Whenever
the times have called for reform or innovation, new religious
orders have been born. Whether of men or women, Franciscans,
Benedictines, Jesuits or hundreds of others, these movements
have helped bring the gospel to the world in changing times.
At Vatican II, Pope Paul VI implored the orders to return
to the charism of their founders to propel the Council’s reforms.
Today
the Web teems with sites of Catholic religious orders. Some
of them are no more than handy directories (in itself a big
help!). Others provide new ways for far-flung members to stay
in touch with each other and the news of their order. The
best do all that—and bring the charism (spiritual gift) of
the order into the emerging global culture of the Internet.
Message to the World
A
good example is www.osb.org,
where you can locate most any monastery, find a retreat center,
learn about liturgy, Benedictine spirituality and the Benedictine
founders.
The
most expansive collection of Franciscan information and links
is the Franciscan Web Page at www.wtu.edu/franciscan.
The Next Generation
Visit
the Dominican site www.op.org
and you might soon find yourself reading about last February’s
interfaith dialogue in Bangkok, in which the Dominicans participated.
Dialogue with the world has always been a key to mendicant
mission. Now, more of us are invited to join the conversation.
Women
of the Sacred Heart Religious (R.S.C.J.) are behind www.justicenet.org,
a new way to bring the compassion of Christ (at the core of
the Sacred Heart devotion) to the world. It’s a clearinghouse
for information and action on behalf of justice.
“Called
by Joy” is the site of the Poor Clares (www.poorclare.org)
where you can find inspiration and send lively, joyous e-cards
to friends and family.
These
represent order Web sites at their best. Reaching into the
founder’s vision, they engage the world with Good News.
One
of the most complete online directories of order sites can
be found at CatholicGoldmine.com/vocations.
Next
month we will look at saints sites. Send your favorites to
Web
Catholic@franciscanmedia.org.
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