Should I consider a third or secular order what with me having borderline personality disorder and all?

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. Should I consider joining a third order or secular order what with me having borderline personality disorder and all? I ask this because it is extremely hard for me to become grounded in the faith with borderline personality disorder as it causes me to switch religions frequently. What do you think?

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Third orders or secular orders are very much like religious orders for people living in the world. In a religious order, you make promises or vows to live that spirituality. The Catholic orders require that you are a Catholic. The order also requires you to have a formal discernment with them, whilst attending meetings and functions. If you have a mental disability which causes you to be unsure what you are truly called to, then I believe it would probably be best to live the Catholic faith as best you understand it. The only other alternative would be to join a ecumenical order.

If it helps to understand what I wrote, I found the requirements for a Lay Carmelite order (which I know you are interested in):

What requirements are necessary for membership in the Lay Carmelites?

A person wishing to become a candidate for admission to the Lay Carmelites must be a Catholic in good standing who is a registered member of a parish, who feels called by God to live more deeply his/her baptismal vocation as a member of the Carmelite Family according to the charism of the Carmelite Order. A candidate must be between 18 and 69 years of age when seeking entry to formation as a Lay Carmelite. A person is admitted to formation through an existing Lay Carmelite Community.

God bless!