Religious congregation

Type of Catholic religious institute

This article is about a type of organisation for consecrated life in the Catholic Church. For other uses, see Congregation.

Part of a series on the
Canon law of the Catholic Church

Ius vigens (current law)

* 1983 Code of Canon Law
* Omnium in mentem
* Magnum principium
* Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
* Ad tuendam fidem
* Ex corde Ecclesiae
* Indulgentiarum Doctrina
* Praedicate evangelium
* Veritatis gaudium
* Custom
* Matrimonial nullity trial reforms of Pope Francis
* Documents of the Second Vatican Council
* Christus Dominus
* Lumen gentium
* Optatam totius
* Orientalium ecclesiarum
* Presbyterorum ordinis
* Sacrosanctum concilium
* Precepts of the Church

Legal history

Jus antiquum (c. 33–1140)

* Ancient Church Orders
* Didache
* The Apostolic Constitutions
* Canons of the Apostles
* Collections of ancient canons
* Collectiones canonum Dionysianae
* Collectio canonum quadripartita
* Collectio canonum Quesnelliana
* Collectio canonum Wigorniensis
* Gelasian Decree
* Symmachian forgeries
* Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals
* Donation of Constantine
* Gregorian Reform
* Lay investiture controversy
* Dictatus papae
* Libertas ecclesiae
* Plenitudo potestatis

Jus novum (c. 1140–1563)

* Corpus Juris Canonici
* Decretum Gratiani
* Decretist
* Canon Episcopi
* Margaritae
* Jus commune
* Decretals of Gregory IX
* Decretalist
* Regulæ Juris
* Extravagantes
* Liber Septimus

Jus novissimum (c. 1563–1918)

* Council of Trent
* Benedictus Deus
* Tametsi
* Apostolicae Sedis moderationi

Jus codicis (1918-present)

* 1917 Code of Canon Law
* Ecclesiae Sanctae
* 1983 Code of Canon Law

Other

* Contractum trinius
* Papal judge-delegate
* Right of option

Eastern law

* Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
* Eastern Canonical Reforms of Pius XII
* Nomocanon
* Eparchy
* Exarchate
* Ordinariate for Eastern Catholic faithful
* Protosyncellus

Liturgical law

Latin Church

* General Roman Calendar
* Ranking of liturgical days in the Roman Rite
* General Instruction of the Roman Missal
* Code of Rubrics
* Sacrosanctum Concilium
* Mysterii Paschalis
* Musicam sacram
* Scripturarum thesaurus
* Liturgiam authenticam
* Quattuor abhinc annos
* Ecclesia Dei
* Summorum Pontificum
* Magnum principium
* Traditionis custodes
* Red Mass
* Holy day of obligation

Sacramental law

* Communicatio in sacris
* Ex opere operato
* Omnium in mentem
* Validity and liceity

Sacraments

* Holy Orders
* Impediment (Catholic canon law)
* Abstemius
* Defect of birth
* Obligation of celibacy
* Nullity of Sacred Ordination
* Apostolicae curae
* Dimissorial letters
* Episcopal consecrators
* Approbation (Catholic canon law)
* Confession
* Penitential canons
* Paenitentiale Theodori
* Seal of the Confessional
* Internal and external forum
* Note on the importance of the internal forum and the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal
* Apostolic Penitentiary
* Canon penitentiary
* Complicit absolution
* Sacramentum Poenitentiae
* Eucharist
* Eucharistic discipline
* Canon 915
* Celebret
* Mass stipend

Sacramentals

* Indulgence
* Indulgentiarum doctrina

Sacred places

* Altars
* Major basilica
* Minor basilica
* Oratory (chapel)

Sacred times

* Feast days
* Fast days and abstinence
* Paenitemini
* Holy day of obligation

Matrimonial law

* Canonical form (Latin Church)
* Tametsi
* Ne Temere
* Banns of marriage
* Declaration of Nullity
* Dignitas connubii
* Matrimonial Nullity Trial Reforms of Pope Francis
* Vetitum
* Defender of the Bond
* Impediments to Marriage
* Affinity
* Clandestinity
* Impediment of crime
* Disparity of cult
* Ligamen
* Public propriety
* Matrimonial dispensation
* Ratum sed non consummatum
* Sanatio in radice
* Natural marriage
* Pauline privilege
* Petrine privilege

