ToJesusMyHeart Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Three questions: 1) Are they in full communion with Rome? 2) Why do they [b]only [/b]celebrate the Tridentine Latin Mass? (I'm a fan of the mass, but why ONLY this mass?) 3) Has anybody on here discerned with them? Muchas gracias! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 (edited) If you are talking about [url="http://sistersofstbenedictcenter.org/index.html"]these[/url] Sisters or [url="http://www.saintbenedict.com/"]these[/url], yes, they are in Full Communion with Rome. The St. Benedict Center order has an explanation of why they have the Latin Tridentine Mass on their website here: [url="http://www.saintbenedict.com/tradition/tridentine-mass.html"]http://www.saintbene...ntine-mass.html[/url] [quote] In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI cleared the cloud of controversy enshrouding the “Old Mass†versus the “New Mass†by ushering in a revival of the Tridentine Mass and freedom to celebrate it anywhere in the world. The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have an unbroken history of Tridentine Liturgy, on which their spirituality is based. [/quote] I have never discerned with them because I am not called to be a teacher, but I do have a ring that my friend, Bernadette, gave me that the Sisters wear: [url="http://store.saintbenedict.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=80&category_id=48&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1"]True Devotion Ring[/url] Edited August 7, 2012 by MaterMisericordiae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filius_angelorum Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 1. If you are talking about the sisters in Still River, MA, then, yes, they are in full communion with Rome. 2. If you were to ask each of the sisters separately, I am sure that they would have separate answers. This is an existential question which deals with the inner spirituality and conscience of almost every traditionalist Catholic who attends primarily the extraordinary form. However, if you do not have this kind of affection for the extraordinary form, then this is probably not your kind of community. I don't have any answers for you on number 3. Obviously, I am male. However, I have attended Mass at their chapel once and hung around the grounds of the various communities in Still River, and I've known of girls who have gone to their summer camp. All of these were very positive experiences, so if that helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 I have emailed the VD and requested them to mail me their packet of information, with their vocation DVD. It arrived in the mail today, and everything enclosed was legit. I love the Traditional Latin Mass, but I don't see why it is necessary to completely shirk off the ordinary form. I think balance is good. That's my biggest stumbling block here. They're obviously a beautiful community of faithful religious, with a wonderful apostolate of loving evangelization. I just wonder why they are seemingly so adamantly against the novus ordo mass. Do they see error in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 [quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1344310572' post='2463809'] I have emailed the VD and requested them to mail me their packet of information, with their vocation DVD. It arrived in the mail today, and everything enclosed was legit. I love the Traditional Latin Mass, but I don't see why it is necessary to completely shirk off the ordinary form. I think balance is good. That's my biggest stumbling block here. They're obviously a beautiful community of faithful religious, with a wonderful apostolate of loving evangelization. I just wonder why they are seemingly so adamantly against the novus ordo mass. Do they see error in it? [/quote] From what it says on their website, I gather it's because they think it's too Protestant. They wrote this: [quote]At that time the Mass was under attack by the new Protestant religions forming and introducing innovations, re-interpretations, a variety of languages and translations in the liturgy. This caused incredible chaos that wrecked havoc in Europe among the faithful. In order to quell the impending disaster of disunity and heresy, the Church fixed a formula for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the universal language of the Church, the timeless and unchangeable Latin.[/quote] Now, to me, that would normally send up a red flag that they are not in line with the Church, but they have permission from Rome to continue the Latin Mass. I agree that it is odd about being so adamantly against the Novus Ordo, however, if you have permission, that's all that matters. Maybe this community is not for you if you want to find that balance, which I think is very important. Follow your heart. Just a suggestion: If you like the Latin Mass but want to find balance and are interested in active/contemplative life, you might consider the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Kirkwood, MO. I make the distinction of that particular convent because, while they have other provinces in the United States, they are the only one that still has the Latin Mass one Sunday a month -- sometimes more for special