“Any individual seeking a more profound connection with God would be prudent to explore the different spiritual practices of the orders and congregations to find one that resonates with her own disposition,” he adds.

For instance, a mother yearning for the peace and tranquility of life in a monastery might discover that attending an annual retreat at an abbey enhances her role as a spouse and parent. A businessman touched by the visuals of malnourished children may opt to provide ongoing support to the Sisters of Charity for their humanitarian efforts. Alternatively, an individual who derives immense pleasure from inspiring poetry might delve into the writings of the Carmelite John of the Cross, while someone with a more dynamic disposition may choose to explore St. Dominic’s Nine Ways of Prayer.

Selecting a spiritual path within the Church serves to deepen the religious experience rather than challenge it. It provides an opportunity to develop and advance in faith while remaining a contributing member of the communal life of the Church.

How to choose

An individual does not merely select a spiritual journey; instead, they uncover the path that aligns most closely with their character, disposition, and general perspective on existence. Occasionally, by virtue of participating in a parish overseen by Jesuits, Dominicans, or Franciscans, an individual may feel a deeper connection with that tradition. At other times, exploring the lives of the saints, contemplating the lifestyle of committed members of an order, along with traditional prayer, seeking discernment and direction, remains the most effective method to discover a discipline and practice that fosters the growth of one’s faith and spiritual existence.

 Benedictines: The Guidelines

Hence, brethren, if we wish to reach the greatest height of humility, and speedily to arrive at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made in the present life by humility, then, mounting by our actions, we must erect the ladder that appeared to Jacob in his dream, by means of which angels were shown to him ascending and descending (see Gn 28:12). Without a doubt, we understand this ascending and descending to be nothing else but that we descend by pride and ascend by humility.”

— Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter VII

Are you fond of reading Scripture, participating in the Church’s formal prayers, and possess the talent for hospitality? Benedictine spirituality might be suited for you.

Established by St. Benedict of Nursia in the 6th century, the Benedictines rank as the earliest of the religious congregations. His “rule,” or manual of direction, has been modified and embraced by numerous other communities throughout the years.

“The Benedictine approach to spirituality is found in the Scriptures, the scriptural path,” states Benedictine Father Jeremy Driscoll, a monk at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon and a professor of patristics at Mount Angel Seminary.

“Benedict aims to be precisely Scripture at its most intense,” he clarifies. “As the sacred rule states: Let nothing take precedence over the work of God, referring to the Divine Office. The core of Benedictine existence is the congregation in the Church for the different times of communal worship of God.”

The components of Benedictine spirituality include “focusing one’s life on worshiping God, communal living (we do not journey to God in solitude) É ample time dedicated to reflective reading of Scriptures individually, and welcoming others — to describe that as spirituality holds great importance,” he states. “Benedict mentioned that the Lord is welcomed and cherished in the visitors.”

Dominicans: To Proclaim the Message

A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.”

–St. Dominic

Are you enthusiastic about learning and have a desire to articulate the faith through both writing and speaking? If so, think about the Dominican approach.

Although Dominican thinkers such as St. Thomas Aquinas have influenced Catholic theology for hundreds of years (the theologian of the papal household has historically been a Dominican), the aim of Dominican scholarship is to comprehend the truth to share the Good News. Indeed, St. Dominic, the founder, clearly stated that the order was established for “preaching and the salvation of souls.”

“Dominican spirituality stems from the idea that anything that is genuine directs us to God the Creator, and thus all education, wisdom, and comprehension ultimately enlightens us about God. The more we learn about God, the more we can cherish God,” states Dominican Father Fred Lucci, director of the All Saints Newman Center at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. “Consequently, Dominican spirituality commences with studying, always keeping in mind the inquiry: ‘What else does this reveal to me about my identity and God’s role in my life?’ Furthermore, as the Order of Preachers, we recognize that love is the highest truth and genuine love cannot be restricted. Hence, while every revelation leads us to a more profound understanding and affection for God, they are always meant to be shared so others can likewise come to know and love God more fully.”

