The Major Religious Orders of Men

In the series, The Major Religious Orders of Men, Fr. Charles Connor examines the historical development of the major religious orders of men in the Catholic Church.

EPISODES:
1 - The Rise of Monasticism in the East
Fr. Connor explores the origins of the monastic tradition in the Church.

2 - The Contribution of Eastern Monasticism to the West
Here Fr. Connor contributes that the fruit of Eastern Monasticism for the West was the rise of Irish monks and missionaries.

3 - Benedict and the Order He Began
Fr Connor explains the foundation of the Order of St. Benedict.

4 - The Benedictines: Conversion of England and Germany
Fr. Connor expounds on the ramifications of the Benedictine evangelization of England and Germany.

5 - The Monastic Reform of Cluny: Cistercians and Carthusians
Fr. Connor shares the immense reform of monasticism that sprung forth from Cluny in France.

6 - The Order of Carmel
Here Fr Connor shares the contemplative heritage which began with the prophet Elijah seeking God on Mount Carmel in Israel, was deepened with the apparition of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, and was furthered with the lives and mysticism of Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.

7 - The Poor Man of Assisi and His Order
Fr Connor examines the witness of holy simplicity lived out by St. Francis in Assisi, Italy. By his example Francis encouraged single-hearted devotion to the life and Passion of Jesus Christ.

8 - The Franciscan Family
Fr. Connor declares that Francis’s charism for living out the Gospel in the charity of Christ attracts a multitudinous following and ultimately causes the Franciscan Order to become the world’s largest.

9 - Dominic and the Order of Preachers
Fr. Connor shares how the Spaniard Dominic de Guzman received his calling in the same time period as St. Francis of Assisi, and how the two fraternal orders bolstered the faith-life of the Church in a time of crisis.

10 - Ignatius and His “Company”
Fr. Connor witnesses to the heroism of Ignatius of Loyola, former Spanish soldier become saint through reading the life of Christ and of the saints. The group of men Ignatius inspired would spread his evangelical zeal throughout the world.

11  - The Mission of the English Jesuits
Fr. Connor focuses on the phenomenal blossoming of faith in the midst of the horrific persecution in Britain by Henry, Elizabeth and protestant successors to the throne. The Jesuits defended the Apostolic Faith with their lives, ensuring that Catholicism would endure forever in their homeland.

12 - The French Connection: Sulpicians and Vincentians
Fr. Connor reveals the tremendous spiritual work in France by the Society of St. Sulpice and the followers of St. Vincent de Paul.

13 - Alphonsus and Paul of the Cross: Redemptorists and Passionists
Fr. Connor shares the inspirational work of orders faithfully dedicated to the parish missions by Sts. Alphonsus Liguori and Paul of the Cross.


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