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Prayerie Pal
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| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 08:32 am |
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I was just commenting on "Old SBC Gone" thread and thought maybe I should start this thread. I'd like to know if any of you are oblates and how you finally came to discern a particular order? I don't have an actual "spiritual director" though I've been blessed so much the past 3 years since returning to the CC by the Holy Spirit leading me and directing me so far. I did travel to a Benedictine monastery for a year+, and was a candidate there, (2 hours from Omaha) but just recently, it's seemed to wane, the 'drawing' there just isn't like it was. This is a 'calling' and it is important that I discern this as it will be a committment and for the rest of my life, so I want to be sure. I also know that no neon sign is going appear before my eyes, and that I do have to finally 'step out in faith.'
I am also drawn to Franciscan 3rd Order. But something about Carmelite spirituality is drawing me and touching me deeply from all various sources. St Therese is a favorite "big sis" and I just love her! I pray to her often. How important is finding a spiritual director and how does one go about that? It kind of gives me pause to seek one out, find one, spend time and then the "what if's" come to mind, "What if we don't click?" That seems to be not a waste of time, per se, but it kind of does. So I'd have try to find another? That doesn't appeal to me...seeking,pouring out my heart, then having to go to another person. How many of you have SD's and what is your experience in finding one that really does indeed DIRECT you?
I share much of my soul with a certain, few close friends, and have really been guided so far by the HS. I know a "hand" has been nudging me, in a mysterious way. I am more contemplative of nature, and yet, love being social, and have become more outgoing than I was in my earlier years, when I was a bit more reserved. I made a CEC weekend in Oct. and "group" with 3 women every Sat,one of whom is very knowledgeable, and is also the host of the Spirit Morning Show at KVSS, where I volunteer. I also volunteer at the Holy Family Shrine, so you can see the two 'opposite' facets of my personality. One, the HFS is more quiet and contemplative, and the radio studio, the more busy, lively, more active. All my reading has been "divinely" appointed. I am one to "judge a book by it's cover" being artistic, cover art catches my eye, and usually, if it's "good art" it's a good book.
My latest purchase (though I've not begun to read it) is Padre Pio, Man of Hope. HOPE has been one of the words that I've been 'absorbing' and hearing and seeing lately,so I follow it, the promptings to read and listen to things regarding "hope." I've pondered hope a lot for the last two months, and much since last week when Omaha suffered the tragedy of the Westroads Mall shooting and horrible loss of innocent lives. HOPE, and what a human is capable of when deprived of that gift is indeed frightening. Not that hope wasn't available to this disturbed and deranged person, but how dark one's mind and heart can become when not able to 'see' hope or doesn't seek hope/help but finally believes he or she is 'hopeless.' Then nothing then matters, no 'thing' has any meaning and in the end, life itself is meaningless. So he does what he does, and takes his own life.
I digressed and rambled. Sorry. I guess in a way, this forum is a source of spiritual direction. There are many wise and gifted Catholics of all ages here. I'd appreciate any words of wisdom anyone has to offer. Thank you.
PAX Christi
PP
Last edited on Wed Dec 12th, 2007 08:41 am by Prayerie Pal
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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susiedear
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 12th, 2006 |
| Location: | Twin Cities, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 186 |
| First Name: | Elizabeth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal / Evangelical / Catholic! |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 09:50 am |
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Prayerie Pal wrote: I am also drawn to Franciscan 3rd Order. But something about Carmelite spirituality is drawing me and touching me deeply from all various sources.
Dear Susie, my parish has a Carmelite meeting once a month and some of our members are oblates to the Franciscan 3rd Order. I love praying with them as their devotion to our Lord is evident and contagious. The meetings consist of reading and study, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and social time. The night always ends far too soon! Do you know if there is a parish in Omaha that has regular Carmelite meetings? If not, you could PM me and I could put you in touch with someone I know who is an oblate and could help you get started.
