Differences in Religious Orders?

[magnificat]

Can anyone describe the difference between the spirituality in the various religious orders (i.e. Dominicans, Fransiscans, Carmelites, etc.)? I can't seem to find anyone who can describe the differences very well...Thanks!

[Sixtina87]

For dominicans, Fransicans, and Carmelites, they go by the rule of a certain Saints.

Like Dominicans go by the rule of St. Dominic
" Franciscans " " " " " St. Francis
" carmelites " " " " " Our Lady of Mt Carmel


that is what i was told

[Susan]

[quote name='magnificat' date='Nov 11 2005, 12:06 AM']Can anyone describe the difference between the spirituality in the various religious orders (i.e. Dominicans, Fransiscans, Carmelites, etc.)?  I can't seem to find anyone who can describe the differences very well...Thanks!
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Dominicans, Carmelites and Franciscans are all medicant Orders. (the Pope in the 1300's or so asked the DOminicans to take the Carmelites under their wing and establish them when they came to Europe which is why they are considered mendicant).

Each follows a Rule: Dominicans-Rule of St. Augustine and Constitutions, Franciscans-Rule and probably each "kind" has a constitution?, Carmelites-Rule.

The "flavor" and thrust of each Order is slightly different, ie. Charism. Dominicans stress theological preaching and teaching for the salvation of souls within a life that has monastic outlines, Franciscans stress more popular preaching within a life of poverty although they do have colleges, universities, etc. now. St. Francis was sort of allergic to theological studies for the friars although St. Boneventure and St. Anthony came on the scene early on. (St. Dominic was big on poverty, too but not the same way). Carmelites also preach and teach but stress more a life of interior prayer and probably not so much stress on community life as do the Dominicans or Franciscans.

You will get a feel for each order by reading about them AND by getting to know them in person. Some of these things are sometimes hard to express but there is a definite difference in them. I'm sure their approach to a lot of different things about being a relgioius is slightly different.

Hope that helps! I know Dominican and Francican friars but I've only met a few Carmelite friars so I'm less familiar with them.

[friarMatt]

Susan,

You did a fantastic job explaing the differences and roles of the mendicant movements in the Church. In the early middle ages, there were two ways of being a priest, either in a monastery or diocese. The mendicant movement showed a working of the Holy Spirit for renewal in the church. It were the mendicants whose poverty allowed them to travel, and they were especially important in preachng the renewal and reform of the 4th Latern Council.

in Christ and Mary,
fr. Matt, OFM Conv (order of friars minor conventual)

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='friarMatt' date='Nov 11 2005, 09:22 AM']In the early middle ages, there were two ways of being a priest, either in a monastery or diocese. The mendicant movement  showed a working of the Holy Spirit for renewal in the church. It were the mendicants whose poverty allowed them to travel, and they were especially important in preachng the renewal and reform of the 4th Latern Council.

in Christ and Mary,
fr. Matt, OFM Conv (order of friars minor conventual)
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fr. Matt,

Aren't those still the two ways to be a priest? In an Order or with a diocese? Or is your distinction that Order priests were always monastic in those days?

Thanks,
Lauren

[benedictaj]

Also, the Dominicans place importance on study - both to help with their holy preaching - and also to nourish their contemplation. They aren't very devotional. St Thomas Aquinas coined the phrase to contemplate and share the fruits of that contemplation. Also, their motto (or what have you) is Veritas - Truth.

Franciscans ARE devotional, and its common to sum up their spirituality as focussed on the Crib (Incarnation) Cross (Passion) and the Eucharist (Jesus' real presence) They arwe big on humility, and poverty. St Francis loved Lady Poverty. I'd suggest you read the "Little Flowers of St Francis" Also, there was St Clare

I don't know much about the Carmelites, but I have heard that Carmel is focussed on the interior - my friend says that Carmel is prayer - just her and her Beloved.

Edited November 11, 2005 by memtherose

[MC IMaGiNaZUN]

There is one other important mendicant order founded at the same time as these other three (Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites), and that is the Augustinians, the one which i am currently living with.

