Third orders offer unique spirituality
Catholic Spirit, July/August 2006, In Our Parish
By Michele Chan Santos
Correspondent
Third orders are a way for some Catholics in the Austin Diocese to make a commitment to religious life, but still maintain their lives with jobs, marriages, children and homes.
Members of third orders are lay people who are affiliated with a certain religious order, but who are not monks, brothers or nuns. They have made commitments to be faithful witnesses of Christ with the support of their particular community. They do not take vows of celibacy, obedience or poverty, but do promise to live faithfully to the best of their ability.
Beverly Collin, the assistant director of Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton, is a member of a third order, a Benedictine oblate.
Collin initially went to Pecos Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico, as part of her training as a spiritual director.
"While I was there, I began to become aware of the Benedictine way of life and really fell in love with it," she said.
The next year Collin applied to go into a formation, or preparation to become an oblate. The formation process took a year and a half. As part of that process, Collin read several books, took some classes and met with the spiritual director of the monastery.
She made her vow as an oblate in 2002. Collin visits the monastery three times a year. She is currently transitioning from the monastery in New Mexico to a Benedictine monastery in Boerne.
Her family is supportive of her new role and her frequent visits to the monastery.
"They accept and expect this is something I would like to do," Collin said. "It's added a whole other dimension to my life. When I visit (the monastery) we have morning prayer, then Mass, midday prayer, vespers at 5 p.m. and complin at 7 p.m."
Her association with the monastery has helped her with her job at Cedarbrake. "It couldn't have happened at a better time," Collin said. "I've seen a huge impact and a real change in my own spirituality. There's a deeper meaning in my faith."
Manuel Cortez, a retired psychiatrist who lives in Georgetown, is a member of the SFO, or Secular Franciscan Order, in Austin.
There are international, national, regional and local branches of the Secular Franciscan Order. The Web site of the National Fraternity of the SFO is www.nafra-sfo.org.
All of the fraternities' members, men and women, are "called to live in the world as secular people but we are called to give witness to the charisms of St. Francis of Assisi, basically to live the Gospel life," Dr. Cortez said.
The Austin group, called the Sacred Heart Fraternity, consists of 30 men and women who meet monthly. When the group gathers, they pray and have ongoing formation so that they can continue to grow spiritually, he said.
Dr. Cortez made his commitment three and a half years ago. "The biggest change is to be continually aware of the presence of Christ in my life," he said. "I have to always view whatever is happening in my life in reference to the life of Christ."
Dr. Cortez' family "was very happy for me" when he joined the SFO fraternity, he said. "The thing about the Franciscan order is that we are a balance between contemplation and action.
"We are contemplative. We are also very action-oriented, and go and serve in the community."
If someone is interested in joining a third order, Collins suggested visiting a convent or monastery and getting to know the community. Working, studying and praying at the convent or monastery can help you discern whether this choice is for you.
"Become familiar with their particular spirituality, listen to see if you are being called or led (to join a third order.) It was very obvious to me," she said. "When I would visit it was like coming home."
Those interested in learning more about the Austin branch of the Secular Franciscan Order, the Sacred Heart Fraternity, should contact Brad Toups at (512) 365-3575 or Dr. Manuel Cortez at (512) 864-0778. The fraternity welcomes both men and women.