Male Communities

[PhuturePriest]

Let the testosterone flow through you.

 

In nearly four years of discernment, I have looked into each one of these communities and have discerned seriously with most of them. I'll highlight my favorites with a bolded underline, though I highly recommend you look into all of them.

 

The Franciscan Brothers Minor: http://franciscanbrothersminor.com/FBM/Home_1.html

 

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (EWTN Friars): http://www.franciscanmissionaries.com/

 

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (Their website is unfortunately down for maintenance. It's name is marymediatrix.com. In the meantime, here is their YouTube profile): https://www.youtube.com/user/franciscanfriars

 

Franciscan Brothers of Peace: http://brothersofpeace.org/

 

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: http://franciscanfriars.com/

 

Franciscan Brothers of Life: http://franciscansoflife.org/

 

Little Brothers of Francis: http://www.franciscanhermitage.org/

 

Knights of the Holy Eucharist: http://www.knightsoftheholyeucharist.com/

 

Order of Preachers (Dominicans): http://www.op.org/en

 

New Melleray Abbey (Trappist): http://www.newmelleray.org/

 

Carthusian Charterhouse of the Transfiguration: http://transfiguration.chartreux.org/

 

Carmelite Monks: http://www.carmelitemonks.org/

 

Quarr Abbey (Freakishly pronounced "Core" because French is weird): http://www.quarrabbey.co.uk/

 

 

This is the Phatmass chat which inspired this thread and almost gave the thread its title, though I chose against it in the name of prudence.

 

 

 

 

Girls are of course allowed to post. :P But please no links to female communities or pictures of their pretty habits. This is man territory, and we want masculine stuff to run through here.

[chrysostom]

I'm not going to say where I'm looking.  :P  But here are a few of the communities that I have come across.

 

Downside Abbey (Benedictines) http://www.benedictines.org.uk/house/downside-abbey/

 

Chelmsford Priory (Norbertines) http://www.praemonstratensis.co.uk/

 

St. Michael's Abbey (Norbertines) http://www.stmichaelsabbey.com

 

The Fathers of Mercy http://fathersofmercy.com/  I've had the chance to talk to some young Fathers of Mercy.  They do Catholic retreats/missions.  They're pretty awesome.

 

Oblates of the Virgin Mary http://www.oblati.org/ (USA:  http://www.omvusa.org/)  I've occasionally frequented a Sunday Mass of theirs.  Wonderful heartfelt preaching.

 

Benedictines of Norcia http://osbnorcia.org/

 

Oratorians (various websites for the various locations)

 

Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas http://www.cistercian.org/abbey/

 

St. Bernard Abbey (Benedictines) http://www.stbernardabbey.com/

 

Papa Stronsay (Transalpine Redemptorists) http://papastronsay.com/

 

I'll post more as time goes by.  Maybe?

[Luigi]

Come and See Weekend at St. Procopius Abbey in northern Illinois , Nov. 21-22-23: 

[puellapaschalis]

Downside Abbey have a website: http://www.downside.co.uk/Abbey/about_us/about_downside_abbey.php (the URL is shared with the school)

 

Buckfast Abbey (Benedictines): http://www.buckfast.org.uk/ (I'm an Oblate, albeit a bad one)

 

Le Barroux (Benedictines, Traditional Latin Mass in the Benedictine pattern, Francophone): http://www.barroux.org/

 

Stift Heiligenkreuz (Cistercians, Germanophone): http://www.stift-heiligenkreuz.org/

 

 

 

 

[Benedictus]

Pluscarden Abbey http://www.pluscardenabbey.org/home.asp

Mount Saint Bernard (Trappists)  http://www.mountsaintbernard.org/

Parkminster Carthusians http://www.parkminster.org.uk/

 

Caldey Island (Trappists) http://www.caldey-island.co.uk/

Oratory (Oxford, London etc)



 

Edited August 12, 2014 by Benedictus

[corban711]

There are several really good orders that have already been mentioned. 

 

I will always love the Community of St. John.  One of my very favorites. 

 

 Missionaries of Fatima   This is a small, relatively unknown community in Mexico that I happened upon when I was in my late teens and discerning.  Their founder was pretty incredible and spent some of his life in Los Angeles not too far from me, though I was not alive yet.  There is a documentary on Father Aloysius, the founder...called The Angel of Biscay (I think) that Ignatius Press sells.  Anyways, I only mention them because no one else really knows of them.

