Spirituality of religious orders in Catholic tradition

[jwinch2]

Brother JR,

I am curious if you could give us a bit of a break down on the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (TOR). My wife and I went to a class on Eschatology, where the priest who taught was a TOR. He did a very nice job and we had a great discussion. He mentioned being a Franciscan and we chatted a bit afterwards.

Thanks in advance!

Jason

 

[JReducation]

For those who want to know what a Franciscan Friar should look like in public.

View attachment 12841

The answer is . . . .

We should look like a bunch of homeless men with a cord around our waste. That’s our contribution to Catholic Tradition.

But we’re cute. :yup:

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

Brother JR,

I am curious if you could give us a bit of a break down on the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (TOR). My wife and I went to a class on Eschatology, where the priest who taught was a TOR. He did a very nice job and we had a great discussion. He mentioned being a Franciscan and we chatted a bit afterwards.

Thanks in advance!

Jason

The Brothers and Sisters of Penance was the third order that St. Francis founded around 1221. Originally, they were diocesan priests, single people living in the world, and married couples. Francis gave them a very special rule, which was different from the rules that he had given to the Friars Minor and the Poor Clares.

To the Friars Minor he gave the Rule of Obedience, which commands absolute and unquestioning obedience to Francis, the pope and bishops. They obeyed Francis’ command to posses nothing in common or individually, to have no permanent residence, but to move around; to call no one Father except Francis; to serve the Church in anything, except among the middle classes and up; to preach, but to avoid all confrontations (argumentativeness, he called it). It was pretty clear what the friars were to obey.

To the Poor Clares he gave the Rule of Poverty, which commands that they own nothing either individually or as a community. They must be totally dependent on the laity to provide for their every material need and the laity has a moral duty to do so (This was Francis’ command to the laity around them). The nuns spent their lives in giving praise and thanksgiving. The relationship between the nuns and the world was very clear. It has been this way until today. The nuns open a monastery and the local Catholic community is morally bound to support it. The local bishop sees to this. This is also true of the Discalced Carmelite nuns.

To his third order, he gave the rule of penance. It’s life was to do penance for those who do not do so and to convert Catholics back to Christianity. They had a double mission. They build the Church through their lives of penance and their preaching and teaching among Catholics. One of the mandates was to get Catholics to lay down their arms and to refrain from professing allegiance to any country or monarch who violates the moral law. They were to be very involved in the political affairs of the world around them in the quest for peace.

By the year 1230, there were many Brothers of Penance who had professed to live the evangelical counsels of obedience, poverty and chastity. These brothers gathered under one roof with a common superior. Once you make vows, you become a consecrated man. You cease to be a secular Catholic and you become a Regular Catholic. These men came to be known as the Regular Brothers of Penance and their brothers who did not make vows were known as the Secular Brothers of Penance.

You have to remember that in Italian, there is no female word for fraternity, unlike English where we fraternity and sisterhood or sorority. These fraternities could be of either gender. The original ones were males.

As time passed the two groups grew very large and governing them became a nightmare. The Church separated them assigning to each its own General Minister, who with his counsel governs the order. They came to be known as:

The Third Order Regular (TOR)
The Third Order Secular (TOS)

Over the years, the two communities tried different names that would identify them as Franciscans, without confusing them with the Friars Minor who had come to be known as Franciscans as well, being the sons of St. Francis. Nothing really worked.

 

[JReducation]

Today, the friars in the third order are known as the Franciscan Brothers of Penance of the Third Order Regular (TOR) and the seculars in the third order are known as the Order of Franciscans Secular (OFS) not to be confused with OSF (Order of St. Francis).

In the USA, because Americans always tend to be contrary, they refused to use the name Order of Franciscans Secular, arguing that it made them sound like friars and did not place enough emphasis on the fact that they are secular men and women who are deacons, priests, popes, single and married, but not consecrated. They ask for permission and it was granted to be called the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO).

The TOR and the SFO share the same rule with the difference that the TOR are consecrated; therefore, they live together as friars or as sisters (but never nuns).

The SFO are not consecrated and live in their homes or rectories, but maintain an ongoing fraternal relationship through meetings, common formation, shared ministry, shared charism and vision.

The ordinal term, “third” does not mean that the third order ranks less in some kind of hierarchy. It simply refers to the sequence in which Francis founded the three orders.

