Which Catholic "denomination"?

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ez3714

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I mean no malice with this question, but I am genuinely curious…even if it sometimes seems it’ll require surgery to detatch my tongue from my cheek.

I just visited the Carmelite website, and it posed the question, “Why would a person choose to become a Carmelite as opposed to a Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit?”

So, I would ask: “How would a newbie like me know if it was a Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit that just whapped him in the head with a two-by-four? How are they different?” Plain language, please…
 
ez3714 said:
I mean no malice with this question, but I am genuinely curious…even if it sometimes seems it’ll require surgery to detatch my tongue from my cheek.

I just visited the Carmelite website, and it posed the question, “Why would a person choose to become a Carmelite as opposed to a Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit?”

So, I would ask: “How would a newbie like me know if it was a Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit that just whapped him in the head with a two-by-four? How are they different?” Plain language, please…
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Just as there are different types of people due to our strengths, weaknesses and temperment, so too are slight differences found in the spirituality of this or that religious Order, which may appeal to this or that person. The Jesuits were formed to combat a certain heresy, and are very educated. Therefore, this Order may appeal to those with greater intellectual abilities. The Dominicans are a preachng orders which may appeal to those who are very articulate and enjoy preaching. Some orders of nuns or monks may spend most of their time in prayer; some may be nurses, or run orphanages, or schools, etc… The differences appeal to and are geared to the different types of people and personalities.

For a more detailed explanation of the various differences, you can access the Catholic encyclopedia at www.newadvent.org.
 
Well, if you got whapped in the head by a two by four, you can be pretty sure it wasn’t a Franciscan. 😉

Seriously though, the difference is in the “charisms” of the different orders, as Yours Truly noted. The Franciscans, for instance, live a life of simplicity and prayer dedicated to service, especially to the poor. The Carmelites, at least as I understand, are primarily “prayer warriors”. The Jesuits are primarily, I believe, engaged in educational work, though their missionary activities have also been widespread. The Dominicans tend to concentrate on preaching and learning, often as philosphers or theologians.

There are many other orders dedicated to various ministries such as work with orphans or the homeless, teaching, nursing, missionary work, etc. If you were looking for an order dedicated to some particular type of work you could most likely consult with your diocesan office of vocations for more information.

Peace,
 
ez3714 said:
I mean no malice with this question, but I am genuinely curious…even if it sometimes seems it’ll require surgery to detatch my tongue from my cheek.

I just visited the Carmelite website, and it posed the question, “Why would a person choose to become a Carmelite as opposed to a Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit?”

So, I would ask: “How would a newbie like me know if it was a Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit that just whapped him in the head with a two-by-four? How are they different?” Plain language, please…
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I am confused by the different orders also. But I think that the difference between orders and denominations is that a Carmelite can go to the same Mass as a Franciscan or Dominican or Jesuit. But Baptists typically go to Baptist Churches. And Methodists typically go to Methodist Churches.

I wish someone would do a side by side comparison of all these different orders.
 
ez3714 said:
I mean no malice with this question, but I am genuinely curious…even if it sometimes seems it’ll require surgery to detatch my tongue from my cheek.

I just visited the Carmelite website, and it posed the question, “Why would a person choose to become a Carmelite as opposed to a Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit?”

So, I would ask: “How would a newbie like me know if it was a Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit that just whapped him in the head with a two-by-four? How are they different?” Plain language, please…
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The Catholic Church is not a denomination and neither does it have denominations.
 
Our Lord in His Person contains all charisms; the various Orders (not “denominations”) of the Church reflect one of those charisms as they seek to build up the Body of Christ on earth by fidelity to their particular way of life: prayer, service to the poor, teaching, preaching, healing, etc., etc…
 
deb1 said:
I am confused by the different orders also. But I think that the difference between orders and denominations is that a Carmelite can go to the same Mass as a Franciscan or Dominican or Jesuit. But Baptists typically go to Baptist Churches. And Methodists typically go to Methodist Churches.

I wish someone would do a side by side comparison of all these different orders.
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Deb, you’re a bit confused here. Ez uses “denominations” incorrectly, he or she being a protestant might not be familiar with religious orders and therefore might think they are members of a different church. They aren’t. The Catholic Church is ONE and holy and apostolic, there are no denominations.

