Enneagram In Religious Life

[Chamomile]

Yay!

Prayers definitely work

Edited February 4, 2011 by Chamomile

[ExCorde]

The thing is that there is a real need and benefit for developing psychological tools to enhance personal and communal life that respects, let alone being based on, Catholic teaching. Since there isn't much of that, enneagram and other dubious stuff are used, especially when the community isn't particularly concerned with how faithful to the magisterium the materials are!

Portuguese jesuits, historically famous missionaries, have had official enneagram retreats of several types for many years. It's a good indicator of what's going on, really.

If the subject of psychology and religious life interests you, perhaps you'd like to have a look at the 2008 document [url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20080628_orientamenti_en.html"]Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood[/url].

[Santa Cruz]

[quote name='ExCorde' timestamp='1296818263' post='2208619']


The thing is that there is a real need and benefit for developing psychological tools to enhance personal and communal life that respects, let alone being based on, Catholic teaching. Since there isn't much of that, enneagram and other dubious stuff are used, especially when the community isn't particularly concerned with how faithful to the magisterium the materials are!

Portuguese jesuits, historically famous missionaries, have had official enneagram retreats of several types for many years. It's a good indicator of what's going on, really.

If the subject of psychology and religious life interests you, perhaps you'd like to have a look at the 2008 document [url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20080628_orientamenti_en.html"]Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood[/url].
[/quote]

Oh so sad how we humans have a tendency to run from God when we are most desperate and in need. Alas, religious are humans too.

Thank you for sharing. This is good to know.

[Santa Cruz]

[quote name='Chamomile' timestamp='1296784840' post='2208468']
Yay!

Prayers definitely work
[/quote]

Indeed

[MithLuin]

[quote name='Santa Cruz' timestamp='1296782744' post='2208448']
I have good news to share. I have been dialoguing with the community I mentioned here and thanks be to God, today the Major Superior said the community will no longer be using the enneagram. Thank you all for your feedback and for the space to discuss my concerns!!!
[/quote]

That's great! I am glad you were prudent enough not to mention the name of the community in this thread, so that no one was given any bad impression of a group that seems to be turning away from a pitfall.

[vee]

[quote name='Santa Cruz' timestamp='1296782744' post='2208448']
I have good news to share. I have been dialoguing with the community I mentioned here and thanks be to God, today the Major Superior said the community will no longer be using the enneagram. Thank you all for your feedback and for the space to discuss my concerns!!!
[/quote]

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='MithLuin' timestamp='1296921268' post='2209023']
That's great! I am glad you were prudent enough not to mention the name of the community in this thread, so that no one was given any bad impression of a group that seems to be turning away from a pitfall.
[/quote]
A point well taken. How often religious vocations are spoken of, sometimes with these very words, as black and white [reference to habits I guess]. In fact, as Santa Cruz has remarked, religious are humans too. And the warning signs about communities have their human aspect, so it is really two-dimensional to make the communities targets for cheap shots. It is one thing to keep secrets, deny the truth of what is happening, and contribute to the harm in that way. It is another to turn the flame-thrower on anybody of whom it could be said that God is not yet finished with them....after all, that's most of us.