Which order to join?

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I am rather certain of the call of the Lord in my life to become a priest. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about which orded to join. I am also looking at the diocesan seminary, but I wanted to explore orders too. I am in love with the Society of Jesus, but after spending a weekend at their novitiate, I am pretty sure that when you cannot count the liturgical abuses on one hand, it is not the place for you. Where are the Jesuits the most orthodox? (I hope not here in Detroit!)
 
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StevieP:
I am rather certain of the call of the Lord in my life to become a priest. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about which orded to join. I am also looking at the diocesan seminary, but I wanted to explore orders too. I am in love with the Society of Jesus, but after spending a weekend at their novitiate, I am pretty sure that when you cannot count the liturgical abuses on one hand, it is not the place for you. Where are the Jesuits the most orthodox? (I hope not here in Detroit!)
It is an individual thing as to which order is the right fit for you and which order you are the right fit for.

For me, its the Carmelites. carmelites.net/

Now some of the things that are an abuse in a parish might not really be abuses in a religious house. For example, here in the pre-novitiate we seminarians (or pre-novices) preach on occasion at a daily Mass, this happens in the Chapel in the House, it is not a public Mass. We do this becuase when is a seminarian going to get a chance to practice giving a Homily? But for the most part, our liturgies are pretty good here. I am very happy.
 
I would recomend esp with the need for parish priest you consider diocesan seminary. Now as a Order member I know the draw but you are going to find many practices within some orders not as one would expect.

I believe that your Bishop can help with support and advice.
 
Stevie - You might consider the Discalced Carmelite Friars (there are two Carmelite Orders, the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance that ByzCath has recommended, and the Discalced Carmelites):

thecarmelites.org/
 
StevieP:

Consider that you might be among the faithful priests that the Jesuit order needs to right itself.

I live in an area where there are a lot of Jesuits. Some are completely faithful, devout, and orthodox. Others…not so much.

May God bless you.
 
StevieP,

If you are being called by the Holy Spirit to join the Society of Jesus, then do not let your observance of one group of Jesuits change your mind.

Listen to what is in your heart, God will guide you.
 
StevieP:

Check the Legionaries of Christ. They are orthodox, on fire, great comaraderie and probably as close to the original Jesuits that we all love and miss.

Congratulations and I’m happy to have seen your post and that you are willing to serve as a priest for us.

God bless you to the max.

in XT.
 
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StevieP:
I am rather certain of the call of the Lord in my life to become a priest. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about which orded to join. I am also looking at the diocesan seminary, but I wanted to explore orders too. I am in love with the Society of Jesus, but after spending a weekend at their novitiate, I am pretty sure that when you cannot count the liturgical abuses on one hand, it is not the place for you. Where are the Jesuits the most orthodox? (I hope not here in Detroit!)
Get in touch with Father Ben from St. Cyril and Methodius or Fr. Ricardo from St. Anastasia’s the Diocese needs good priests and I know Father Ben has a hand in the vocations from his parish. The Jesuits as the Pope stated in Time magazine when he compared the Legion of Christ to the Jesuit’s of old. So it doesn’t say much for their seminaries now. If there is a good one I am sure it’s not in this area.
 
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AquinasXVI:
StevieP:

Check the Legionaries of Christ. They are orthodox, on fire, great comaraderie and probably as close to the original Jesuits that we all love and miss.

Congratulations and I’m happy to have seen your post and that you are willing to serve as a priest for us.

God bless you to the max.

in XT.
Stevie,
If you do what to check out the Legion of Christ I suggest you get on it right away, I see from your profile that you are 23 now, the Legion prefers younger men as their formation process is a bit longer than usual, like the Jesuits.
 
Rather than going willy nilly through this or that order, slow down and spend some time discerning what it is you feel called to do, and what charisms you may have that would fit in with the charism of the order.

For example, the Benedictines live in community, support themselves through various work (farming, forestry, teaching in a seminary they may run, book bindry, etc.) and spend a good deal of time in choir sining the Office each day. They live a somewhat contemplative life (and the monestary in Oregon has a goodly number of PhDs).

The Trappists live in community and are even more oriented to prayer daily, and contemplation.

There are orders of preachers; orders which are primarily orineted to missionary work, etc.

Interestingly, the Jesuits are really a missionary group, although they are best known in the US as running schools.
 
Stevie,

May the Lord bless you! Would you like your name added to the thread that we pray for on a continual basis? It is a thread of perpetual prayer for priests/seminarians/vocations?
 
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StevieP:
I am rather certain of the call of the Lord in my life to become a priest. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about which orded to join. I am also looking at the diocesan seminary, but I wanted to explore orders too. I am in love with the Society of Jesus, but after spending a weekend at their novitiate, I am pretty sure that when you cannot count the liturgical abuses on one hand, it is not the place for you. Where are the Jesuits the most orthodox? (I hope not here in Detroit!)
StevieP,
I am a former Jesuit novice (now happily married) and was in the novitiate in the New Orleans province. The SJs are far more solid in the South than here in the Midwest. If you are seriously considering the Society please email me and we can meet for lunch. I know a ton of good young Jesuits who can give you an honest look at the Society as she is today. My email is scotus77@yahoo.com

DoctorSubtilis
 
StevieP,

Just so you know, I’m here in Metro Detroit and belong to Ss. Cyril & Methodius and live on the east-side.
 
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otm:
Rather than going willy nilly through this or that order, slow down and spend some time discerning what it is you feel called to do, and what charisms you may have that would fit in with the charism of the order.
I’ll 2nd that thought. Get a good book or two on discernment of God’s will and/or on discernment of gifts before spending a lot of time and money running all over. For whatever gifts/talents you discern there will be a place in the church to use them!

Thank you for listening to God’s call. If you do decide to become a diocesan priest, don’t forget about us down here in the sunny and lovely diocese of Dallas, Texas!
 
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ByzCath:
Best book I can suggest for this is put out by the Legion of Christ, it helped me greatly.

You can read it online here, Peter on the Shore

Or you can get a copy here, stellamarisbooks.com/store/viewItem.asp?sku=004420-00
Code:
Byz…would you want your name for your vocation intentions on the thread for the perpetual thread for priests/seminarians/vocations? We have a small list going for those serious in a relifious vocation. Thus, the CAF prays for you perpetually! 🙂
 
Thank you all.
Dave, I was taught by Ukrainian Byz Basilians. I love the Byzantine Liturgy (never referred to as the Mass:)).
 
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