The Private Vow

[Mr Cameron]

Would someone please explain what a private vow is? I know just a little, but how would one go about taking a private vow. Could they be temporary? Could a child take one? I'm curious because I've heard of people taking "private vows" and living a monastic life in their own homes, but would this rule out a possible vocation to an Order or the Priesthood?

[cmaD2006]

Hopefully someone else will chime in with the gory details.  And this is my "layman's explanation."

 

A private vow is a vow that one takes on privately.  It isn't open -- i.e. it is not a vow that is (usually) made in an open fashion (i.e. in a Church recognized by say a superior, or a Bishop).   Anyone (with use of reason) can make a private vow.  Private vows can be for a period of time or forever.  Private vows can be made before a priest or privately between you and God.  Both are equally binding (and really -- it isn't necessary at all to make a vow before a priest, but some people choose to do so, for example with a spiritual director present).

 

Private vows can be easily dispensed (by consulting a priest).  Breaking a private vow (i.e. not fulfilling the vow without asking for the vow to be dispensed) can be grave sin depending on the nature of the vow.

 

A private vow does not have precidence over public vows (eg: vows made in Religious Life, or the vow of obedience to a Bishop in the case of the Priesthood).  And a public vow may make a private vow unnecessary/overcome by events/etc.)

 

You can look up the rules on private vows in Canon Law. 

 

Finally ... although a child can take one, most children do not have the appropriate use of reason nor the appropriate discernment to do so.  Private vows should be taken on with the help of a spiritual director and not simply done on your own.

 

Hope this helps, and hopefully someone will chime in with very specific details.  You may want to search phatmass since this has been discussed in the past.

 

-- Cma

[Alberto Guimaraes]

Peace and Good!

I am a secular franciscan brother, and when I joined to SFO I did private vows:

- To pray the Liturgy of Hours.

- To bear the Holy Habit of the Tertiary Order of the Penance of St. Francis of Assisi.

- To go barefoot whenever possible, and when no possible, at least to put on simple sandals.

I feel myself very, very happy fulfilling this vows!

Jesus, Mary and Francis be with you!

I wish you a Holy and Happy Easter!

Br. Alberto Guimaraes SFO

Secular Franciscan Fraternity of Braga - Portugal