Why is Contemplative Religious Life Valuable?

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Active religious orders seem to do more good in the world than contemplatives. Even those called to be pure contemplatives might be inclined to such a notion. Is it just as fruitful a vocation and equally esteemed by God, if not by man? Why??
 
JamalChristophr said:
Active religious orders seem to do more good in the world than contemplatives. Even those called to be pure contemplatives might be inclined to such a notion. Is it just as fruitful a vocation and equally esteemed by God, if not by man? Why??
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Just from the top of my head - both (active and contemplative) have their purposes. The scourge to one’s spiritual life is idleness because that is where the Devil can fill in. David fell into temptation because he was idle – while his generals went to war he remained in Jerusalem. It was in his idleness that he saw Beersheba naked, taking her bath. The rest was history.

Contemplative does not mean being idle though as Christians we are called to actively carry out our work for God’s Kingdom. It is to be with God; to be away from the ‘noise’ of the world so that one’s able to hear God better. John was exiled in Patmos Island and he saw God, the inspiration to his book, the Revelation of the NT. Monks and religious do go into retreat to the quietness of the wilderness to avoid the noise of the world, distraction.

It is esteemed by God because the person chooses Him over other things and God is pleased by that.

On the other hand, active religious order is also good. Besides being busy doing things for God, there is also no place for the Devil to fill in as one is occupied in holiness being God’s servant serving Him.
 
JamalChristophr said:
Active religious orders seem to do more good in the world than contemplatives. Even those called to be pure contemplatives might be inclined to such a notion. Is it just as fruitful a vocation and equally esteemed by God, if not by man? Why??
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As examples, such orders as the Benedictines, Carmelites, Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians focus mainly on growth in union with Our Lord for the love of God and the salvation souls. Although they have little worldly interaction it is so that they may devote themselves to prayer and penance for the sanctification of the world. It is a very great service.
 
The best vocation is the one that God wills for you. Contemplatives adore and praise God, giving Him love. They pray for the salvation and sanctification of souls as well as other intentions.

St. Theresa of Calcutta described herself as an “active-contemplative”. Each of her active sisters prayed at least three hours a day. She said she could not have done her work if she didn’t do this. It kept her going. Likewise contemplatives are the heart of the Church. Their prayers keep it going. They support priests and others with their prayers.

Although we don’t see the fruits of their labor, their apostolate is crucial. Working to help save souls is vital. In the Mary and Martha story, Jesus praises Mary for her contemplation and listening. He says that “Mary has chosen the better half.”
 
I myself am frightened at the thought of a world without the constant intercession of contemplative religious-- the “praying heart” of the Church.

Remember what St. Paul said about the different members and different functions of each member.
 
Some things we can do to increase the amount of grace: pray, fast, mortify the self, give alms… contemplatives do these a lot, leading to an increase of grace in the world 🙂
 
Vico said:
As examples, such orders as the Benedictines, Carmelites, Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians focus mainly on growth in union with Our Lord for the love of God and the salvation souls. Although they have little worldly interaction it is so that they may devote themselves to prayer and penance for the sanctification of the world. It is a very great service.
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Very true. I think we often dismiss the necessity and the effectiveness of prayer as we can’t clearly measure what doesn’t happen in this world and in the lives of ourselves and others because of prayer. While prayer doesn’t always result in resolving things the way we would like to see things resolved that is because we are often not seeing things from the eternal perspective that God has. When we say “Thy will be done” we have to make sure we aren’t really thinking “My will be done”. The people called to the contemplative prayer life are engaged heroically in real spiritual warfare, and that isn’t a lot of fun!
 
We’re not all called to do volunteer work.

St Mother Teresa told people who asked about what they should do in ways of charity, she said, just start with the people around you.

Often, your silence prayers do more good than trying to help in their daily activities.

So it is with Contemplative Orders. They dedicate their lives to silence and prayer, for the world.

We get the best spiritual direction from Contemplatives, and BTW, the active orders like Franciscans and Sisters of Charity, are also contemplatives.

Contemplative prayer isn’t limited to one life-style.

Jim
 
This link should help. religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html
At first glance, such a schedule as the one shown above may seem repetitive and constricting. For those of us living in the world and still influenced by our utilitarian society, we may be tempted to think that nuns and monks are wasting their time. One might hear the argument; “Prayer is important, yes, but what are they doing to help the world?” (as if prayer is not the greatest act one can perform). And yet, as Our Lord told Saint Faustina, more souls are saved through prayer and sacrifice alone than through missions and preaching. And it is precisely behind the walls of the enclosure that enables religious to accomplish this work of Christ, whether active or contemplative.
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JamalChristophr said:
Active religious orders seem to do more good in the world than contemplatives. Even those called to be pure contemplatives might be inclined to such a notion. Is it just as fruitful a vocation and equally esteemed by God, if not by man? Why??
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Both contemplative and active orders are fruitful to the Church.

The fruitfulness of the contemplative orders may not be seen by our eyes, but they are a powerhouse of grace that gets distributed where the Lord sees fit.
 
