Good Questions to Ask a Religious Orders

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Hello. Can you guys help me come up with some questions to ask a vocational director in regards to joining a religious order? I’m planning on meeting up and discerning my vocation with The Claretians this week and it just didn’t feel right to set up an appointment without having any questions prepared to ask them. I’m thinking about becoming a Priest, if that helps.
 
-history of the order
-specific spirituality of the order
-charisms/exterior work
-atmosphere of the monestary
 
What are their expectations of you?
How long is formation? Where will it be?
 
The founder of the Claretians, St Anthony Mary Claret has a very inspiring life story but things have certainly changed since the order was founded by St Anthony and now… you can check about the rule of life of the order. Some orders tend to be more liberal in certain sense while some are more traditional and strict.
Also I remember reading a article by a French Archbishop from the Congregation for Catholic Education stating that unfortunately many seminaries and orders have neglected teaching Thomistic theology to the new students and that has certainly taken a toll on the vocations, formation and quality of formation that is being imparted. Also a priest I know once told me that the theology of St Thomas, St Bonaventure and the other saints are all outdated and does not really apply to the current times… I beg to differ though…
 
Thanks guys. I have finally made an appointment for tomorrow with Father. Please pray that everything goes according to God’s plan.
 
I hope your meeting went well. Some additional/follow-on things…ask to visit the community, and spend a bit more time with them. Accompany some of the religious on ministries, if you can, and try to get a feel for the community. Ask to talk with members currently in formation as well.

All religious orders are different. All communities within the same order are different. They have a “different feel” to them. An order may look good on paper, and the vocation director may be wonderful, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to make an informed decision unless you get to know them. It’s like trying on a shoe. On paper you may be size 10, but a Chuck Taylor is not the same as a Chippewa…in fact even one style of New Balance running shoe will feel immensely different than another. You have to try the shoe on to know if it fits.

Going to a house for dinner is a start. Then maybe go again. Then spend a weekend. See how it feels.
 
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