“It is through the act of sharing that we encounter the joy of fulfilling our baptismal invitation to partake in the prophetic mission of Jesus,” he states. “Contemplata aliis tradere — which means, sharing with others the fruits of our contemplation. Thus, Dominican spirituality is fundamentally a journey toward God via the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting on that knowledge for a deeper grasp of the Divine, and the delight of proclaiming that truth to the world.”

Franciscans — The Path of Simplicity

We adore you Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all of your churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”

— St. Francis of Assisi

Is the uncomplicated life appealing to you? Do you wish to view every aspect of existence as a blessing and all beings as connected in Christ? If so, turn to St. Francis and the Franciscan Path.

Franciscan spirituality is “quite straightforward, highly personal, and deeply devotional,” clarifies Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. “Devotional [implies] a connection to individual, personal prayer directed towards Christ and Our Lady, and their influence in our lives.”

“Similar to its originator, the cherished Francis of Assisi, Franciscan spirituality emphasizes individual dedication to Christ, especially to Christ in his incarnation, his suffering and death, and his presence in the Holy Eucharist,” Father Groeschel continues. Franciscans focus on the “Christ child, Christ on the Cross, Christ in the Eucharist.”

One of the most recognized characteristics of this “school of spirituality,” which Father Groeschel refers to, is its “focus on simplicity, humility, and concern for the impoverished; it’s not an intricate spirituality.” Nevertheless, it remains one of the most favored paths, attracting even those who are neither Catholic nor Christian due to its affection for all of creation and its love for life.

Jesuits: The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Receive, Lord, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. You have given me all that I have, all that I am, and I surrender all to your divine will, that you dispose of me. Give me only your love and your grace. With this I am rich enough, and I have no more to ask.”

— St. Ignatius of Loyola

Do you desire to understand God’s purpose in every aspect of life? Is a simple, unambiguous method that discovers God in the ordinary moments of existence attractive to you? You might find yourself drawn to Ignatian spirituality.

The founder of the Society of Jesus, commonly referred to as the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola, was initially a soldier who experienced a transformative conversion following a leg injury. While he was recovering, the only reading materials available to him were the Lives of the Saints and the Life of Christ. (He had preferred novels.) Ironically, his significant contribution, the “Spiritual Exercises,” has become one of the most extensively read texts in the Western world. Direct and pragmatic, the exercises comprise a month-long regimen of meditations, prayers, and contemplative activities.

“Ignatian spirituality emphasizes discovering God in everything,” explains Jesuit Father James Martin, the writer of “My Life with the Saints” (Loyola, $15.95). “It is based on the notion that encounters with God aren’t limited to a single Sunday during Mass, but rather, God is present in every moment of our lives, allowing us to experience Him at any time. Everything that is included

“of our lives assist us in encountering God,” he adds. The Jesuit Approach is “reflective in action,” he clarifies. “It’s designed for those who lead an active lifestyle while preserving a contemplative spirit. If you are a young mother, Ignatian spirituality suggests that God can be discovered in your interactions with your children, your spouse, your friends, making the sandwiches in the morning, at the workplace, in the challenges of parenting, in the love felt while nurturing your children, along with the formal times you dedicate to Church. It places significant emphasis on feelings, aspirations, and emotions as means through which God communicates. Ignatian spirituality aims to remind individuals that there is a temptation to confine God to a single hour on Sunday. The remarkable benefit of Ignatian spirituality is recognizing God in everything.”

Opus Dei — The Divine Task

“In order to love and serve God, it is not necessary to do extraordinary things. Christ asks all men without exception to be perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect (see Mt 5:48). For the great majority of men, to be holy consists of sanctifying their work, to sanctify themselves in their work, to sanctify others with work, and also to find God on the road of their life.”