Edited August 12, 2014 by corban711

[corban711]

St. Michael's Abbey (Norbertines) http://www.stmichaelsabbey.com

 

Oblates of the Virgin Mary http://www.oblati.org/ (USA:  http://www.omvusa.org/)  I've occasionally frequented a Sunday Mass of theirs.  Wonderful heartfelt preaching.

 

I'll post more as time goes by.  Maybe?

 

If its not too personal to ask, are you in California?  I don't mind PM'ing either if you prefer.  I only ask cause both of those orders are near me and are really solid.  I've been blessed to know several good, holy, religious here. 

[PhuturePriest]

There are several really good orders that have already been mentioned. 

 

I will always love the Community of St. John.  One of my very favorites. 

 

 Missionaries of Fatima   This is a small, relatively unknown community in Mexico that I happened upon when I was in my late teens and discerning.  Their founder was pretty incredible and spent some of his life in Los Angeles not too far from me, though I was not alive yet.  There is a documentary on Father Aloysius, the founder...called The Angel of Biscay (I think) that Ignatius Press sells.  Anyways, I only mention them because no one else really knows of them.

 

I can't believe I forgot to mention the Community of Saint John!

[corban711]

Let the testosterone flow through you.

 

In nearly four years of discernment, I have looked into each one of these communities and have discerned seriously with most of them. I'll highlight my favorites with a bolded underline, though I highly recommend you look into all of them.

 

The Franciscan Brothers Minor: http://franciscanbrothersminor.com/FBM/Home_1.html

 

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (EWTN Friars): http://www.franciscanmissionaries.com/

 

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (Their website is unfortunately down for maintenance. It's name is marymediatrix.com. In the meantime, here is their YouTube profile): https://www.youtube.com/user/franciscanfriars

 

Franciscan Brothers of Peace: http://brothersofpeace.org/

 

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: http://franciscanfriars.com/

 

Franciscan Brothers of Life: http://franciscansoflife.org/

 

Little Brothers of Francis: http://www.franciscanhermitage.org/

 

Knights of the Holy Eucharist: http://www.knightsoftheholyeucharist.com/

 

Order of Preachers (Dominicans): http://www.op.org/en

 

New Melleray Abbey (Trappist): http://www.newmelleray.org/

 

Carthusian Charterhouse of the Transfiguration: http://transfiguration.chartreux.org/

 

Carmelite Monks: http://www.carmelitemonks.org/

 

Quarr Abbey (Freakishly pronounced "Core" because French is weird): http://www.quarrabbey.co.uk/

 

 

This is the Phatmass chat which inspired this thread and almost gave the thread its title, though I chose against it in the name of prudence.

 

 

 

 

Girls are of course allowed to post. :P But please no links to female communities or pictures of their pretty habits. This is man territory, and we want masculine stuff to run through here.

 

I've always found it interesting that there are so many good Franciscan orders, with so many variations and offshoots (a bunch of which you mentioned!  I love the FI especially), yet there aren't really many offshoot Dominican orders that I can think of.  The Community of St. John is kinda close as they were founded by a Dominican, but they aren't Dominicans. 

 

Just strange because that doesn't seem to be true for women religious where the Nashville Dominicans, and DSMME have both sprung up and grown like wildfire fairly recently.  So there is definitely something about that charism that God is still blessing the Church with. 

 

Any thoughts on why that might be?  I'd be curious what you think.
 

[Benedictus]

Hermits of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel - Texas, US http://www.carmelitehermits.org/index.htm

Dominicans -  having a revival in the UK and Ireland. Solid in these parts mostly, especially in recent years  http://english.op.org/Welcome.html

Douai Abbey -  the Monks here apparently favor traditional liturgical renewal. It's part of the English Benedictine Congregation (a good congregation, even though some jokingly say the it should be called 'Every Bodily Comfort'  :hehe2: ) http://www.douaiabbey.org.uk/

Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona -  based in Ohio, US http://www.camaldolese.org/pages.php?pageid=7

Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Lake Elmo, MN http://www.decorcarmeli.com/Vocations/Hermits.htm

Conventual Franciscans - solid and having a revival in recent years.  http://www.thegreyfriars.org/

Edited August 12, 2014 by Benedictus

[PhuturePriest]

I've always found it interesting that there are so many good Franciscan orders, with so many variations and offshoots (a bunch of which you mentioned!  I love the FI especially), yet there aren't really many offshoot Dominican orders that I can think of.  The Community of St. John is kinda close as they were founded by a Dominican, but they aren't Dominicans. 

