Being in Australia, this might hold some interest:
This has been a concept that has long been in my mind and is for lay celibate single women - while at this point it is a concept that is developing āon my feetā as it were. Catholic divorced women with or without an annulment (no dependants) who have never remarried would be accepted, dependant of course on circumstances, as would a woman with a disability dependant again on circumstances. One could retain oneās workforce position or be on some form of government benefit. If one is on a government benefit, some form of voluntary work and also ironing for extra income would be expected -although only once weekly for ironing and twice weekly for voluntary work
I have also been quite saddened by the lack of sighting a religious habit on South Australian streets. And while the standard dress in my way of life would not resemble a religious habit, the fact that (at least) two women are dressed the same wearing a silver cross on a leather thong and a commitment ring on the wedding finger would indicate commitment to Catholicism. Much as the veil for Islamic women indicates committed religious women.
I have been living this same way of life for 30 years now. I began living it while divorced (not my choice) and still in the workforce (private secretary). Some 6 years after my divorce, an annulment of my marriage was granted. Under a previous director (priest theologian and lecturing in our seminary then)and in my early years, a rule of life was written but then left on a bus stop and lost. My now director feels I will bring more experience to the table by writing a Rule of Life 30 years further down the line of living the life - and he is quite right. My now director is a priest and superior in his religious order and has had long experience as a novice master also.
At this point, I am really only looking for one of two single celibate possibly South Australian women to live the life with me. A standard type of attire will be worn as well as secular clothing retained. Initially, it would be best if these women lived the life and rule in their own home with regular meetings with me to revise how things are going. In my residence here, I can accommodate in two others (besides myself) in private bedrooms. If an acceptable person would like to try a live-in. We have a large community room and an oratory area. Hopefully, if I can get it off the ground, I can apply to have the Blessed Eucharist in residence, but this would be down the line (I think I would need to present to His Grace a stable form of life by at least two people - and a way of life with a consulting chaplain)- and providing I can get things RIGHT off the ground and the way of life is stable over a few years. If I can find one or two women to live the life with me, standard dress (āhabitā)would only apply (with secular clothing also).
I have grounds sufficiently large and beautifully developed so that we can find solitude for each other. I live in a very large modern unit with large grounds, 10 mins form the CBD with buses and all conceivable shopping in all directions. An extremely large Coles modern supermarket a 5 min walk from Bethany here. The unit here is in a lovely cul de sac, rather hidden away, with two other units. It is very private indeed and surrounded by 6ft high modern fences. There is a lovely pergola with roof outside the dining room doors - and with gas bbq. Lots of plants! Both other units are occupied by elderly women living alone and all properties are fenced with 6ft high fencing providing privacy. It is a HousingSA property and I am regarded as an excellent tenant. Weekly rent is 25% of weekly income with a ceiling rent amount. I am living in an affluent type of suburb rather than the poverty stricken suburb where I lived for 30 years this way of life.
It needs to be noted that I am not looking to form a religious order as we traditionally know them. My concept would retain our status as lay people and the standard dress or attire would not be a religious habit per se, but standard attire nonetheless with secular clothing retained (very light makeup and equally very light jewellery ok in secular dress). Secular clothing etc. allows one to blend in to any venue whatsoever we might choose to attend. However, the wide band sterling silver commitment band and sterling silver cross on a leather thong is worn at
all times regardless, including with secular attire. This is my current stipulation or rule for myself. I am not looking to become a secular order of consecrated life either, rather to retain full lay membership. Private vows of simplicity of life, celibate chastity and obedience to any rightful authority would be made (the provision always is that The Lord and His Gospel, Teaching of The Church, transcends all laws and any authority).
I am looking at distributing Catholic material on city and suburban streets/shopping centres and letterboxes. As well as periodic trips away to country towns and interstate (this can be done cheaply and relatively cheap for interstate) for the same purposes. During these excursions, the standard dress would be worn. I am hoping to get some interest rustled up and from a person or persons interested in helping develop this way of life. It is primarily a simple life - very much a life of prayer and simple penance.
A dark blue scarfe tied behind the neck is worn at home, until and if some form of general acceptance is evident.
Some other details (I think) can be found in the Vocations Forum on this thread (Phatmass PHorum Catholic Discussion Site):
phatmassā¦to-the-streets/
A private message to me is ok, although I do prefer questions etc. into a public thread as some do not like to ask questions and a PM prevents then finding answers possibly.