The TOR and the SFO have the same type of government as the Friars Minor (OFM, OFM Cap, OFM Conv). They are governed by a rule, which is enforced by the successor of St. Francis who is the General Minister for each order. All of the General Ministers are successors of Francis as all of the bishops are successors of the Apostles. The line of succession goes back to Francis without interruption. Every time that a new group is created, it is always founded and headed by a Franciscan (male or female) who belongs to one of the existing communities.

Over the centuries, the TOR became so large that it broke down into smaller orders. All of them have different names. But you will know us because we sign OSF after our names. This means that we belong to the Order of St. Francis and that we came out of the TOR or the SFO. My particular community was merger between an OFM Cap and three SFOs.

There you have it. The TOR are truly Franciscan, founded by St. Francis. The early members were seculars who chose to live the consecrated life. Once they became consecrated, they lost their status as secular Catholic and became regular Catholics.

The Church uses regular for anyone who is in vows and secular for anyone who is not in vows. The term comes from the Latin, Regula, to be governed by a rule of life. It was more than a rule of life. The secular follow the same rule of life. It means to live a regulated life day to day, which makes them different from the secular Catholic who has the freedom to choose how he’s going to live his life today.

The TOR Friars are scholars, preachers, spiritual masters and often they may run parishes. But like the other Franciscans, parish work is one that they avoid as much as possible, because that would require ordaining many men. The Franciscan ideal has always been to place the stress on the fraternal life, not on priestly ministry. There is a surplus of priests among Franciscans and the tendency today is to promote Franciscan life, which can be lived as an ordained friar or as a lay friar (not to be confused with layman).

I hope that’s not too confusing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[jwinch2]

I hope that’s not too confusing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Nope, not confusing at all. I was able to deduce a good deal of that based on past discussion on the forum, but you certainly filled in some gaps for me.

Thanks for taking the time!

 

[JReducation]

Nope, not confusing at all. I was able to deduce a good deal of that based on past discussion on the forum, but you certainly filled in some gaps for me.

Thanks for taking the time!

You will notice that the habit of the TOR is black. The original habit of the Order of Friars Minor was grey. Gradually, each province adopted a different color and different style of habit. There was no uniform habit for Franciscans. There still is not one. We’re one of the few religious families founded during the Middle Ages where the two founders, Francis and Clare, were not interested in a habit. It was not their intention that their sons and daughters be visible to the world, since none of the Franciscan orders were founded to serve in any particular ministry as were the Dominicans, Trinitarians and other mendicant orders.

The original ideal of Francis and Clare was the sanctification of the individual brother or sister, be he regular or secular. As far as apostolic work was concerned, Francis and Clare were not very concerned with any apostolic work in particular. Therefore, there was no need for a distinctive uniform as the Dominicans have. Every Dominican, male or female wears the same ensemble, white tunic and scapular with black mantle. Whether it’s a friar, cloistered nun or a teaching sister, they all look alike. They were meant to look to stand out. It’s part of preaching.

This was not the case with the Franciscans. We were meant to blend in with the poor. The habit was to be whatever the poor in your region wore. This was going to vary according to climate, customs, culture, taste, types of fabrics available and type of work. As the three orders grew and dispersed throughout Europe, they subdivided and each subdivision took on the dress of the local people.

However, Francis and Clare did write into the rule that the habit had to be a tunic with a cord. They didn’t care how long or how short the tunic, what color or what fabric. The women could wear veils or no veils. All of that was irrelevant. It had to be a tunic with a cord, because that’s what the homeless people of the time wore. The rope around the waste was used to tie their few belongings together or to tether an animal that they might have, if they had one.

The TORs in France adopted the black tunic with the cord and a shoulder cape with a cowl. This was a common way of dress for the secular clergy. Remember, the Brothers of Penance were originally secular. This was appropriate for them. Even though only some of them were priests, they borrowed the dress of the secular priests, but with a cord instead of a sash, which the secular priests wore. This habit spread through the Third Order Regular until all of their provinces were wearing the black tunic and cord.

The Order of Friars Minor Conventual also adopted the black tunic, cord and shoulder cape with cowl. The difference between the OFM Conv and the TOR is that the TOR have seven pleats on the front of their habit. They do not wear a rosary and like the rest of the Franciscan men, the use of a crucifix is highly forbidden. Those communities that wear a side rosary, may have a small crucifix on the rosary, provided that it does not call too much attention to itself.

The habit should be the cross and the brother should be the corpus. The habits, regardless of their color and style all form a Tau when you lay them on a flat surface. But the TOR “Tau” habit has pleats in front. Seven, for the 7 joys of Mary.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[RogerDeCourcy]

For those who want to know what a Franciscan Friar should look like in public.

