Which Catholic Spirituality Are You? 

Catholic means universal not uniform.

, I’m such a fan of these videos. I am a a Franciscan by nature. When I was young I was deeply religious and it was my desire to be a priest or brother. I went to a Catholic boarding school in Lebanon. When I graduated my parents took me away from there to the US and pressured me away from religious life. I am a medical professional and spent most of my career serving as a relief worker in Sudan, Somalia and Sierra Leone. I did so at great personal risk believing it was my calling to care for the poor and victims of war. I am 70 years old now and wonder how my life would have been different if I had not allowed my parents pressure me away from the life I really wanted. In my soul I am a follower of Saint Francis.

The first few times I visited a Benedictine abbey, I realised how hard of a pill it is to swallow to surrender yourself to that life. It helped me consider just how much I could still give to God than I already (try to) give. Absolutely humbling to say the least.

Word. The different charisms that these religious orders and movements have is a demonstration of the abundance of gifts that the Holy Spirit pours on believers.

Do you think you could make a series of videos interviewing a few people from each one of these? Their daily lives, how they live out their faith... I'm fascinated!

Being Irish, I grew up around many Catholic religious orders, Good Shepherd, Poor Clares, Franciscans, Dominicans, Salesians, Mercy Sisters, Loreto Nuns, my Grandfather was in the Legion of Mary and I know of so many more

So blessed to have grown up in a Salesian Catholic school in the Dominican Republic. Aside from Catholic formation the one thing I remember the most was always being in the playground and how San Juan Bosco wanted that for all the children. I’m so fortunate

I'm a Benedictine. I entered the Oblates of St. Benedict at the monastery at Oxford, MI. We are exploring the monastic virtues of humility and hospitality.

I absolutely love your videos on Catholicism. I'm neither Catholic nor religiously observant but I love learning about Catholic traditions.

I was raised in Dominican schools and later in Jesuit schools, order and logic was ingrained in me from a young age. I still carry a blue rosary in my pocket everywhere I go, I pray the rosary on a bus, train, airplane, it gives me comfort.

I was watching a older Breaking in the Habit video around this time last year. He was visiting a parish quite close to mine in Illinois. He linked in the description a Bible in a year plan and I chose that one. As of last week I have completed said Bible reading plan and I want to thank Father Casey for the idea.

I was raised in the great Opus Dei spirituality, and so understand Catholicism through the lens of daily work and being extraordinary in a completely ordinary life. The priests of our school (and go figure, the university I study in now too 💀) also take a much greater focus on our Lady, never forgetting to turn to her intercession at the end of every meditation. I find it so fascinating that every single spirituality of the Church gets to know the exact same God, the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church, but from unique perspectives. The parish my family celebrates mass in is Benedictine, and I get my formation online from Franciscans like fr. Casey, and other groups like Word on Fire. Getting to learn about all these spiritualities and getting to synthesize everything they hope to teach us about our Lord is wonderful. Praise be to God! 🙏

I'm lucky enough to stay at a Benedictine abbey and am amazed at their devotion to their vocation. (which for many is decades long). When chatting at dinner the inevitable question comes up from one of the male participants of the retreat. "So when does the desire for women go?" I'm sure they've been asked this a multitude of times. The monk will give a wry look and say in a whisper "when the last nail goes in the coffin"" It's funny (they are!) but actually it also shows that every day their outwardly serene existence is an interior battle as well. For to commit to one way of living, means you do without the world's offering. Hence "in the world, but not of the world" Truly wonderful, God blessed people.

Salesian Sister here! Yes! So exiting to make the cut!

Dear Fr. Casey, thank you very much for this beautiful video. How wide and beautiful the Catholic world is. Thank you for featuring Opus Dei as well. Some comments: Strict fasting and physical mortifications are not so important in Opus Dei. They are practiced moderately and under the guidance of a spiritual director only by less than a third of all Opus Dei members, the so-called, (celibate living) numeraries. And only insofar as they strengthen in love for Christ. 70% of all Opus Dei members are supernumeraries, most of whom are married and tend to fast very little and, moreover, do not practice corporal mortifications. The key points of Opus Dei spirituality are: Sanctifying oneself through work, sanctifying ones work, sanctifying others through work, sanctifying oneself through marriage, living an intense prayer life, living contemplatively in the midst of the world with a priestly soul and laical mentality, joy and friendship. Penance and confession are sacramental instruments that are frequently used.The spirituality of Opus Dei is very Marian and eucharistic. It is necessary for all members to deeply understand and live the spirit of Opus Dei, virtuous and striving for holiness through God's abundant grace. Opus Dei is not a religious order; its members, except for the priests, are not clerical. Opus Dei is (said with a smile) anti-clerical and has flat hierarchies. Naturalness in the way of living religiously is important. One wears neither special clothing nor signs of belonging. Opus Dei is not a secret society. It is the only full-fledged and thoroughly catholic form of following Christ known to me ... without having to give up one's standing in the world. In Opus Dei, the world is not opposed to the effort to sanctify oneself.