 

Just strange because that doesn't seem to be true for women religious where the Nashville Dominicans, and DSMME have both sprung up and grown like wildfire fairly recently.  So there is definitely something about that charism that God is still blessing the Church with. 

 

Any thoughts on why that might be?  I'd be curious what you think.
 

 

I've also thought about this. Only the Franciscans really ever operate in this way. I think likely because the Rule is not incredibly extensive and it leaves a lot up in the air, that probably plays into it. If you read the Rule of Saint Benedict and the Rule of Saint Augustine, those things are very long and concise, but the Rule of Saint Francis is very short and open. I think that's perfect for Franciscans, because it captures so beautifully the philosophy of Franciscans: Simplicity. Whereas Dominicans will ponder and study something extensively, Franciscans will look for a simple solution and implement it. I'm not saying one is superior to the other, but that's simply the difference in how they operate and approach things.

 

It is interesting how different Orders generally attract a certain personality type. Everyone I ask says Franciscans are generally the most extroverted bunch you'll ever meet, whereas Benedictines and Dominicans are generally introverted. There's a saying that if you walk by a Benedictine monastery you'll hear the monks chanting; if you walk by a Dominican priory you'll hear Saint Thomas Aquinas being read, but if you walk by a Franciscan friary you'll know because of the raucous laughter.

[chrysostom]

FuturePriest and Corban, could you tell me more about why you like the Community of St. John?

[veritasluxmea]

I don't know, this thread still needs a little touch of estrogen... 

 

 

 

 

There.... that's better. Beautiful habits. 

[PhuturePriest]

FuturePriest and Corban, could you tell me more about why you like the Community of St. John?

 

It's a very good and solid community. They go all over the world and evangelize and help the poor as their apostolate, and some of the brothers are even speakers who go to conferences and give talks. As for their community life, they are a community very much centered on study. They study so much that their priests don't even go to seminary to get ordained, because they learn so much in their everyday community life that they have more knowledge than the average priest. They simply discern which brothers are called to be priests and ordain them.

[corban711]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the Community of Saint John!

 

I forgive you.  No way to remember all the good communities in one post. 

 

I've also thought about this. Only the Franciscans really ever operate in this way. I think likely because the Rule is not incredibly extensive and it leaves a lot up in the air, that probably plays into it. If you read the Rule of Saint Benedict and the Rule of Saint Augustine, those things are very long and concise, but the Rule of Saint Francis is very short and open. I think that's perfect for Franciscans, because it captures so beautifully the philosophy of Franciscans: Simplicity. Whereas Dominicans will ponder and study something extensively, Franciscans will look for a simple solution and implement it. I'm not saying one is superior to the other, but that's simply the difference in how they operate and approach things.

 

It is interesting how different Orders generally attract a certain personality type. Everyone I ask says Franciscans are generally the most extroverted bunch you'll ever meet, whereas Benedictines and Dominicans are generally introverted. There's a saying that if you walk by a Benedictine monastery you'll hear the monks chanting; if you walk by a Dominican priory you'll hear Saint Thomas Aquinas being read, but if you walk by a Franciscan friary you'll know because of the raucous laughter.

 

I think you are quite right about this.  There isn't nearly as much flexibility in a rule like the Rule of St. Benedict.  It is actually designed for a life of order and stability after all!  Makes perfect sense.  Sometimes I miss really obvious things.   Haha

 

Like you said, its not even that one is superior than the other...they are just very different.  It is pretty amazing to see all these different Franciscan communities and the different ways their life of poverty, prayer, and penance are lived out though.   Very, very cool. 

[corban711]

FuturePriest and Corban, could you tell me more about why you like the Community of St. John?

