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Then why not encourage vocations to the existing, established order? A new community might sound fresh and exciting or appealing, but it isn't necessarily so. There are dozens of threads on here referring to new communities, many of them with only a couple of members, even after a long time - or maybe only a foundress, so not even a community. And as Dame Agnes has observed, so many of them seem very vague about their mission (and often about their spirit and charism too, especially when they mix/merge different spiritualities). I know a couple of women who spent some time in a very small new community. They were attracted by the idea of newness, of being part of a founding group, being co-creators... they found it to be difficult and dysfunctional, precisely because it was new, and everything was still in the process of being put together. Things kept changing, according to the foundress' latest ideas, which they found very disorientating. Yes, there are a few new communities which have grown and thrived - I'm aware of the DSMME, as a prime example - but they are the exceptions. And the DSMME are not vague about their identity or their mission.

This discussion reminds me of the one element that has been consistent in my own vocation journey: I always looked for clarity of will and purpose among the religious community and the two secular institutes that I discerned with seriously. I didn't realise this was part of my search until I went on retreat with the second secular institute and met most of its members. Mulling over what these women had been like, I saw that they were quietly confident in what they were doing, they were humble and curious yet decisive when they had to be, and their perception seemed clear and prudent. I realised then that this is the hallmark of a prayerful and flourishing group - I've seen the same qualities at work in many places. So now my question would not be so much "New community or established community?" but "Do I see that same clarity of purpose and acuity of perception in this group?" From what little I've seen of new communities, the ones that have flourished have had those things from the outset. By contrast, I've interacted with the founder of one new community many times and known a few people who have discerned there, and if anything their ideas get more changeable and all over the place with time. That would make me hesitate, regardless of whether I saw it in a new or established congregation.

Here's a summary of entrances, vows, and ordinations in monasteries of Benedictine monks in the United States so far this year. It may not be complete. Many monasteries accept new postulants/novices in August; many novices make 1st vows in September. St. Anselm, NH Postulant Benjamin; 1st vows - Basil, Dunstan, Titus Mount Savior, NY Novice Thomas Newark, NJ Postulant Moises St. Vincent, PA 1st vows - Angelo, Gregory, Sean, Xavier Solemn vows - Barnabas, Cassian, Celestine, Francis, Luke Deacon Ignatius Priest Dominic Belmont, NC Novice Bede Solemn vows, James (Aug ’18), Leo (July ’19) St. Leo, FL 1st vows Matthias; Solemn vows, Lucius St. Bernard, AL Novices - Andrew, Isaac, Lazarus 1st vows - Cassian, Paul, Simeon St. Joseph, LA Solemn vows - Jerome Subiaco, AR 1st vows - Ambrose, Thomas More Solemn vows - Raban St. Andrew, OH Postulant - Tim 1st vows - Simon Priest - Conrad St. Meinrad, IN Deacon - Lorenzo Holy Cross, IL Novice Dismas Deacons Gabriel and Joseph Priest Timothy Assumption, ND Novice Stephen; Solemn vows - Symeon Prince of Peace, CA Priest - Damien

Please please pray for Chester’s soul...

Dominican Friars, Province of St. Joseph (eastern United States). Here are the men who will profess first vows on August 15 Solemnity of the Assumption). Aspirants will be received Monday, July 22, and be clothed as novices on August 8th (feast of St. Dominic)

Also, the founding superior of the DSMME was a longtime superior of the Nashville Dominicans, who brought 3 other experienced sisters with her. Thus, this was not a founding by people without experience in religious life.

I also appreciate the ecumenical gesture. I like the station of the cross depicted, too. The place is, uh, very bright. I find the "baldacchino" kind of weird. Is that even supposed to be one? A baldacchino hiding in plain sight? Split into a gigantic door frame and a hanging rectangle? Pretending it's something else? Not going to say anything about the tabernacle. It speaks for itself... Look, if you're going to drop 76 million dollars on a cathedral, there should be no excuse - none - for not making the entire thing as beautiful as you can. There are craftsmen enough to build something worthy for the ages at that price point. Unfortunately, that continues to seem too hard. The trend is to make it "accessible", while rejecting the fact that the beautiful is inherently accessible.

