Questions regarding 3rd order Dominicans

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abkaye

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I’m about to take a new job that will require me to move. This move will, however, grant us access to the TLM (something we’ve been praying for for a long time). As a whole, we’re very excited.

At the same time, after much thought and even more prayer, I’ve come to the conclusion that God is calling me to a third order. After doing my regular homework on the various orders and examining myself, my general feeling is that I relate best to the Dominicans.

There are four orders that would be available where we’re going: Carmelites, Dominicans, Benedictines, and a second Benedictine monastery that’s run by SSPX.

I really don’t think I’d fit in as a Carmelite.

I’ve written to and spoken with the others, and they were all inviting. The Dominicans, however, didn’t seem very … Dominican. Their idea of “study” doesn’t match mine (granted, I’m an academic, and not everyone is or can be), they aren’t interested in the TLM (whereas we’d rather attend the TLM and would go far out of our way to do so), they don’t seem to be very informed regarding Church matters, etc, etc.

Although the Benedictines have been very kind, it seems like my best fit would be with a more “conservative” or “traditional” Dominican group.

I know you can become an “independent” member of the third order, but you miss out on everything that happens in community and spiritual direction becomes much more difficult.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
 
I’d suggest whichever Order has the Saints that you most connect with or feel devoted to. The Carmelites will try to direct you in a way so that you will be able to better unite yourself with God in prayer. The will emphasize contemplation and spiritual reading. The Dominicans will direct you in a way that promotes virtue and will emphasize academic reading of the saints along with the Rosary. With that being said, neither will disallow the use of contemplation AND academics! I suggest staying away from the Benedictines and the SSPX for spiritual direction. But if you want to get to Mass with the SSPX, go for it! The Latin Mass is so beautiful!
 
I understand what you’ve said, and therein lies the issue.

I align most closely with the Dominicans; with St Albert, St Thomas, St Dominic himself. The problem is that I don’t align well with this particular group of third-order Doninicans.
 
If you’ve complaints about this particular third order group, take it to them directly. If you don’t get a satisfactory answer, then take it to the priest who is the provincial’s liaison to the laity. If that still doesn’t resolve the issue, then ask God what to do.

I, myself, am not understanding what the issue is here. Different chapters have their own personalities, just like convents and monasteries.

Dominicans are very hands-off with spiritual direction. They refer the person to the spiritual classics, and have them check in when there’s a problem. (Reading the spiritual classics will usually alert the person to their spiritual deficiencies, which, in turn, leads them to confession). Chapter meetings aren’t actual classes in spiritual classics. The formation program is discussed, then there is a “business” meeting where the needs of the chapter are discussed. I know the lay Dominicans in Charlotte, NC, publish their yearly readings on their website, but, AFAIK, those are for the laity in final profession.
 
What you think you are called to be and what you really are called to be may be two different things. I originally thought I was better suited to being a Carmelite than a Dominican, but after discerning with both I can say that I am called to be a Dominican. The whole purpose of the newcomer/postulant period is to experience what each order has to offer and see where the Lord guides you.
 
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