— St. Josemaria Escriva

Do you believe that sanctity exists in boardrooms and lunchrooms as much as it does in chapels and churches? Reflect on the approach of Opus Dei.

One of the most recent spiritual routes within the Church is Opus Dei, established in Spain in 1928 by the Catholic priest St. Josemaria Escriva. The core belief of the movement is that holiness is within reach for all individuals, with everyday life serving as the path to sanctity. A significant portion of its members are lay individuals.

“We are all summoned to holiness,” states John Cloverdale, a law professor at Seton Hall University and the writer of “Uncommon Faith, The Early Years of Opus Dei (1928-1943),” which chronicles the life of St. Josemaria Escriva and the formative years of Opus Dei. “The assumption is that priests require a spirituality (but we hold the) belief that laypeople are merely meant to get by. We are all beckoned to holiness via various routes.” Cloverdale elaborates that three aspects define Opus Dei:

“Initially, emphasis should be placed on incorporating the secular into one’s spiritual journey, rather than regarding daily existence as a challenge to be resolved; it is an essential aspect of our path to achieving sanctification.”

“Secondly, a focus on work, interpreted widely, encompassing the complete spectrum of activities, regarded as a means to holiness. [God] desires that we perform our tasks proficiently and present them to Him. The initial stage is to undertake the task and execute it effectively.”

“Third, a profound emphasis on the truth of our identity as children of God infuses a hopeful and uplifting quality to love. God genuinely loves us and cares for each one of us.”

Sampling of orders

An exhaustive catalog of religious orders in the Catholic Church would span numerous pages, yet here are some additional examples of the various paths of spirituality found within the Catholic faith.

Carmelites, a reflective community distinguished by notable saints like Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Therese of Lisieux, can be traced back to hermits who established themselves on Mount Carmel in the sacred region of the Holy Land.

The Missionaries of Charity, established by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in 1950, take an additional vow alongside the conventional vows of obedience, chastity, and holiness — to serve the poorest of the poor. The Missionaries of Charity community consists of active sisters and contemplative sisters, active and contemplative brothers, religious priests, diocesan priests, and lay individuals.

Cistercians or Trappists, popularized by Thomas Merton and his work “The Seven Storey Mountain,” are a monastic community established in 1098, initiated by a collective of Benedictine monks who were unhappy with the lax practices of their abbey. Rigorous asceticism and physical work play a significant role in the life of this order.

Augustinians, drawing inspiration from the writings and pedagogy of St. Augustine of Hippo, concentrate their apostolic endeavors on instruction, local parish services, and outreach missions.
Maryknollers, officially known as the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, prepare missionaries for service globally.

Salesians, established by St. John Bosco in 1859 and named in honor of St. Francis De Sales, advocate for youth globally.

Redemptorists, also referred to as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, was established by St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1732. Redemptorists reside in missionary groups across five continents.

Servites, known as the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, obtained recognition from the Vatican in the early 14th century. It is among the first mendicant orders within the Catholic Church.

Secular or tertiary orders

At times, an individual may sense a connection to a specific religious order, even though they do not experience a calling to pursue a religious vocation. In such instances, the individual might decide to become part of a secular order. These orders are characterized by the Code of Canon Law as “associations whose members live in the world but share in the spirit of some religious institute, under the overall direction of the same institute, and who lead an apostolic life and strive for Christian perfection, are known as third orders, or are called by some other suitable title” (Canon 303).

Members are occasionally referred to as tertiaries or third order, stemming from the Latin term meaning third. This label originates from the sequence in which a religious community developed, beginning with monks and/or priests, followed by nuns and sisters, and ultimately the laity. The lay vocation serves as a means of integrating the unique perspective and charism of a religious order into everyday life, work, and family settings.

Resources

“The Search for Spirituality: Seven Paths within the Catholic Tradition,” authored by Stephen J. Costello

The Rule of St. Benedict

The Spiritual Exercises

Nine Ways of Prayer, by St. Dominic

Woodeene Koenig-Bricker writes from Oregon.