Jesuits and Dominicans and Franciscans and Carmelites are groups of priests, monks and nuns who live in community working towards Christian perfection by following a similar set of prescribed rules unique to each order. They are all equally and fully Catholic, each can go to any and whatever mass they like be it diocesan or religious or whatever, they are all equally Catholic.

Baptists and Methodists are Christian denominations and are not Catholic, they fall into a completely different category all together. Apples and zucchinis.
 
ez3714 said:
I mean no malice with this question, but I am genuinely curious…even if it sometimes seems it’ll require surgery to detatch my tongue from my cheek.

I just visited the Carmelite website, and it posed the question, “Why would a person choose to become a Carmelite as opposed to a Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit?”

So, I would ask: “How would a newbie like me know if it was a Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican or Jesuit that just whapped him in the head with a two-by-four? How are they different?” Plain language, please…
Click to expand...
If the Franciscan whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it was totally an accident, while he was repairing or building housing for poor people. (Female members of this Order are called “Poor Clares.”)

If a Carmelite whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it would be to help you to detach from the things of this world, and to enter into mental prayer and contemplation. Carmelites can be both male and female.

If a Dominican whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it would be beause he/she was actually intending to hit the desk in front of you - he/she was trying to get your attention, in order to teach you your Catechism. Dominicans are teachers.

If a Jesuit were to whap you in the head with a 2x4, it is because this ritual is important to the Aboriginal tribes of Godforsakenland, and he is teaching you this ritual, so that when you go to Godforsakenland, you will understand their culture and customs, so as to be able to evangelize them in an effective way that incorporates the good that we find in their original religion, and “baptizes” their good beliefs and customs, to make the transition to faith in Jesus Christ, without losing the good aspects of their ancestral ways. Jesuits are priest-missionaries.
 
jmcrae said:
If the Franciscan whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it was totally an accident, while he was repairing or building housing for poor people. (Female members of this Order are called “Poor Clares.”)

If a Carmelite whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it would be to help you to detach from the things of this world, and to enter into mental prayer and contemplation. Carmelites can be both male and female.

If a Dominican whapped you in the head with a 2x4, it would be beause he/she was actually intending to hit the desk in front of you - he/she was trying to get your attention, in order to teach you your Catechism. Dominicans are teachers.

If a Jesuit were to whap you in the head with a 2x4, it is because this ritual is important to the Aboriginal tribes of Godforsakenland, and he is teaching you this ritual, so that when you go to Godforsakenland, you will understand their culture and customs, so as to be able to evangelize them in an effective way that incorporates the good that we find in their original religion, and “baptizes” their good beliefs and customs, to make the transition to faith in Jesus Christ, without losing the good aspects of their ancestral ways. Jesuits are priest-missionaries.
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👍👍

And, at the risk of veering completely off-topic…

During a Eucharistic Congress, a number of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights go out.

The Benedictines continue praying from memory, without missing a beat.

The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obligation to pray Vespers.

The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God’s gift of darkness.

The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a signification of the transmission of divine knowledge.

The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady breathing.

The parish priest, who is hosting the others, goes to the basement and replaces the fuse.
 
Ok, this has totally deteriorated.

And I’m loving every minute of it (and getting a great education in the process).:extrahappy:
 
A poor parishioner was attending a retreat, and encountered a Jesuit and a Franciscan talking in the hallway. “Fathers,” he said, “How many Novenas must I pray, to get a Lambourgini?”

They looked at him in astonishment - the Franciscan said, “What is a Lambourgini?” and at the same time, the Jesuit asked, “What is a Novena?”

😛
 
So as you can see, the different orders Orders are just different groups within the Catholic Church who have been founded for different missions\reasons, such as teaching, evangelization, charity, prayer warriors, etc…

All believe the same thing and would go to the same Mass, they all profess the Creed, believe in Christ as our Saviour and are loyal to the Pope. (except of course you will find some who have individual members who have gone astray and maybe cause trouble for the Catholic Church, or influence others to stray)
We must pray for all our Christian friends.

In Christ
Scylla

(we had a thread once on Jesuit jokes, it got pretty long)
 
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