Elizabeth
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But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. St. Augustine
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Prayerie Pal
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 10:00 am |
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Dear Elizabeth~
Thank you so much! How nice to come back to my computer and find a reply so soon! I do believe the Carmelites have begun in Omaha, (they've been in Lincoln for a few years, called the Ecclesia Carmelite Movement) but not sure where they gather for meetings. I need to find out what parish it is. Your comment has spurred me on!
Thanks.
susie
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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Annie
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| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 731 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 12:24 pm |
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i was looking for a spiritual director but I now believe what Fr. Thomas Dubay says is true, the best spiritual direction comes from reading the writings of the saints. Start with Introduction to the Devout Life which contains all the basics but would take a lifetime to complete. Imitation of Christ is another one. Also Imitation of Mary. It is true that spiritual direction can come to us in little bits and pieces such as on this forum.
I would discourage anybody from trying to get a spiritual director just for the sake of having one. Only try to get one if you can't get answers to your questions from other sources. Good spiritual directors are few and far between. Stay away from the ones who charge a set fee as they might just want to tell you what you want to hear to keep the money coming in.
On being an oblate: I decided on the Benedictines because of the issues of balance and direction. Both the Franciscans and Carmelites lack balance in my opinion as they are focused on one particular thing. The Benedictine opus dei is the Liturgy of the Hours and you can't go wrong with that, it being the official prayer of the Church. And it is combined with lectio divina, which is the other important thing to know how to do. The greatest problem with Carmelite spirituality is that it involves trying for infused prayer which is a very advanced technique, not for beginners. This also carries with it the potential for getting into error, especially for a convert. Keep these words of caution in mind when looking for a spiritual home and you will find the right place.
If one becomes an oblate the meetings and other resources that are made available can often eliminate the need for an individual spiritual director. People at the meetings can steer you toward helpful things and the oblate director of course is your best resource. Before becoming an oblate carefully determine who the oblate director is, do they have the experience, the reputation to be really qualified.
Hope to see you in a scapular soon, of whatever color. Hey this color thing is fun!
Last edited on Wed Dec 12th, 2007 12:26 pm by Annie
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Annie
Ora et labora
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paulr
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| Joined: | Mon Sep 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Maple Falls, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 17 |
| First Name: | Paul | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifelong Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 01:39 pm |
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Annie,
I'd like to throw my two cents in if I may.
First, for all of us, even for the Pope himself, a good, solid spiritual director is always beneficial for the health of one’s soul as well as the mind.
This is one instance in which no one can ever get too much of a good thing.
This is true whether or not an individual is pursuing or is an active member of a religious order (Tertiary Franciscans, OCDS, et al).
It is just plain good practice to have a spiritual advisor if such a person is available.
Unfortunately, given the scarcity of priests, a spiritual director is becoming harder to come by these days.
On the other hand, as our separated brothers and sisters know all too well, trusting only on yourself and how you personally interpret this, that or the other writings can lead one off in the weeds in no time at all.
This is why community is emphasized so much in the Catholic faith.
One fundamental purpose of community, religious or otherwise, is to keep everyone on track with regard to matters of the faith.
Our secular Carmelite community has an assigned spiritual director who fulfills this very purpose.
Regarding the issue of “balance and direction”, I am compelled to comment on this a bit.
It isn’t exactly correct to say that either the Franciscans or Carmelites “focus on one particular thing.”
Have you ever wondered why there are so many religious orders and communities within the Catholic Church?
Just take a look at this list to get an idea - http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/order.htm
Saint Paul tells us that there are many gifts (charisms) but the same Spirit.
As a Secular Carmelite (OCDS) the vocation of prayer is very appealing to me.
On the other hand, I don’t have the calling to be a missionary, a doctor or a politician.
Not everyone likes grape jelly on their barbeque sandwich. (My father-in-law does.)
God created humanity with an immeasurable amount of variety to our nature.
He saw that all of it was good.
Variety is good – as long as it is within the boundaries that God Himself set for us.