View attachment 12841

The answer is . . . .

We should look like a bunch of homeless men with a cord around our waste. That’s our contribution to Catholic Tradition.

But we’re cute. :yup:

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Made me laugh. ‘Cute’ is not a word I’d normally I’d associate with friars.
*
“Hey Father, looking good today! New cincture?”*

 

[Alfonsus]

Forgive me, Br JR, but I need to pose a question since my mind is a bit confused.

While I understand TOR have different rule than OFM and different history, but after these years what is basically different between the two of them?

Are the TOR also adopted tunic and cord as their habit?
How about their ministry and what they do every day that somehow different from OFM?

It is easier to understand third order regular from order of monks/nuns, such as Carmelite sisters are third order regular of the Carmelite Order of nuns.
But about the Fransiscans, the way of life between an OFM and TOR seems like simmilar from my point of view.

Would you explain a little bit regarding this topic?

 

[JReducation]

Forgive me, Br JR, but I need to pose a question since my mind is a bit confused.

While I understand TOR have different rule than OFM and different history, but after these years what is basically different between the two of them?

Are the TOR also adopted tunic and cord as their habit?
How about their ministry and what they do every day that somehow different from OFM?

It is easier to understand third order regular from order of monks/nuns, such as Carmelite sisters are third order regular of the Carmelite Order of nuns.
But about the Fransiscans, the way of life between an OFM and TOR seems like simmilar from my point of view.

Would you explain a little bit regarding this topic?

The spiritual life of the TOR and the OFM is very different. The focus of the TOR is to live a life of on-going penance. The focus of the OFM is to achieve absolute and unquestioning obedience. These goals affect how they approach daily life.

Ministerially, there are also differences. The Order of Friars Minor (OFM, OFM Conv, and OFM Cap) has not particular ministry in the Church. The friars can undertake any ministry as long as it’s not among the middle class or higher or they can undertake no ministry at all and simply live in a given neighborhood. Their presence is their ministry.

The Third Order Regular (TOR) has specific ministries. Some branches are educators. Others work with the poor and the voiceless. Other friars do parish work in poor areas. Some are hermits. There are branches that are in healthcare. AIDS ministry is a big one in the area of healthcare. They also have branches that do nothing but social justice ministry. Some branches are very involved in the political arena of the day. Francis commanded this. They help point citizens and governments to moral solutions to public problems. These friars are experts in social and political sciences as well as moral theology. Others, such as the MFVA, are in the area of communication. A community such as mine exists to proclaim the Gospel of Life for the sake of the unborn, the terminally ill and the elderly and to do penance in atonement for the culture of death. Another community such as the Franciscans of the Atonement, were erected to lead the Church’s work in ecumenism. They defined ecumenism for the Catholic Church under the authority of Pope Pius X. They have always worked alongside Protestants in many ministries with the approval of Pope Pius X.

There are many branches to the Third Order Regular. The mother of the entire Third Order Regular is the Brothers of Penance. The original Brothers of Penance still exist. In the USA they are scholars. They run Franciscan University and St. Francis University.

The habit of the original TOR is the black tunic and cord. The other Third Orders Regular communities have different habits or no habit. The Third Order rule does not require a habit. Only the Rule of the Friars Minor requires a tunic and cord. There are no more details in the rule. St. Clare does not require a habit. She leaves it up to the taste of the nuns, local culture and climate. As long as the superior of the house approves, they can wear whatever they vote on.

The TOR voted on the black tunic, cowl and cord. That is not required by the Third Order Rule. That was their choice. The rule neither prohibits nor encourages a habit. It’s just not mentioned.

The Franciscan Third Order (Regular and Secular) is very different from the other third orders in several ways.

1. It is the model upon which the Dominicans, Carmelites and others founded their third orders. Francis founded the first order of this kind.
2. It is autonomous from the first and second order, with its own government, mother house, resources and representative before the Holy Father. The other third orders are attached to the friars. The General Superior of the friars is also the General Superior of the Third Order and he represent them at the Vatican.
3. The Franciscan Third Order does not have a defined ministry, because Francis never defined ministry for any of his orders. His concern was their sanctification and the conversion of Catholics to Christianity. They were to convert Catholics by preaching through their presence. His understanding of presence was living and working alongside the laity without becoming one with the laity. Hence the term “preach always and when necessary, use words” or “let your walking be your preaching”. A third order like the Dominicans has a defined ministry, to preach. The Carmelites are to contemplate and so forth. Whether you’re a secular third order or a regular third order, you follow the lead of the founder. In the case of the Franciscans, the founder did not set up a ministry. Each fraternity selects its own.
4. All of the branches of the Franciscan Third Order (Regular and Secular) observe the same daily life of prayer and community, which is quite different from that of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM). The Friars Minor are much less formal in their liturgical life. Francis and Clare opposed formality and embraced austerity. The TOR were influenced by the secular clergy. They are more formal in their liturgical life with the exception of Gregorian chant. You still need permission to use it.

