Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity

Last updated

Society of Our Lady
of the Most Holy Trinity
AbbreviationPost-nominal letters SOLT
Formation16 July 1958 (65 years ago)
FounderFr.James Flanagan, SOLT
Founded atArchdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
TypeSociety of Apostolic Life
HeadquartersCorpus Christi, Texas
Region served
American Region
Mexico
Belize
Guatemala
United States of America
Asia-Pacific Region
Australia
China
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Thailand
Motto
Imitate Mary, Become like Jesus, Live for the Triune God
General Priest Servant
Fr.Peter Marsalek,SOLT
Website www.solt.net

The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) is a Society of Apostolic Life within the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded in 1958 by Father James H. Flanagan, a priest from the United States. The Society maintains missions in various countries, describing itself as Marian-Trinitarian, Catholic, missionary, and family. [1] Membership in the Society includes priests, permanent deacons, religious sisters, religious brothers, and the lay faithful.

Contents

Charism

The charism (gift) which the Society brings to the Church is to be:

While in the seminary, Father Flanagan realized that organizations where people work as a team, recognizing and accepting individual talents, are the ones which are most successful. This is why the Society strives to have priests, permanent deacons, religious sisters, religious brothers, and lay faithful in all of its communities, no matter how small.

Foundation

In 1957, five years after his ordination to the priesthood, Flanagan approached Cardinal James Richard Cushing, then Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, with his idea. Cushing gave his support. Soon after, Edwin Byrne, the Archbishop of Santa Fe, invited Flanagan to his diocese where he met the future co-founder of SOLT, Father John McHugh. Byrne formally established the Society as a pious union on 16 July 1958, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. [2]

Religious formation

After several meetings, those who feel called to be either a priest or religious brother in the Society spend an aspirancy year in either Belize or Belcourt, North Dakota. This is a year when the aspirants experience living simply and without many material comforts, enabling them to better understand the work of the Society. Those who remain interested begin the novitiate year. Until 2011, this year was conducted in southern Colorado; now the novices spend the time at the Society's house in Corpus Christi, Texas. This year is crucial, for it is then that the novices

better understand their divine vocation, and indeed one which is proper to the institute, experience the manner of living of the institute, and form their mind and heart in its spirit, and so that their intention and suitability are tested. [3]

Thus, the novices are given the opportunity for longer periods of prayer and spiritual reading as well as silence in order to reflect on the vocation God is offering and nature of their response. The spiritual development of the novice is of particular focus, especially through spiritual direction. At the end the year the novices receive the religious habit (robes) of the Society and take the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It is then that the person officially becomes a member of the Society:

By religious profession, members assume the observance of the three evangelical counsels by public vow, are consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church, and are incorporated into the institute with the rights and duties defined by law. [4]

Following the novitiate, religious formation continues in one of two directions.

Priests

Those called to the priesthood pursue their academic studies. Prior to 2011, the Society sent its students without any philosophy for a two-year course at Our Lady of Corpus Christi College in Texas, and those with philosophy for a four-year theology degree at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum, in Rome. Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year, all students were sent to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, which provides both philosophy and theology courses. The students live in a house of studies and commute to the seminary proper. [5]

After completing courses in theology, the candidates for ordination participate in a pastoral year, six months of which is in a Spanish-speaking country and six months going through the Society's Ecclesial Team programme. This is followed by perpetual promises, ordination to the diaconate, and then priesthood between six and twelve months later. [6] For most newly ordained priests, ordination is followed by an assignment to one of the Society's various communities, either in the US or abroad. However, some may be asked to attend the Angelicum in Rome for further studies.

Sisters

The Sisters affirm that:

A vocation is a call from God. We have existed in the mind of God from all eternity and God has chosen this time in history to place us on this earth. He has a particular mission for each one of us and it is up to us to discover this wonderful plan. Some people are called to the single life, some people are called to the vocation of marriage and others to the vocation of religious life. When we find our vocation, we find our mission and we find the fullness of happiness. [7]

After spending some time, normally a week, living with the Sisters, women who believe that they may be called to the religious life undergo what is called "aspirancy" during which they discern whether or not to begin the process. This is followed by a year-long postulancy period of living with the community, during which time the women learn more about the practicalities of living the life of a sister as well as deepening their relationship with God.

The postulancy is followed by a two-year novitiate, at the beginning of which the women are clothed with the Society's religious habit. The first year is devoted to living in one of the various apostolates. The second year is that required by Canon Law during which the focus is on learning more about the evangelical counsels, prayer, spirituality, and the Constitutions of the Society. At the end of the novitiate, simple promises are made; these are renewed annually for five years after which perpetual promises are made. [8]

The Sisters serve alongside the other members of the Society in a variety of areas such as health care, education, evangelisation, drug rehabilitation, homeless people, foster care, orphaned children, and parish work. They also operate a bookstore which provides Catholic reading and devotional materials.