Hiya Pham. Finally took the plunge and ordered tickets to fly to discern with the sisters! Honestly I'm so nervous, and a little frightened. It feels like this is the last chance I will ever have at religious life (even though I'm quite sure that's not true). I've also been growing in appreciation of married life, and might be confusing that with a call (also cute Catholic boys don't make things any easier). I am excited to go in retreat in early September and hopefully the Lord will speak loud and clear. Please pray for me as I prep for this retreat, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Work has had some bumps in the road, but I have talked with my leadership team and my doctors (as the bumps were mental health related). We've gotten things all figured out, and it's smooth sailing now. I started working from home today, and it has done a lot to ease my anxiety. I'm going to continue to pray for you all, and please pray for me!

There is something to say about etiquette and speaking in a charitable, respectful manner. Example: Trump Even if you agree with his policies, he makes it nearly impossible to support him because of his demeanor and temperament. It invalidates so much of what he says. So, even if Mark Shea is 100% correct on a topic, it falls on deaf ears.

Sister, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary... Love their cakes! 25th year as a Sister, Slave of the IHM... Final Profession... First Profession... New Novices... New Postulants...

the first "televangelist" back in the 1950's and the person who Reverend Robert Schuller said was his inspiration to go on television, Archbishop Sheen preaches three messages from the former sanctuary before the Crystal Cathedral was constructed. This video is now more pertinent than ever considering that the Roman Catholic Church now owns the property and has completed a loving multi-million dollar restoration of the Aboretum (the old sanctuary) and is in the midst of renovating the Crystal Cathedral (now Christ Cathedral)

The story of Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary complements last Sunday’s story of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan is an example of how a disciple should see and act. Mary is an example of how a disciple should listen. As a woman, Mary would be expected, like Martha, to prepare hospitality for a guest. Just as a Samaritan would not be a model for neighbourliness, so a woman would not sit with the men around the feet of a teacher. Both stories exemplify how a disciple is to fulfil the dual command which begins chapter 10—love of God (Mary) and love of neighbour (the Samaritan). The Kingdom of God is a society without distinctions and boundaries between its members. It is a society that requires times for seeing and doing and also times for listening and learning at the feet of a teacher. Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her house with generous hospitality, preparing a meal and serving them. Martha makes what seems like a very reasonable request to Jesus, but instead of sending Mary to help, Jesus lectures Martha about being anxious and distracted. Martha speaks only of herself. Martha doesn’t get the help she wants from Mary or the recognition she wants from Jesus. Instead, Jesus invites her to slow down. Busyness may be inevitable, but we can also use distraction as a way to avoid dealing with a problem; we can substitute busyness for real transformation. Maybe Martha didn’t really want to sit down and listen to what Jesus was saying. So often, Jesus said things that were challenging or difficult or annoying. Better to bide one’s time in the kitchen than have to re-think your opinions about Samaritans or tax-collectors. Whatever she really wanted; what Martha needed was to just stop. Sit down. Listen. Stop doing and start listening. The world we live in is full of problems, problems we all want to fix. But sometimes we want to fix problems more than we want to understand them. The problems we are facing today don’t have easy fixes: how best to protect the environment? How to protect ourselves while staying open and welcoming? All of these issues require careful, prayerful discernment — at least, they do if we are going to respond from a place of love and not fear. Jesus’ call is to seek out God’s presence, to set aside the distractions of the world before we can best hear God’s voice. If you’re having a hard time finding God, go to those places where you know God lives. Come to church, sing the hymns, go to Holy Communion. Go outside and say thank you, even if you aren’t feeling thankful. Act with love, even if you aren’t feeling the love. And love will come to you. Finding God among the poor is perhaps not as easy as in the beauty of nature or the peace of worship. But finding God among the poor is certain: for we know that God is always alive in the struggle for justice. We know that God lives among the marginalized, that God fights for the poor and upholds the weak. Like St Francis be among the poor, not to fix them, but merely to listen. To live with one another. To build community. Keep your heart open, and you will hear God’s voice there. Jesus is the true Son promised today by Abraham’s visitors (see Matthew 1:1). In Him, God has made an everlasting covenant for all time, made us blessed descendants of Abraham. The Church now offers us this covenant, bringing to completion the word of God, the promise of His plan of salvation, what Paul calls “the mystery hidden for ages.” As once He came to Abraham, Mary, and Martha, Christ now comes to each of us in Word and Sacrament. As we say in this week’s Psalm: Lord who shall dwell on your holy mountain? He who walks without fault he who acts with justice and speaks the truth.