Lastly, regarding “infused prayer”, the Secular Carmelites primary vocation is one of prayer. There isn’t a competition or yardstick of how an individual prays, or whether or not one achieves spiritual ecstasy on a routine basis as did St. Teresa of Avila or St. John of the Cross. These aren’t primary goals unto themselves.
Many Carmelites may never develop past the level of vocal prayer.
Yet, this does not make them bad Carmelites.
What is important is their devotion and effort to serve God through their prayers.
Service to God, for a member of a religious order, is done best and first in community.
It is in community, (Franciscan, Dominican, Benedictine, Carmelite), with the aid of a spiritual director, that one joins with other like-minded souls for the purpose of serving God to a deeper level and with a fuller personal commitment than an individual may otherwise make on their own.
I hope this helps.
paul
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Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam
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Annie
Banned
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 731 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 01:55 pm |
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Well, you pretty much said everything I did anyway.
One is very hard put to find a spiritual director these days in those areas of the country where Catholics are a small minority.
As you become more familiar with this forum, one of the things that you will learn is that the thing that attracts a lot of the converts to the Carmelites is the idea infused prayer and they really don't know what they are getting into.
Please keep in mind that most of the people who post here are for the most part new converts, that's what this forum is for.
Last edited on Wed Dec 12th, 2007 02:01 pm by Annie
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Annie
Ora et labora
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 06:01 pm |
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If I were looking for a spiritual director, I'd be praying God would lead me to a man or woman with these characteristics/capabilities:
profound reverence before God, personal holiness, vibrant prayer life, frequent reception of sacraments
intelligence, wisdom, education, communication skills
deep spiritual insight, understanding of how God works in a human life
steeped in Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the Catechism, spiritual theology, and the lives and writings of the Saints
understands the sacramental nature of spiritual direction and the importance of holy obedience
honesty, discretion, and integrity
willingness to deliver hard-to-hear truths
willingness to issue a rebuke
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Other threads you may want to explore (You'll need to click.):
Finding a spiritual director
Is God speaking to you?
Heavier reading material on spiritual progress
Franciscan
Carmelite spirituality
Carmelite Secular
Benedictine oblates
Passionist nuns oblates
one example of Dominican Third Order Community
Vocation Search
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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Prayerie Pal
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 06:22 pm |
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Thank you all so very much! What an incredible help this has been! I've got much to explore and pray about here. This is wonderful! You're all a tremendous treasure trove of good thoughts, ideas, wisdom and support. Bless you!
De C olores!
susie
Last edited on Wed Dec 12th, 2007 06:23 pm by Prayerie Pal
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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Annie
Banned
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 731 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 06:29 pm |
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De C olores! to you too. (I did the Walk to Emmaus.)
Greater Columbus Women's Walk #31 Table of Elizabeth, hoorah! or whatever...
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Annie
Ora et labora
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 07:00 pm |
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De Colores! to you too. (I also did the Walk to Emmaus.)
Women's Walk #12 Table of Martha
thread tie-in for the fierce Cajun --- Ah, yes-- The experience of the Emmaus Walk was an intense weekend of spiritual direction and a taste of "community" life. How's that?
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 09:55 am |
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Intercessor wrote: thread tie-in for the fierce Cajun
Fierce? MOI? (he says in his best Miss Piggy voice...)
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Prayerie Pal
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 10:01 am |
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somehow i don't connect Kermie with 'fierce.' Miss Piggy on the other hand..... 
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 10:02 am |
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CajunRick wrote:
Intercessor wrote:
thread tie-in for the fierce Cajun
Fierce? MOI? (he says in his best Miss Piggy voice...)
Yeah, boy, Miss Piggy who has an alligator at the end of the leash instead of a little poodle. 
It takes both discernment and direction to stay on topic and stay out of trouble around here!!!
Last edited on Thu Dec 13th, 2007 10:07 am by Intercessor
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 10:17 am |
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Intercessor wrote: Yeah, boy, Miss Piggy who has an alligator at the end of the leash instead of a little poodle.
Have you ever tried to keep an alligator on a leash? One bite is all it takes!
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