I don't know how many people have a positive view about and approach to Christian Consecrated life! Whether it is something negative or positive, I feel that some things that are common in Christian Religious Life provide some vague models for family life to be. Of course, the things I am saying will not be the same in every Religious Community. I also admit that there will be many exceptions to the rule.
First, in Christian Consecrated Life (except in communities with a specialized ministry), the community leadership generally encourages and supports the development of each person's natural talents. Don't we see that one's abilities are developed in areas of interest and orientation such as teaching, medical profession, nursing, charity work, accounting, legal profession, artistic traits, engineering, counseling, media-communication, social work, community organization, administration, priesthood, and thus help one achieve one's personal and professional fulfillment?
Consecrated communities give great importance to communion and has many ways of doing it. Even if the members of the community work in various fields, there is always a place and time for casual conversations, jokes, and stories called recreation time or social time. Common discussions take place during their meal times. Serious discussions - matters that require more in-depth consideration - will be discussed by the members once a month or every two months in what they call a 'house chapter'. The general principle is that personal differences or frictions between members should be resolved between the persons concerned, and shouldn't be prolonged. They are generally careful not to talk in a way that undermines mutual respect.
Being open and honest with one's conscience and one's soul is very important in Consecrated Life. Therefore, each one has very open conversations with at least one person in the community, if not with all.
Self-examination or Examination of conscience is a spiritual practice that one must conduct on oneself. Usually there's a specified time for this. In order to share things openly and honestly, Consecrated communities encourage members to have a spiritual director or mentor, either within the community or outside.
Although outside the community, one may be a principal, doctor, engineer, nurse, lecturer, teacher, nursery teacher, etc., there is no such consideration or undue respect for anyone within the community. Everyone, except for those who are sick, eats the same food, enjoy the same facilities, and the same consideration. Almost everyone shares the tasks, such as cleaning the house, washing the dishes, helping with cooking, etc. That means there is not much room for special treatment or undue privileges within a community.
Generally they all think that they are a team.
Every year or two, all the members together goes on a short tour or picnic.
Leadership is not ascribed to one in consecrated life. Usually, one person leads the community for three years. The next three years will be someone else.
Since no one in Consecrated life marries or has intimate relationships with anyone, are the limits in some areas and some of the systems that are in place as mentioned above.
It is true that many of these things cannot be replicated as such in family life. And there is no need to do so. However, encouraging and supporting one's partner achieve personal and professional fulfillment; all family members - especially the partners - finding time and opportunity for normal conversations every day; discussing and deciding things together; holding serious discussions in the manner they deserve; considering each other as equals within the family, no matter how big or small their income; finding time for self-examination; If both of them have jobs outside the home doing house chores together, engaging in laughter and games together; going on outings together; and taking turns in carrying out the duty of leadership etc. seems to me that families can try implementing these - in some way, or even more.
