Traditional Monastic "Foundations" in USA

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I think the primary purpose of CAF is to answer specific questions with specific useful information, and elicit prayers. Readers of this thread, let’s pray for those discerning a monastic vocation.

I don’t have any specific information that is useful. Lots of opinions, few of which are useful.
 
To couch this vein of the conversation, I am not here to discuss what is or is not traditional so please do not go on doing so. If I what I am looking for is still not clear, I’m sorry but refrain from replying and simply pray for me. I believe I have clarified the intention of my original post. Basta.
 
I’m sorry but my reply is relevant. I’ve been hanging around Benedictines for nearly 20 years. Of all flavours, contemplative, with or without apostolates and with varying traditions.

You are asking for things not related specifically to a monastic charism. I happen to know a postulant who came here because even though we do the OF exclusively it is the most traditional house in Canada. He was not accepted by the community specifically because he was seeking a « point in time » notion of tradition. He ended up in Clear Creek (we are in the same congregation), and washed out of there as well. Same reason.

The points I made are fundamental to discerning a monastic vocation.

I will pray for you!
 
OraLabora said:
If you’re discerning for a monastery, what is important to me is not the Mass tradition you’re joining but the monastic tradition you are joining. Get the latter wrong, and you will be miserable for a very long time. Getting it right, will have more to do with your fit in the community than the liturgy.
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To which I would add, the period before your first formal vows are for you to see if that community fits; but it is also for that community to see if you fit. And going to Europe to see if there is a community which meets your perceived needs may possibly present you with another issue - which is language (unless you find an English speaking community).
 
I understand, but with all respect I have a specific question and if you do not have an answer to that specific question and wish to discuss topics related to the original question, please start another thread.
 
I think Ora Labora gave you two answers; one concerning “tradition”’ from the aspect of the rules of the community, and one, in his last sentence, concerning “tradition” from the aspect of the Mass.

You may not like, or maybe just don’t want, any discussion of one or the other of those points, and your language in your most recent post is polite, but that last post itself is rude.
 
nbhart said:
I understand, but with all respect I have a specific question and if you do not have an answer to that specific question and wish to discuss topics related to the original question, please start another thread.
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I fail to see how this is rude. I am not opposed to discussing what is tradition, but I simply ask it to be on another thread. I have apologized for my ambiguity and I have tried to clarify my question which is is simply, "What are the monastic communities (unofficial, private or public associations, diocesan rite, etc.) in the USA which exclusively use the Extraordinary Form?"
 
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It seems from the OP that you are discerning a vocation. I answered the way I did not to discuss, but to inform of some of the possible pitfalls of a vocational discernment based on liturgical tradition alone.

It wasn’t for discussion. It was for advice. I have seen too many monastic vocations end up in tears because there really wasn’t a monastic vocation.

Like I say to my kids, my advice is free, and you get what you pay for. You are free to take it or leave it.
 
Instead if taking a swipe at what was said in an answer to you, you might have either maintained silence, or said “thank you”. You started this conversation and did not define what you meant by “tradition” which left you open to the answer - actually two answers - which you received. Ora Labora made mention of a 1500 year old “tradition” amongst the community which is close to him, and also answered the community of which he was familiar - which uses the “traditional” Mass.

You are clearly a very articulate person and of above average intelligence. That does not excuse rudeness to an answer given in good faith to a question which was not clarified as to the use of the term “tradition”, and your suggestion of starting another thread is all too easily seen as dismissive.

That may not be how you intended it to be, but that is how you come across. I presume your good intent. Had you explained in your original post what you have explained in your most recent post, I suspect you would have received a more direct answer to your question. And I have no objection to your request for no critiques, opinions or arguments… His response was none of those; it was intended as “fatherly” advice (as he and I are also likely old enough to qualify for that). “Suggesting” he take his comments elsewhere is lacking in charity, as it was not a critique, opinion or argument. I use the word “suggesting” as it did not come across as such - it came across as abrupt and rude.
 
. . . . Again, for anyone coming to the thread for the first time my (the OP’s) question is essentially: "What are the monastic communities (unofficial, private or public associations, diocesan rite, etc.) in the USA which exclusively use the Extraordinary Form?"
 
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Opps, you want the TLM

The Only one I know of, is not in union with Rome
 
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Clear Creek is in communion, that is the only one I know of that is in union with Rome, at least on the Benedictine side. I’m not familiar with the other orders though.
 
@nbhart,

I think the point @OraLabora and @otjm are trying to make is that when it comes to the traditional monastic orders (Benedictines, Norbertines, Trappists, Carthusians, etc.) it’s not their charism to preserve the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. If you feel called to one of those orders, you’ll be called to them because of the Rule and charism of the order itself, not because of the form of the Mass they celebrate.

I would add that even if you should find a monastic order that currently celebrates the Extraordinary Form, that practice itself could easily be changed by a future Abbot. Then what would you do? You would have taken a vow of obedience, and now in obedience you’d be “stuck” with the Ordinary Form.

If it’s the Extraordinary Form that you want, why not just join the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter or the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest? But if it’s the monastic life that you want, then find a good monastic community. Several posters here have offered you some great options to explore.

I notice that your profile picture is of Mar Charbel. Have you considered either of the Maronite Catholic monastic communities in the U.S.? You won’t get the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (or the Ordinary Form for that matter), but you will get solid monastic communities.
 
I understand what they are saying and what you are saying. My question is only: "What are the monastic communities (unofficial, private or public associations, diocesan rite, etc.) in the USA which exclusively use the Extraordinary Form?"
 
You have your answer. You have had your answer since you started your OP. There aren’t any additional options. Good luck with your vocational discernment.
 
I’m seeking for obscure communities about which I don’t know and just because you don’t know of such obscure communities either (exactly because they are obscure) does not mean they don’t exist. So for you and @otjm to seemingly say “we’ve given you an answer and there are no further answers so stop asking” appears to be a sign of intellectual hubris. Some people have given suggestions of communities for which I am thankful (such as Carthusians (@Todd_Easton), Gethsemani(@Agnus-Dei), Norbertines (@CTBcin), Clear Creek(@OraLabora), Wyoming Carmelites (@Jesuslover) , @Mrs_cloisters_OP etc.), but more people keep on giving suggestions and answers to questions which I have not asked. Then others on top of that go on defending these answers to unasked questions. They only reason I keep on asking my question is because people keep on responding as if to another question convincing me they either don’t understand my question or don’t care about my question but about their own opinions. If my question is unclear, ask about what is not clear. If you don’t care about my question, don’t answer. Quite plain and simple.

At least for EVERYONE whether or not you agree with a religious community exclusively using the Extraordinary Form, whether or not you think that is important to discernment, simply focus on answering the only question at hand. Consequently, if you do not have an answer to that question that’s just fine because neither do I, that’s why I’m asking but then simply refrain from posting at all. Ignorance and silence are not bad things. In fine, I would rather have no answers to my question at all than answers to questions I never asked.

Nevertheless I hope big brother moderator does not come along to delete most, if not all, of this post like he has another of mine on this thread.
 
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Fine.

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Communities which celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite | EWTN

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There’s a list of religious communities in the U.S. that only celebrate the Extraordinary Form.

Here’s a list of religious communities worldwide that only celebrate the Extraordinary Form:


There’s a portion of that list that shows communities within the U.S. Apparently not all of the communities have a website, so you can do some digging and see if there is a number you can call.

Peace and Blessings.
 
When you enter whatever community God is calling you to, please remember me, a poor sinner, in your prayers.
 
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