Orders That Are Growing

[Kayte Postle]

[url="http://www.franciscansisterstor.org/"]The Franciscan Sisters, TOR, of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother - [/url]are also growing at a pretty steady rate. The past few years they've been receiving 2 or 3 postulants. (I think they might have 4 this year..).

[tinytherese]

What is it about these communities that bring in such large numbers?

[the171]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1344907133' post='2467253']
What is it about these communities that bring in such large numbers?
[/quote]

Joy, love of the Holy Father, love of the Eucharist, a shared prayer life, and a vocation.

[ToJesusMyHeart]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1344907133' post='2467253']
What is it about these communities that bring in such large numbers?
[/quote]

[quote name='the171' timestamp='1344907320' post='2467257']
Joy, love of the Holy Father, love of the Eucharist, a shared prayer life, and a vocation.
[/quote]

+love and devotion to BVM

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1344907133' post='2467253']
What is it about these communities that bring in such large numbers?
[/quote]

Their holy zeal for the Eucharist and evangelization!

[ToJesusMyHeart]

[quote name='loveletslive' timestamp='1344900744' post='2467200']
out of curiousity, why don't they wear habits? i checked out their website, and i appreciate that they look very feminine and don't have the identifiable "LPN" (lapel/little pin nun) look that most un-habited communities have got going on.
[/quote]

The reason that the Apostles of the Interior Life give for their choice of staying in "street" clothes is because they minister to secular college students (as spiritual directors), and they believe a habit would be a barrier, and may prevent some students from being totally open with them. They fear that the habit may make the sisters seem less personable, less approachable, and sort of intimidating. That is their reasoning--that their particular apostolate with college students is better suited without the "distraction" of a habit.

[b]I don't necessarily agree with this reasoning, [/b]but I must vouch for this particular order--that their lack of a habit does NOT lessen their legitimacy as an orthodox group of consecrated Catholic women, fully faithful to the magisterium and the Holy Father. I can personally testify to the authenticity of these sisters and to the love they possess for the Eucharist, the BVM, and the Church. I have only ever received authentic Catholic spiritual advice from my director.

Now, not all non-habited communities are faithful like the Apostles are, (but then again, neither are all habited communities..). There is absolutely reason to be wary of the lack of a habit. I would recommend anyone discerning a habit-less community to find out [b]why [/b]the community opted out of the habit, and also get to know them first-handedly and see if they are orthodox.

Edited August 14, 2012 by ToJesusMyHeart

[somethingfishy]

The Apostles of the Interior Life were founded, and their constitutions were approved, without habits -- they have never worn them. In wearing street clothes they are entirely faithful to their constitutions, their charism, and their bishop. The Apostles are a young, growing, international and multi-cultural community with a missionary charism, reaching the hearts of the youth through spiritual direction and evangelization, and I think any young woman to whom that appeals should consider them.

[dymphnamaria]

[quote name='linnie' timestamp='1344186285' post='2462967']
I've been given a project by a Sister that I know and I need to find a few orders that are growing and establishing new foundations. I know that some of the Dominicans are expanding. Can any of you suggest others that I can add to my list?

thanks, Linnie
[/quote]


Don't forget to include on you list these sisters:


[img]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/427425_242792995814354_1481570040_n.jpg[/img]

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate.

Edited August 14, 2012 by dymphnamaria

[the171]

The Poor Clares. *swoon*

[emmaberry]

[quote name='the171' timestamp='1344929965' post='2467439']
The Poor Clares. *swoon*
[/quote]

^this and I also love your new avatar!

[Gabriela]

The PCPA in Hanceville has started two new foundations in the last few years. They can't fit them all in in Alabama anymore.

[Gabriela]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1344907133' post='2467253']
What is it about these communities that bring in such large numbers?
[/quote]

CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) published a report on this last year. You can find it here:

http://cara.georgetown.edu/Publications/religiouslife.html

It's the one titled "Recent Vocations to Religious Life". It's long, but it's really interesting. Basically, what they found is that the less-traditional communities are dying. The ones that maintain a full habit, live in community, and have a life centered on prayer are growing.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='curiousing' timestamp='1345162688' post='2468873']
CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) published a report on this last year. You can find it here:

[url="http://cara.georgetown.edu/Publications/religiouslife.html"]http://cara.georgeto...igiouslife.html[/url]

It's the one titled "Recent Vocations to Religious Life". It's long, but it's really interesting. Basically, what they found is that the less-traditional communities are dying. The ones that maintain a full habit, live in community, and have a life centered on prayer are growing.
[/quote]

Not to mention that it's $25!!!

Edited August 17, 2012 by emmaberry

[Thijs]

For non-habited sisters but are growing in vocations:

Missionary of God's Love sisters;

[url="http://www.mglvocation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=18&Itemid=28"]http://www.mglvocation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=18&Itemid=28[/url]

and they badly needed a home

[url="http://www.mglvocation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94%3Amgl-sisters-convent-appeal&catid=31%3Afr-ken-barker&Itemid=69"]http://www.mglvocation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94%3Amgl-sisters-convent-appeal&catid=31%3Afr-ken-barker&Itemid=69[/url]

Also the typical lapel/pin sisters but very much loyal to the Church, very Orthodox and apostolic;

Society Devoted to Sacred Heart
[url="http://www.sacredheartsisters.com/home.html"]http://www.sacredheartsisters.com/home.html[/url]

Archbishop Jose Gomez celebrated the first profession of their six novices recently. For a lapel/pin sisters that's an amazing number.

[Thijs]

For Sisters in a habit;

Brides of Victorious Lamb; with evangelization and charismatic apostolate ; they are getting quite a number of enquiries
[url="http://www.bridesofthevictoriouslamb.com/"]http://www.bridesofthevictoriouslamb.com/[/url]

Daughters of Mary of Nazareth with Mother Olga Yaqob; and lots of applicants wow
[url="http://www.dmnazareth.org/vocation-stories/"]http://www.dmnazareth.org/vocation-stories/[/url]

Society of Our Lady of the Trinity recently got 4 first profession and eight new novices
[url="http://www.societyofourlady.net/sisters-news.html"]http://www.societyofourlady.net/sisters-news.html[/url]
[url="http://www.soltsisters.org/4.html"]http://www.soltsisters.org/4.html[/url]

Disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ
[url="http://www.dljc.org/english/index.cfm?active=1"]http://www.dljc.org/english/index.cfm?active=1[/url]