My head hurts. Ive read magizines and searched online, and there are hundreds of different orders, and sometimes taking up after the same rule. Help
I am looking for an order that can supply the 3 things I desire/aspire.
-Semi Cloistered, medium to large community, centered on fraternity, with brothers of all ages, from 18 and beyond. Either Mendicant or Monastic. But I cant stand small community. 5-6 people wouldnt cut it for me. I need to be somewhere with at least 10 other people who share my vocation. I dont mind cloistered, but not secluded/alone!
-Priesthood friendly, as the main goal of my work I want to be apart of evangelization of both the Catholic Faithful in reawakening their faith as well as non Catholic Christians and even atheists/pagans. As well as participating in administering the sacraments to the faithful.
-Intellectually/Scholar friendly. I spend a GREAT deal of time with my nose stuck in one of my many books studying the Church fathers, Imperial Romam history, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, scripture, theology, the Roman and Byzantine liturgies and rituals, etc. I would like to write and publish at least one book on my studies in my life time. I also have a passion for bookbinding, odd fact of myself.
So, all in all, a good, healthy sized group, that would favor my two-fold ministry of preaching, evangelism, etc, and scholarly work.
Any ideas brothers?? (Yes I am a male)
I have heard that the most popular groups are Benedictine, Augustinian, Franciscan, Dominican, Jesuits and Carmelites.
