Religious On the Net

[Sr_Judith_Ann]

With all due respect, whether religious in simple vows can retain ownership of money and other property depends on the statutes of the religious institute. However, the use is not allowed by canon law. The religious can give it to his favorite niece or charity without interference from the community, unless there is something to the contrary in the statutes of the community.

Religious institutes in solemn vows cannot authorize private ownership. There is the difference between simple and solemn vows of poverty. The religious make a legal commitment to give up all ownership, prior to making solemn vows.

There is also a difference between a simple and solemn vow of chastity. Religious in simple vows who attempt sacramental marriage are validly married, but the marriage is illicit. A religious in solemn vows who attempts marriage cannot effect a valid marriage. The solemn vow overrides the marriage vows. Both incur ecclesial penalties.

Finally, there is a difference between a simple vow of obedience and a solemn vow of obedience. A solemn vow of obedience is usually made to a rule. In other words, communities in solemn vows follow one of the five “ancient” rules of the Church. Communities in simple vows do not need a rule. They may have statutes that they refer to as their rule or by any other name. The difference is that these statutes can be changed by a general chapter of the congregation. The rule of an order cannot be changed except by the Holy See. This applies even to Secular Orders. There are many congregations that follow the rule of an order, such as active Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Benedictines and Augustinians.

Hope this helps.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thank you, JR. I found the distinction of solemn and simple vows very helpful. Although I have lived the vows all these years, I never understood the difference before. You made it very clear.

 

[Sister_Helena]

On another note, does talking to a Religious on the internet be as good as talking to him or her in person? I’m not sure if young people feel more comfortable to have the anonymity of an internet forum helpful. The internet definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. It is more accessible for sure, far-reaching, less intimidating and informal. Knowing that this seems to be the “sign of the times” to reach young and old alike these days. But it can also be impersonal and limited in many ways, don’t you think…?

 

[JReducation]

On another note, does talking to a Religious on the internet be as good as talking to him or her in person? I’m not sure if young people feel more comfortable to have the anonymity of an internet forum helpful. The internet definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. It is more accessible for sure, far-reaching, less intimidating and informal. Knowing that this seems to be the “sign of the times” to reach young and old alike these days. But it can also be impersonal and limited in many ways, don’t you think…?

I work with many families and I find tha the younger members of the families are the most eloquent when we are together. In fact, yesterday I was at a cell meeting with a group of mothers and their children. A little boy (about four) came up to me and said, “Are you a saint from God?” He had been watching me and I guess my habit triggered the question. So I told him that I was not a saint from God, but I was Jesus’ brother.

The little boy looked at me and said, “Oh OK,” and walked away. The rest of the morning he kept addressing as “Mr. Brother.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Charbeau]

I know this is an older thread but I thought I’d throw my two cents in here.

I think it is imperative for those in the religious life to be active and accessible online. I am a 30 year old woman, I stay home with my two children and I was raised a nominal Protestant, abandoned Christianity in my 20s and made my way back and became Catholic this past Easter because I first landed on a blog written by a woman who is an atheist to Catholic convert. I was intrigued and began to follow her writings (and she eventually became my sponsor as I began the formal process of joining the Church), followed links to other blogs on her blogroll, found Catholic Answers, found other sites and blogs maintained by religious, found good resources on a couple priests sites on their church websites for reading material and articles pertinent to questions I had. I knew very few Catholics in my personal life when I began studying Catholicism, none local to me that were practicing, so the internet was the only way for me to initially interact with anyone Catholic.

My point being - I doubt I would be Catholic today if I had not had the internet to utilize as a resource. I think it is an amazingly untapped resource to catechize those who are already Catholic and to educate and welcome those who are not and are seeking. I actually wasn’t even seeking when I landed by chance on that first blog, but that was the initial vehicle the Holy Spirit used to pique my interest and have me keep looking for more. Everyone I know has daily access to the internet for either work or pleasure/social interaction (typically both). It is the one universal, world-wide connecting technology that we have available as a powerful evangelization tool. I am beginning to organize my own Catholic themed blog now as I think it is such an amazingly effective tool and it is either extremely inexpensive or free to maintain!

I enrolled in RCIA and to be frank, while the class was wonderful in its own special way, I learned the most from resources I found online and books I found recommended on Catholic blogs and websites. RCIA just touches the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Sister_Helena]

I know this is an older thread but I thought I’d throw my two cents in here.

I think it is imperative for those in the religious life to be active and accessible online. I am a 30 year old woman, I stay home with my two children and I was raised a nominal Protestant, abandoned Christianity in my 20s and made my way back and became Catholic this past Easter because I first landed on a blog written by a woman who is an atheist to Catholic convert. I was intrigued and began to follow her writings (and she eventually became my sponsor as I began the formal process of joining the Church), followed links to other blogs on her blogroll, found Catholic Answers, found other sites and blogs maintained by religious, found good resources on a couple priests sites on their church websites for reading material and articles pertinent to questions I had. I knew very few Catholics in my personal life when I began studying Catholicism, none local to me that were practicing, so the internet was the only way for me to initially interact with anyone Catholic.