 

[JReducation]

The one area that is a very delicate area is the EF. Superiors do grant permission to celebrate it provided that the friars who celebrate it do not deviate from the Franciscan Liturgical Calendar. For them to follow the EF calendar and the rest of the friars to follow the Franciscan calendar separates them and the laity whom they serve from the rest of the Franciscan family.

The whole idea of serving the laity in parishes is to bring the laity to observe the Gospel in the manner of St. Francis, not in the manner of the Roman clergy. There is nothing wrong with the Roman clergy or with Eternal Rome. It’s just not what Eternal Rome wants us to promote. Rome specifically approved the three Franciscan rules because they were radically different from the rest of the Roman Church, but still very Latin. They combined the best of the monastic life and the secular life, the Christian life and Judaism (later Francis introduced some Islamic customs that are barely noticeable). They are open to clerics and women as equals, without being communities of priests or women. The life of prayer is very egalitarian. Franciscan women wield as much authority over the liturgical life of the order as do the men. It has been that way since the time of Clare. Whereas, in other orders, the women (secular and religious) follow the guidelines established by the males.

We discourage a male dominated family and a male dominated life of prayer and spirituality. This has been so since 1221. This is not some new thing that came out of the women’s movement. There are some restrictions that Canon Law places on women and liturgical governance. These have changed over and over again each time Canon Law is revised. Even today, Canon Law says one thing, but there are indults in the files of the Franciscans that exempt them from many of these laws. Pope Paul VI and Bl. John Paul, both whom worked on the revision of 1983, wanted the religious orders to go back to their roots. Sometimes there was a conflict between the roots and the Code of Canon Law. Indults had to be issued. Some indults exempt you from certain Canons and some indults exempt you from certain statutes in the original rule.

I hope this helps a little. It’s a lot to try to cram into one post.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Melchior_1]

Are all “Third Orders” the third order founded for that order?

 

[jwinch2]

One of the things that Franciscan I spoke with mentioned is that sometimes their definition of “poor” might be different than other members of the Franciscan family. He specifically mentioned that being “poor in spirit” was something that they considered. The example he gave was a boarding school for upper middle class kids but which contained many children whose parents simply dumped them off so that they could be free of them for a few months. Many of the kids felt neglected by their parents and had no sense of self-worth outside of money or their social status. In addition, they had no moral compass to ground themselves in because they were not being taught the faith, or much of anything else, at home. This particular group of the TOR decided that this school was a worthy ministry for them because of those things.

I found that pretty interesting.

Peace,

 

[JReducation]

One of the things that Franciscan I spoke with mentioned is that sometimes their definition of “poor” might be different than other members of the Franciscan family. He specifically mentioned that being “poor in spirit” was something that they considered. The example he gave was a boarding school for upper middle class kids but which contained many children whose parents simply dumped them off so that they could be free of them for a few months. Many of the kids felt neglected by their parents and had no sense of self-worth outside of money or their social status. In addition, they had no moral compass to ground themselves in because they were not being taught the faith, or much of anything else, at home. This particular group of the TOR decided that this school was a worthy ministry for them because of those things.

I found that pretty interesting.

Peace,

That’s a very Franciscan thing to do. I explain it to my novices and postulants as “listening to the voice of the Voiceless Christ.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[iloveangels]

The spiritual life of the TOR and the OFM is very different. The focus of the TOR is to live a life of on-going penance. The focus of the OFM is to achieve absolute and unquestioning obedience. These goals affect how they approach daily life.

Ministerially, there are also differences. The Order of Friars Minor (OFM, OFM Conv, and OFM Cap) has not particular ministry in the Church. The friars can undertake any ministry as long as it’s not among the middle class or higher or they can undertake no ministry at all and simply live in a given neighborhood. Their presence is their ministry.