My favorite are the Salesians of Don Bosco :) They are definitely one of the biggest in Slovakia. I love them so much for being down to earth with hearts in Heaven. Don Bosco said to bring up kids with love and to let them do whatever, but don't sin. I believe it's one of the healthiest for families and actually his teaching on pedagogy is being used to this day :)

Thank you, Father, for this great video. As a member of Opus Dei I really appreciated the way you explained our commitment to seek unity of life and the lay vision of holiness. But I just wanted to add that, as Saint Josemaría said, the most important thing in Opus Dei, its "foundations" is our divine filiation: feeling ourselves and approaching God as loving children, full of trust in Him and always cheerful for His love. Thank you for your videos, Father!

Thanks for the video! I, myself, am discerning a vocation in the Dominican Order

I am a Protestant and I never understood what Catholics meant by "different schools of thought" unless I try to ask about traditional Catholics that denounce Vatican 2 and such and they dismiss them as heretics. Glad someone can actually tell me what that means instead of just saying so and just not giving me examples.

Benedictine: Saint Hildegard von Bingen; Elevated to Worship in the Universal Church in 2012 and Doctor Ecclesiae universalis. She is also commemorated in the Anglican, Old Catholic and Protestant churches with commemoration days. She has written many writings, including on medicinal plants.

I am a Marian Catholic and would love to hear you talk more about Marians.

There needs to be a part 2.... I wanna know about the Redemptorists, the Lasallians, the Marists, the Bridgettines, the Cistercians (is that the same as Trappist?)...

Thank you Father Casey for this video. It illustrates that Catholicism, while united globally in its liturgical practice, is not some boring monolithic institution. It is richly varied in its traditions that are as diverse as the cultures they serve.

I love how you combine accuracy, sincerity, and humor in your work. The lists of key thinkers and authors are very appreciated!

I'm more inclined towards Opus Dei because St. Josemaria was perhaps one of the most prolific Catholic theologians of the 20th century. His writings on the pursuit of daily sanctification are pretty concise, uncomfortably specific (considering it was written ~90 years ago) and fairly simple to follow. If anyone wants to read more of his work I suggest reading : The Forge, Friends of God & The Way. I promise you won't regret it. Peace ✌🏼.

Ordinary Life with extra ordinary Love with Opus Dei. Putting the Eucharist in the center of one's life, embracing your vocation, doing your work well with love and sancitfying others in the middle of the world. ❤

I spent 8 years educated in the Benedictine tradition. I am so grateful for all the sisters, fathers, and monks that have taken care of me throughout my years of formation. Ora et Labora 🙏🏻

Dominicans for me personally. St. Dominic and the Holy Rosary + St. Thomas Aquinas = enough said.

What a great and informative video I will share it far and wide! Father Casey!

Thank you very much for uploading this video.

Amazing work yet again, I love your videos!

That was so incredibly interesting. Thank you very much 🙏

Love listening and learning from you. God Bless.

I was a chaperone at a national youth convention and was struck by the joy the Salesians exhibited.

I went to the Come and See in St Louis for the Dominicans, and it’s so cool to see some familiar faces in this picture!!! Love you guys!!!

Bravo Father Casey! I learned a lot from this video.

Thank you Fr.! Interesting topic. Very organized and informative.

This is just magnificent; clear, inviting, and prayerful!

Wow! One of the most needed videos of our times! Thank you so much! In many places at the ground level often there is hesitation for people to welcome or accept a different form of spiritually almost like a discrimination. Thank you so much for this video!

Thank you for doing this, Fr. Casey; very simple but very helpful! I've been looking for a clear and concise explanation of today's religious orders, what their roles are, and the personal qualities to which each would appeal.