There could be a way of dividing the religious orders into frat houses. The Dominicans are the nerd frat, always studying. The Franciscans are the hippy frat, with joy for peace and nature. The Augustinians are the party frat, always celebrating in community. The Jesuits would be the activist frat, attending to matters of social justice.

Another way of looking at religious order is the central room of a religious house. The Benedictines would have the chapel (They live to pray, with the most extravagant, ornate, artistic liturgical practices). The Dominicans would be the library (Studying, researching in the sciences). The Augusitinians would be the Common Room (the living room of a religiuos house, where they gather together as one and share themselves with the community). The Franciscans would be outdoors (They experience the most fulfillment not confined to living quarters). The Carmelites would be the cell (Interior experience of God, they are committed to deep prayer). For an eremetic order like the carthusians or the trappists, it might be the hermitage. For the Jesuits, it would be the classroom. For a missionary it would be the mission. Etc.

As someone who has actively looked into those four mendicant orders, and decided, i could probably sit down and talk about each for hours. But i won't, at least now.

SHALOM

[Susan]

[quote name='MC IMaGiNaZUN' date='Nov 11 2005, 07:15 PM']There is one other important mendicant order founded at the same time as these other three (Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites), and that is the Augustinians, the one which i am currently living with.

There could be a way of dividing the religious orders into frat houses.  The Dominicans are the nerd frat, always studying.  The Franciscans are the  hippy frat, with joy for peace and nature.  The Augustinians are the party frat, always celebrating in community.  The Jesuits would be the activist frat, attending to matters of social justice. 

Another way of looking at religious order is the central room of a religious house.  The Benedictines would have the chapel (They live to pray, with the most extravagant, ornate, artistic liturgical practices).  The Dominicans would be the library (Studying, researching in the sciences).  The Augusitinians would be the Common Room (the living room of a religiuos house, where they gather together as one and share themselves with the community).  The Franciscans would be outdoors (They experience the most fulfillment not confined to living quarters).  The Carmelites would be the cell  (Interior experience of God, they are committed to deep prayer).  For an eremetic order like the carthusians or the trappists, it might be the hermitage.  For the Jesuits, it would be the classroom.  For a missionary it would be the mission.  Etc.

As someone who has actively looked into those four mendicant orders, and decided, i could probably sit down and talk about each for hours.  But i won't, at least now.

SHALOM
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Sorry! I Forgot the Augustinians! HOW COULD I!?
But I would say that the Dominicans follow you as a close second on community living. They place a big emphasis on it, too.

What made you decide to become an Augie?

[passionheart]

[quote name='MC IMaGiNaZUN' date='Nov 11 2005, 08:15 PM']
The Dominicans would be the library (Studying, researching in the sciences).  The Augusitinians would be the Common Room (the living room of a religiuos house, where they gather together as one and share themselves with the community). 
SHALOM
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Ahhh but don't forget the Domincans follow the rule of St. Augustine and so they would be researching in the Common Room. :

DM

[magnificat]

Thanks everyone. Are there other big religious orders out there, especially for women?
And what about those religious orders that aren't identified with one of the "bigger" orders?

[friarMatt]

I am not one to try to slight or upstage one of my mendicant brothers.... but as a CONVENTUAL Franciscan, our friars were the ones in the large medieval convents in urban centers of Europe, not in the smaller ones in the middle of the hills or forest.

another name for us is the Friars of the Community :-) ... So we wouldn;t just be in the hills a la hippie-esk...We would be in the common room, though with many of the friars I know (myself included) the dining room could be an equally plausable option.

peace and all good,
fr. Matt, OFM Conv.

[Rising_Suns]

Dear Magnificat,
There is a very thorough comparison on the differences between religious orders at the following website;

[url="http://www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html"]www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html[/url]

I hope this helps you out in your search.

Many Blessings.

