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fin
Guest
in some movements like the Regnum Christi, lay members take vows. How is this different from brothers and nuns taking vows?
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Marauder
Guest
Many groups make promises instead of vows. It varies group to group, sometimes they call them vows but in reality they are promises. Some groups (or even members of groups that only do promises) actually take vows. The difference between the vows made by religious brothers and nuns and those in the lay groups is what the vows entail (i.e. the wording) and who the vows are made to (i.e. a bishop versus a lay group.)
No matter whether a it is a lay person making a vow or a religious brother or sister making the vow, the person should make sure they really intend to keep the vow. Vows taken without true intent is a very serious matter, which is a major problem that the church has with the Masons.
No matter whether a it is a lay person making a vow or a religious brother or sister making the vow, the person should make sure they really intend to keep the vow. Vows taken without true intent is a very serious matter, which is a major problem that the church has with the Masons.
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GemmaRose
Guest
Usually, Third Orders (such as Third Order Franciscans) take promises to live according to the spirit of the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity and obedience) as lived in the life of a lay person.
Some lay people take private vows with the permission of the spiritual director. These are usually renewable every year.
However, lay people who are in some sort of “group” and take vows are usually in a Secular Institute, living a life of consecrated secularity.
Secular Institutes are another vocation in the Church. (It might be helpful to read Vita Consecrata.) My own Secular Institute, the Lay Missionaries of the Passion, was founded by a Passionist priest under the charism of St. Paul of the Cross. We were founded in 1980 and received Papal approbation in 1999. We take the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, together with a fourth Passionist vow of devotion to the Passion of our Lord. We have a period of probation/formation which lasts 3 years, followed by temporary consecration (vows) for between 5 years but not more than 9 years. This is followed by perpetual vows and incorporation into our Institute forever. (I took my final vows in 1993.)
There are many different Secular Institutes around the world. A good source of information is the United States Conference of Secular Institutes. Also, for anyone considering this vocation, it would be good to schedule an appointment with the Vocation Director of your Diocese who should have information on the Institutes, especially those who have branches in your area.
*“I wish that my heart could beat, that I could live and breathe only for Jesus, I wish that my tongue could utter no other name than that of Jesus; that my eye could see only Jesus; that my pen could write only about Jesus, and that my thoughts could soar to nothing but Jesus. I have often wondered where on earth there might be something on which I could center my love. But neither on earth nor in heaven do I find any such thing but only my beloved Jesus… I am the fruit of your passion, Jesus, born of your wounds. O Jesus, seek me in love; I no longer possess anything; you have stolen my heart…” *- St. Gemma Galgani
Some lay people take private vows with the permission of the spiritual director. These are usually renewable every year.
However, lay people who are in some sort of “group” and take vows are usually in a Secular Institute, living a life of consecrated secularity.
Secular Institutes are another vocation in the Church. (It might be helpful to read Vita Consecrata.) My own Secular Institute, the Lay Missionaries of the Passion, was founded by a Passionist priest under the charism of St. Paul of the Cross. We were founded in 1980 and received Papal approbation in 1999. We take the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, together with a fourth Passionist vow of devotion to the Passion of our Lord. We have a period of probation/formation which lasts 3 years, followed by temporary consecration (vows) for between 5 years but not more than 9 years. This is followed by perpetual vows and incorporation into our Institute forever. (I took my final vows in 1993.)
There are many different Secular Institutes around the world. A good source of information is the United States Conference of Secular Institutes. Also, for anyone considering this vocation, it would be good to schedule an appointment with the Vocation Director of your Diocese who should have information on the Institutes, especially those who have branches in your area.
*“I wish that my heart could beat, that I could live and breathe only for Jesus, I wish that my tongue could utter no other name than that of Jesus; that my eye could see only Jesus; that my pen could write only about Jesus, and that my thoughts could soar to nothing but Jesus. I have often wondered where on earth there might be something on which I could center my love. But neither on earth nor in heaven do I find any such thing but only my beloved Jesus… I am the fruit of your passion, Jesus, born of your wounds. O Jesus, seek me in love; I no longer possess anything; you have stolen my heart…” *- St. Gemma Galgani
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Lux_et_veritas
Guest
Insteresting distinction between secular institutes and third orders.
Such things are making a great comeback today. I hope many priests will consider the old practice of joining. My own pastor, a diocesan priest, is also a third order Carmelite and spiritual director to our community.
We need more priests to be involved like this as it would greatly build holiness among the faithful.
Such things are making a great comeback today. I hope many priests will consider the old practice of joining. My own pastor, a diocesan priest, is also a third order Carmelite and spiritual director to our community.
We need more priests to be involved like this as it would greatly build holiness among the faithful.
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BarbaraTherese
Guest
Is there a website for the Lay Missionaries of The Passion please?
“The Leaven” (female - Carmelite O.Carm) make vows I think.
Blessings - Barb
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GemmaRose
Guest
The website is www.secolari.it. If you click on the British flag on the right, you’ll get the English version (unless you read Italian).
God Bless,
Melody
*“I wish that my heart could beat, that I could live and breathe only for Jesus, I wish that my tongue could utter no other name than that of Jesus; that my eye could see only Jesus; that my pen could write only about Jesus, and that my thoughts could soar to nothing but Jesus. I have often wondered where on earth there might be something on which I could center my love. But neither on earth nor in heaven do I find any such thing but only my beloved Jesus… I am the fruit of your passion, Jesus, born of your wounds. O Jesus, seek me in love; I no longer possess anything; you have stolen my heart…” *- St. Gemma Galgani
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BarbaraTherese
Guest
The website is www.secolari.it. If you click on the British flag on the right, you’ll get the English version (unless you read Italian).
God Bless,
Melody
Thank you, Melody…Blessings - Barb
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BarbaraTherese
Guest
I have made private vows (under advice from a priest) to the evangelical counsels (chastity, poverty and obedience) to a specific way of life. These vows are now perpetual or life vows. (also under advice/priest). When I say “under advice from a priest”, I mean that I sought advice before making the vows.
I am not a member of any Third Order or Secular Institute. Some hermits are not consecrated under Canon 603(for hermits) but choose to make private vows and are recognized by The Church as hermits. Private vows are recognized by The Church though of course these vows are not canonical - they are equally binding.
Blessings - Barb
I am not a member of any Third Order or Secular Institute. Some hermits are not consecrated under Canon 603(for hermits) but choose to make private vows and are recognized by The Church as hermits. Private vows are recognized by The Church though of course these vows are not canonical - they are equally binding.
Blessings - Barb
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