Brothers

Those called to be lay brothers begin what the Society terms an "intellectual year" during which time is spent studying such things as the Bible, Church history, and Catholic doctrine.

This is followed by a pastoral year, the first six months of which takes place in a country other than the brother's native land. The remainder of the year is spent at the Society's headquarters in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they learn how to operate within the framework of the Society's ecclesial team structure. [9] Brothers of the Society are currently receiving their subsequent formation in Detroit, Michigan. While they are not ordained and thus do not celebrate the sacraments, they serve in a variety of important apostolates according to the talents of each brother. These include such areas as prison ministry, people with HIV, administration, counseling, and parish work. A brother ministers

not by preaching with words, but in the example of the great St Francis who said, "Preach the Gospel always, and use words when necessary. [10]

Lay faithful

Those who feel called to this ministry undergo a period of prayerful reflection, discussion, and formation under the guidance of one of the Society's priests and, preferably, with others of the same disposition. They also participate in the ecclesial team training program.

The purpose of the program is to develop the lay missionaries' faith, Christian spirituality, and sense of vocation as well as foster a deeper understanding of what it means to be a missionary, understanding and respecting the culture where they will serve. [11]

Missions

The Society serves in numerous countries.

Structure

The Society is led by a General Priest Council, composed of a General Priest Servant and his four assistants. The General Sister Council and General Lay Council fully collaborate in the governance and administration of the Society. The respective General Councils meet quarterly in Joint Council. There are also two Regional Priest Councils, one for the Asia-Pacific Region and the other for the American Region, as well as Regional Sister and Lay Councils.

John Corapi case

In 2011 controversy arose concerning John Corapi, one of the Society's priests, a man well known for his lively preaching, frequent appearances on EWTN, and writing several books. Corapi was accused of breaking his promise of celibacy with more than one woman and of violating his vow of poverty by amassing significant wealth.[ citation needed ] The initial allegations were a shock to those Catholics who saw him as a defender of traditional Catholic teaching on all fronts. Along with complaints of being unfairly treated and about "certain persons in authority in the Church that want me gone," Corapi asserted his innocence but also said that he was resigning from the priesthood. [13]

In June, the Society responded, outlined the process which had taken place, and that it had received a letter (dated 3 June 2011) from Corapi in which he said that he could no longer serve either as a priest or as a member of the Society. The Society's response also made it clear that no conclusion had been reached at that time. [14] On 5 July 2011, the Society released another statement in which it said that all canonical norms had been followed and that Corapi did

have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute. He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs; he has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana. He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the Society. [15]

In the same statement, the Society also asserted that Corapi had offered $100,000 to the woman making accusations in return for her silence and that he may have entered similar contracts with key witnesses who refused to supply the investigation with statements or documents.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congregation of Holy Cross</span> Catholic religious congregation of missionary priests and brothers

The Congregation of Holy Cross, abbreviated CSC, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical rite for men founded in 1837 by Basil Moreau, in Le Mans, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Society of Mary (Marianists)</span> Clerical religious congregation

The Society of Mary abbreviated SM is a clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men commonly called the Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. Its members add the nominal letters "'S.M.'" to their names to indicate their membership in the Society. The Society was founded by William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who survived the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution. The Society is one of the four branches of the Marianist Family. Along with the other branches, the Marianist Brothers and Priests look to Mary as a model of faith and spirituality. They believe that the best ways to live a spiritual life are to share their faith with others, work with the poor, and educate and nourish the mind, the body, and the soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redemptorists</span> Catholic missionary order

The Redemptorists officially named the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, abbreviated CSsR, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men. It was founded by Alphonsus Liguori at Scala, Italy, for the purpose of labouring among the neglected country people around Naples. It is dedicated to missionary work and they minister in more than 100 countries. Members of the congregation are Catholic priests and consecrated religious brothers.

Giustino Russolillo - in religious Giustino Maria della SS. Trinità - was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the religious congregations of the Vocationist Fathers, the Vocationist Sisters and of the Secular Institute of the Apostles of Universal Sanctification. Russolillo was a pastor at St. George Parish in Pianura, where he was born, and dedicated his life to promoting, cultivating and educating young people about God's call in their life. In doing so, he help young people to fulfill their religious vocation to priesthood and consecrated life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Julian Eymard</span> French priest

Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest and founder of two religious institutes: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Society of the Divine Word</span> Catholic missionary religious congregation

The Society of the Divine Word, abbreviated SVD and popularly called the Verbites or the Divine Word Missionaries, and sometimes the Steyler Missionaries, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men. As of 2020, it consisted of 5,965 members composed of priests and religious brothers working in more than 70 countries, now part of VIVAT international. It is one of the largest missionary congregations in the Catholic Church. Its members add the nominal letters SVD after their names to indicate membership in the Congregation. The superior general is Paulus Budi Kleden who hails from Indonesia.

John Anthony Corapi, formerly known as Fr. John Corapi, is an inactive Catholic priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (S.O.L.T.) in the United States. He was popular in the early 2000s for his regular appearances on Catholic television and his syndicated daily Catholic radio show. He published instructional media including books, DVDs, and websites, and made speaking appearances throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious of the Virgin Mary</span> Roman Catholic community based in the Philippines

The Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (Spanish: Religiosas de la Beata Virgen María, abbreviated RVM, is a Roman Catholic centralized religious institute of consecrated life of Pontifical Right for women founded in Manila in 1684 by the Filipina Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espíritu Santo.

The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette are a religious congregation of priests and brothers in the Latin Church. They are named after the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette in France. There is also a parallel religious community of sisters called the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette. A lay fraternal group of associates also works in cooperation with the vowed religious. The Missionaries are dedicated to making known the message of Our Lady of La Salette, a call to healing of inner brokenness and personal reconciliation with God, especially as found in the first three commandments. The missionaries are popularly known as "the La Salettes."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vocational discernment in the Catholic Church</span>

Vocational discernment is the process by which men and women in the Catholic Church discern, or recognize, their vocation in the church and the world. The vocations are the life of a layperson in the world, either married or single, the ordained life of bishops, priests, and deacons, and consecrated religious life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit</span> Roman Catholic monastic order

The Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit, commonly called the Pauline Fathers, is a monastic order of the Catholic Church founded in Hungary during the 13th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine (Boston, Massachusetts)</span>

Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine is a historic Roman Catholic shrine located on Boylston Street in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to the adoration of the Eucharist. Saint Clement Shrine is a church of the Archdiocese of Boston, and is host to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Company of Mary</span>

The Missionaries of the Company of Mary is a missionary religious congregation within the Catholic Church. The community was founded by Saint Louis de Montfort in 1705 with the recruitment of his first missionary disciple, Mathurin Rangeard. The congregation is made up of priests and brothers who serve both in the native lands and in other countries. The Montfortian Family comprises three groups: the Company of Mary, the Daughters of Wisdom and the Brothers of Saint Gabriel.

A religious brother is a member of a religious institute or religious order who commits himself to following Christ in consecrated life of the Church, usually by the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He is usually a layman and usually lives in a religious community and works in a ministry appropriate to his capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominican Order in the United States</span>

The Dominican Order was first established in the United States by Edward Fenwick in the early 19th century. The first Dominican institution in the United States was the Province of Saint Joseph, which was established in 1805. Additionally, there have been numerous institutes of Dominican Sisters and Nuns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corpus Christi Church, Boscombe</span> Church in Dorset, England

Corpus Christi Church is a Roman Catholic church in Boscombe, on the outskirts of Bournemouth in Dorset. It was founded by Baroness Pauline von Hugel and the Jesuits, and is currently served by the Diocese of Portsmouth. It is situated on St. James' Square, on the corner of Parkwood Road and Christchurch Road. It was founded in 1895 and from its 108 ft tall bell tower, it is possible to see the Isle of Wight.

Maria Giuseppa Rossello was an Italian religious sister who founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy. She has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic religious institutions, associations, and communities in Macau</span>

Catholic religious institutions, associations, and communities in Macau operate in the territory of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), which is currently under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Macau, founded on 23 January 1576. Besides its diocesan priests, this Catholic diocese is assisted by various male and female religious orders, congregations, and institutes. The diocese is also supported by various institutions, movements, brotherhoods, and associations of Catholic inspiration made up of lay and religious people. All these Catholic bodies provide a variety of religious, social, educational, welfare, and cultural services to the Catholic and non-Catholic populations of Macau.

References

  1. ↑ "About SOLT". Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "Code of Canon Law - IntraText". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Code of Canon Law - IntraText". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "SOLT News". soltnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  6. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Sisters’ website: FAQs Archived 2010-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Sisters’ website: Formation Archived 2 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "societyofourlady.net". www.societyofourlady.net. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  13. ↑ Corapi Statement 17 June 2011 God love you, God bless you and Good-bye Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Webmaster, Solt (20 June 2011). "SOLT News: Official SOLT Statement Regarding Fr John Corapi". SOLT News. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  15. ↑ "SOLT News". soltnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.