Lay Dominican compared Benedictin Oblate

[karmichael]

Good day to all. In my second month of RCIA. preparing for an Advent retreat in 2 weekends with the group and Priest. Really looking forward to this small retreat.

I was browsing in recent months in many third order web pages. I am sincerely thinking of joining and do something with this new baptismal! I also have a plan of taking two month and do the compostelle route in a year or two. My question is very specific. My search brought me close to the Dominican spirituality. I thourougly enjoy study (one year of university theology) so this aspect of the Dominican sang to my heart. But also i live close to a wonderful Benedictine community (Abbaye St Benoit du Lac in Canada) where a wonderful group of monks (i think they are more than 50) have been holding the tradition since early 1900. I also thourougly enjoy the comtemplative aspects of the Benedictine spirituality.

If anyone can shed light to the practical differences and to what to expect from third order particiapation in the Dominicans as compared to joining the monastary as an Oblate. I am interested in all comments but would also like details as to trainings, learnings, mentoring and general day to day differences.

Many thanks in advance

Peace

 

[OraLabora]

Good day to all. In my second month of RCIA. preparing for an Advent retreat in 2 weekends with the group and Priest. Really looking forward to this small retreat.

I was browsing in recent months in many third order web pages. I am sincerely thinking of joining and do something with this new baptismal! I also have a plan of taking two month and do the compostelle route in a year or two. My question is very specific. My search brought me close to the Dominican spirituality. I thourougly enjoy study (one year of university theology) so this aspect of the Dominican sang to my heart. But also i live close to a wonderful Benedictine community (Abbaye St Benoit du Lac in Canada) where a wonderful group of monks (i think they are more than 50) have been holding the tradition since early 1900. I also thourougly enjoy the comtemplative aspects of the Benedictine spirituality.

If anyone can shed light to the practical differences and to what to expect from third order particiapation in the Dominicans as compared to joining the monastary as an Oblate. I am interested in all comments but would also like details as to trainings, learnings, mentoring and general day to day differences.

Many thanks in advance

Peace

I also live very near Saint-Benoît-du-Lac and in fact go to Mass there every Sunday. I am also an oblate of the abbey. Send me a private message, if you’d like to know more.

 

[jwinch2]

Here are some articles on Lay Dominicans that might be helpful to you. Good luck in your discernment!

Peace,

 

[Joe_Kelley]

We generally recommend that new Catholics spend a year or two getting settled in before undertaking more commitments. I think the orders tend to do the same. We have had some poor experience with those who take on too much at one time. There is a problem when the successive highs, of something new, wears off and one must settle down and live the day to day life.

 

[jwinch2]

We generally recommend that new Catholics spend a year or two getting settled in before undertaking more commitments. I think the orders tend to do the same. We have had some poor experience with those who take on too much at one time. There is a problem when the successive highs, of something new, wears off and one must settle down and live the day to day life.

Good points here. Although I believe that it is a bit subjective as I was just confirmed last Easter. Probably it depends on the person and the situation. Their age, maturity, knowledge of the faith, etc. all likely influence who may be ready and who may not.

I cannot speak for the Benedictines, but formation as a Lay Dominican takes 5 years. With that in mind, it is not like you get to just jump in and make final professions.

Again, you really do bring up a good point. I have made some conscious decisions to say no to a couple of things (something I am historically bad at), because I cannot afford to take on too much at this point in time. What swung the decision for me is that I know I both need and desire continued formation. I also was really searching for an authentically Catholic approach to spirituality.