Discernment of Third Orders

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mommyof4

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I have been thinking about possibly joining a Third Order group, but I am confused as to which one would be best for me. Is there a difference between the Carmelites, Franciscans, Benedictines, Opus Dei, Confranternity of Penetents, etc? I’m sure I’m leaving some out, too.

For those of you who have joined a third order, what made you decide to do it?

How did you decide which group was right for you?

Do you feel that it has helped you in your spiritual life?

I’m open to all/any opinions or advice.

Thank you.
 
mommyof4 said:
I have been thinking about possibly joining a Third Order group, but I am confused as to which one would be best for me. Is there a difference between the Carmelites, Franciscans, Benedictines, Opus Dei, Confranternity of Penetents, etc? I’m sure I’m leaving some out, too.

For those of you who have joined a third order, what made you decide to do it?

How did you decide which group was right for you?

Do you feel that it has helped you in your spiritual life?

I’m open to all/any opinions or advice.

Thank you.
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Well there are true Third Orders, then there are Secular Institutes, and then Secular Associates and Confraternities.

It’s not something you decide. It’s something God calls you to. I didn’t, Christ showed me where I needed to be. Absolutely!

It’s a true Vocation. It will take time to discern it, with Spiritual guidance. It’s not something you just decide to do, or a group you decide to join. For the Franciscan Third Order there is a time of Inquiry (6 months) and 3 years of Spiritual Formation in the Franciscan chrism and life, before a temporary profession (2 year) is made. Then you can make a permanent profession after the two years.
 
I’m a Secular Franciscan and I love it. i’m fortunate to belong to a great Fraternity (Cure’ of Ars, Merrick, NY).

I suggest you contact the orders and sit in on a couple of meetings to decide and see what they’re about.
 
mommyof4 said:
I have been thinking about possibly joining a Third Order group, but I am confused as to which one would be best for me. Is there a difference between the Carmelites, Franciscans, Benedictines, Opus Dei, Confranternity of Penetents, etc? I’m sure I’m leaving some out, too.

For those of you who have joined a third order, what made you decide to do it?

How did you decide which group was right for you?

Do you feel that it has helped you in your spiritual life?

I’m open to all/any opinions or advice.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
In joining a Secular (Third) Order one is responding to a vocation. So discernment is necessary, first to see if God is calling one to follow a Rule of Life and, second, which religious Order expresses the spiritual life to which one believes him or herself called? For me it was the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites because of the Order’s vocation to tend toward contemplative prayer in the heart of the Church.

Though one may believe oneself to be called to an Order, one’s vocation also must be discerned by the particular Community of the Order which one is seeking to join. After permission is grant to pursue a vocation within a Secular Order, there remains ongoing discernment both by the candidate and the Community before a Definitive Promise may be made.

If you do a websearch for the various Orders you should be able to find lots of information to help in your discernment. It will also help you locate Communities of the various Orders that are in your area.

God bless you in your search! 🙂
 
First of all I am very glad for you that you feel a move in your heart to practise your faith within a particular charism of a laypersons Order.

When I was discerning which Order to live out my spirituality within I spent a long time praying and it turned up to be the Saint that I had been close to since I was a child, St Therese that led me to where God wanted me to be and I called the Carmelites up and the rest is history!🙂

I would spend time in prayer and also pray to the Saints you feel drawn to. For sure one of those Saints will grab you for their Order and you will feel right at home!

I will keep you in the Living Prayer of my life.
 
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