YOUR Favorite Priestly Society/Order?

[Ad_Pondus_Omniu]

Yes, you’re right. I was focusing on the numerary priests.

To be one of those I understand that one has to already be a numerary.

 

[Dakota_Roberts]

Definitely Dominicans, met any Albigensians lately?

 

[baltobetsy]

To be one of those I understand that one has to already be a numerary.

That’s correct. That’s the example I gave in the earlier post. A numerary man can be approached and invited to become a priest, and he is free to accept or decline.

 

[Ad_Pondus_Omniu]

That’s correct. That’s the example I gave in the earlier post. A numerary man can be approached and invited to become a priest, and he is free to accept or decline.

That’s what I believed, although I wasn’t sure. It all depends what kind of life appeals to the person the most, there are many different kinds (solitary, monastic, contemplative, mendicant, missionary, priestly, etc). All are noble and are beautiful, bur aren’t for everyone. Do a lot of research.

My favorite Orders are the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and Traditional Benedictines, and Carthusians.

But try emailing or writing the Orders, they usually love questions.

 

[sjmseminarian]

First, I would like to add a little info about Opus Dei. I’ll note that I’m in no way an expert, but I’ve done a bit of research and questioned members. Aside from the men that they choose from within, they also allow diocesan priests to join. Diocesan priests are allowed to join and accept the rule, charism, spirituality, etc., of Opus Dei because they don’t have those things already. It is an interesting arrangement because it helps the diocesan priest live a more focused life while allowing his to continue to serve the people and communities who fostered his vocation. It’s a model that really appeals to me as I approach my ordination to the diocesan priesthood.

Second, I’ll tell you a little about my favorite order: the Oratorians of St. Philip Neri. Well, they’re a priestly fraternity. Each house is autonomous, so my experience only really reflects the Toronto Oratory. Fr. Jonathan Robinson is the founder of the house in Toronto (author of “The Spiritual Combat Revisited”, “The Mass and Modernity”, and several other books). There are 11 priests and 2 brothers in the house, but they also run a seminary which currently houses about 24 diocesan seminarians and 4 or 5 Norbertines. Academically they are second to none, and I would argue the same for their celebration of the liturgy, which I think is high praise since I’m studying at the North American College in Rome (I’m not trying to sound snooty, but it’s the only way to give perspective). They celebrate the Mass in the Novus Ordo (Latin and English, sung and said) and in the Extraordinary form. They are certainly worth looking into. oratory-toronto.org/

God Bless as you continue your pursuit to accept God’s call.

 

[CoolRich59]

I did not see anyone weigh in on Miles Christi, so please allow me to. My son is in formation with Miles Christi. They are a relatively new order, but very orthodox, very dynamic and their priests are very well-formed.

They are based out of Argentina (that’s where my son is now), but are growing in the United States. Their U.S. “headquarters” is in Michigan near Ann Arbor, and they also have a house in the San Diego area.

Others have commented on Opus Dei, so I won’t add anything other than to say I have a number of friends who are involved with Opus Dei. I have been to a number of their activities (Recollections and retreats), and I have found their priests to be excellent: totally orthodox and edifying.

I saw someone mention the Legionaries of Christ. As a former member of their lay association, Regnum Christi, I am not of fan of theirs. I know this is not the time or place to get into a debate on the Legion; however, I would urge caution. The Legion is currently under Vatican administration (not sure of the correct technical terminology) and there is sure to be some significant shake up of the Order – in fact, the Order could even be dissolved.

 

[CoolRich59]

Priestly Fraternity of St Peter
I had the opportunity to invite one of their priests to my house to discuss vocations for the young men in our home school group. That was my only contact with them and it was very positive. Unbeknownst to me, one of the dads who also attended was a schismatic and was very antagonistic toward them. The priest was very charitable and patient. After the talk for the boys, he took the time to answer each of the man’s questions thoroughly and never lost his cool. The dad was not swayed, but everyone else was very impressed by him and the Fratenity as a result.

ICRSS - Institute of Christ the King High Priest
As someone else mentioned, I believe they do the 1962 Latin Mass exclusively. I am not a not partial to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, but I have been to one of their Masses and it was incredible.

Canons Regular of St John Cantius
My parish (St Peter’s in Volo, IL) is run by the Canons, so I freely admit I am totally biased in their favor! IMO, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius are the best thing to happen to the Chicago Archdiocese in my lifetime. While they are great promoters of the Extraordinary Form, their Ordinary Form liturgies and other rites and devotions are incredible.

 

[CoolRich59]

Miles Christi priests are awesome! Their charism is to preach the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and they offer weekend retreats all over the country. I have just signed up for my fourth annual retreat with them.

I believe their formation period is a bit longer than some. The seminary is in Argentina and all of the priests I have met are fluent in Spanish.

Oops! Sorry, I made my comment about no one mentioning Miles Christi without reading the whole thread and missed yours.

You are correct – formation with Miles Christi is appx 12 years. They believe well-formed priests are critical for the Church and so they ensure that their priests have solid philosophy and theology training.