I've come to realize that it is pretty much a joke that the so-called conservative politicians mobilized in order to combat abortion and immorality. It's just opportunism. And anyone who dehumanizes anyone, say undocumented immigrants--- calling them illegals like some nonhuman entities, discredits the claim that they are pro-life. This is a problem plaguing society as I see it… Nothing will change if people persist in uncharity, racism, lack of sympathy towards the least who are alive. It's easy to sympathize with babies actually, but babies grow up… Anyway, that said, reacting against Trump unconstructively is just the pendulum swinging in the opposite direction… Forget politics, look to Christ, follow him and the Church and then the Holy Spirit will guide you in the right direction… That is the secret to any path of life even politics insomuch that politics is necessary. And surprisingly enough, Donald Trump as whatever he in his heart and mind, is a human being as well and needs prayers. That's not an excuse for his behavior and rhetoric. I don't know if he's really sincerely racist or whatnot but whining about it is pretty much as useless as sending out stupid tweets.

I'm curious. If other communities--well established and so on--are already doing these ministries, why is a new community necessary?

AOC

Josh, this is a crazy world. Is Trump racist? I don't know. He certainly appears to be a narcissist, and the opinions of a narcissist (being self-centered and shallow) are not something I care to obsess about. He does whatever is best for him and what best feeds his delusion of grandeur. I don't care what he thinks about race. It's probably shallow and self-centered. It's kind of boring. I know he's the leader of the free-world, but, the more people attack Trump the more riled up his base becomes, the more rabid and insane the left becomes, and the folks on both sides just dig their heels in deeper. This has been the ultimate corollary to the breach of "don't feed the trolls"

New York Times. LOL!!!!

Looks like the inside of a refrigerator. All the stoneworks, look cold. Blank but not blank, minimalistic. Although with all the glass it's likely very hard and expensive to keep cool in summer. So many clashes of design. The crucifix, clashes with the tabernacle. The bottom of the tabernacle clashes with the top. The top of the tabernacle clashes with e v e r y t h i n g. The stations of the Cross clash with the crucifix and tabernacle. It's not ugly over all but it's not beautiful. I wonder if Mass here feels like a indoor outdoor Mass. Would I need my Ray-Ban's®?

Neat

4 Carmelite Sisters of Los Angeles prepare to make first vows today. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=420829985180479

New novice for the Dominican nuns in Marbury, AL: https://www.marburydominicannuns.org/new-novice/

Immigration rules, in any country, can change at any time- and more than once. In some countries, a resident alien who enters (or who is in an international community, in active ministry in a country where she is not a citizen) can have permission to work only in houses of her congregation. Now that religious communities have much lower membership, and may be carrying out their ministries in institutions their congregations do not own, it can be tricky. I'm sure the situation in the UK is uncertain with Brexit, so I would not imagine UK congregations would be open to foreign candidates at the moment - at least until they can see what the new rules may be. Even in cases where one is not a religious, regulations suddenly can change. I knew someone who was a teacher in Italy - she wasn't an Italian citizen, but intended to remain there. I can't recall the exact circumstances, but suddenly, and unexpectedly, there was some change where citizens had to be given preference. I'll admit that I can't blame communities for not wanting to take on all sorts of complicated applications (and related expenses), the more when there is no way of knowing if a candidate will remain. Missionary Orders always had many members working in countries where they were not citizens, but there was a time when they may have been in territories of their home country. I've noticed that some communities have established houses in other countries, but that those entering are from that country. Sorry that I know nothing that is helpful,but many rules about immigration or being a resident alien have changed constantly in recent years.

I don’t know what to think about this.

Trump Didn't Call Neo-Nazis 'Fine People.' Here's Proof. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2019/03/21/trump_didnt_call_neo-nazis_fine_people_heres_proof_139815.html News anchors and pundits have repeated lies about Donald Trump and race so often that some of these narratives seem true, even to Americans who embrace the fruits of the president’s policies. The most pernicious and pervasive of these lies is the “Charlottesville Hoax,” the fake-news fabrication that he described the neo-Nazis who rallied in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017 as “fine people.” Just last week I exposed this falsehood, yet again, when CNN contributor Keith Boykin falsely stated, “When violent people were marching with tiki torches in Charlottesville, the president said they were ‘very fine people.’” When I objected and detailed that Trump’s “fine people on both sides” observation clearly related to those on both sides of the Confederate monument debate, and specifically excluded the violent supremacists, anchor Erin Burnett interjected, “He [Trump] didn’t say it was on the monument debate at all. No, they didn’t even try to use that defense. It’s a good one, but no one’s even tried to use it, so you just used it now.” My colleagues seem prepared to dispute our own network’s correct contemporaneous reporting and the very clear transcripts of the now-infamous Trump Tower presser on the tragic events of Charlottesville. Here are the unambiguous actual words of President Trump: “Excuse me, they didn’t put themselves down as neo-Nazis, and you had some very bad people in that group. But you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. You had people in that group – excuse me, excuse me, I saw the same pictures you did. You had people in that group that were there to protest the taking down of, to them, a very, very important statue and the renaming of a park from Robert E. Lee to another name.” After another question at that press conference, Trump became even more explicit: “I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and white nationalists because they should be condemned totally.” As a man charged with publicly explaining Donald Trump’s often meandering and colloquial vernacular in highly adversarial TV settings, I appreciate more than most the sometimes-murky nature of his off-script commentaries. But these Charlottesville statements leave little room for interpretation. For any honest person, therefore, to conclude that the president somehow praised the very people he actually derided, reveals a blatant and blinding level of bias.