Great video! I started school as a Dominican, went to High School as a Franciscan, College back to Dominican. At work I joined the Opus Dei. What you said in this video are all true.

There are many, many more than just these!! I grew up in the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a community recognized by the church that integrates a variety of religious vocations in a way of life with a Franciscan base but many aspects of Benedictine spirituality as well (hospitality, liturgy of the hours at set times, etc) I’m constantly hearing of more beautiful ways people express and grow in their catholic faith, and there are so many I haven’t even heard of yet!

Thank you for making this video, Father! Helped make a lot of sense out of the different cognitive theories which I encountered growing up, being educated in Parochial schools, graduating from a Catholic university, and then teaching in Catholic schools!

Thank you so much for this video Father, it was very insightful; I made sure to take copious notes. I've returned to the Church after many years away and have always wondered what the differences between these orders were. I was glad to find such digestible content doing just that here on RU-vid. Thank you and God bless.

Thank you for the video, Father. Please make a part two and be sure to talk about the Trappist and Carthusian. Also, a video about the Desert Fathers who started the whole monastic thingy in the Church will be much appreciated.

Thank you for explaining the differences

So blessed to have Dominicans at my college campus ❤️ beautiful video thank you!

Thank you Father. Excellent and informative.

I belong to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and have grown in a parish with different spiritualities within it. It just feels amazing to belong to a church that is full of such diversity ❤

This is a great video to present to our youth in discerning their vocation. Thank you!

I am forever getting the different orders mixed up. This was so helpful to have them explained all together!

Thank you for making this video! I had been confused for so long!

Thank you for this, Fra Casey. Most useful!

I always enjoy and learn from your videos. I was taught by the Benedictine Sisters during 12 years of school. Now in my 60's I am a Benedictine Oblate with the monastery of Sisters who taught me in school...I treasure what I have learned from these Women.❤

This is so awesome...Feeling blessed to be part of this church, not an ease cross but a cross I'm prepared to give all for

I loved this video, if you wanted to make a longer more in depth, expanded version it would be great too

So super helpful!!!😊

Great summary, Father Casey! Thank you for sharing. I love all the orders [or spiritualities], for they all rightfully love and teach about Christ. Thou, if I were to join one, I'm not sure which one would I pick, all of them are great in their own ways.

Extremely informative. Thanks so much Fr. Casey

Thank you Fr! I’m a secular Discalced Carmelite and what you had about Carmelites was close to my experience.

Thanks 4 creating this. I found it concise and informative. 😊

I‘m a bit disappointed that you didn‘t include the Ordo Sancti Augustini in your Video, because it‘s one of the most important spiritualities in central Europe. By the way: the Dominicans also live by the rule of St. Augustinus 😉 Greetings from Austria 😇

I spent my day yesterday looking for information about this. And now you posted a video 🤧. Thanks. I need it the names. Now starts reading time🐢

Excellent summary. Thank you!

Thank you. This was concise and to the point.

I’ve always wondered about this. Thank you for this video.

Thankyou father for bringing this to our knowledge.

Thank you. I enjoyed this very much. When I first converted to the RC church, protestants were bewildered and asked WHY???? Leaving the LDS people and seeking God I spent time in several other churches and gained much from each. My struggle was that one wonderful thing that would be accepted by one church was rejected by another, though the second church would have something wonderful rejected by the others. When I investigated the RC church, I found everything everyone else had (in one form or another). It is as if the RC church is more of an umbrella covering all aspects of Christianity rather than a single denomination. I have never regretted my choice.

Love this video!

I hope Casey will talk more about each of the individuals mentioned, but this is an interesting line of self-directed online learning that I had not previously thought of.

This channel not only has great content in its videos but also features well-edited and engaging material. I appreciate the priests and the staff for their efforts.

Super informative. Thank you.

Great summary. Thank you!

I’ve been looking for a video to explain simply the differences between the Orders. Thank you!

I’m currently discerning secular Carmelites. I think it’s important for people to know that laity can belong to the different religious orders, not just the last two! Very helpful video, thanks for breaking this down!

Great video!!