When I was visiting monasteries (mind you it was in the middle of winter) I was surprised to find the guest rooms empty. Usually it was just me visiting. I can think of one time when there was another person there. The nuns were very attentive and every day I would have time set aside for me so that we could converse. It was a world away from the world and on my way home I marveled at where I had just been for the past week since I was so full of peace, unlike modern day living… even if you were to take a week off of work and just to meditate it would not be able to come close to this deep peace that I left there with… Sadly, eventually in time, it wore off, but it had its effect on those who* I* came in contact with (as they made comments). I don’t think active religious orders can give that deep peace *because *they are active. They give other needs (and not to say they aren’t peaceful, they are, just not in the same way). All are equally useful and valuable for sure, but each has their gift to offer.

** So I believe it is deemed not useful by the world ONLY because they are not utilized or known. ** I think its not utilized because people are either afraid to visit due to stereotypes of nuns, or because they think they don’t need it, or that it would be boring or maybe the idea is just plain not interesting to them. Hate to say it, but most people I think have this idea that contemplative nuns are somehow mentally unwell because of the extreme sacrifices made to be one- people think you’ve got to be crazy to ‘want’ that.

Anyone who gives up that much of life for the sake of being filled with God instead has to have some sort of wisdom to share. Of course there can be religious who are doing a bad job of it, but this is the same in every profession. I think its safe to say that even the worst of any profession is still helping, still useful in some way. Every little bit helps. God only knows how helpful a person is able to be to others, so we can’t judge, even if we think we can.
 
I have a follow up question to this thread: How do contemplative monks/nuns fulfill Corporal Works of Mercy?

I have this great fear that if I were a contemplative monk, I would find myself hearing the words of Matthew 25:41:
41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink.
43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.
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I know my fear must be wrong based on Catholic teaching and practice, but can anyone point to something from official teaching or tradition to allay my concern?
 
PluniaZ said:
I have a follow up question to this thread: How do contemplative monks/nuns fulfill Corporal Works of Mercy?

I
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Monks don’t live in isolation unless they’re hermits, but even then, not 100% of the time.

They perform works of mercy with their brother monks and with people who visit the monastery. They care for the sick and elderly monks who end up in the infirmary.

Perhaps you should visit a local monastery this Sunday and find out from them what it’s like.

They may let you go on a week-end retreat where you can live part of the life they live.

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Monks don’t live in isolation unless they’re hermits, but even then, not 100% of the time.

They perform works of mercy with their brother monks and with people who visit the monastery. They care for the sick and elderly monks who end up in the infirmary.

Perhaps you should visit a local monastery this Sunday and find out from them what it’s like.

They may let you go on a week-end retreat where you can live part of the life they live.

Jim
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Just for the sake of discussion, what about a 100% pure contemplative hermit, like Saint Onuphrius?
 
PluniaZ said:
Just for the sake of discussion, what about a 100% pure contemplative hermit, like Saint Onuphrius?
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It took time before they became hermits and who knows the acts of mercy they did prior.

Hermits live a life of solitude, but its not absolutely disconnected with people.

Also, they have to travel to the community or church near them, for daily Mass, Confession and spiritual direction. Here they have some contact with people and will do acts of mercy for people God’s sends them.

Also, many hermits are sought out by people for spiritual direction. People will go to them for advice on prayer and such.

Abba Isaac was such a hermit. One of his disciples was St John Cassian.

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
It took time before they became hermits and who knows the acts of mercy they did prior.

Hermits live a life of solitude, but its not absolutely disconnected with people.

Also, they have to travel to the community or church near them, for daily Mass, Confession and spiritual direction. Here they have some contact with people and will do acts of mercy for people God’s sends them.

Also, many hermits are sought out by people for spiritual direction. People will go to them for advice on prayer and such.

Abba Isaac was such a hermit. One of his disciples was St John Cassian.

Jim
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Thank you for the helpful reply.
 
I read an autobiography of an American Carmelite nun. One day a woman came to their cloistered convent & berated them for not getting out into the world & doing good missionary work, like St, Therese, Little Flower.

Of course St, Therese WAS a cloistered Carmelite nun & only lived a short life of 24 years, but one of her apostolates was to pray for the missionaries, and she corresponded with some. She is considered a patron saint of missionaries.

As for contemplation & meditation, which we all can do, but may seems like a waste of time & selfish or self-centered, I tell this: In airplanes they tell us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, then assist others.
 
lynnvinc said:
I read an autobiography of an American Carmelite nun. One day a woman came to their cloistered convent & berated them for not getting out into the world & doing good missionary work, like St, Therese, Little Flower.

Of course St, Therese WAS a cloistered Carmelite nun & only lived a short life of 24 years, but one of her apostolates was to pray for the missionaries, and she corresponded with some. She is considered a patron saint of missionaries.

As for contemplation & meditation, which we all can do, but may seems like a waste of time & selfish or self-centered, I tell this: In airplanes they tell us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, then assist others.
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I’m sure Saint Therese got a good laugh out of that.
 
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