events where the Archbishop is serving. I could try to dig up some other orders that have a balance between the two if you're interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Thanks, Mater! I actually went on a nun run and we visited the beautiful sisters at the Kirkwood convent! I love their chapel so much! And their residents were super sweet. Sr. Mary Michael was our go-to-sister. I loved it. Spending time with the little ones in daycare was a huge blast. And I really loved that they retained the altar rail. I'm looking into several communities which have the balance between OF and EF, so I'm [i]definitely [/i]up for hearing your suggestions! So far, I have: -Franciscans of the Immaculate -Carmelite DCJ (central) -Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa -Cloistered Carmelite (Dallas) -SMMC If you are up for the challenge, I'm always excited to learn about other communties which celebrate both forms of the mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 [quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1344316116' post='2463880'] Thanks, Mater! I actually went on a nun run and we visited the beautiful sisters at the Kirkwood convent! I love their chapel so much! And their residents were super sweet. Sr. Mary Michael was our go-to-sister. I loved it. Spending time with the little ones in daycare was a huge blast. And I really loved that they retained the altar rail. I'm looking into several communities which have the balance between OF and EF, so I'm [i]definitely [/i]up for hearing your suggestions! So far, I have: -Franciscans of the Immaculate -Carmelite DCJ (central) -Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa -Cloistered Carmelite (Dallas) -SMMC If you are up for the challenge, I'm always excited to learn about other communties which celebrate both forms of the mass. [/quote] It's good to know that you are also interested in cloistered communities. I know of this community which you didn't list: [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/99"]Carmel of Cristo Rey[/url] It may take me a while to research more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumiere Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I believe [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/user/4072-sr-mary-catharine/"]Sr. Mary Catharine[/url] has already posted a rather complete history of the different branches of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was associated with them at one point in her life. I can't find the post though as it was a long time ago and the archive seems to be gone. If you contacted her, she could probably answer any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sr Mary Catharine OP Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 ToJesusMyHeart, as everyone has stated yes, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Still River, and NH) are in full communion in Rome. The Still River communities are very much loved by the Bishop. He just came to confirm a bunch of kids. They have the EF exclusively at their chapels and always have. It's just what they prefer but they absolutely believe in the validity of the OF and will not acccept a young lady of she doesn't hold this. They do go to the OF when they are travelling. The come to Mass in our chapel when they come to visit. They are not ultra-traditional and really see themselves simply as Roman Catholic. They have 2 young women receiving the habit on August 22nd. My one "complaint" about them is that they don't pray much of the Divine Office. They do sing Compline every evening and Vespers and Compline on Sundays. The "older" community www.sistersofstbenedictcenter.org has one novice in her 20's but most of the sisters are quite old. However, the do have Lauds, Vespers and Compline every day. They sing Compline up in the community room since all the sisters are already there and so that all the older sisters can pray it, too. It's really kind of sweet. And although they are so old they sing it really well! The younger members of the community sing Lauds everyday and some of the older sisters also sing Vespers. It's not an ideal situation but it works. I would say that the "older" community is more monastic while the "younger" community is more active. Probably in the end you would just have to go and see for yourself. God bless you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 [quote name='Sr. Mary Catharine' timestamp='1344344202' post='2463960'] ToJesusMyHeart, as everyone has stated yes, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Still River, and NH) are in full communion in Rome. The Still River communities are very much loved by the Bishop. He just came to confirm a bunch of kids. I would say that the "older" community is more monastic while the "younger" community is more active. [/quote] Is the "younger" community in MA or NH? Thank you for the information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1344322532' post='2463913'] It's good to know that you are also interested in cloistered communities. I know of this community which you didn't list: [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/99"]Carmel of Cristo Rey[/url] It may take me a while to research more. [/quote] razzle dazzle! Does this community have the Spanish or French history? Do they have the communion face flap, and do they kneel for Holy Communion? