Is anyone a member of a Third Order or Oblates?

[Gumbercules]

Hello, I am interested in third order and oblates?

First what is the difference between third order and oblates?

What is the responsibilities of a third order or oblate?

Is there a period of catechesis prior to joining a third order or oblate?

Do you have to contact a monastery in your area to join? Or can you be anywhere?

Thanks.

 

[Mike_SFO_1]

If you are being called to a secular order you would need to be attracted to particular charism of their founder. As a Secular Franciscan I follow Father Francis.

First what is the difference between third order and oblates?
They are each lay orders. I know personally Franciscan’s call it a Secular Order and Benedictine’s have oblates.

What is the responsibilities of a third order or oblate?
This depends on the Charism of the founder. This is like saying what are the responsibilities of a sister. Different orders have different responsibilities.

Is there a period of catechesis prior to joining a third order or oblate?

No, usually you only need to be a Catholic in good standing with the Church to begin formation. You would then start as an inquirer and then progress in formation until professed. This normally takes 3-5 years.

Do you have to contact a monastery in your area to join? Or can you be anywhere?

Since they are lay orders and live in the world they have no monastery. You would need to find a local fraternity in your area since they do not do formation via internet or mail.
**
Keep in mind that profession in a 3rd order is never a goal, it is only a beginning and your formation will last the rest of your life.**

 

[puzzleannie]

some good info in this reference sticky above this forum, most of your questions are already answered here

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=179983

yes I am a Benedictine Oblate. a third order is a more generic term. some third orders are regular, so a member is a professed religious who sometimes takes vows , like Franciscan TORs. The lay people who associate with the Franciscans are the Seculars, SFO. lay associates of Dominicans are tertiaries and so forth. It depends on the order and their charisms and history how the lay people who wish to join in their spirituality and support their work are included. We oblates make a profession, not vows which is renewed each year and recorded in the arcives of the monastery. We assist the sisters in their work and ministry–evangelization and pro-life witness, and receive spiritual direction from them and incorporate Benedictine spirituality into our lives–Liturgy of the Hours and lectio divina principally, and sacred reading as assigned by the sisters (we chose one work to read and study with our local group, or deanery, each year).

there is a period of formation and formal preparation including regular meetings or classes, spiritual direction, retreats etc, generally at least a year for most associates, and this is usually done with a group of new candidates.

 

[albertziggy]

some good info in this reference sticky above this forum, most of your questions are already answered here

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=179983

yes I am a Benedictine Oblate. a third order is a more generic term. some third orders are regular, so a member is a professed religious who sometimes takes vows , like Franciscan TORs. The lay people who associate with the Franciscans are the Seculars, SFO. lay associates of Dominicans are tertiaries and so forth. It depends on the order and their charisms and history how the lay people who wish to join in their spirituality and support their work are included. .

Hi:

Just a clarification. Lay people do not merely associate with religious families but are true members themselves (i.e., Secular Franciscans, Lay Dominicans and so forth). It is not merely joining in their spirituality, but actually living it.

In Christ,

albertziggy

 

[Shoshana]

Is there anyone here who is a member of the Carmelite oblates who meet at the Carmelite convent in Buffalo?