Talents

[savvy]

Petitpe`lerin, I would have to talk to my spiritual director about all these communities and which ones I should visit. I am under 30, so age is not an issue. I do prefer something in Canada, but am open to God's will. I am not in Northern Canada, but in Ontario.

 

Since you are familiar with Jerusalem, is the community of St. John similar?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2013 by savvy

[petitpèlerin]

Petitpe`lerin, I would have to talk to my spiritual director about all these communities and which ones I should visit. I am under 30, so age is not an issue. I do prefer something in Canada, but am open to God's will. I am not in Northern Canada, but in Ontario.

 

Since you are familiar with Jerusalem, is the community of St. John similar?

 

In some ways. They were both founded in France by a priest in 1975. But their spiritualities are different. The charism of Jerusalem is so unique and so beautiful: to be an urban monastery, a sign of life in the desert of the city. It is monastic, but it's a unique kind of monasticism, because the monks indeed live lives hidden from the world, but they are where they are to be seen by the world. There's something nearly theatrical about them, but it's not acting, it's real. So unique. I don't know much more about them because I've only been to their liturgy, never actually stayed with them.

 

The charism of St John has similar elements, like the desert, but it's so different. Their founder was an intellectual, a philosopher as well as a contemplative. The spirit of St John is simply to be a contemplative, to thirst for the one thing necessary, Christ, and to remain profoundly faithful to him, but there is also this major intellectual work in the community. Studies are major in their formation, and they have schools of philosophy, and some of their best philosopher-theologians write serious books, participate in serious conferences, and engage the academic world in philosophy. No member of the community is required to be an intellectual, though, but to study at her own pace following her own areas of interest, whatever will be beneficial to her life with Christ and her sisters. Strong emphasis on fraternal love, and the apostolic branches focus on evangelizing young people, leading them to think critically about the world they live in and to always seek the truth and go deeper.

[savvy]

The charism of Jerusalem is so unique and so beautiful: to be an urban monastery, a sign of life in the desert of the city. It is monastic, but it's a unique kind of monasticism, because the monks indeed live lives hidden from the world, but they are where they are to be seen by the world. There's something nearly theatrical about them, but it's not acting, it's real. So unique. I don't know much more about them because I've only been to their liturgy, never actually stayed with them.

 

I have been to communities where I know, what the wrong place felt like, it's deep sadness and a sense of restlessness. I was at peace in Jerusalem, but I understand their concerns, so they want me to experience other contemplative communities, to see which one fits. The term the prioress used was that I am a fruit that is not yet riped. 

 

Thanks for the information on the Community of St. John. I think it's better I  stick to communities in Canada for the time-being. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2013 by savvy

[savvy]

I forgot to add that Eucharistic adoration was a major factor that drew me to Jerusalem too. The emphasis adoration is given in their community.

 

 

 

[emmaberry101]

I forgot to add that Eucharistic adoration was a major factor that drew me to Jerusalem too. The emphasis adoration is given in their community.

 

 

 

 

Oh man, savvy, with this last post you definitely need o to check out the Franciscans in your area! :like: No worries about the hippy/animal stuff-St Francis kind of bugged me (Ah! I hate saying that now) for the longest time because I saw him and his family that way, and I am so not a hippy. So my mindset was that St. Francis had nothing to offer me and that I had no place in the Franciscan family. I am very pleased to have been so wrong, so perhaps this may be your experience as well!

 

Anyway, if you visit, you will either decide it's the place for you, discern it's not the right community but that your spirituality is Franciscan, or you will find that both the community and spirituality are not for you and then you will have made a lot of progress in discernment by marking Franciscans off your list, as they are one of the "primary" ( :hmmm: not the right word-Largest? Oldest?) Orders in the Church.

 

Praying for you!

Edited January 2, 2013 by emmaberry101

[savvy]

Oh man, savvy, with this last post you definitely need o to check out the Franciscans in your area!  :like: No worries about the hippy/animal stuff-St Francis kind of bugged me (Ah! I hate saying that now) for the longest time because I saw him and his family that way, and I am so not a hippy. So my mindset was that St. Francis had nothing to offer me and that I had no place in the Franciscan family. I am very pleased to have been so wrong, so perhaps this may be your experience as well!

 

Anyway, if you visit, you will either decide it's the place for you, discern it's not the right community but that your spirituality is Franciscan, or you will find that both the community and spirituality are not for you and then you will have made a lot of progress in discernment by marking Franciscans off your list, as they are one of the "primary" (  :hmmm: not the right word-Largest? Oldest?) Orders in the Church.

 

Praying for you!

 

I am confused. I have been making plans to see the cloistered Dominicans and now I am being told I am a Franciscan!  Would it be possible for me to read something, on both of them, so this way I could decide where I better fit in.  The English speaking Dominicans and Franciscans communities are all the way in British Columbia, so I have to plan which one I should visit. Quebec is also an option. 

 

I have read a lot of Carmelite stuff. So maybe, I should read some Dominican and Franciscan too. Any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[savvy]

EmmaBerry,

 

If you do not mind me asking, how did you discover you were a Franciscan?