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inperpetuity Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I love the Traditional Latin Mass, but I don't see why it is necessary to completely shirk off the ordinary form. I think balance is good. That's my biggest stumbling block here. They're obviously a beautiful community of faithful religious, with a wonderful apostolate of loving evangelization. I just wonder why they are seemingly so adamantly against the novus ordo mass. Do they see error in it? Here is a link to some articles written by a priest of the diocese of Tulsa that explains the spirituality of the ancient rites of the mass. Hope this helps. [url="http://www.sensustraditionis.org/texts_online.html"]http://www.sensustraditionis.org/texts_online.html[/url] If you use the articles for any purpose he asks that you say a Hail Mary for him for each article you download, or maybe it's three Hail Marys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinityFanGuyVT Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Hello! I've been discerning with the Brothers in Still River for several years now and have become friends with the Sisters as well. Saint Benedict Center is one of the most peaceful places on earth. I cannot reccomend them strongly enough. I will say though, that they are committed to the rigid interpretation of "No Salvation Outside the Church." In daily life though, in all my visits, I've never had that pressed on me. While I do adhere to Fr. Feeney's position, I've never found it to come across as fanatical or extreme. If you get a chance to visit the Center, I know you'll love it. PM me if you have any questions. I've been there multiple times and talk with the Brother's vocation director all the time. The "younger" community is in Still River, as is the "older" community. Within Still River, the branches of the Slaves are as follows: Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Sisters and Brothers Sisters of Saint Benedict Center Slaves of the IHM - Sisters -older and more monastic Saint Benedict Abbey - Benedictine monks, became Benedictines so they could regularize and ordain men. Then there is Saint Benedict Center in Richmond, NH. They left Still River over politics following the death of Fr. Feeney. Now, not to put down any religious communities, but I would avoid the NH community. They are on the extreme end of traditional Catholicism. I've visited once and it was not a fun experience... the whole place made me feel really uneasy. Anyway, I hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) [quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1344345443' post='2463964'] razzle dazzle! Does this community have the Spanish or French history? Do they have the communion face flap, and do they kneel for Holy Communion? Thank you [/quote] Cristo Rey is an [b]excellent[/b] Carmel that came up from Mexico as a result of the persecutions. Their community escaped from Guadalajara, Mexico in 1927, and with the help of the Jesuit Fathers settled next to the Jesuit-run University of San Francisco. (I always think their monastery looks like a baby puppy next to the GIGANTIC St. Ignatius Church!). They chose the name Cristo Rey after the cry of the Mexican martyrs, "Viva Cristo Rey!" (Long Live Christ the King!) Eventually they re-founded the Guadalajara monastery as well. I was privileged to know some of the original founding sisters many years ago..... They are a 1991 community but are VERY traditional. They retain the double grilles, and full Spanish habit. I don't know if they use a veil flap, but they do wear an extra communion veil in chapel and parlor, and in the chapel that veil is lowered when the sisters receive communion, so all one sees is the lower part of their face.. .and not much of that... and it has been a few years, but as far as I know, they still receive kneeling (except for a few sisters in wheel chairs. As has been noted on other threads, they were the community out of which Las Vegas was founded in the early 1980's..... and that community eventually moved to Valparaiso, Nebraska! Cristo Rey is a [i]little[/i] less traditional than Valparaiso, but absolutely still an authentic Spanish-style Carmel. They are mixed English/Spanish, and candidates are expected to learn a little of both languages....they have Mass in both forms.... and both are VERY beautiful and you will seldom see such a beautifully dressed altar.... One of the temporarily professed sisters used to be in my Secular Order community - and she is VERY happy with them. They are a wonderful, joy-filled community, and should DEFINITELY be on anyone's discernment list...... PM me if you have further questions; I may know the answer, and I know how to put you in contact with people who can answer questions I can't answer... Edited August 8, 2012 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eowyn Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Those are very nice communities. I'm kind of partial to Carmelites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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