting the orders I don’t know how to continue. All the websites kind of say the same thing about their Rules, so it’s not much good. I’m still a ways off from talking to a vocation director though. It’s just with the hundreds of different orders and groups how would someone ever know which one to pick? I think god is guiding me along a life within the Catholic Church, I’m just not sure what yet. I do really love history and philosophy and theology and architecture though, so something along those lines would be like a dream come true. I haven’t found any orders that do those things in modern times yet though. I’m also not sure whether I’d like to be a brother or a priest, and if a priest a religious or diocesan. I’ve taken the vocation test online and it didn’t really help me:/. So any help or advice or if you guys know of any orders or institutes that sound like it’s worth looking into please let me know. I’ve been praying for guidance and will continue to do so. Thanks everyone

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I agree with you that the differences between the Orders can be kind of baffling if you’re trying to just figure it out by reading websites. Virtually all of them show people engaged in prayer and service, whether they’re contemplative or active.

There are intellectuals in all the major orders, though the Dominicans or the Jesuits probably emphasize that the most nowadays.

You’d probably be best off actually going to a vocations fair and talking with members of actual orders, and also praying for God to kind of point you towards what He wants you to do.

 

[Cloisters]

I think I’d start with being a holy person where you are. Start with learning about your own diocesan communities.

Admittedly, it is kinda hard to get a grasp on the history of the religious life. There have been many interpretations (aka constitutions) of the great rules. Congregations have come and gone.

Canons Regular and Consecrated Virgins are the two oldest forms of religious life.

Hermits were in there, too, but St Basil the Great came down on the way of life, and it gradually went away.

You can read about the Hermits and Anchorites of England to understand the phenomenon in the UK.

Then the mendicants came along in the 1200s. The Norbertines were founded a couple of centuries previous.

It wasn’t until the Protestant Reformation that Societies of Apostolic Life emerged. They were a reaction to the Council of Trent cloistering all women religious.

Clerics Regular, like the Theatines, arose around that time, too.

Secular Institutes were recognized in the 1940s.

Third Orders and oblatures have been around since the mendicants.

Don’t know of any orders that do architecture exclusively.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/

 

[angel12]

It seems like the orders all take the vows of chastity and obedience and stability,

Actually, it’s chastity, poverty, and obedience. I think it’s the Benedictines who add stability.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Cloisters, can you please expand, perhaps in a new thread, on St Basil and Hermits? That is new and interesting to me.

 

[awesomecatholic]

Each Religious Order has a charism that is unique to them. I highly recommend just sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. If you are the intellectual type of person, go with the Dominicans or Benedictines. It is only the Benedictines that take a vow of stability, I don’t think any other Orders do. One of my favorite Orders is the Sisters of Life, they are lovely. It might help to get a Spiritual Director. Good luck, you are in my prayers!

 

[Cloisters]

I just found an article regarding the same. The author said that St Basil’s comment was taken out of context. The quote is, basically, if one is a hermit, whose feet will they wash? It’s from the Little Asceticon (sp?). There’s also a Greater Asceticon. The Basilian religious still follow both.

I don’t think St Basil meant it to deride hermits, but that’s how it’s been interpreted, and hermits went out of style. Modern Canon 603 brought them back.

Basil was a contemporary of St Pachomius, who started the first monastery at the prompting of an Angel. Basil founded the first monastery in the East.

The Carmelites’ rule from St Albert of Jerusalem is based on the Basilian rule.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

I think I would find a lot of meaning in doing something where I would be studying historical or religious texts or philosophy or theology, something kind of intellectual, but I can’t find anything online about orders who do that.

That’s because those things really aren’t specific to any particular Religious orders/communities. You can do any or all those things almost anywhere. Franciscans have theologians and professors, as do Dominicans, Jesuits, Augustinians, and several others. In the Capuchins I can think of men I know personally with doctorates in philosophy, theology, history, psychology, medicine, education, and a couple with PhDs in foreign language/literature/cultural studies. Some have worked in academia their entire ministerial life, others did some then decided to work in parish ministry, the missions, or in another field.

