I feel I'm being called to a more contemplative lifestyle. Does anyone here have any suggestions on the best contemplative communities and orders? Thanks in advance.

I'd suggest the Benedictine Monks in Still River, MA. St. Benedict Abbey They don't have schools, etc. like a lot of benedictine monks have. They have a guest house which is very "classic" benedictine!

Community of St. Jean

Here is a cistercian group of monks Click here. They were on Life on the Rock on EWTN within the past year.- On the side, instead of making fruitcakes or fudge, they make office supplies...something to do with ink. I pray that God will reveal your vocation to you.

i second that! also, you can try the carthusians (hehe )or the community of the beatitudes. maybe the catholic solitudes in texas! they are a very holy group of monks (more like a community of hermits) that incorporate eastern spirituality (the Jesus prayer) and the devotion to the Divine Mercy.

I was going to recommend this community to you. The Cistercian life is a great and holy way of life. If you would like more info on the Cistercians, on the monks' website there is a book that was written about Cistercian history. It's really good. You should check them out.

Thank you everyone for your input. I'm going start looking into some of these communities soon.

Out of the more contemplative orders I visited I like the FI's and the FPO's. FI = Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate; FPO = Franciscans of the Primitive Observance.

I visited the Benedictines once, but I accidentally visited a liberal monastery and just had creepy debates the whole time. LOL

I was at a Solemn Profession for a Cistercian nun yesterday, and the Cistercian monks were there for the occasion. One of them served as celebrant. They are such great men - very prayerful, very orthodox.

Oh, what do y'all know about the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Are these the ones that have something to do with Maxamillian Kolbe? If they are, I saw that they have sisters as well- Does anyone know anything about them?

I know a couple people who joined the sisters, and several who visited.

The girls I know who joined actually love it, but the one's that visited weren't feeling it.

They are very orthodox and very contemplative. They always kneel to receive Communion... From what I understand they pray the office in Latin, and do corporal penances.. Oh, and many of them (maybe most, not sure) are Phillipino.

I also believe they send you to Italy for formation because the mother house is there.

And yes, they are very Kolbean and have a fourth vow of Marian Consecration.

They do something having to do with evangelization in the Spirit of Kolbe.

Ok, I guess I don't really know too much about the sisters.. I know know more about they guys.

Oh, and instead of saying "hi" they say "ave Maria".

Oh, Thanks sooo much! I am glad to hear that they are orthodox.

Yep, and they are one of the fastest growing order.

They run this site: http://www.marymediatrix.com/

And the books they sell are totally awesome!!

Be sure to check this: http://www.marymediatrix.com/rel_life/

Look like you might still be able to post if you join them!

Oh, I haven't looked at the books they sell yet...will check them out. I haven't written to them yet, but I think I might!

Also, I didn't know they were one of the fasted growing orders...that's good to know. It's always good to know if an order is receiving many vocations. Thanks.