If we're not joining an order, do we have to pick just one spirituality?

[mrsdizzyd]

Ever try Cruciferian Spirituality?

:bulb:Sounds perfect!

 

[giuseppe96]

I do some of each. I don’t currently plan to join an order, but I’m most attracted to the Dominicans Franciscans and Carmelites. The Dominicans for their attribution to the Rosary and their hard core fervor for penance and study, the Franciscans for their simplicity and ability to relate to humanity, and the Carmelites for their emphasis on one’s personal experiences with God (plus I wear the Brown Scapular).

 

[guanophore]

Circumstances in my life are making it highly unlikely I’ll ever join any order though.

It is very possible to become an oblate or third order member.

Assuming I never join an order, do I have to pick a particular spirituality?

Of course not.

Can I do some of each?

Yes. Your spiritual practice is between you and your Maker. You should do whatever the Spirit leads you to do.

Is this a stupid question?

No, but a bit puzzling. What would lead you to believe you had to “pick a particular spirituality”?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

No, but a bit puzzling. What would lead you to believe you had to “pick a particular spirituality”?

The point that someone made about not getting in deep enough with one particular spirituality so that you don’t just have a shallow experience with several.

Also, many saints and other people seeking a holy life do seem to cleave to one spirituality and make it a part of their world view. Some join an order. For those who don’t join an order, my impression in many cases is that somebody just happens to be educated by Order X or make friends with / have a spiritual advisor from Order X, so they naturally adopt the spirituality of Order X.

 

[guanophore]

The point that someone made about not getting in deep enough with one particular spirituality so that you don’t just have a shallow experience with several.

OIC

Also, many saints and other people seeking a holy life do seem to cleave to one spirituality and make it a part of their world view. Some join an order. For those who don’t join an order, my impression in many cases is that somebody just happens to be educated by Order X or make friends with / have a spiritual advisor from Order X, so they naturally adopt the spirituality of Order X.

Yes, this has been my experience and observation also.

It would see prudent to follow one’s heart/interest and trust that God will direct.

 

[friardchips]

Hi. First, The term ‘spirituality’ is a confusing and unnecessary one. There are books written a-many, about the different ‘spiritualities’ on offer, particular to each individual religious Order.

There is only one Spirit in which we live our lives with faith: the Holy Spirit.

All of the different Orders are following the same ‘spirituality’.

How they differ, is through the disciplines set within each Order; these help the nuns, monks, friars and sisters, to grow in love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, via a kind of lived fasting in all its facets.

Another word which gets confused, is ‘charism’ (not sure about the website, yet the way it reads in this article does suggest it is legitimate:

Charism and Consecrated Life: Part I

In popular jargon, the word charisma is used to describe a person with dazzling gifts of charm or grace. Charismatic individuals form part of every walk of life—stage, screen, sports, and faith-traditions. Charism and the Married VocationIn the vocation of marriage, a woman wishes to marry a...

www.catholicnewsagency.com

We are given the ‘gifts’ of the Holy Spirit, which are the known mystical gifts appropriated and eventually awakening in us, via Baptism and conversion of heart, in grace.

Reading up on the enlightened lives of saints is recommended and doing so ought to lead us to the Sacraments, to Holy Scripture, and to a means of living through which we can grow in the knowledge of God.

Where is your desire? If your desire is God then that desire will lead you to where in the world He desires you to be.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks. I’ll confess I hate all the “buzzwords”. Also, I find a lot of the “spiritualities” to be really basic concepts and to some degree interchangeable either with each other or with common sense. (Much of what is taught as “Ignatian spirituality” has struck me as “well duh, that’s a normal rational approach to the matter for a Catholic.”) It’s the living out of the principles that is hard.

 

[friardchips]

The reason these terms exist is because people have expressed those things throughout history, in such a way through the witness of their lives, that when provided as examples to us, we know what to look for - we can then name the ways and means of doing those Christ-like things, consequently growing in grace, as Catholic witnesses, which we are already called to do. We could know for ourselves, as these ways and means all simply stem from the need to love God and make Him first place, as evidenced and lived through Scripture. But help is still a gift, and as long as it remains available, we are entitled to receive it.

 

[HolySpirit]

Charism really isn’t a touchy feely buzzword. Basically, it is the religious word for “mission statement.”

Every religious order has a particular charism that they follow. It is what separates their order from other orders. Or as @friardchips mentioned in the article would be what distinguishes the difference between the vocations. (I never really thought of it from a vocational perspective.)

If you are contacting vocation directors, one of your first recommended questions should focus on the order’s charism. It is central to whether you will fit in to their lives and spirituality or not. If the answer is not what speaks to your heart or are at least open minded enough to listen to more, you probably should thank the VD for her time and move on.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks. I’m not contacting vocation directors. I’m not joining an order (not even as an oblate). All things considered, I can’t right now.

This thread is about personal spirituality.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

You can follow whatever spirituality your heart is drawn to. What you’re drawn to may also change over time, too. Even in a religious order, you’re not necessarily restricted, per se. Yes, the order’s charisma is important, and fundamental, and becomes very much who you are and the lens through which you see the world… but if, for example a Franciscan is drawn to the Ignatian spiritual exercises, carmelite contemplative prayer, or even Byzantine iconography and spirituality, you are free to pursue that and let it enrich your personal spirituality; your relationship with God.