So my point is, with most religious communities, especially the more established ones, that’s definitely a possibility. So I think the best way for you to begin to narrow down your search is to look into HOW a particular community does its ministry. This really comes down to their Charism, including spirituality. A Benedictine, Jesuit, Franciscan, or Dominican New Testament professor, even with interests in the same topic, will take a different approach to their academic ministry, and that approach will be rooted in their own spirituality and Charism.

The BEST way is to meet members of different orders and get to know them. If you’re not ready for that yet, you can start reading biographies of the order’s founders or prominent saint, as well as their Rule & Constitutions. That will give you an idea of how they work, think, and pray. Vows and Rules can be very similar, or even the same among orders. But each community will approach them in a different way, and with different emphases. Their approach and emphasis will also be grounded in their spirituality and charism.

 

[Wm777]

So…

if you want to go social, visit the franciscans…

if you want to read yourself dry, visit the Dominicans…

if you want to escape the world, visit the Carmelites…

if you want to be a political activist, visit the Jesuits (who aren’t really an order yet)…

if you want to take care of people, visit the Benedictines…

The list goes on…

The Orders, Congregations and Societies tend to attract people of specific charisms, attitudes and mindsets that make them distinctly what they are.

In general…

I’m very Franciscan in a simple and impulsive sense. Put me with a more calculating Dominican, and I’ll get a lot of strange looks. Put me with a Carmelite, and I love their lofty thoughts and peaceful and devout seclusion, but then I start to miss everyone. Put me with a Jesuit, and I’ll probably be a bit too simple (and humble? imperfect?) for some of their ideas.

The best thing to do seems to be to go to the religious houses themselves, and hang out at each one for a year or two or three or four… Then you’ll start to see what I mean…

Best of Luck!

 

[mrsdizzyd]

if you want to read yourself dry, visit the Dominicans…

Really? Do you really think that is all the Order of PREACHERS does?

You have some very strange (uncharitable?) ideas about the various religious orders.

 

[Wm777]

Wm777:

if you want to read yourself dry, visit the Dominicans…

Really? Do you really think that is all the Order of PREACHERS does?

You have some very strange (uncharitable?) ideas about the various religious orders.

Of course, I don’t think that is all they do. Some Priors can be very eloquent.

But - on the other hand - you’re proving my point…

It’s actually a good demonstration to the OP of what the differences in attitude, charism and opinion can be like.

What I said was generally stated and carried a whole lot of levity, but you took one little point of it literally - as if I had intentionally missed something in order to insult people. You also ignored the actual bulk and point of my post. That is a common experience I have had with Dominicans. It usually comes from too much reading and becoming too abstract-minded.

I personally do not think anything I wrote was offensive, nor was it intended to be; and, if it was, then I sincerely apologize.

If I have any excuse, then please know I have asperger’s, and sometimes I can be perceived as a bit too blunt and awkward. And, if anyone has read themselves dry at times, or is simply dry by nature, then - speaking as someone who majored in the classics and works at a public accounting firm - I can assure you - it is probably me!

The Franciscans, whom I get along with, are usually so social, simple, dysfunctionally-broken, good-natured and kind - they will often immediately accept me for my faults without a problem. Of course, since I need to speak more completely here, there are some grumpy ones, too. And, they’re right in a way, the dysfunctions and brokenness in the orders exist, and it can be equally nerve wracking.

Living right in the heart of DC’s “little vatican” area around the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, I’ve spent many years living with and discerning the various religious orders, and I haven’t really had any significant problems with any of them. Most of them, who actually know me, know I am like to laugh and enjoy being Catholic, as I have been since birth. If people don’t “get” me, then I apologize, and I will be happy to make amends to the best of my ability.

I think, the best way for the OP (or anyone) to really understand the differences between the charisms is to go spend time with the people in those orders themselves (visiting many different houses) and to read their literature alongside scripture. That is what I have done, and - regardless of how proud any Catholic might be of their Order… and they can and will fight about it… They should always remember their first purpose as Catholics is love and mercy, even to their enemies… so, whether or not I speak so eloquently or bluntly, it just makes sense to me the correct response is not one of suspicion or slinging accusations…

One the other hand… I just forgive everyone as I would have them forgive me, and I go merrily about my day…

 

[angel12]

if you want to escape the world, visit the Carmelites…

I should show this to our Carmelite friars. They could use a good laugh.

