What do we mean by spirituality?

[Klydewannab]

I was watching The Journey Home. It was a rerun with Mother Angelica and she mentioned that she felt one thing Catholics needed to be educated in was how to find their spirituality. Which got me thinking, what do we, as Catholics, mean be spirituality? How is it different from Protestant or non-Christian thinking?

I have a friend who has left the church, but claims to be “spiritual”. I’m not sure what she means by this, and her answers are very vague. What do you guys out there on the forum think people mean when they say that.

Also, Mother Angelica began to talk about some different spiritualities. She said as a Franciscan, her spirituality was rooted in loving Jesus. A Dominican (while also loving Jesus) would focus more on the reasoning of faith. I also hear a lot about Carmelite spirituality, without ever hearing what that means. I realize Mother Angelica was simplifying for television, but I wonder what are some of the different spiritualities? Especially, Franciscan, Dominican, Benedictine, Carmelite, Ignatian and Augustinian. How does one find the spirituality that best suits them?

Any help, in any of these areas, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[InLight247]

Below is from EWTN website answered by Fr. Sepra
You can also go to newadvent.org to read more as mentioned in the article.

Re: What distinguishes Franciscans, Benedictines and Jesuits?

Benedictine monks live their motto of “Ora et Labora” in that they spend a good part of the day singing the Lord’s praises in the Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office as it is traditionally known. They also work to support themselves either by manual labor or through teaching. They also spend time each day in “Lectio Divina” (divine reading) which is a way of seeking union with God by reading Scripture (mostly Scripture) and allowing Scripture to speak to them. This activity lies at the very heart of what it mean to be a Benedicitne. The make one vow of Stability which binds them to one monastic community and the conversion of their ways which is a turning to a way of life that is immersed in God. The traditional vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience are included in this one commitment. Their whole way of life is dependant on the daily monastic structure which is punctuated by communal liturgical prayer and work.

Franciscans are not monks, but friars. They make the traditional three vows, but do not commit to one house of their order. They do live in community and engage daily in the Liturgy of the Hours, but their work is generally with the poor. Their distinct spirituality centers them around the poor Christ. As Friars Minor (little brothers), as they are called, they attempt to influence the world by their example of a life lived simply and completely for their crucified Lord. St. Francis is quoted as telling his friars to preach and if necessary to use words.

The Society of Jesus, which is the official name for the Jesuits differs greatly from the two religious families just mentioned. Unlike the monks and friars who live within a monastic framework, punctuated by the Liturgy of the Hours in common, Jesuits have an internal structure. Their monastery is in their heads, in a sense. They are free to live singly on in groups. It doesn’t really matter. St. Ignatius deliberately designed his order to available at a moments notice to go where they are needed. He fashioned his order with a fourth vow to be at the complete disposal of the Church in the person of the pope. There are some Jesuits today who would like to dispute this and suggest that St. Ignatius only meant that they would go where needed. But history shows a much more generous gesture on the part of their founder. He was most loyal to the vicar of Christ on earth.

This is all too brief, but it’s all we can do here. Certainly, all three orders are committed to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ as lived and celebrated in the community of the Catholic Church. Read more about them on newadvent.org.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

 

[Eileen_T]

The various Orders and Movements have prayer traditions that are peculiar to them.

Rosaries, litanies, novenas, Adoration, works of mercy, Lectio Divina, meditations, etc…

My mother is Third Order Marist, some friends are Third Order Benedictines.

"Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way we shall put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment, which is mentioned in our Rule: “Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord.”
Carmelite Constitutions (No. 82)

Dominican spirituality is rooted in the vocation of the preacher - being filled with the wonder of the Good News of salvation, which they want to share with the world.

Ten Characteristics of Augustinian Spirituality

1. The search for God
2. Love as the centre of Christian life
3. Love of God as love of each other
4. The parable of the Last Judgement (Matthew 25)
5. Christian community and friendship
6. The love of Scripture
7. Interiority
8. The Total Christ
9. Faith-Hope-Love
   10.Grace and Freedom

 

[dessert]

I was watching The Journey Home. It was a rerun with Mother Angelica and she mentioned that she felt one thing Catholics needed to be educated in was how to find their spirituality. Which got me thinking, what do we, as Catholics, mean be spirituality? How is it different from Protestant or non-Christian thinking?

I have a friend who has left the church, but claims to be “spiritual”. I’m not sure what she means by this, and her answers are very vague. What do you guys out there on the forum think people mean when they say that.

Also, Mother Angelica began to talk about some different spiritualities. She said as a Franciscan, her spirituality was rooted in loving Jesus. A Dominican (while also loving Jesus) would focus more on the reasoning of faith. I also hear a lot about Carmelite spirituality, without ever hearing what that means. I realize Mother Angelica was simplifying for television, but I wonder what are some of the different spiritualities? Especially, Franciscan, Dominican, Benedictine, Carmelite, Ignatian and Augustinian. How does one find the spirituality that best suits them?

Any help, in any of these areas, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I saw that same rerun show.

This is a good question for I think that you are essentially asking about the vows a person takes.

Can I take a certain vow of spirituallity on my own?

Is it binding?

Another question I wanted to ask but won’t start a thread on it because it is a more simple hopefully with a simple answer.
Should I make a vow or promise to someone who is dieing ie; to take care of their dog the rest of it’s life, is this binding with God?

Can I make a vow and still feel I am obligated or will God understand if I can’t keep it.

Will I be mortally sinning by sending this person to heaven thinking I am going to keep a promise?

Dessert

 

[Klydewannab]

Eileen, it seems that you are saying that spirituality is how a person approaches God through their choice of prayer and interaction with others. I guess that’s what I was wondering. How do we define spirituality and the different kinds of spirituality? If Mother Angelica feels people need to define their spirituality, how would one do that? Are there books on it?

I understand the vows taken by religious orders and what they mean, what I want to understand is what makes them essentially different from each other.

 

[dessert]

I know of a nun who will not pray the rosary because she said her order was not taught it. We could not understand why she wouldn’t, but respected her wishes.
Dessert

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

Spirituality is a great, sincere love and awe of God, and a special friendship with Him.Religion is the science by which it is acheived.