May he rest in peace. May the God of mercy welcome him into his Fatherly embrace.

I don't know for sure. It sounds like the object is the thing in question. If it is intrinsically evil, it's a no. Then is it? I guess this is what you're trying to figure out. There is a long thread on this from 2006 in a blog post by Jimmy Akin in which Catholics took either side of the issue. https://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/2006/07/frozen_embryo_a.html One blogger, made a response to it, supporting embryo adoption: http://darwincatholic.blogspot.com/2006/07/akin-on-embryo-adoption.html During the long discussion, Donum Vitae was brought up often. http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19870222_respect-for-human-life_en.html If you have not read I think it's worth a read. I came into the discussion predisposed towards supporting it. On the Akin thread, my mind went back and forth, for and against. After having read a little bit, I think the strongest evidence is against it. Some argued that there had been nothing definitive said on embryo adoption, but I think one could show that something has been said. Also I don't think the pro-embryo adoption commenters there produced an convincing response to the Donum Vitae text. I think it's pretty clear. If transfer of the embryo into a woman's womb - even with nothing but charitable intent - were licit, Donum Vitae would have mentioned it. Another observation: Donum Vitae frequently mentions, and condemns, IVF and ET (embryo transfer) in the same breath. Most of the arguments in DV are against the fertilisation portion, but I think it would be difficult to show that when it condemned "IVF and ET" it only meant IVF and not ET. In fact I suspect it mentions ET so often precisely to address the potential loophole. The section on surrogate motherhood is also relevant, I think. Obviously the agreement to surrender the baby is not a factor in embryo adoption, but otherwise it seems to be a very similar kind of act, and so I think there are elements of the argument against surrogacy in this passage which could also apply to embryo adoption - "contrary to the unity of marriage and to the dignity of the procreation of the human person" in particular. It implies that procreation is not just fertilisation - and that seems to have moral consequences. And regarding the unity of marriage, the poster Inocencio (on Akin's thread) repeatedly asked (without answer) whether the wife's fertility could be used to become pregnant outside the conjugal union of her and her husband? I think an example that brings surrogate motherhood very close to embryo adoption is when the surrogate mother is in an agreement that leaves her entirely free to keep the baby she bears should she choose. This is less bad than agreements that coerce her to give up the child, I think, but it still falls under the prohibition. And I do think, upon a little reflection, that there is very little difference between that and embryo adoption. In the end, I think there is at least a possibility that embryo adoption constitutes grave matter, after having read Donum Vitae. In any case, exercise caution. Food for thought. I am sympathetic to the motives for it, though, and I am open to being convinced otherwise. I pray you find the right course of action. A couple extra points. Can we even keep these embryos, these abandoned, utterly lost children, in cryopreservation at all? It's heartbreaking, isn't it, what horrible dilemmas IVF has brought us to. Such incredible evil running rampant, truly mad science, with irreversible consequences. A final point, also discussed on the thread, is on artificial wombs. Might they be used, in some future point, to save these poor children? It seems like this is impermissible too. However, I think there is a truly interesting clarification that may need to be made at some point in the future. I quote a commenter from the Akin thread: "But if artificial wombs are immoral, yet Isolettes and other incubator technology for saving premies is moral, might there come a point where we literally cannot tell the difference between one and the other on a purely technological basis?" Okay, I'm officially stumped...

Trump opposes genocide, free and unfettered abortion is extremely racist. Many people do not approve of abortion and have worked to change the law. This does not make pro-lifers racist, nor does it make president trump and the Republican Party , racists for supporting the pro-life movement . The Democrats on the other hand promote and encourage the genocide of the poor and underprivileged United States citizens. Trump pointing out the hypocrisy of the ultra left wing Democratic Party is fair game.

