Do you know of any listening/counseling charism orders of brothers (plus priests). You can mention women ones for women here

[foolishmortal]

I’ve listened to people with issues and offered a layman’s ear and suggestions after layman’s questioning. I care and it gets me out of my head too.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Spiritual Direction is one of the charisms of the Carmelite order. We have men who have gone on to counseling professions.

Right now I am toying with the idea of not only getting great education and involvement in spiritual direction but also in pastoral counseling.

This is for two reasons.

My greatest spiritual growth over the past years of formation have followed closely with great personal growth.

The greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” But this is followed by the second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Many people do not love themselves so how can they follow either of these commandments?

 

[foolishmortal]

Thanks! I don’t know if there are any closer than 4 hours away from me. I like the set-up that the convents you see have, with the arches surrounding a relaxing grassy area. I like the arches the most. I don’t know what it is about them. I also like the poems of St. John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Avila, as sung by John Michael Talbot, though I can’t imagine being like a woman (as a member of The Bride of Christ) and having a romantic interaction with Christ as The Bridegroom. I would prefer St. Therese of Liseaux’s spiritual childhood relationship to God as Father better. Did she get into the St. John of the Cross/Song of Songs metaphor as much or at all?

Any case, what are admissions like there? Do you have to have priest references and what not? I never really got to know any priests. I just want to sell or give away all I have and follow Jesus now. If I fail, I fail. I’m almost 35 and I want to work as a volunteer, but be covered as if in the military or with a great retirement package after a financially successful career (no worries about running out of food–even if that should happen as a religious, so be it better for my soul to have to truly trust in Divine Providence).

 

[ThomasEugene]

I know of the Minim order. Their main ministry is confession.

 

[ThomasEugene]

I agree! My spiritual director is a Carmelite of the Ancient Observance.

Spiritual Direction is one of the charisms of the Carmelite order. We have men who have gone on to counseling professions.

Right now I am toying with the idea of not only getting great education and involvement in spiritual direction but also in pastoral counseling.

This is for two reasons.

My greatest spiritual growth over the past years of formation have followed closely with great personal growth.

The greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” But this is followed by the second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Many people do not love themselves so how can they follow either of these commandments?

 

[HOLYHEARTS]

There is a newer community called Apostles of the Interior Life (i believe they have both a
masculine & a feminine branch). Their Motherhouse is in Rome & their main mission
is counseling & spiritual direction. They are especially trained for this. They do not
wear a religious habit but do have common life & vows. Most of their work is done
in centers for college & university students (they may have taken over some of the Newman Centers in the US Catholic & non-Catholic campuses). I have heard nothing
but very good things about them & seen photos of them with the Holy Father.

 

[foolishmortal]

I’m kind of a uniform guy myself (even if all had the same jeans and t-shirts, as people can identify you and it doesn’t make you look special (though priests have collars and higher ranking military have bars and special officer hats, but not something that makes you look individualistic), Holy Hearts, but thanks! Besides, I talked to one, but nothing got accomplished and no follow-ups were scheduIed. I might find a Carmelite. I really need to be one’s project. No one says "I see you have worries. I’d like to help. In confession, I’ll hear I need a good spiritual director who handles scruples. Ok…who? These people are not easy to find, ya know, I think to myself?