Religious Orders and the Laity, Back to Basics

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Hi everyone. I am interested in learning more about some of the Laity groups within certain Religious Orders like the Lay Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Benedictines, etc… I would like to know some basic information about the various different groups. like what is their purpose, what are the expectations of an individual, what other sort of involvement is there, etc…

I have quite a few books to read over the next several months, but it would be nice to learn some of the basics in the mean time. I would like to hear your personal experiences. Also, what are the beneifts of being involved?

Thanks in advance, and God Bless!
 
Hi Rich,

One group not on the list that may be worth your consideration are the Camaldolese. They’re a branch of the Benedictine tradition who have both communal and eremitic aspects and for me really strike a nice balance. The oblate webpage for their US monastery is camaldolese.com/. There are suggested readings there (all are available from the monastery’s store – some are hard to find on Amazon).

To give you a flavor of their spirituality, here is St Romuald’s brief rule (he was the founder of the order, more info at newadvent.org/cathen/13179b.htm):

**Sit in your cell as in paradise;
put the whole world behind you and forget it;
like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch
keep a careful eye on your thoughts. **

**The path you follow is in the psalms – don’t leave it.
If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t
accomplish what you want, take every chance you can find
to sing the psalms in your heart and to understand them
with your head; if your mind wanders as you read
don’t give up but hurry back and try again. **

**Above all realize that you are in God’s presence;
hold your heart there in wonder as if before your sovereign. **

**Empty yourself completely;
sit waiting, content with God’s gift,
like a little chick tasting and eating nothing
but what its mother brings. **
 
Thanks for the replies so far, but I would still like to hear some personal comments on your involvement with any of these orders.
 
I invite you to visit this thread where I relate my contacts with an OCDS community where I’ve started my novitiate this year.

:blessyou:
 
RichT said:
Hi everyone. I am interested in learning more about some of the Laity groups within certain Religious Orders like the Lay Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Benedictines, etc… I would like to know some basic information about the various different groups. like what is their purpose, what are the expectations of an individual, what other sort of involvement is there, etc…

I have quite a few books to read over the next several months, but it would be nice to learn some of the basics in the mean time. I would like to hear your personal experiences. Also, what are the beneifts of being involved?

Thanks in advance, and God Bless!
Click to expand...
Here are a few:

Mercy Associates; Sisters of Mercy
sistersofmercy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=42&Itemid=96

Benedictine Oblate, SJU Abbey, Collegeville MN
abbeyvocations.com/content/view/25/48/

St Benedict Monastery, St Joseph MN
sbm.osb.org/OurCommunity/JoinUs/AsanOblate/tabid/136/Default.aspx

Jesuits:
jesuit.org/Partnerships/LayJesuitVolunteerOpportunities/default.aspx
 
I am a member of the Confraternity of the Passion.

This a group of lay people attached to the Passionist order. The Passionists are wonderful group of religous and lay people. I have found in this order what I had been seaching for - a devout group of Catholics in love with their faith. We meet once a month in their beautiful monastery which lucky for me is only a 10 minute trip from my house.

The Sunday starts with the praying of the rosary, then confession,followed by Mass. Afterwards their is coffee and cake, and alittle discussion on upcoming events and issues important to the order and everyone attached to it. Sometimes we discuss saints attached to the order or their history to. I am invested in the Passionist scapular as well, which is something that all confraternity members are urged to wear, and can only be sold, blessed, and given out by the order themselves.

I find it fulfilling and something I really look forward to. It helps me feel more connected to my faith, and their charism of preaching Jesus crucified really hits home for me. Other orders have different charisms and missions. Some are contemplative, some specialise in teaching, others are missionary. Half the fun of getting into an order is doing all the research to find one that matches what you are looking for.

I would definetly tell anyone intersted in getting deeper and more connected with their faith to look into a lay organization in the Church. The Catholic faith offers so many ways to get deeper into the faith and closer to Jesus, and lay organisations are a great way to do that…

Her’s a link - confraternityofthepassioninternational.org/index.htm
 
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