 

[Wm777]

Wm777:

if you want to escape the world, visit the Carmelites…

I should show this to our Carmelite friars. They could use a good laugh.

Actually, since I am under scrutiny here…

The Carmelite friars do go out into the world. The nuns remain cloistered.

That said, it’s still very true that the Carmelite Order is noted for being very reclusive because they are primarily contemplatives.

Again, if I have said anything here that is offensive, then I think you’re missing the point of the post, and I apologize.

I’ll stop posting to this thread. I would also delete my unintentionally offensive comments, but my offense comments have been reposted and attested to by those people who dont like what I said.

So… here’s one last point of discernment before I hush… and it is also the reason I hush…

In the Rules for Discernment, St Ignatius tells us, the work of the evil one is to detract from the love and mercy of Christ - of finding hope and joy in truth and humility… so things which diminish these virtues should be avoided… That said, it’s also important to remember we are all part of a Universal Catholic church, and we should rejoice in hope we all get from Christ’s promises… So, basically, if something is predisposing you to become reactionary to general goodwill and joy, it is worth heeding the phrase - the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

That said, I honestly apologize for any confusion, and I hope you all have a joyful and most excellent day.

 

[angel12]

Again, if I have said anything here that is offensive, then I think you’re missing the point of the post, and I apologize.

I didn’t say it was offensive. I said our (very overworked) friars would get a laugh out of that statement.
If you find that upsetting, maybe a break from CAF would be good for you.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

You also ignored the actual bulk and point of my post. That is a common experience I have had with Dominicans. It usually comes from too much reading and becoming too abstract-minded.

I personally do not think anything I wrote was offensive, nor was it intended to be; and, if it was, then I sincerely apologize.

I’m not a Dominican. I’m not sure where you got that idea. And I read your entire post. I didn’t miss your point. I just didn’t like the way you phrased it.

Also, I wasn’t offended. Your levity did not come across to me. As I said, it just seemed you had some very strange ideas about the various religious orders.

 

[Dovekin]

The Love of Learning and the Desire for God by Jean LeClerq is the place to start. It is a description of the intellectual life among Benedictines in the middle ages.

That will give you a sense of the reforms of the Benedictines, like Cistercians and Trappists; the non-benedictines likse carthusians; and the rise of the mendicants and Universities as outgrowths of the benedictine traditions, as attempts to marry contemplation and action.

Apostolic Orders, like the Jesuits, come later, but their apostolates are hard to understand without knowing the communal contemplative prayer of the Benedictines.

Another way of looking at this is found in a late Latin ditty to the effect of
Carthusians in the mountains,
Benedictines in the hills.
Franciscons in the small town farmlands
Dominicans in the cities.

 

[TomH1]

if you want to take care of people, visit the Benedictines…

Most Benedictine communities do not do this.

if you want to be a political activist, visit the Jesuits (who aren’t really an order yet)…

I suppose it would depend on your interpretation of an order. They are a clerical regular institute of consecrated life of pontifical right. Rather than a religious congregation they are a religious order and they are numbered among the orders of clerks regular.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

The Franciscans, whom I get along with, are usually so social, simple, dysfunctionally-broken, good-natured and kind - they will often immediately accept me for my faults without a problem. Of course, since I need to speak more completely here, there are some grumpy ones, too.

While I don’t agree will all your generalizations of the different orders, I will say you did pretty well with this one. Indeed we are “disfunctionally-broken”, and truth be told, we wouldn’t want it any other way! .

 

[PatK63]

Talk to your parish priest. I have two aunts who entered religious life after asking their confessor. He told them what order to join.
They were both very happy and fulfilled.
The Holy Spirit will guide you and he can speak through the priest. Ask your parents, family and friends to pray for you.
The answer will come and when it does say yes!

 

[RandyK]

Id like to recommend The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest as both a resource for someone in person to answer your question, and also as a Religious Order to join.

Thank you!