The Changes Continue…
Posted: January 31st, 2008 | Author: Don | Filed under: Religion | Tags: book, book reviews, books, brother, Brothers, brothers and sisters of reconciliation, Canon, Canon Law, catholic, Catholicism, Chastity, church, friar, law, Liturgy of the Hours, monk, Obedience, Poverty, private vows, public vows, Religious, Secular, Sister, Sisters, vows | 7 Comments »Back in May I announced that I had started the process of converting to Catholicism. What I didn’t say on that day, was that I had applied to the Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation, a Secular/Religious Order of Friars and Sisters, to become a Postulate to the Order. On the 27th of May 2007 I was accepted as a Postulate and gave private vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, pending Novitiate status once Confirmed in the Church. So, for the past several months I have been doing my initial studies to become a Friar, and once accepted as a Novitiate, will take my second Private Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Once I am fully in the Order as a Professed and Vowed Brother/Friar, in one year roughly, I pray that I will be allowed to begin my studies to become a Priest.
During this study time I have come to learn the “Liturgy of the Hours”, which are a series of prayers and readings seven times a day that are read and prayed by all Religious and Priest within the Church. Many Lay people are once again participating as well. I have read the the Bible via three different translations from the Original Greek and other original languages, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the book of Canon Law for the Church, and MANY other books. (Look at side bar of current readings, pending readings and an updating list of book reviews of all of the books I have read.)
This has been a strong formative time for me, and I have learned a lot! I continue to grow in God and in happiness with each passing day.
What faith were you before converting to Catholicism?
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Hello Arwen,
Well, for the past 20ish years I have been a Shaman of the Apache Nation, following and leading the faith system of the Nation. Prior to that I was a Methodist. You web site states you study occult religions, which ones interest you most?
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I’m a little late, but deo gratias for listening to His call!!
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Thanks Kim!
In Christ,
Don
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Hello Don,
I’ve been following your cookie crumbs from the BSR site as a result of an email from Sr. Marilyn Therese’ OBSR received today. To my perceptions, you seemed to be on a crash course to sainthood at a breathtaking and possibly a disastrous rate–until I read where you are faithfully praying the Liturgy of the Word. Well, now I know all is well. In my life-long observation, those who joy in the faithful participation of joining souls worldwide in that manner, you can be assured of God blessing. On the flip of that, I’ve observed that chosen ones who have abandoned that participation are signing their death warrant, in a spiritual sense. Carry on in the Lord and in the kindness of St. Francis.
- joachim, ocds
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Hello Joachim,
I am not pushing things through, although early on in my journey I wanted to. I have come to learn to let God do as he pleases when he pleases. I do the full Liturgy daily, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Mass daily. Feels like the right thing to do in life…
How long have you been with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites?
In Christ,
Don
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Hello Don,
I joined about 11+ years ago. My wife joined 3 years before that. Shortly after she joined we prayed the Liturgy of Hours together. It was something that I really wanted to do. Couldn’t imagine not doing it! We live out here in the boonies of northern New York State where daily Mass has been discontinued due to a shortage of priests. Praying the Divine Office is such a powerful connection with the Mystical Body of Christ! It has to be experienced to be fully understood and so truly appreciated, Imho.
Check out our website, The Journey, at http://www.daily-meditations.org It has become amazingly popular with visitors from around the world every day and every hour of the day.
Keep up your good efforts with steady persistence through trials of all sorts. I’m sure that as time unfolds from moment to moment and from day to day, God will make His Will known to you.
As a prospective seminarian, may I recommend a very powerful book by Fr. George Rutler: “The Cure D’Ars Today: St John Vianney.” Not just another Book about the Cure’ of Ars! No doubt it will shake and re-shape you, but it will also be a great encouragement when times get mighty rough. Not a fast read. But yes, a gripping tale that you won’t want to put down until you’ve finished it. It’s for cheap on Amazon.
God bless!
- joachim, ocds
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