Edited July 4, 2008 by Rising_Suns

[Caramelonion]

[quote name='Rising_Suns' post='1591445' date='Jul 4 2008, 05:13 PM']Dear Magnificat,
There is a very thorough comparison on the differences between religious orders at the following website;

[url="http://www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html"]www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html[/url]

I hope this helps you out in your search.

Many Blessings.[/quote]

Thanks for including that website...that was great!

[gloriagurl]

[quote name='magnificat' post='785419' date='Nov 11 2005, 01:06 AM']Can anyone describe the difference between the spirituality in the various religious orders (i.e. Dominicans, Fransiscans, Carmelites, etc.)? I can't seem to find anyone who can describe the differences very well...Thanks![/quote]

On the lighter side of explaining the differences....

During a Eucharistic Congress, a number of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights go out.

The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obligation to pray Vespers.

The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God's gift of darkness.

The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a signification of the transmission of divine knowledge.

The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady breathing.

The Benedictines just keep praying from memory.

The parish priest, who is hosting the others, goes to the basement and replaces the fuse.


And just one more I found that I think is cute (off this particular topic though)

"You're a Catholic nerd if..."

... you get momentarily confused when you hear the word "discernment" refering to something besides trying to determine God's will.

...you know who St. Sharbel is, and are shocked that others don't.

...you not only know what a motu proprio is, but you fantasize about ones you would issue if you were Pope (I would ban certain hymns and certain musical instruments in Mass)

...someone says George Weigel is coming to town and you say "cool."

...your priest tells you not to mention the fact that he has to say 3 Masses in 1 day. This is double nerd points because a) you know why this is problematic, b) you stand out enough as a nerd that he knows you will know why this is something to keep on the lowdown. If you then go off and call the bishop and let him in on the secret, you should start a Catholic Fanatic blog:)

…your most common phrase at parties starts with “Well, the Catholic Catechism says…”

....you gauge your movie pix based on their ratings: A-I, A-II, A-III, A-IV and O [Note: these are the ratings used by the USCCB]

...its not the unity candle but the renewal of your baptismal promises that you want to add to your wedding (if you see the unity candle at someone else's wedding and say to yourself "oh, not as hard core as I thought," then you are an uncharitable Catholic nerd.)

...you have a disturbing dream that a series of misprints in the breviary shatters your prayer life.

...when a friend asks you to stop by the Catholic bookstore and pick up a statue of St. Joseph, you ask "Do you want a nice one for your house, or one to bury upside down to sell a house?"

...you don't feel right about eating a donut on Friday because its lent. You didn't give up sweets or anything, but somehow that just doesn't seem right.

...you stop and compare ashes with friends after Mass.

...you remember the names of the apostles by going through your brothers (yay big families!)

...you refer to having a bit too much to drink as, "not in the best state to evangelize."

...at a pre-Christmas party, you ask your friends if anyone will be "liturgically offended" if you light all four of the candles on the Advent wreath even though it is just Thursday of the 3rd week of Advent.

..."offer it up" is in your vocabulary (extra nerdiness if you add "for the good of the Mother Church")

...you stay up all night reading various church documents instead of studying for finals, just so that you can prove that an accolyte is not an ordinary minister of the Eucharist. (this also proves that you a pretty stubborn Catholic nerd)

...you have heard or taken part in a conversation along these lines-
"Do I smell like incense?"
"Yes, you do."
"Good:)"

...you compare a shower to confession...instead of confession to a shower (this analogy was how we discovered that we were truly Catholic nerds and began the list)

...you make a hobby of learning dead languages that have no use except liturgical

Peace

[EJames2]

[quote name='Rising_Suns' post='1591445' date='Jul 4 2008, 03:13 PM']Dear Magnificat,
There is a very thorough comparison on the differences between religious orders at the following website;

[url="http://www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html"]www.religious-vocation.com/differences_religious_orders.html[/url]

I hope this helps you out in your search.

Many Blessings.[/quote]
Yes that site is well done, and not only because he links to mine!
it looks good, and i hope it grows!
PAX
[url="http://www.religious-vocation.com"]http://www.religious-vocation.com[/url]
-