The Third Order Regular (TOR) has specific ministries. Some branches are educators. Others work with the poor and the voiceless. Other friars do parish work in poor areas. Some are hermits. There are branches that are in healthcare. AIDS ministry is a big one in the area of healthcare. They also have branches that do nothing but social justice ministry. Some branches are very involved in the political arena of the day. Francis commanded this. They help point citizens and governments to moral solutions to public problems. These friars are experts in social and political sciences as well as moral theology. Others, such as the MFVA, are in the area of communication. A community such as mine exists to proclaim the Gospel of Life for the sake of the unborn, the terminally ill and the elderly and to do penance in atonement for the culture of death. Another community such as the Franciscans of the Atonement, were erected to lead the Church’s work in ecumenism. They defined ecumenism for the Catholic Church under the authority of Pope Pius X. They have always worked alongside Protestants in many ministries with the approval of Pope Pius X.

There are many branches to the Third Order Regular. The mother of the entire Third Order Regular is the Brothers of Penance. The original Brothers of Penance still exist. In the USA they are scholars. They run Franciscan University and St. Francis University.

The habit of the original TOR is the black tunic and cord. The other Third Orders Regular communities have different habits or no habit. The Third Order rule does not require a habit. Only the Rule of the Friars Minor requires a tunic and cord. There are no more details in the rule. St. Clare does not require a habit. She leaves it up to the taste of the nuns, local culture and climate. As long as the superior of the house approves, they can wear whatever they vote on.

The TOR voted on the black tunic, cowl and cord. That is not required by the Third Order Rule. That was their choice. The rule neither prohibits nor encourages a habit. It’s just not mentioned.

The Franciscan Third Order (Regular and Secular) is very different from the other third orders in several ways.

1. It is the model upon which the Dominicans, Carmelites and others founded their third orders. Francis founded the first order of this kind.
2. It is autonomous from the first and second order, with its own government, mother house, resources and representative before the Holy Father. The other third orders are attached to the friars. The General Superior of the friars is also the General Superior of the Third Order and he represent them at the Vatican.
3. The Franciscan Third Order does not have a defined ministry, because Francis never defined ministry for any of his orders. His concern was their sanctification and the conversion of Catholics to Christianity. They were to convert Catholics by preaching through their presence. His understanding of presence was living and working alongside the laity without becoming one with the laity. Hence the term “preach always and when necessary, use words” or “let your walking be your preaching”. A third order like the Dominicans has a defined ministry, to preach. The Carmelites are to contemplate and so forth. Whether you’re a secular third order or a regular third order, you follow the lead of the founder. In the case of the Franciscans, the founder did not set up a ministry. Each fraternity selects its own.
4. All of the branches of the Franciscan Third Order (Regular and Secular) observe the same daily life of prayer and community, which is quite different from that of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM). The Friars Minor are much less formal in their liturgical life. Francis and Clare opposed formality and embraced austerity. The TOR were influenced by the secular clergy. They are more formal in their liturgical life with the exception of Gregorian chant. You still need permission to use it.

This is a very helpful post for a Secular Franciscan or anyone hoping to find out more about the Third Order, in general.

 

[iloveangels]

…

In the USA, because Americans always tend to be contrary, they refused to use the name Order of Franciscans Secular, arguing that it made them sound like friars and did not place enough emphasis on the fact that they are secular men and women who are deacons, priests, popes, single and married, but not consecrated. They ask for permission and it was granted to be called the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO).

…

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Just recently, there has been a clarification about this, coming from our Minister General at the latest general chapter in Brazil, October 2011. The letter signed by the Minister General is here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=8842043&postcount=10

The circular summarizing the chapter also mentions it by name as one of the items of business they took up.

Quick Summary: The title “Secular Franciscan Order” and the acronym “SFO” are only translations. We are to use OFS behind our names now, regardless of our language group. We are all one order.

 

[jwinch2]

See the link below for a wonderful example of a Dominican Apostolate in the Southern Province of the United States.

congarinstitute.org/

The Congar Institute is a common initiative of Home Missions Leadership Conference, and Southern Dominican Province. Founded in 2005, our Institute offers comprehensive consulting for Diocesan personnel dedicated to the ministerial formation of lay leaders and deacons. Our services include diagnosis of needs and resources through the final evaluation of projects, including all the stages of development.

The Congar Institute and our partners in the Home Missions Leadership Conference are committed to the development of ministry by making new and excellent formation resources available to the local church. Our greatest resource is our people: highly educated, deeply committed, richly experienced Catholic ordained, religious, and lay ministers who care passionately about God’s people especially in those places where the church’s presence is limited or absent. Many of our Resource Persons have spent their whole ministerial lives working in what we call home mission areas, regions of the United States where the Catholic Church lacks the full complement of resources needed to address adequately the pastoral needs there. Recognizing that the reality of Catholic pastoral ministry is changing, we intend to share through local formation programs the treasure that we have with those who are stepping forward to assume that responsibility, in particular lay ecclesial ministers and deacons.

