I know every Order\congregation was new in it's first time but, today: Are new groups per se bad? in latin-america there have been a lot of very new, small, but seemingly great groups eg; "misioneros ermitaños teresianos" (theresian hermit missionaries), new monastic, missionary groups etc if I want to discern any kind of religious life: am I better off ticking those group off and sticking with seeking out stablished groups?
I don't think new communities are "bad" or established ones "good " per se. But my thoughts are that established ones probably have more of a structured formation and discipline which may be most important while you are discerning? I think in this stage of your discernment, it might be best to have solid footing. Once your more grounded, you can explore more. You are in my prayers as you go through this process. You already show great courage in considering your vocation! Peace!
I have been very impressed with Home of the Mother religious order. They have quite a presence in South America. Sr Clare Crockett was a member. Several of their priests have a podcast called Fireside with .the Fathers. They are relatively new but growing.
Even the old Orders were new at one time, but I understand your caution. Then again some of the old Orders seem to have lost their way. Sorry, I'm not very helpful.
I think one of the things I would look for is the charism of the order and if it fits in with whatever calling I feel drawn towards.
Also I forgot to ask this but; theologically does "vocation for an Order" exist? Or is it "vocation for friar\priest\brother" who *belongs to an Order*? This is nuanced, but a bit confusing!
From what I have seen in people I've known, people are inspired by the lives of an actual religious person or group in action. One was inspired by a diocesan priest and became a (good) one. Another was inspired by the Pauline Fathers in their shrines here in Australa and joined. One (even a few) joined a new group, the Immaculata Sisters here in Eastern Australia inspired by their good works and consistent wearing of their traditional habits. "By their fruits you will know them" On that issue, I note vocations are attracted by religious who show devotion and orthodoxy [and leave seeing religious who don't care, try to be civilians not noticed in public.] Home-schoolers, here, tend to be exposed to traditional clergy and are, therefore, a source of vocations
I believe the issue revolves around the question of charism/apostolate. Within the construct of a diocese, the charism is obviously clear. Generally, the mission is to shepherd the flock via the threefold order Bishop/Priest/Deacon. This is made visible in sustaining the flock through preaching and administering the 7 sacraments. In parish life, the most visible of these is Baptism, the Sacred Liturgy (including Holy Communion), and Penance. Of course, Religious Orders and the laity can be involved. In my youth, the standout example were the good nuns who taught me in the elementary and high school grades. In the past, circumstances arose in which God called forth new Orders or communities to address specific needs. An example would be the Dominicans whom the Holy Spirit raised up to teach the faithful and fight against heresies. Focuses such as these are known as charisms. Often, a person might be attracted to a specific order due to the charism they live out. Examples would be ministering to the poor, education, hospitals, or contemplative prayer. Recently, a standout example has been Sister Clare Crockett (not related to Davey ). So part of one's discernment centers around the type of apostolate or charism which tugs at your heart. Go for it!
I belong to a Religious Order. OCDS. Order Carmelite Discalced Secular. Secular because I live in the world and am married. The Carmelite Brothers and Nuns are part of the community. The Nuns are cloistered. Our charism is prayer. I had to have many years of learning and promises before I became fully professed. It was a ceremony officiated by a Priest. While I have not taken formal vows I have that option. We have three Hispanic Priests at my church, they are the Franciscans of Mary Order. Their charism is gratitude. They are from South America if you are interested in finding out more about them. They are very conservative and take a vow of poverty. They do not have a housekeeper, they clean their own house and do their own cooking. They do not keep their salary, it goes to the central general and they must request any money they need, even if it’s only $5. They just received their habits and relied on donations for them. They run three parishes so they are very busy. It’s a great gift to be called.
Religious Orders remind me of trees. Their seeds are the saints that founded them and at once as young saplings they flourish very quickly and spread their branches. Than after a while they are attacked by the devil and then tend to droop and die from corruption within. It maybe then that the Holy Spirit may renew or revive the tree and a reformed branch may spring forth and it blooms into life once again. Or the same Spirit may simply let it die. So we always have this endless cycle of birth, blooming, decay and rebirth. To judge a tree we must simply look at its fruits. What are these fruits the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of these Gifts is Vocations. If an Order is not gifted with vocations it is a sure sign it is best left alone. https://vocations.jesuits.global/ As of early 2022, there were 14,439 Jesuits worldwide, with reports as of late 2024 indicating that the number remains around 14,000 to 15,000. While the Society of Jesus remains the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church, its membership has experienced a steady decline from over 25,000 in 1986 and 28,038 in 1977