Their main seminary is in Argentina, they also have a seminary in Rome.

Miles Christi priests need to be fluent in the language of the country they are assigned to. Accordingly, in addition to Latin, most/all Miles Christi priests and brothers are fluent in Spanish (most are native Spanish speakers), Italian (if they are assigned to the seminary in Rome), and English (if they are assigned to the United States).

 

[CarlosBarrera]

Does anyone know much about the Norbertine Fathers?

 

[Tsuwano]

The Society of the Divine Word.

 

[Ad_Pondus_Omniu]

The Society of the Divine Word.

I heard they were very liberal, could be mistaken though, I don’t know.

 

[Tsuwano]

I heard they were very liberal, could be mistaken though, I don’t know.

Where did you hear that from? The Society of the Divine Word is as Catholic as they come and is in very good standing with the Church. The Society is a missionary order and her members hail from numerous countries across the world. Most communities are multicultural in composition, but this hardly makes them liberal or conservative. No, I would say the Society of the Divine Word is extremely faithful to the Church and the Gospel of the Lord.

 

[CarlosBarrera]

Where did you hear that from? The Society of the Divine Word is as Catholic as they come and is in very good standing with the Church. The Society is a missionary order and her members hail from numerous countries across the world. Most communities are multicultural in composition, but this hardly makes them liberal or conservative. No, I would say the Society of the Divine Word is extremely faithful to the Church and the Gospel of the Lord.

I think (I could be wrong) that Ad Pondus Omniu meant that liturgically, they may be liberal.

 

[Tsuwano]

I think (I could be wrong) that Ad Pondus Omniu meant that liturgically, they may be liberal.

I would say that they use the same liturgy the rest of the Church uses. They are merely a religious order and follow the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. They have not created their own liturgy. I’m not sure what you mean by liberal.

 

[CarlosBarrera]

I would say that they use the same liturgy the rest of the Church uses. They are merely a religious order and follow the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. They have not created their own liturgy. I’m not sure what you mean by liberal.

For instance, the Jesuits are (generally speaking) a good order. However, if you attend their masses, most of the time, the church doesn’t have kneelers, the priests wear the stole on the outside of the chasuble, and a lot of the times, the color of their vestments could be mistaken for a rainbow blanket. That, I consider to be liberal.

I must add that not all Jesuits are liberal and some are very orthodox.

 

[BlytheSky]

The only order I know at all is the Jesuits. And I think they’re wonderful They make me laugh and they make me cry and they make me think and they make me challenge myself and they remind me, over everything else, that God is love.

 

[OraLabora]

In this order, from first to last:

Benedictines
Cistercians of the Common Observance
Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
Carthusians

 

[Biedrik]

Well, my favorite order is the Carthusians. Their absolute uncompromising devotion to God will always be incredibly inspiring to me. Having corresponded a bit with one of them through letters, they seem to be very great holy people. Truly, one of the most impressive orders in the Church.

 

[Tsuwano]

For instance, the Jesuits are (generally speaking) a good order. However, if you attend their masses, most of the time, the church doesn’t have kneelers, the priests wear the stole on the outside of the chasuble, and a lot of the times, the color of their vestments could be mistaken for a rainbow blanket. That, I consider to be liberal.

I must add that not all Jesuits are liberal and some are very orthodox.

Really? I don’t. Besides, the SVD is a missionary order which means that not all their churches have kneelers. Sometimes they don’t even have roofs. Sometimes it is hard for a missionary to carry a complete set of liturgical vestments and equipment on the back of his motorcycle as he attempts to navigate a jungle trail in the highlands of New Guinea. Besides that, the two day trips to cover 60 miles kind of wear you out. It is true that as missionaries, the SVD are interested in enculturation in order to make the Gospel of the Lord accessible to those who have yet to hear it, but this is hardly “liberal.” The Jesuits did the exact same thing in India, Japan, China, South America, and elsewhere, as did other religious orders, and indeed, as did St. Paul, so I don’t think this constitutes a liberal approach to either theology or liturgy. Other than this, every Church I’ve been in that is served by the SVD in Europe and America does indeed have kneelers and the proper liturgical vestements are worn.

 

[CarlosBarrera]

Really? I don’t. Besides, the SVD is a missionary order which means that not all their churches have kneelers. Sometimes they don’t even have roofs. Sometimes it is hard for a missionary to carry a complete set of liturgical vestments and equipment on the back of his motorcycle as he attempts to navigate a jungle trail in the highlands of New Guinea. Besides that, the two day trips to cover 60 miles kind of wear you out. It is true that as missionaries, the SVD are interested in enculturation in order to make the Gospel of the Lord accessible to those who have yet to hear it, but this is hardly “liberal.” The Jesuits did the exact same thing in India, Japan, China, South America, and elsewhere, as did other religious orders, and indeed, as did St. Paul, so I don’t think this constitutes a liberal approach to either theology or liturgy. Other than this, every Church I’ve been in that is served by the SVD in Europe and America does indeed have kneelers and the proper liturgical vestements are worn.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree.