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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 02:06 pm |
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Hello Again,
Yet another question. Have women who have been married, but become widows, ever joined themselves to a consecrated life, such as becoming a nun or part of a sisterhood, where they abide by the holy orders of that community? Have men, who have become widowers, ever joined the priesthood? Are there ways that the married can be part of a consecrated community while still being married yet not taking the vow of celibacy?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 04:36 pm |
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Darlene wrote: Have women who have been married, but become widows, ever joined themselves to a consecrated life, such as becoming a nun or part of a sisterhood, where they abide by the holy orders of that community?
Yes. Many of our saints were once married and widowed, and later founded or joined religious communities. However, the term "holy orders" applies only to men who are ordained to the diaconate, priesthood, or bishopric. Women and men religious take consecrated vows.
Have men, who have become widowers, ever joined the priesthood?
Yes. We have three priests in my diocese who were once married. Two are widowers and one had his marriage declared null.
Are there ways that the married can be part of a consecrated community while still being married yet not taking the vow of celibacy?
Yes, many. Men may become deacons. They do take a vow of celibacy, but it does not become effective unless and until their wives should pass away.
John Michael Talbot founded a religious order of Franciscans known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity which includes celibate men, celibate women, families and singles all living in community.
Many Third Orders, or Tertiaries, exist. These are consecrations to various orders and are either Regular or Secular. For example, a Franciscan priest who does not live in community is known as a Third Order Regular (TOR). A lay person (married or single) who has chosen consecration to the Franciscan order but not to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and not to live in community, is known as a Third Order Secular.
Different orders are known by different names. They may be confraternities, sodalities, etc. Carmelite tertiaries (devoted to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) are particularly strong in my area. Members of such orders commit themselves to certain prayer practices and to following the rules of the order for lay members.
Contact the vocations director of your diocese or your parish priest for additional information.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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mrsbmoo
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 311 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 03:22 pm |
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I am in the process of becoming a Benedictine Oblate. We try to better serve God using the principles laid down in Benedict's rule, including constant conversion, stability, a balance of work and prayer, and study. It is a 2 year process. The first year you study and at the end of the year, you become a candidate. I am in in my second year and in May will have a ceremony of Oblation and become a full Oblate. It is sort of like being consecrated to God in a special way. We are affiliated with a women's monastery in Northern VA and support their projects of running a shelter to get homeless moms with kids living independantly, an adult literacy program, and a counsleing service. We meet once a month to pray and discuss the books we are reading as a group. (There is also some really yummy refreshments at the meetings, Catholics do know how to eat well)
Should my marriage end, I would be free to join their community full time or even part time. I have often thought that if I was a widow and my kids were grown, I would enjoy the life of community, service and prayer, except for the part about getting up early.  I am just not a morning person. These Benedictines are not cloistered so I would still be able to visit my kids and hopefully grandkids often.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 10 months and 17
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bjbouwer
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 54 |
| First Name: | Bonnie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian Scientist, pinball Christian, RCC in 2006 |
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 06:48 pm |
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mrsbmoo wrote: I am in the process of becoming a Benedictine Oblate.
Growing up I always wanted to be a nun -- but didn't realize i had to be Catholic 8-). Small detail, huh?
Well, now I'm married and have two daughters - and I've discovered the lay communities . . . and am in the process of joining the Carmelites. The charism is prayer.
I was really happy to discover this kind of commitment opportunity.
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Bonnie in WI
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mrsbmoo
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 311 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 06:57 pm |
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| It is funny you would say that about wanting to be a nun even though you weren't Catholic. I felt the same way as a child. I would walk by the big beautiful churches in my city and think that would be such a happy peaceful life. There was this one house behind a high fence with barred windows that was where I had been told the nuns who taught at the schhool lived. It looked like a mansion to me. (I have seen it as an adult and believe me it isn't that big) I was methodist at the time! I always wanted to be a mommy but felt I would love to spend my older years like that. God works in mysterious ways.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 10 months and 17
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 10:59 pm |
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bjbouwer wrote: mrsbmoo wrote: I am in the process of becoming a Benedictine Oblate.
Growing up I always wanted to be a nun -- but didn't realize i had to be Catholic 8-). Small detail, huh?
Actually, there are Orthodox and Anglican convents as well. I believe there are similar orders in Buddhism, and possibly also in other faiths. So actually you don't have to be Catholic to be a nun!
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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bjbouwer
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 54 |
| First Name: | Bonnie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian Scientist, pinball Christian, RCC in 2006 |
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Posted: Thu Jan 25th, 2007 03:53 pm |
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| It wasn't going to work as a Christian Scientist! 8-D
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Bonnie in WI
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