Question about third orders

[Gripper]

Can someone in a third order become a priest, deacon, monk, nun, sister etc.?

Married man deacon only?
Married woman none?
Single man any?
Single woman any?

What about a married person who becomes a widow/er?

 

[BartholomewB]

What about a married person who becomes a widow/er?

A widower can be ordained a priest, though in practice the diocese or order impose fairly strict age limits. A man who was widowed in his twenties or early thirties would stand a better chance of being accepted than a man who was widowed later in life.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

I assume you mean secular third orders?

Being in a secular third order does not prohibit you from entering the clergy or religious life in the church. The same rules still apply.

 

[Fauken]

If I were to move from the lay Dominicans to one of the religious Orders and had made promises, I’d have to be dispensed from them first.

 

[Cloisters]

Yes, someone in a third Order can become all that you’ve named in that first line. Whenever they enter, their promises are suspended until final vows, when they’re dispensed. I’m not sure about seminary, though.

Married and single people can join Third Orders. Deaconate is the only option for a married man, unless he’s in one of the traditions that permits ordination after marriage.

It’s my understanding that diocesan hermits cannot belong to a third Order but can join after their final vows.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/

 

[commenter]

Yes, someone in a third Order can become all that you’ve named in that first line. Whenever they enter, their promises are suspended until final vows, when they’re dispensed. I’m not sure about seminary, though.

Married and single people can join Third Orders. Deaconate is the only option for a married man, unless he’s in one of the traditions that permits ordination after marriage.

It’s my understanding that diocesan hermits cannot belong to a third Order but can join after their final vows.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/

Hermits? Is that like Consecrated Virgin?

 

[Cloisters]

The Order of Virgins and the Order of Hermits were both brought back by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Canon 603 deals with the hermits, and I’m wanting to say that Canon 604 deals with the Consecrated Virgins.

CVs are consecrated, meaning the bishop recites the formula of consecration over the woman – or women – who are dressed as brides. The CVs are the original Brides of Christ, hence the dress. They are considered consecrated-virgins-living-in-the-world. The current practice is to consecrate women 25 and older because of the permanence of the Vocations. One must be a physical virgin to be consecrated. Rape victims, if they have been chaste afterwards, are still considered virgins by the church.

Canonical eremites, OTOH, draw up their own plan of life, which they live for a period of time, and go through temporary vows, similar to religious. When everything is in place, meaning the hermit-elect meets certain criteria, the hermit will kneel before the bishop, and placing their hands within the Bishop’s, will pronounce their vows.

Hermits are considered their own charism. They are permitted to develop a habit. And, as in the early days of the church, they might even attract adherents. This happened in the case of the Laura in Chester, NJ.

Both might be an option for older vocations.

The two are separate Vocations, but I did know of a Consecrated Virgin who became a canonical hermit, and offered retreat services. She was also a Secular Franciscan, but I’m not sure if she was already one, or if she became one after her Eremitical vows.

The two Vocations also answer to their bishop.

There’s also the option of lay contemplative. The person has their own plan of life, and can design a habit, and submit their information to the local Ordinary. The bishop, in turn, if he approves, will issue a letter recognizing the person as a lay contemplative.

 

[Cloisters]

Forgot to add this disclaimer: both CV and Hermit are their own proper Vocations, and should never be seen as “fallback” Vocations. Don’t look at CV or Hermit as “I didn’t make it in community, so maybe I should just try those”. Not making it in community could mean several different things, one of which is no Vocation at all. Other reasons could be the wrong community, the wrong spirituality, or any number of parameters.

Such is the reason for a good spiritual director.

Concentrate on being friends with the Lord. One cannot attest to Him whom they do not know.