How conservative/traditional are the Domincans and the Franciscans (OFM)?

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Hi! I’m currently looking into different religious orders (very early discernment, just seeking information), and the two I am looking at right now are the Franciscans (OFM) and the Dominicans. So far I really like what I’ve read about both of them, and I want to find out more. One thing I want to know is how conservative/traditional (whatever the correct term is) these orders are in the US. I’ve read the histories of both of them, and I really love what they’ve done/been throughout history, but I also know that a lot has changed over the last 100 years. I know that some orders, such as the Jesuits, are much more liberal than others, like FSSP (I know they’re not an order, but you get the point). So where do the OFM Franciscans and the Dominicans fall in this spectrum?

Now, I don’t want this to turn into a war and I’m not trying to imply that everyone in each of these orders is the same, or that some orders are “better” than others. I just want to have a better idea of where I might potentially fit someday. Thanks everyone!
 
My experience of the american dominicans especially the St. Joseph provence is that they are faithful and orthodox. They don’t as a rule celebrate the sacraments in the extraordinary form of the dominican rite, but some members do. They are a great teaching order and the work of St. Thomas is central to this charism. If I were to join an order it would be the Doms.
 
The orders are 100% orthodox.

Though the people in the orders may stray from the Church’s teaching and the Order’s constitutions. Be careful asking this, there’s a sticky about it. It tends to start big arguments unfortunately 😦
You have my prayers though! We need more religious! God love you!
God Bless :signofcross::byzsoc:
 
I’m trying to tread as carefully as I can. I realize that each order is orthodox, but I’m trying to understand the culture of each order, if that makes sense. I just don’t want to end up in one of the groups pushing for women’s ordination or things like that. Again, I don’t want to be offensive or anything. I’m just trying to understand these different groups more.
 
Well, one important historical detail to note… is that the Dominicans have never been reformed. (To my knowledge). Anyways, like the Benedictines had the Cistercians and then the Trappists break from them. And the only one I know about the Franciscans is the new one founded by Benedict Groeschel (C.F.R). Anyways, I’m discerning about the Dominicans as well… so I might be a little biased.

I guess the best rule of thumb would be to visit the monks of the Orders you’re looking into. For me, it’s pretty easy to discern from homilies alone if a priest is more traditional or not. But yeah, the only monastic Order which is consistently called “liberal”, are the Jesuits. [And I don’t mean to offend any Jesuits… but that seems to be the broad consensus]

ALSO,
Aside from Orders being traditional, what’s more important is what your charism might be. Or which Orders’ spirituality is more suited towards you.
 
Semper_Zelare said:
Well, one important historical detail to note… is that the Dominicans have never been reformed. (To my knowledge). Anyways, like the Benedictines had the Cistercians and then the Trappists break from them. And the only one I know about the Franciscans is the new one founded by Benedict Groeschel (C.F.R). Anyways, I’m discerning about the Dominicans as well… so I might be a little biased.

I guess the best rule of thumb would be to visit the monks of the Orders you’re looking into. For me, it’s pretty easy to discern from homilies alone if a priest is more traditional or not. But yeah, the only monastic Order which is consistently called “liberal”, are the Jesuits. [And I don’t mean to offend any Jesuits… but that seems to be the broad consensus]

ALSO,
Aside from Orders being traditional, what’s more important is what your charism might be. Or which Orders’ spirituality is more suited towards you.
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The Doms were reformed in the 1500’s but never suppressed unlike a certain society of Jesus which shall remain anonymous. But seriously the reason you join an order should be the compatibility of you as the person God created you to to be and the Charism of the order. Worst comes to worst you can start a reform yourself like teresa of avila did in the Carmelites.
 
Theophorus said:
Worst comes to worst you can start a reform yourself like teresa of avila did in the Carmelites.
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You say that like it’s so easy.😛

My heart was gladdened and encouraged when the Church of St Vincent Ferrer in NYC, celebrated the Traditional Dominican Rite Mass back in March.

After Vatican II, the Dominican Order chose to celebrate the OF instead of the their own rite that was established in 1256. There seems to be a renewed interest in the Dominican Rite. 👍
 
The charism of the order is one thing but each community has a personality and it’s own apostolate.

I know personally several women of the Dominical Sisters of St. Cecilia, AKA “Nashville Dominicans.” They all teach in Catholic parish elementary schools. Thats what they do - teach Kindergarden through 8th grade. But what is so amazing about them is their joy. Always smiling and always full of joy. They are just one example.

The order is one thing. Dominicans are Dominicans, but finding the right community is something else. There is great diversity from community to community within each order.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
There is great diversity from community to community within each order.

-Tim-
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Very true, Tim!

It really does depend on where you go. If you go to Ohio, the Franciscans there are very charismatic (they run several conferences out of a University there). On the flip side, there’s some other locations that I’m sure they are more traditional with practices and the like.
 
TimothyH said:
The charism of the order is one thing but each community has a personality and it’s own apostolate.

I know personally several women of the Dominical Sisters of St. Cecilia, AKA “Nashville Dominicans.” They all teach in Catholic parish elementary schools. Thats what they do - teach Kindergarden through 8th grade. But what is so amazing about them is their joy. Always smiling and always full of joy. They are just one example.

The order is one thing. Dominicans are Dominicans, but finding the right community is something else. There is great diversity from community to community within each order.

-Tim-
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This is true. Out here, for the ones that I’ve met, the Franciscans are very liberal (and at least occassionally heterodox)
 
TrueLight said:
You say that like it’s so easy.😛

My heart was gladdened and encouraged when the Church of St Vincent Ferrer in NYC, celebrated the Traditional Dominican Rite Mass back in March.

After Vatican II, the Dominican Order chose to celebrate the OF instead of the their own rite that was established in 1256. There seems to be a renewed interest in the Dominican Rite. 👍
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I’m not saying it would be easy, but it would be worth it!
 
Younger Dominican friars (not monks) tend to be more conservative when it comes to liturgy, teaching, etc. as compared to some of the older ones. However, the vast majority of even the older friars never fell into the doctrinal issues that of the sisters in the OP did. Dominican friars, contemplative nuns, and laity fall under a strong central leadership under the Master of the Order. The Master is the successor to St. Dominic and thus, speaks with his authority. This is very different from other orders such as the Benedictines, Franciscans, etc. which do not have nearly the central structure and where things tend to vary more from place to place. When you join the Dominicans, you are not joining a specific priory or house, you are joining the Order, and you may be called to serve anywhere in the world based on need.

The apostolic Dominican Sisters and Dominican Associates are a bit of a different breed. They do not fall directly under the Master of the Order, although they do need his permission to join the family and use the name “Dominican”. However, his direct control over their actions is far less than over the friars, nuns, or laity. This is why if you going to find doctrinal issues in the Order of Preachers, it will most likely be in the Sisters and if you are going to find issues among the faithful, it is more likely to be in the Associates.

At the end of the day if comes down to the charism and spirituality of the group. It has to be a good fit for you.
 
The dominicans are good in conservative wise as i have seen but what baffles me is how their homes are luxurious,they often go about without their habit and so on and so forth.
 
chryso said:
The dominicans are good in conservative wise as i have seen but what baffles me is how their homes are luxurious,they often go about without their habit and so on and so forth.
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I would be careful with making sweeping statements like that, because you may only have seen dominicans from your province. Provinces differ quite a lot. There are four in the United States, each with their own separate character, for example. I have never seen a Dominican out of his habit.

Franciscans vary - they’re a big family but it very much depends on the order. I love the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (I hope their present distress is resolved very soon) and I’ve heard many good things about the Franciscan Brothers of Life in Florida.

The Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer is not officially part of the Dominicans, but they are attempting to be. They are in France and celebrate the traditional Dominican Rite!
 
smp501 said:
Hi! I’m currently looking into different religious orders (very early discernment, just seeking information), and the two I am looking at right now are the Franciscans (OFM) and the Dominicans. So far I really like what I’ve read about both of them, and I want to find out more. One thing I want to know is how conservative/traditional (whatever the correct term is) these orders are in the US. I’ve read the histories of both of them, and I really love what they’ve done/been throughout history, but I also know that a lot has changed over the last 100 years. I know that some orders, such as the Jesuits, are much more liberal than others, like FSSP (I know they’re not an order, but you get the point). So where do the OFM Franciscans and the Dominicans fall in this spectrum?

Now, I don’t want this to turn into a war and I’m not trying to imply that everyone in each of these orders is the same, or that some orders are “better” than others. I just want to have a better idea of where I might potentially fit someday. Thanks everyone!
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Another suggestion: you are bound to get orthodoxy where the traditional Latin rites are preserved, so take a look at newliturgicalmovement.org - on the sidebar on the left there are lots of links, and down a little ways is a section on “vocations”. Several orders, institutes, and monasteries are listed there. I found the one I am hoping to discern with that way!
 
smp501 said:
I’m trying to tread as carefully as I can. I realize that each order is orthodox, but I’m trying to understand the culture of each order, if that makes sense. I just don’t want to end up in one of the groups pushing for women’s ordination or things like that. Again, I don’t want to be offensive or anything. I’m just trying to understand these different groups more.
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smp,

Both orders are orthodox and have long histories. As has been mentioned sometimes there are some members who are more liberal or more conservative for lack of another way of putting it… howver the same is true within the church isn’t it?

That being said I would suggest you write or even better call the various branches of the orders. Ask for materials, their history, their apostolates?

As a member of the Franciscan family I can tell you we have many ways of living the Franciscan charism… all solid. If you find you wish to know more about either again get information from the source.

blessings
 
Abraham probably could not count the number of Franciscan orders in the world. The OFM’s are the original and largest worldwide. Other orders have splintered since the beginning, so it has never been a matter of pre-post Vatican II. I have met very traditional OFM priests and I have met very liberal ones; being a large order, with a wide range of missions and ages, this happens. On the whole, they are probably liberal. Unlike the Dominicans, those more traditional just join traditional Franciscan orders, which aren’t many but do exist.

Dominicans are across the board much more traditional. It’s hard to deviate from St. Thomas as a Dominican. Some say in one province the older brothers are more traditional, in the other province it might be the younger ones.
 
OP: why don’t you become an OP? 🙂

FWIW, I understand that Franciscan groups vary WIDELY; recall the old quip about there being as many Franciscan groups as bits on sand on the seashore. I suppose there can be “good” in this as well as “bad,” but it would sure make it difficult to know what it’s all about there.

Don’t disregard the Benedictines, either; there’s some merit to their regular discipline of time.
 
There is a great Catholic joke.

Q: What are the two things even God does not know?

A: How many different kinds of Franciscans there are, and, What is in the mind of a Jesuit?
 
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