Q. Why don’t you post the formulas for private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience?
A. It is adviseable for a person who wishes to make a vow of this nature and magnitude to do so under the guidance of a knowledgable person. Otherwise, grave mistakes can be made. For instance, it makes little sense for a married person to attempt a vow of “chastity” because it implies singlehood for the sake of the kingdom and is null (void) unless the Holy See gives a dispensation. Also, it should be mentioned that the vow of obedience, while
essential for most forms of consecrated life, is not appropriate for a lay person in the world, because he has no legitimate superior.
(c) 2009 by Therese Ivers, JCL
www.DoIHaveAVocation.com