Favorite Confraternity/ Association/ Secular Order

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I’m married and want to join a lay confraternity or 3rd order. Which are the best? Looking for one that is very orthodox, involved, devout- basically something that is as close to being a religious as I can get (as a married man). Particularly drawn to Marian spirituality. Considering the Rosary Confraternity or the Militia Immaculatae. Any other recommendations? Thanks.
 
The rosary confraternity is a Dominican confraternity. If you’re drawn to Dominican spirituality, you could discern to see if you are called to be a lay Dominican. How would you feel about that?
 
Fauken said:
The rosary confraternity is a Dominican confraternity. If you’re drawn to Dominican spirituality, you could discern to see if you are called to be a lay Dominican. How would you feel about that?
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Thanks for the advice. To be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about Dominican spirituality, other than that they are known for preaching and being very intellectual. I’ve read a book about the life of St. Dominic, particularly his visions of the Blessed Mother that established the Rosary devotion. I am a huge fan of St. Catherine of Sienna and know she was a Dominican. What else distinguishes Dominican spirituality? I appreciate the response, and am definitely open to it!
 
The best one is the one that matches your spirituality. If you respond to the Rule of St. Benedict you should become a Benedictine Oblate. If Carmel speaks to you then check out the lay Carmelites. If you respond to the spirituality of Sts. Francis or Dominic then join their third or secular orders. The answer will be different for each person. The thing to keep in mind is that these are not clubs you join, but a way of life you adopt.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
The best one is the one that matches your spirituality. If you respond to the Rule of St. Benedict you should become a Benedictine Oblate. If Carmel speaks to you then check out the lay Carmelites. If you respond to the spirituality of Sts. Francis or Dominic then join their third or secular orders. The answer will be different for each person. The thing to keep in mind is that these are not clubs you join, but a way of life you adopt.
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I absolutely understand that- thanks for the response. Just being thorough in discerning which spirituality I am moved by- because I definitely take this very seriously.
 
The Community of The Sons and Daughters of God is a Monastic order with a contemplative and prayerful charism.

It has now reached USA.
 
It’s very intellectual yes, but it’s not about learning for the sake of learning. One of the mottos is “To contemplate and to share the fruits of one’s contemplation.” Dominicans learn for the sake of sharing truth with others. Truth, Veritas, another Dominican motto. God is truth. To share truth is to share God, and to pursue truth is to pursue God. Truth is so important to Dominicans that study is part of their lives, whether they’re religious or not, all Dominicans must spend some amount of time studying: the first pillar of Dominican life. This studying isn’t just going over information like you would for school, but meditating on it with God. Prayer is another pillar, since studying for the sake of knowledge alone is vanity. Lay Dominicans pray morning and evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. A third pillar is community, since to share truth means a Dominican must be around others, whether in a convent, monastery, or lay group of Dominicans. The last pillar is preaching. Most Dominicans are teachers, catechists, theologians, and other similar positions, though there are plenty who are not. Whether it’s explaining the Church’s position on various topics or Scripture, Dominicans preach the truth to others so that they too may participate and have truth themselves.
 
Fauken said:
It’s very intellectual yes, but it’s not about learning for the sake of learning. One of the mottos is “To contemplate and to share the fruits of one’s contemplation.” Dominicans learn for the sake of sharing truth with others. Truth, Veritas, another Dominican motto. God is truth. To share truth is to share God, and to pursue truth is to pursue God. Truth is so important to Dominicans that study is part of their lives, whether they’re religious or not, all Dominicans must spend some amount of time studying: the first pillar of Dominican life. This studying isn’t just going over information like you would for school, but meditating on it with God. Prayer is another pillar, since studying for the sake of knowledge alone is vanity. Lay Dominicans pray morning and evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. A third pillar is community, since to share truth means a Dominican must be around others, whether in a convent, monastery, or lay group of Dominicans. The last pillar is preaching. Most Dominicans are teachers, catechists, theologians, and other similar positions, though there are plenty who are not. Whether it’s explaining the Church’s position on various topics or Scripture, Dominicans preach the truth to others so that they too may participate and have truth themselves.
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That is some great information. Thanks for taking the time to give me an overview- those pillars of Dominican spirituality are very appealing- I will prayerfully consider this option.
 
The above mentioned Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary only requires you to sign up and spend an hour per week in prayer. If you pray the rosary weekly, you have done most of the work.

You can easily do it and still join another group
 
HolySpirit said:
The above mentioned Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary only requires you to sign up and spend an hour per week in prayer. If you pray the rosary weekly, you have done most of the work.

You can easily do it and still join another group
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That brings up another question I have…if I join the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, would it be alright to additionally join another confraternity/ association/ 3rd (secular) order? Are we only supposed to be committed to one confraternity? Because you are right- the Rosary Confraternity has very simple, easy “requirements” that I already fulfill in praying my daily rosary. Seems like it wouldn’t conflict with being a part of an additional group but I am not aware of the “rules”.
 
I think you should discern if you are being called to a third order or as an oblate or to a Community,

Or are you being called to an Apostolate or confraternity or legion of Mary for example.
 
I found two groups that follow the original rule for Third Order (secular) Franciscans:

Confraternity of Penitents
Brothers and Sisters of Penance

Members of these groups make promises of fasting, abstinence, prayer, and limited ownership of goods. I seriously considered both of them, but realized it was just too much for me. If you are looking for something strict to aid in penance and holiness, these groups are amazing.

God bless you in your search!
 
A Lay Dominican! But I have to wait until two years after my baptism, and that waiting period will end at the end of this month!
 
I don’t know for sure. I think it is a case by case basis. I joined the Confraternity. I asked a religious once if that would be an impediment to either joining his order or their 3rd order, because I was curious. He told me it wouldn’t.

I would not base any life decisions on this, but if you talk to some religious vocational directors, you could probably get a better feel for it.
 
HolySpirit said:
I don’t know for sure. I think it is a case by case basis. I joined the Confraternity. I asked a religious once if that would be an impediment to either joining his order or their 3rd order, because I was curious. He told me it wouldn’t.

I would not base any life decisions on this, but if you talk to some religious vocational directors, you could probably get a better feel for it.
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Thanks I appreciate it- sounds like you had the exact question/ concern I have. I really want to join the Confraternity of the Rosary, but I don’t want that to restrict me from becoming part of another 3rd order.

Good luck to you and thanks again for sharing!
 
I’ve heard great things about Opus Dei, founded by St. Josemaria Escriva :). If you don’t know about him, you aught to check out his videos on YouTube. He speaks about Opus Dei in them too, which he founded specifically for lay people. We are lucky to have actual videos of this great man’s talks. Good luck! 🙂
 
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