How to make a religous order?

[Montie_Claunch]

I know that some of the great saints founded orders (like the Franiscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, ect.) but, I have never heard of how they are started. I wouldn’t think that St. Francis said, “And there is an order that bears my name.” and then a puff of smoke and there was the fransicans (though that might be the case). So that begs the question, How does one create a religous order? Are there are spicific rules that must be followed to do so (i.e. always the three vows)? Thanks and God bless.

 

[puzzleannie]

the lives of the saints who have founded orders make fascinating reading. start with St. Francis. Basically they start by gathering like minded people around them, draw up a rule, submit their rule, plan of living etc. to the local bishop for approval, find a place to live and work and get going. What is outstanding about religious founders who later become saints and the one thing they all have in common is obedience to Church authority, even when it seems to be capricious or arbitrary, or even imposed harshly.

If an order becomes larger than one diocese, the head seeks approval from the Vatican, that is where Francis’ story becomes fascinating.

 

[Talitha]

Forming an Order is a very long process ( I am btw, a nun) There is though no absolute requirement to gain canonical approval, and, because it takes so much energy, many small Orders never do that.
There is a huge gulf of understanding between monastic lie and diocesan life, between diocesan priests and bishops and monastic priests and abbots.

SaintFrancis actually abandoned any attempts at leadership of the Order he founded because of that; by the time he died, the Order was no longer living his Rule
It has not done so fully since.

There was too much conflict between what the Church asked and what he knew was the calling.

It is far, far deeper than " likemindedness"; there is a particular spiritual charism and flavour to each Order. Each is unique. Which is why discernment is such a delicate task and needs so much care and sensitivity.
And often an aspirant will have to test in more than one Order; sometimes three of more.

The founders of a new Order have to go through its formation programme themselves; which can take ten years alone.

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

In case of the Franciscan, St. Francis attracted men and so they became large until he made a RULE OF LIFE for them. A rule that they must follow. This Rule must be approved by the Vatican. It is a very long process.

Mother Clare waited for a long time before she recieve the approval of her Order.

 

[Talitha]

In fact Francis wrote two Rules; 1221 and the 1223 he wrote to be approved. The latter was a dilution of his first rule. And he left leadership accordingly then.