My point being - I doubt I would be Catholic today if I had not had the internet to utilize as a resource. I think it is an amazingly untapped resource to catechize those who are already Catholic and to educate and welcome those who are not and are seeking. I actually wasn’t even seeking when I landed by chance on that first blog, but that was the initial vehicle the Holy Spirit used to pique my interest and have me keep looking for more. Everyone I know has daily access to the internet for either work or pleasure/social interaction (typically both). It is the one universal, world-wide connecting technology that we have available as a powerful evangelization tool. I am beginning to organize my own Catholic themed blog now as I think it is such an amazingly effective tool and it is either extremely inexpensive or free to maintain!

I enrolled in RCIA and to be frank, while the class was wonderful in its own special way, I learned the most from resources I found online and books I found recommended on Catholic blogs and websites. RCIA just touches the tip of the iceberg.

Thank you very much for contributing to this thread. I welcome you wholeheartedly and I appreciate very much your wonderful (name removed by moderator)ut! Just when I feel like quitting the Forum, I find inspiring stories. Thank you!

 

[JReducation]

Thank you very much for contributing to this thread. I welcome you wholeheartedly and I appreciate very much your wonderful (name removed by moderator)ut! Just when I feel like quitting the Forum, I find inspiring stories. Thank you!

Sister,

Take it from an old friar who is probably old enough to be your father . . . LOL. Never quit. Someone is always listening.

Our holy father Francis once said that the Catholics were in greater need of the Gospel than the Saracens, because the Catholics knew love and did not love in return. He founded his third order, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, to do penance for the salvation of Catholics.

If I’m correct, you own Carmelites took the inspiration for a Third Order from the Franks. Third Orders, regular and secualr, never give up. They just keep chipping away at the stone.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sister_Helena]

Sister,

Take it from an old friar who is probably old enough to be your father . . . LOL. Never quit. Someone is always listening.

Our holy father Francis once said that the Catholics were in greater need of the Gospel than the Saracens, because the Catholics knew love and did not love in return. He founded his third order, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, to do penance for the salvation of Catholics.

If I’m correct, you own Carmelites took the inspiration for a Third Order from the Franks. Third Orders, regular and secualr, never give up. They just keep chipping away at the stone.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Hello JR,

Thanks for your kind words. Someone sent me a PM too about the same thing. I just wasn’t too sure if the seed is falling anywhere.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Sister,

Take it from an old friar who is probably old enough to be your father . . . LOL. Never quit. Someone is always listening.

*As someone who has been in religious life and am soon to return [Bless the Lord and all the Saints]… I look forward to the posts by the many religious who take time from their busy schedules to post here. One never knows what post will hit home or help even one person… We can only pray that your efforts continue to bear fruit.

For myself I have been blessed and hope to be able to continue in the forums once I enter… we shall see what time allows…

Again my prayers that those religious who have given of their time will continue to find blessings as they minister to Gods people

Blessings of Peace and All Good!*

 

[juhothenero]

Hello JR,

Thanks for your kind words. Someone sent me a PM too about the same thing. I just wasn’t too sure if the seed is falling anywhere.

Hey. There are a lot of people who never answer to anything in blogs and forums but are reading them anyway. I am one of them. I almost don’t interact but just read what wiser people had to say. But that reading that I’ve been doing is a big part of the reason I became Catholic one and a half weeks ago, in a country where Catholics are just about 1% or less of the total population. We have 7 churches in a country that is bigger in size then UK. Is not easy to find a church here and it is even harder to find any material in our local language. That is why blogs and forums on the internet have been of big help. I do think you should continue writing for both blogs and forums because they truly have huge impact that only God will know.

 

[Sister_Helena]

Hey. There are a lot of people who never answer to anything in blogs and forums but are reading them anyway. I am one of them. I almost don’t interact but just read what wiser people had to say. But that reading that I’ve been doing is a big part of the reason I became Catholic one and a half weeks ago, in a country where Catholics are just about 1% or less of the total population. We have 7 churches in a country that is bigger in size then UK. Is not easy to find a church here and it is even harder to find any material in our local language. That is why blogs and forums on the internet have been of big help. I do think you should continue writing for both blogs and forums because they truly have huge impact that only God will know.

Thank you! I will continue to do what I’m doing for the sake of those who profit from them in whatever way. Thanks!

 

[Sister_Helena]

It is a challenge to argue that Religious on the Net actually makes a difference. I think because you hear lots of stories out there. I was so encouraged by what the Holy Father said about making use of the modern technology to do new evangelization. I hope many more Religious would heed that!

P.S I didn’t want this thread to die on the vine, so I encourage you to open some interesting discussions.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

It is a challenge to argue that Religious on the Net actually makes a difference. I think because you hear lots of stories out there. I was so encouraged by what the Holy Father said about making use of the modern technology to do new evangelization. I hope many more Religious would heed that!

P.S I didn’t want this thread to die on the vine, so I encourage you to open some interesting discussions.

:angel1: