Christian Spiritual Traditions- What Are they?

There are a wide variety of prayer styles and actions within the
Christian tradition. Many of these styles and patterns of prayer have
taken their inspiration from the Scriptures, the life and example of
Christ or from the loved practices and rituals of the people. Others
have grown out of movements that have been led by inspirational
people dedicated to God. Christianity has a rich and varied library of texts and
prayers written by people who are considered role models or saints.
Sometimes known as Spiritual Writings, these texts, while often pertaining to
the person and their time in history, provide great insight into people’s search
for God and how people interpret the message of God in their lives. For
instance, Edmund Rice’s motivation and prayer was consolidated by his intense
desire to see the poor street children of Waterford escape the vicious cycle of
poverty through education. He and Catherine McAuley, also inspired groups to
follow their example and work-and this is how inspirational founders of begin
spiritual traditions. Groups grow from these kinds of beginnings, they continue
the work of their founders by following their unique call. This is how within the
broad Catholic Church special “Spiritual Groups”: Monasteries, Convents,
Religious Institutes and others have grown within the Church over time.

See if you can match the Saint with their Religious Movement or Religious
Order:
Catherine McAuley (1778-1841) Dominicans
Edmund Rice (1762-1844) Carmelites
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1842-1909) Jesuits
St Francis Assisi (… - 1226) Religious Sisters of Mercy
St Augustine of Hippo (354 AD- 430 AD) Religious Sisters of St Joseph
St Benedict (480 AD-547 AD) Congregation of Christian Brothers
St Dominic (1170-1221) Franciscans (Order Friars Minor)
St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) Augustinians
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Benedictines
Each of these spiritual traditions have been significant in developing the
repertoire of prayer and reflection about what it means to follow Christ. The
stories of their founders and the story of those who followed them, helps us
realise what is possible for us to do in our world today. Each of the Orders
mentioned are still within the Catholic Church and many young people and
adults respond even today to the message of the original founders-and choose
to join and become monks, nuns or even lay members of the Order. We call this
response a “Vocation” or “Call” to religious life. This call is not for all, but for
some it is where they feel like they are “coming home” to where God would
have them.
We can learn much from studying the lives of significant spiritual leaders or role
models of our Church. They teach us about how to respond to God’s call in our
lives, how to serve with love and how the lives of many are changed for the
better, because people hear God’s call and respond.
All spiritual seekers, in Religious orders or not, would agree that this kind of
lifestyle begins and ends with the person’s personal relationship with their God.
Saints are not substitutes for God!
Saints merely show how ordinary people can respond in extraordinary ways
when they hear God’s call in their lives and respond generously.
View the following You-tube clips and then fill out the table below with ‘Thumb-sketch’ bullet points
(You may also need to access the internet to get more information.

breakthehabit.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIjQGwlxM6Q

Dominicans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOQnGgNuPZo

Carmelites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yD_9eZd6YE

Jesuits/Ignatius Loyola

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g0MNdRaMBI
 Life Aspects of Prayer Sayings
faith
Edmund Rice He was born in He uses personal Typical “one thing you
Ireland. wealth to Catholic Lay can be sure of
Middle class educate and person of his while you
farming feed the street time work for God,
background poor of But was very whether you
becomes Waterford. committed to succeed or
Chandler- Prayerful and social justice not, God will
successful attracts other as a way of amply reward
Marries – men to work prayer being you”
tragedy and He had quiet active in world
begins to work confidence in The
for the poor providence of Presentation
God and Christian
Brother
Congregations
were “Actives”
in the world
not locked
away in a life
of prayer
St. Francis
(Franciscan)
Ignatius of Loyola
(Jesuits)
(Carmelites/Dominicans