Resources for Discerning Lay Association with the Various Religious Orders?

[TimothyH]

We have several threads going about religious orders. I don’t want to take away from those. My intent here is to ask for resources for learning about the major orders. One of my goals for 2012 is to learn about the major orders including, history, charism, apostolate, place in the Church, spirituality, and anything else I need to know, in order to discern a lay association.

I am very familiar with the Cistercians. I have spent time at a Cistercian monastary (OCSO) and have read some of the rule as well as “Praying with Benedict” by Korneel Vermeiren, “The Cistercian Way” by Andre Louf, and “What Makes a Cistercian Monk” by Father Anthony Delsi.

So here are my specific quesitons…

In addition to Cistercian/Trappist, would like to explore the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelite orders. Who else? Is there anyone else? Who have I missed?

How can I experience these first hand? I have spent time at the Cistercian Monstery and left part of my heart there. Not a day goes by that I don’t long to be there. How can I experience these other orders first hand like that? Retreats? Email any of their members? Visit their houses? Volunteering? I live in suburban Atlanta. Trips within the neighboring states are not out of the question. Don’t be bashful to make suggestions here.

What are the major writings I should be reading for each? The Cistercians have a clear list of readings for those seeking lay association with the monastery. Do the other orders or houses have the same lists of resources which go with lay association? A holy man here on CAF suggested with regard to the Carmelites, that one not start with St. John of the Cross and St. Therese, but rather with some of the history of the time and place to get the proper context. This is the type of pragmatic advice I am looking for. **What readings do I need to come up to speed on the history, charism, apostolate, place in the Church and spirituality of these orders? **

What else? I always ask experts - my car mechanic, my retirement guy… what else do I need to know? What questions am I not asking that need to be asked?

PAX
-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

Or if you are a member of a secular order, simply share your story about how you knew which one was for you?

-Tim-

 

[puzzleannie]

I think you have been referred to this sticky on the Vocations sub-forum of Spirituality but here it is, on discerning third orders and lay associations
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=179983

has links to seculars of many of the religious orders

Or if you are a member of a secular order, simply share your story about how you knew which one was for you?

-Tim-

there are also a number of threads on the Vocations forum answering this question, as I have myself contributed to many of them, worth a look for you

 

[Melchior_1]

Off the top of my head; the Oblates aka the Benedictines. I’ll differ to our friend OraLabora on that one.

As for my story? I wrote it down and posted it right here. It’s a couple thousand words, so you may want to grab a coffee before reading.

I’ll have more to say later, but I’ll add that what was unsaid in that link is what became my final decision on the matter; I’m heading towards starting my formation with the Lay Dominicans this month (it better be!(,

 

[TimothyH]

I think you have been referred to this sticky on the Vocations sub-forum of Spirituality but here it is, on discerning third orders and lay associations
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=179983

has links to seculars of many of the religious orders

there are also a number of threads on the Vocations forum answering this question, as I have myself contributed to many of them, worth a look for you

The Vocations Forum… duh me.

-Tim-