I love the photos. I know sometimes religious communities both men and women will often do baking to help support the community.Through eBay, I came across an engraving from a book about religious orders ,printed in the 17th or 18th century. The engraving was of a nun who belonged to the Daughters of Christian Union, think in Troyes ,France. The sisters were founded to convert families back to the church, especially protestant widows and their daughters. The community disappeared at the the time of the French revolution. I guess they joined other communities. Anyhow, one of the way they supported themselves was with making macaroons,etc.

I guess I wanted to see more of the ELEVEN we grew to love in Season 1... ELEVEN in Season 3 is too normal... you would think after being pretty much a lab rat all her life, with incredible powers she probably doesn't even understand, she would have a harder time adjusting...

Watching it. On episode 5 of season 3. I am enjoying it, but it is not great. Don't like the typical girls are amesome smart and tough, and boys are bumbling doofuses.

Define "great catholic".

At the end of Season 2 I was hoping they gave Erica a bigger role in Season 3. "You can't spell America without Erica". LOL She's amesome.

I wish there were more. This is my new fav thread on the internet.

Embryo adoption is a blessed way to ensure that embryos are brought into this world to a loving, stable family and live the great life they were meant to have. bless you and your family

I can't offer any perspectives, sorry - but I will be keeping you and your decisions in prayer

I didnt listen to the show, dont know who Don Johnson is. A guy named Don Johnson sexually assaulted me, but I'm pretty sure theres no relation. I only have really listened to relevant radio for the rosary. Although the few times I did listen to it other than that, I was relieved their discussion on Pope Francis was better than whats on ewtn. I'm interested whether DJ went in there with "a plan" to get fired. The story he tells, makes it sound like hes surprised. But some things he says in the article make it sound like "if you dont agree with me about statues, you're racist." The author he refers to as testifying before Congress is very hot button, having written he didnt care about the cops dying on 9/11. Personally i think the monuments are ridiculous and shouldnt have been put up to begin with. They are monuments to racism, and hopefully when they're gone their absence doesnt give space to people who deny racism exists. He is right that the main Catholic constituency is conservative and white. When conservative white Catholics talk politics nowadays you can be sure there will be cringe.

Well CANON X said -If any one saith, that the marriage state is to be placed above the state of virginity, or of celibacy, and that it is not BETTER and MORE BLESSED to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony; let him be anathema.

Peace to you One Heart + I was very moved by your post and your story. I wanted to share a little piece I found on the Trappist (Spencer) website. Here's a link: https://www.spencerabbey.org/monastic-transformation/. When you read it you will see why I think it may inspire you. One thing about your story that troubles me and that is the possibility of a guilt complex. I am no psychologist but I know that a complex contains a lot of power over our souls and the 'guilt' part is self explanatory. For that reason I would recommend that you speak with a qualified spiritual director and hopefully they will be able to determine if this 'guilt' thing is operating in you. My own opinion is that you will be a much happier person if that can be healed. I was raised in a pretty strict Irish Catholic family and that was back in the day before kids talked back to their parents and there were rigid guidelines for behavior. I also went through 16 years of Catholic education so there was a lot of opportunity for Catholic guilt to take root. As I started to shed some of that I was able to claim my own personhood (i.e. the Self). All of your relationships will mature and develop once that process happens. May you be blessed. And may the Blessed Mother lead you to 'your' place in the church. You carry a wealth of experience that can help others along the way. your brother

I decided to gold leaf the halo. Wish me luck!

God bless you, OneHeart!

Aspirant Clare will enter as a postulant on August 2nd at the Poor Clare Colettines of Cleveland (on Rocky River Drive).

Hi Kayte, You don't know me, I just lurk, but I want to say how happy I am that things are going well for you!

Jock, the painter, often would thin his paint so it would go further. So when the Church decided to do some deferred maintenance, Jock was able to put in the low bid, and got the job. As always, he thinned his paint way down with turpentine. One day while he was up on the scaffolding -- the job almost finished -- he heard a horrendous clap of thunder, and the sky opened. The downpour washed the thinned paint off the church and knocked Jock off his scaffold and onto the lawn among the gravestones and puddles of thinned and worthless paint. Jock knew this was a warning from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried: “Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?” And from the thunder, a mighty voice: “REPAINT! REPAINT! AND THIN NO MORE!” https://www.frtommylane.com/stories/jokes/repaint.htm _______________________

We are beginning to do womb transplants, so this may be an issue someday.