As I happen to feel that ongoing formation after confirmation is one of the greatest needs we have in the Church, I am particularly glad to see this.

Peace,

 

[Melchior_1]

Bumping this thread up so we don’t derail another one!

Regarding Dominicans and Franciscans, Brother JR was helping me understand what some of the differences are.

So, if I’m not mistaken; the Franciscans approach things in a lunchbox fashion, blue collar style. Roll up the sleeves and get down to business?

Meanwhile, the Dominicans are more methodical and intellectual, and try to approach things from that perspective?

 

[JReducation]

Bumping this thread up so we don’t derail another one!

Regarding Dominicans and Franciscans, Brother JR was helping me understand what some of the differences are.

So, if I’m not mistaken; the Franciscans approach things in a lunchbox fashion, blue collar style. Roll up the sleeves and get down to business?

Meanwhile, the Dominicans are more methodical and intellectual, and try to approach things from that perspective?

I like that. Is that copyrighted?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[Melchior_1]

I like that. Is that copyrighted?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Nope! It’s a figure of speech used up in my home town (small town folks have that kind of mentality).

I’ve always been a lunchbox kind of guy. Living simply, working hard with what I do. Making the most out of things and in several occasions simply flying by the seat of my pants coming up with stuff on the fly. That was the appeal of the Franciscans for the longest time in my life.

The appeal of the Dominicans is their thought process; I do think like they do. I break things down, I try to approach things psychologically and philosophically first, THEN figure out the spiritual implications. This is especially the case when talking with friends and colleagues who have fallen away from the Faith, or explaining things to non-believers.

I find that, even now, there are times I’m unsure though. I know Secular Orders are for me, but both Orders are so rich and appeal to me. The Franciscans with the lunchboxin’, and the Dominicans with the thought process. Although I decided to move forward with the Dominicans, with how long it’s taking to get the process even started I must admit it has me second guessing things. I see how God is working through you and in your community and I think “that’s for me”.

But…I also think about the kids at my Church, how some of them come from families with two cars and a house. They have fancy toys. Those teens need someone to help them find Christ. And that’s usually not where Franciscans are going to be found, and that’s where I truly feel I’m needed.

Sigh. Why can’t this be as easy as getting married?

 

[Thomas_Casey]

Nope! It’s a figure of speech used up in my home town (small town folks have that kind of mentality).

I’ve always been a lunchbox kind of guy. Living simply, working hard with what I do. Making the most out of things and in several occasions simply flying by the seat of my pants coming up with stuff on the fly. That was the appeal of the Franciscans for the longest time in my life.

The appeal of the Dominicans is their thought process; I do think like they do. I break things down, I try to approach things psychologically and philosophically first, THEN figure out the spiritual implications. This is especially the case when talking with friends and colleagues who have fallen away from the Faith, or explaining things to non-believers.

I find that, even now, there are times I’m unsure though. I know Secular Orders are for me, but both Orders are so rich and appeal to me. The Franciscans with the lunchboxin’, and the Dominicans with the thought process. Although I decided to move forward with the Dominicans, with how long it’s taking to get the process even started I must admit it has me second guessing things. I see how God is working through you and in your community and I think “that’s for me”.

But…I also think about the kids at my Church, how some of them come from families with two cars and a house. They have fancy toys. Those teens need someone to help them find Christ. And that’s usually not where Franciscans are going to be found, and that’s where I truly feel I’m needed.

Sigh. Why can’t this be as easy as getting married?

LOL

When did getting married get easy?

It’s very much like getting married. At the end of the day, the externals, the systems and the infrastructure does not matter. Religious orders are like wives. They get grey, plump, wrinkled and stiff. However, you’re still in love, because the affinity that drew you together does not change as you and everything else around you changes.

If we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, he will let us know when there is affinity. Anyone who wants to be a saint must be ready to go through many changes, because spiritual growth is not static. Since religious communities are schools of sanctity, don’t expect them to be the same in 25 years as they are today.

Look at the heart of the community and find one that matches your own. The other stuff falls into place. I speak from personal experience. I’m very intellectual. I love studying, learning, analyzing, pulling things apart and putting them back together. I have the mind of a Jesuit, but not the heart. I guess that’s why I’'m happy where I am. The Franciscan heart was a perfect match for me.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV