Need info about third orders

[gez722]

I am considering the possibility of joining a third order, although I don’t know much about the different ones that are available. I am married and have young children, but I would have the time to attend monthly meetings. I currently say the Liturgy of the Hours and spend much of my free time (after the wife and kids have gone to bed!) studying apologetics and scripture. I am also actively involved in teaching and ministry at my parish. However, I’m getting the feeling that the Lord may be calling me to something deeper.

I tried googling “third order” and I got a lot of hits, but I became confused looking at them. I live in the Southern New Jersey-Philadelphia area. If anyone has an recommendations for me I’d appreciate it. I’d like to learn about the various orders that are available. I’d especially like to hear about websites for the different orders and any regional groups in my area. I’d also like to hear from others who may have felt a similar calling, even though they have families. I realize that my family must come first, but I’m just wondering if there’s something additional I can do to get closer to the Lord.

God Bless,
Gary

 

[FCEGM]

gez722:

I am considering the possibility of joining a third order, although I don’t know much about the different ones that are available. I am married and have young children, but I would have the time to attend monthly meetings. I currently say the Liturgy of the Hours and spend much of my free time (after the wife and kids have gone to bed!) studying apologetics and scripture. I am also actively involved in teaching and ministry at my parish. However, I’m getting the feeling that the Lord may be calling me to something deeper.

I tried googling “third order” and I got a lot of hits, but I became confused looking at them. I live in the Southern New Jersey-Philadelphia area. If anyone has an recommendations for me I’d appreciate it. I’d like to learn about the various orders that are available. I’d especially like to hear about websites for the different orders and any regional groups in my area. I’d also like to hear from others who may have felt a similar calling, even though they have families. I realize that my family must come first, but I’m just wondering if there’s something additional I can do to get closer to the Lord.

God Bless,
Gary

Hi, Gary! It’s wonderful that you are investigating the Secular/Third Orders of the Church. In joining a Secular (Third) Order one is responding to a vocation. So discernment is necessary first to see if God is calling one to follow a Rule of Life and, secondly and most importantly, which religious Order expresses the spiritual life to which one believes him or herself to be called. For me it was the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites because of the Order’s vocation to tend toward contemplative prayer in the
heart of the Church.

Though one may believe oneself to be called to an Order, one’s vocation also must be discerned by the particular Community of the Order which one is seeking to join. After permission is granted to pursue a vocation within a Secular Order, there remains ongoing discernment both by the candidate and the Community before a Definitive Promise may be made.

The Orders you can investigate are: Secular Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.S.), Lay Carmelites (T.O.C.), Secular Franciscans, Benedictine Oblates, Third Order Dominicans (T.O.P.) and Third Order Augustinians - I believe there are one or two more but that should help you in your discernment.

Here are some links for the Discalced Carmelites including the Secular Order:

ocdwashprov.com/ (This will lead you to Secular Carmelite Communities in your area.)

ocd.pcn.net/ocds_ind.htm

ocd.pcn.net/index_en.htm

mb-soft.com/believe/txh/carmelit.htm

 

[Della]

If truth is of utmost importance in your spirituality you might look into the Dominicans. While the Third Order Discalced Carmelites are deeply spiritual, they also expect a high commitment of time. If evangelization is most important and living in simplicity, then the Franciscans might be what you are looking for. Their commitment, while just as fervent as the Carmelites, is less demanding of its members. Just a few pointers to help you decide.

 

[puzzleannie]

several recent threads on this

try Secular Franciscans
Benedictine Oblates
third order Dominicans or Dominican Associates
you have the links to the Carmelite above
call the diocese and ask to speak to some one about Institutes, third orders, seculars and lay associates. Most dioceses have a priest in charge of such lay institutes. All of these may not be active in all areas. There are also spiritual renewal communities such as the Neocatechumenal way, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, ACTS Retreat, Cursillo, Schoenstatt Movement and others. Search each of these on the forums and see if any appeal to you.

If you like LOTH and scripture readiing for prayer-lectio divina, you may be most comfortable as a Benedictine Oblate. See if there is a Benedictine monastery in your diocese. We have oblates here that travel from San Antonio and Austin because we are the closest. Benedictine Oblates attempt to live out the tenets of the holy Rule of St. Benedict in lay life in the world. The book the Lifegiving Way by Esther DeWaal is a good intro to this way of life.

 

[plato3]

Some great advice here! Remember, each Order has a specific charism, where the Holy Spirit calls the members to use their gifts in a special way. Read also about the founders of the Orders. I am biased, off course, toward the Franciscans. After his conversion, St Francis lived just an incredible life of prayer,service, and love for all creatures-big and small. When you are accepted into an Order, you strive to live the way that the founder lived. You may never get quite there, but anything is possible with God.

Good luck,
Deacon Tony SFO

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Just thought I’d provide a few links in case you’d like to learn about the Secular Franciscan Order.

National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order - USA
nafra-sfo.org/

Click “Regional Fraternities” for a list of individual fraternities, organized by region. A map of the regional fraternities:
nafra-sfo.org/map.html

An international site (available in English, Italian, Spanish, and French):
ciofs.org/sfo.htm

(FCEGM gave good advice about discernment, by the way).

Crazy Internet Junkies Society
Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[gez722]

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful responses. The Third Order Dominicans seem like a good fit for me. I have contacted them about getting some more info. Please keep me in your prayers as I try to get closer to our Lord.

God Bless,
Gary

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

If you are to seek simplicity in life then Secular Franciscan is for you. We follow the rule of life that St. Francis started. This order is teaching me to seek for real happiness which is holy simplicity.