Have You Ever Discerned Or Been In A Religious Order?

[Shakuhachi]

Nice post. You beautifully articulated the essence of Franciscan Spirituality, I think.

In my time of formation I had two takeaways: “Sine Proprio”…Without owning. But that went way beyond property. More like poverty of will as in “not my will but thy will be done”. And not just as a pious intention but in daily life.

Another was “Deponability” …able to just pick up and be moved. That requires detachment.

And the bitter becoming sweet, as in embracing the leper. We are often fortunate enough to pick our spiritual disciplines, as with Lent.

But “embracing the leper”, that we are not so quick to do.

O, and “Perfect joy”! I know it is a story in the Fioretti and maybe not the most historical but. I think it captures the bittersweetness of enduring suffering for the love of God.

When I think of Francis I think of joy more than anything else, even poverty.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

Yes! Awesome! I think those are some key points I missed. I think I tended to associate them more with friar-life than spirituality, but the reality is they’re inseparable, you’re totally right. And i’d also agree that joy is the thing that stands out for me as well, and in my experience Perfect Joy is a pretty central concept as well.

Franciscan spirituality is pretty vast, and there are themes that run consistently through all Franciscans, including lay/secular people with Franciscan hearts. Every community has a slightly different perspective and emphasis, I think …, as does each individual. I’ve been in rooms with Capuchins, OFMs, TORs, Poor Clare’s, and a myriad of other Sisters all at the same time. I think the nature and quality of their joy was probably the most easily distinguishable commonality they shared.

 

[Thom18]

I’m in the process of discerning my vocation. I feel pretty positive of my call to the priesthood, but am not as certain about which “expression” of it I’m called to- diocesan or religious. My diocese doesn’t have many male religious orders, but I’ve visited the one we have and don’t think I’m being called to that order. If anything, I feel myself being tugged towards the Franciscan Order. I feel that I’m more suited to their particular charism.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Don’t feel restricted to you diocese. Look for the best fit. There are a lot of choices out there.

 

[AlbMagno]

Do you have a Spiritual Director? It is really important to have one to discern. He/She may know better the Orders and Fraternities in the area, and, more importantly, will help you to discern various matters on a spiritual level.

(I know, off-topic)

 

[Thom18]

Do you have a Spiritual Director? It is really important to have one to discern. He/She may know better the Orders and Fraternities in the area, and, more importantly, will help you to discern various matters on a spiritual level.

(I know, off-topic)

I’m trying to find one. My pastor recommended someone a few months ago when school started, but contacting them fell off my radar. I’ll have to dig up that email.

 

[Sundiver]

I think PapyrusDouay covered some great points. As far as living with nature I don’t recall them mentioning that concept, directly, as instruction for their friars. I think it was implied as Jesus mentioned nature in the gospels. Our primary concern was to save souls. However, a retreat into the wilderness was a way to find peace in a different way from the eucharist and community. The community, I was with, always built their monasteries near the forest or farmland. We had our own, “Verdant pastures.” They grew their own vegetables. They had dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. We could hike the trails in the forest and spend time near the water. When visitors came to see the monastery, they helped with farming.
For me, personally, I use the experience I had with the Franciscans but, I was formed in the Carmelite tradition long before I entered into the Franciscan community. Carmelites and Franciscans are similar. Although, more was put into writing in the Carmelite tradition.
As for living the Franciscan spirituality in the world, for the lay person it can be diverse. One could write volumes of books on living the spirit of St. Francis. For example poverty , chastity, and obedience. How does one live in the world with this foundation taken from the Franciscan spirituality? Always, if in doubt, run back to mother church. The church is primarily concerned for the salvation of souls. The church gives us the basic foundation for salvation and we grow from there, to know the truth.
The spirit of St. Francis is visible in the stations of the cross and the nativity scene during Christmas. St. Francis invented these devotions. He loved graphic representation. More later…