Middle Of The Road Communities

[Lilllabettt]

Let me see if I can describe what I mean:

These communities usually have a modified habit, and may or may not be members of the CMSWR. They don't have an explicit "political" alignment. Their formation programs incorporate more recent advances in understanding of psychology. Compared with more traditional communities, there are usually fewer restrictions on communication with people outside the community. There are fewer things which require the permission of a superior. The way they live religious life is not as "secret." There is less emphasis on the centrality of religious decorum ... on the other hand, these Sisters live in community, have some new vocations, are orthodox, practice devotions to Mary and the Eucharist, and have a traditional interpretation of the vows and of what a religious vocation is.

I'd like to make a list of communities that fit this bill ... kind of a challenge, because I think they fly pretty well under the radar (compared to say, the very popular "old school" communities and the very vocal "liberal" ones)


[url="http://www.salesiansisterswest.org/"]Salesian Sisters[/url]
[url="http://georgetownvisitation.org/"]Georgetown Visitation[/url]
[url="http://www.ihmimmaculata.org/"]IHMs (PA)[/url]

(I think these communities are "middle of the road" based on my personal experience/ word of mouth)

any others?

Edited July 19, 2010 by Lilllabettt

[laetitia crucis]

Perhaps the [url="http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com/"]Daughters of St. Paul[/url]?

Hmmm.... ...I think you're right about these communities "flying under the radar", Lilllabettt -- this is quite the challenge!

[Cherie]

[url="http://www.resurrectionsisters.org"]Sisters of the Resurrection[/url] They were the first community I ever contacted when I was discerning religious life

[she_who_is_not]

Sisters of Christian Charity [url="http://www.scceast.org/"]SCC[/url]

[TeresaBenedicta]

I think the [url="http://www.thedaughtersofcharity.org/"]Daughter's of Charity[/url] could fit this as well. I spent Easter with them in Emmitsburg and know a few of the sisters very well from my time at the Mount. They're getting a few vocations, younger ones even.

[vee]

I saw the thread title and couldn't resist

[img]http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/abbey-road-hommage-covers/12-7.jpg[/img]

[the_rev]

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity: http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/

[OnlySunshine]

What about the [url="http://www.ascjus.org/"]Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus[/url]? I've heard that they allow internet time and they have a modified habit and veil, but they are still members of the CMSWR.

The [url="http://www.carmelitesisters.com/"]Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm[/url] have Sisters on Facebook (plus, I've seen one sister post here occasionally).

The [url="http://www.benedictinesisters.org/"]Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration[/url] are pretty lenient in the way of what to bring to the convent when you enter. Even though they are a semi-contemplative community, the Sisters are allowed to go home 2 weeks out of the year to visit family. See here:

http://www.benedictinesisters.org/vocation/questions.php

[stlmom]

Thank you, thank you for starting this thread, Lillabett. I've always felt that there are a number of communities that deserved a look or two from serious discerners that don't get much publicity. Just from reading their webpages, they seem to fit here at least to some extent.

[url="http://www.sistersofjesusourhope.org/"]Sisters of Jesus Our Hope[/url]

[url="http://sacredheartsisters.com/"]Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart[/url]

[url="http://www.ccwsisters.org"]Carmelite Community of the Word[/url]

[url="http://www.fsecommunity.org/"]Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist[/url]

[ksterling]

I'd certainly second the vote for the Apostles of Jesus. I'm starting down the discernment path with this community and so far, I'm very impressed. I never those about the Sisters of the Resurrection - does anyone know anything about them? I did look at the Francisans of the Eucharist but I think their habit is dreadful - weird veil and, frankly, the habit looks like a sewing 101 project. I know, I know, poverty - bare essentials, what it looks like shouldn't matter ect. but there are quite a few different communities out there - an embarassment of riches! And all other things being equal, I would prefer attire the appeals to me.

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='ksterling' date='19 July 2010 - 06:27 PM' timestamp='1279574866' post='2145108']
I'd certainly second the vote for the Apostles of Jesus. I'm starting down the discernment path with this community and so far, I'm very impressed. I never heard those about the Sisters of the Resurrection - does anyone know anything about them?
[/quote]
For what it's worth:
what I read, is that the whole Resurrectionist order/charism originates in Poland. It seems to be certainly true of the order of Sisters, who had birthmother/birthdaughter as co-founders.
Not to totally change subjects, but Illinois' Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, which is now a men's religious order in its own right, has been founded by Resurrectionist Father Frank Phillips C.R., and if I'm not mistaken, fr. Phillips is still in good standing with the congregation of the Resurrection.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='she_who_is_not' date='19 July 2010 - 01:27 PM' timestamp='1279564064' post='2144972']
Sisters of Christian Charity [url="http://www.scceast.org/"]SCC[/url]
[/quote]

Yes!!! You beat me to it! These are "my" Sisters, the ones who live across the street from me.

I don't know much about formation, because most of their postulants and novices live in their motherhouse in NJ, although two "older vocations" (my guess is that they are in their 40's) are going through formation here in the Midwest. By my best count, the Order had four new postulants in the U.S. last year. However, the Order is headquartered in Germany, and has missions in South America and the Philippines, as well as Germany and Rome, and I know they have new vocations in all these places.

It feels as if the rules of the SCC are a little more relaxed (but not lax), and the Sisters are clearly in line with the Magisterium and in obedience to the Pope. I don't think the Order belongs to any of the U.S. associations, but instead belongs to a International one. I do know that that for formation they have programs where postulants/novices from nearby religious communities in NJ share formation classes together. I also saw a picture of a meeting of vocation directors in NJ, and I was VERY pleased to see one of "my" Sisters at the meeting, and standing very near her I recognized Sister Mary Catherine of the Summit Dominican nuns. They also run a college for religious Sisters (probably near their motherhouse in NJ--but I'm not positive of the location).

All I know for sure (rather than just from reading it on the Internet) is that every single Sister that I have met in the Order has been incredibly nice and welcoming, and seems genuinely happy.

BTW--The SCC has no affiliation with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, despite the similarity of names.

Edited July 20, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Shana]

I think I'd agree with the Daughters of St. Paul. One of the communities I'm looking into.

[TIWW]

[font="Tahoma"]

http://norfolkmbs.blogspot.com/[/font]
THE MISSIONARY BENEDICTINE SISTERS, in NORFOLK, NE

Lovely, International Benedictine Community, Unfortunately their website went down this summer, but they are working on getting it back up

[TIWW]

Great idea for a thread Lillibet, and great photo of you too, you are looking healthy and happy!