 

 

Yes, I'd be happy to.  First of all, you should know that I am slightly biased because my older brother belonged to the Community for 5 or 6 years and their priests regularly stay at my house when traveling.  Also, I semi-regularly email with one of their priests for spiritual direction.  So they have been/are a big part of my life. 

 

But there is so much to love about them.  They seek to live the life of the Beloved Disciple in the Church today...resting their head upon the Heart of Jesus, being with Him at the foot of the Cross, and taking Mary as their Mother.  They live a life of adoration and silent prayer, and seek to form their minds through study (especially Philosophy) to be able to better address the deepest questions on the hearts of modern man/society. 

 

They are very well formed as FuturePriest pointed out and take on all kinds of different apostolates that fit well within their charism.  One of their priests travels the world teaching little children how to adore Jesus silently in the Blessed Sacrament.  Some teach philosophy or theology at universities.  Some work with the poor and the dying especially in places like India, the Philippines, Africa, etc.  

 

Worldwide, they do a lot of youth work where they take teens or young adults out camping, getting to experience some of the natural beauty God has given us, and using that as a backdrop to enter into deeper experiences of community, prayer, and learning philosophy together.  Very much like how JPII used to take small groups out hiking, camping, kayaking when he was still a bishop in Poland. 

 

Also, I have never found (with the possible exception of St. Maximilian Kolbe) someone who speaks so beautifully of Our Blessed Mother as their founder, Fr. Philippe.  His book "The Mystery of Mary" and "Mary, Mystery of Mercy" are absolutely ridiculous good.  I would strongly recommend them as retreat reading, or texts to do lectio on...to be read slowly and not just as books to blow through. 

 

Plus, they are a very masculine community.  Strong, vibrant, and full of joy...these guys know how to have fun! 

 

 

Edited August 13, 2014 by corban711

[corban711]

[PhuturePriest]

Yes, I'd be happy to.  First of all, you should know that I am slightly biased because my older brother belonged to the Community for 5 or 6 years and their priests regularly stay at my house when traveling.  Also, I semi-regularly email with one of their priests for spiritual direction.  So they have been/are a big part of my life. 

 

But there is so much to love about them.  They seek to live the life of the Beloved Disciple in the Church today...resting their head upon the Heart of Jesus, being with Him at the foot of the Cross, and taking Mary as their Mother.  They live a life of adoration and silent prayer, and seek to form their minds through study (especially Philosophy) to be able to better address the deepest questions on the hearts of modern man/society. 

 

They are very well formed as FuturePriest pointed out and take on all kinds of different apostolates that fit well within their charism.  One of their priests travels the world teaching little children how to adore Jesus silently in the Blessed Sacrament.  Some teach philosophy or theology at universities.  Some work with the poor and the dying especially in places like India, the Philippines, Africa, etc.  

 

Worldwide, they do a lot of youth work where they take teens or young adults out camping, getting to experience some of the natural beauty God has given us, and using that as a backdrop to enter into deeper experiences of community, prayer, and learning philosophy together.  Very much like how JPII used to take small groups out hiking, camping, kayaking when he was still a bishop in Poland. 

 

Also, I have never found (with the possible exception of St. Maximilian Kolbe) someone who speaks so beautifully of Our Blessed Mother as their founder, Fr. Philippe.  His book "The Mystery of Mary" and "Mary, Mystery of Mercy" are absolutely ridiculous good.  I would strongly recommend them as retreat reading, or texts to do lectio on...to be read slowly and not just as books to blow through. 

 

Plus, they are a very masculine community.  Strong, vibrant, and full of joy...these guys know how to have fun! 

 

They truly are a beautiful community. The only discrepancy I have with them is they do not like younger vocations.

[PhuturePriest]

A small handful of the Franciscan Brothers Minor and all their habited, barefoot glory.

 

 

 

[Feankie]

There is a new community of Benedictine monks that have just been granted diocesan approval in Italy. It is the male branch of the Benedictine Daughters of Divine Will - the order founded by the former St. Mary Catherine (Novice Mistress and Vicar) of OLAM. She left to form a new Benedictine order in Italy, and a junior professed and postulant of OLAM left and joined her. I just got their new newsletter via email today, but if you go on their site at http://www.benedictinesofdivinewill.org and click on community videos, the new one for 2014 has got the men's story on it.

Edited August 13, 2014 by Francis Clare