That’s possible – I’m not familiar with the lay Carmelite orders. For Franciscans, it should be about a 50-50 split – active/contemplative. That’s pretty much the way Francis did it.
Thank you! That makes a lot more sense to me now. So basically, if I wanted to follow the spirituality of the community of nuns that were at my school, I could join a SFO; and I would not have to become a nun, which would be the requirement for the Third Order Franciscans.
Really, how is that?
I am in the process of becomming a Lay Carmelite and what attracted me to them was that the charism given to the Carmelites is contemplation. What is the specific charism as detailed in the Rule for Franciscans?That’s possible – I’m not familiar with the lay Carmelite orders. For Franciscans, it should be about a 50-50 split – active/contemplative. That’s pretty much the way Francis did it.
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After reading more about this order and the Charism of the Carmelites and prayer I am coming close to thinking of joining this order as well. Although I do alot things they have rules of the couple things i dont do i want to start practising before I talk to anyone about joining. I am going to start with the Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina is an excellent practice, and highly recommended for lay Carmelites, which many do for their daily half hour of mental prayer. We even do it in community at our monthly meetings.
The best way to get a sense of what the Secular Franciscans are all about is to read their rule, which I’ve linked to, below. It’s four pages – sounds like a lot, but it’s just 26 short articles.
They can attend information meetings together and have a prayer partner for the Liturgy of the Hours.
I encourage you to research the different orders and figure what the different spiritualities are about. Becoming a member of a Third Order is not like joining a club like the Knights of Columbus. A Third Order is a way of life. You have to determine which order you are being called to. Research Franciscan spirituality vs. Carmelite spirituality. Talk to people in both. Attend meetings of both if you are interested in both. Read books on both. Read the rules of both.
I think what the person was getting as is that most people don’t realize that most secular Orders are for both males and females and that if both husband and wife are called, they can both join the same secular order.They can attend information meetings together and have a prayer partner for the Liturgy of the Hours.
I still feel very drawn to it.I know there would be a few things i need to work out with myself but isnt that a part of religon
One of the lay Carmelites in our community recently left to join the Benedictines (I don’t know if she will get the permission to switch). When I heard this news I also was told that you don’t have to be Catholic to be a Benedictine Oblate. I was wondering if that was true? I’m just a little curious about that.
None of us in the Lay Carmelites feel we have “arrived” at any special place in our spiritual journey. It is the desire to go on the journey that counts! And, being in a like-minded community is inspiring.
It does happen that occasionally someone has discerned wrongly about a community they should be in. With the help of the superiors in the Benedictines, hopefully, that person can be directed if that is where they should be.
I belong to the Lay Carmelite Third Order, and we call each other by our first names. At our monthly meetings, and other special Carmelite gatherings we wear a large brown Ceremonial Scapular which is approximately 6 x 8 inches, over our regular clothing.