(below is the original post that we now use as our FAQ)
WHO THIS SITE IS FOR
This site is intended for those discerning a vocation and considering the IVE. We apologize if some of the subjects seem a bit obscure. We understand how that could be the case for those who have not been in a religious community. If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to contact the site-owners using the contact information on the sidebar.
WHO WE ARE
We are all people that have all spent some time with the IVE, but have now left to other orders, seminaries, or states of life. We are all practicing Catholics. Some of us require anonymity, therefore all of us must be anonymous. We are not trying to post from a position of personal authority and we encourage you to reach out to third parties for objective opinions and advice.
WHY WE CREATED THIS SITE
We want people to know what they are getting into with the IVE. We don't want them to get manipulated or get poor advice before going in and we don't want them to feel trapped once they've entered. We want to give you the information we wish we had before we decided to enter the IVE.
It wasn't a simple decision to create this site. We would prefer to simply put it behind us and move on, but we feel a moral responsibility to make this information available to you for two reasons:
First, there is important, relevant information you won't learn from the order and you won't find online - at least not in English. If you do a search on the "institute of the Incarnate Word" in English you won't find much beyond their own website, a wikipedia page written like an advertisement for the order, and a few forum posts saying nice things. We do not feel that is enough information to make an informed decision to enter the IVE.
Second, if you are discerning your vocation you are especially vulnerable. You are actively seeking God's will. You are open and accepting to what God puts in your path. You are looking for direction. Because of this, you are also very it's easy for someone to take advantage of your desire to do good and to mislead or manipulate you for their own purposes.
We hope the information and practical advice we give you will help you avoid being misled and instead help you make a free, informed choice to follow God in the state you have properly discerned.
WHAT THIS SITE CONTAINS
We want to provide you with relevant, objective, information that will help you make informed, prudent decisions during your discernment. There are three main topics this site will cover:
#1 Recruiting and discernment at the IVE: Discernment is very important, yet the IVE does not encourage discernment prior to or after entering.
#2 Issues with the order's founder and history: The order has been investigated by the vatican twice and the founder Fr. Buela has stepped down twice and is no longer the head of the order. Their US benefactor is the very liberal, scandal-plagued Cardinal McCarrick. Etc.
#3 Serious irregularities: Things that violate canon law, US law, prudence, and charity that you should know about before entering.
You can see these topics in the navigation bar above.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
This is your vocation. Don't be afraid to talk to people and put some effort into it:
Inform: Read the information on this site about the IVE and get as much information as you can so you can make an informed decision.
Discern: Educate yourself on discernment, spend time and effort discerning, reach out to others for guidance.
Discuss: Talk to 3rd parties, other orders, local vocational directors. Ask detailed questions about discernment and their application process.