Another great video. As usualy. ;) Thanx só much

I just love this video, thanks Father Casey!! I grew up Catholic, but didn't really understand Catholicism. When I went to college, I left the Church and became a born-again, non-denominational Evangelical Christian. However, as I learned new ways to look at Scripture and do my regular Bible studies and evangelism, I met an Opus Dei Priest at the end of my Junior year. I attended the Catholic Family Conference where I met Scott and Kimberly Hahn, I had just finished reading their book "Rome, Sweet Home" and other book by Catholic Answers "Catholicism and Fundamentalism". When I graduated from undergrad, I went back to going to Mass, and it was the Opus Dei lay men and the priests that convinced me what I was missing out on!

Q: What's the difference between a Dominican and a Jesuit? A: How many Cathars do you know? Ba-dum-tss I kid! I kid! And yes, I'm aware that the Jesuits weren't founded specifically to combat the heresies of their day. It's a joke that takes a little liberty with history. Honestly, I'm more inclined towards the Franciscan way as I get older. But it's good that we have such a diversity of communities to provide a home for everyone.

Thank you for this avenue to grow in my faith and to recognize different minitries and charisms

Father, I am thankful for your sharing this. I wish my parish had someone with your thoughts teaching catechism, I don't think I would have had my time in the wilderness. May you be blessed, and keep carrying on!

I never thought about this before, about what spirituality i and my parish follow......I need to go find this out, thank you Fr.

“Opus Dei is known for its commitment to regular prayer, strict fasts, and the mortification of the flesh”. Regular prayer it´s a characteristic of an Opus Dei member. However, I wouldn´t say that strict fasts are. Most of the Opus Dei members do not use cilium and disciplines. They seek to acquire a spirit of penance with small mortifications that only God sees. Of course, Opus Dei members fast sometimes, like any Catholic. But, usually, they have their regular meals every day. Saint Josemaría used to say: Among the ingredients of your meal include that “most delicious” one, mortification. Opus Dei members seek little mortifications all over the day: at meals, at work, cooking, driving, chatting with family, playing any sport with friends…

I throughly enjoyed this. Thank you.

Great video, Father Casey. I studied in a Vincentian University but I am more Franciscan due to my goal to be always generous. I support St. Anthony de Padua's Charities consistently for more than 10 years - in good or bad times. ❤

Loved this video! Would have loved to see the Fathers of Mercy mentioned. They run my local Parish.

Fantastic explanation Fr Casey. God filled you with intelligence. Speaking clearly. We all can understand. So enjoyable as we learn.

Well done. Thank you, father.

Thank you Fr Casey, that was really interesting. Because my father's name was Franciszek, ( Polish) St Francis was his patron Saint and because my Italian mother came from where St Francis tamed the wolf (Gubbio) and because I've visited Assisi soooo many times, St Francis's teachings are my core values. I have 2 cousins who are catholic priests and one of them spent a lot of time based at a seminary in Assisi as well. And God willing, I will be retiring to that region soon.

Fr Casey, you’re the best!

Awesome video

Very informative. More like this please . Also liked the way you made your hands disappear a few seconds after 10:17

This was a really interesting video. I am a convert to Catholicism and have been looking for ways to engage and build my faith. I am really interested in what you described with the Jesuits and the Salesians. I will have to read up and see what spiritual practices I can adopt for myself.

I LOVE that you mentioned De Chardin, I have a personal massive interest in his work, his understanding of the gospel has unlocked understanding the Bible as divine poetry for me. It's not for everyone and some may like to argue it's even bordering on heretical, but as someone who is, while faithful, just not able to convince myself that Genesis and Revelation (Alpha and Omega, so to say...) are meant in the literal sense, his theories have helped me understand them as a poetic description of incredibly complex physical processes that only a divine being could have set in motion, and only a divine outside observer could have witnessed and described in such a way.

Thank you so much for explaining this in a simple way. I've been educated in Christian schools all of my life but they are run by different congregations (Dominicans, Jesuits, Oblates of Mary Immaculate). I've even attended a Born Again Christian School as a child so I've been exposed to a mix match of spiritualities that have left me confused at times which one to follow. This video clears up a lot and thank you for the reading recommendations too.

thanks bro for this video! it what i have been searching for these weeks

Great video. I'm an Anglican and I feel drawn towards our dispersed Benedictine orders after ordination. I grew up Roman Catholic and spent time around Franciscans and the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales. I also had a cousin who was a sister in the Order of St. Joseph. All great groups that helped shape me

Thank you again for another awesome video Father Casey, do you think someday you can make a video about New Communities? They are very popular here in Brazil. God bless you 🙏

Great explanation

Beautiful!!❤