Supreme authority, particular churches, and canonical structures

Supreme authority of the Church

* Roman Pontiff
* Papal conclave
* College of Bishops

Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures

* College of Cardinals
* Conference of bishops
* Synod of Bishops

Particular churches

* Churches sui juris
* Latin Church
* Eastern Catholic Churches
* Local particular churches
* Appointment of bishops
* Abbacy nullius
* Apostolic vicariate
* Apostolic vicar
* Apostolic administration
* Apostolic administrator
* Diocese/Archdiocese
* Aeque principaliter
* Cathedraticum
* In persona episcopi
* Diocesan Curia
* Moderator of the Curia
* Chancery
* Deanery
* Vicar forane
* Eparchy
* Eparchal curia
* Military ordinariate
* Mission sui juris
* Personal ordinariate
* Anglicanorum Coetibus

Juridic persons

* Parish
* Team of priests in solidum
* Collegiate church
* Parish register
* Lay trusteeism
* Roman Curia
* Dicastery
* Congregation
* Pontifical council
* Personal prelature
* Types of membership of Opus Dei
* Association of the Christian faithful
* Vicar general
* Quinquennial visit ad limina

Jurisprudence

* Canonical coronation
* Canonically crowned images
* Computation of time
* Custom
* Delegata potestas non potest delegari
* Derogation
* Dispensation
* Taxa Innocentiana
* Faculty
* Indult
* Impediment
* Donation
* Interpretation
* Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
* Jurisdiction
* Peritus
* Obreption & subreption
* Obrogation
* Promulgation
* Resignation of the Roman Pontiff
* Sede vacante
* Simony
* Vacatio legis
* Validity and liceity
* Visitation
* Apostolic visitor

Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law

* Theology
* Ecclesiology
* Treatise on Law
* Determinatio

Temporal goods (property)

* Benefice
* Cathedraticum
* Contract law
* Mass stipend
* Stole fee
* Temporalities

Law of persons

* Person (Catholic canon law)
* Formal act of defection from the Catholic Church
* Canonical age
* Emancipation
* Exemption
* Heresy

Clerics

* Secular clergy
* Regular clergy
* Obligation of celibacy
* Clerics and public office
* Incardination and excardination
* Laicization (dispensation)
* Canonical faculties

Office

* Canonical provision
* Canonical election
* Juridic and physical persons
* Jus patronatus
* Associations of the faithful
* Consecrated life

Canonical documents

* Acta Apostolicae Sedis
* Acta Sanctae Sedis
* Censor librorum
* Imprimatur
* Imprimi potest
* Notary
* Protonotary apostolic
* Apostolic constitution
* Canon
* Concordat
* Decree
* Decretal
* Encyclical
* Motu proprio
* Ordinance
* Papal brief
* Papal bull
* Penitential
* Positive law
* Rescript
* Parish register
* Ecclesiastical Latin

Penal law

* Canon 1324
* Canon 1397 §2
* Censure (Catholic canon law)
* De delictis gravioribus
* Complicit absolution
* Crimen sollicitationis
* Excommunication
* List of excommunicable offences in the Catholic Church
* List of people excommunicated by the Catholic Church
* List of cardinals excommunicated by the Catholic Church
* Interdict
* Laicization (penal)
* Latae sententiae and ferendae sententiae
* Lifetime of prayer and penance
* Canonical admonitions
* Ecclesiastical prison

Procedural law

Pars statica (tribunals & ministers/parties)

* Tribunals
* Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
* Tribunal of the Roman Rota
* Apostolic Penitentiary
* Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
* Ministers of Justice
* Judicial Vicar/Officialis
* Auditor
* Parties
* Defender of the Bond
* Procurator

Pars dynamica (trial procedure)

* Dignitas connubii (matrimonial causes)
* Appeal as from an abuse
* Presumption
* Penal procedure
* Vos estis lux mundi

Canonization

* Congregation for the Causes of Saints
* Maiorem hac dilectionem
* Advocatus Diaboli
* Oblatio vitae
* Positio
* Beatification and canonization process in 1914

Election of the Roman Pontiff

* Current law
* Universi Dominici gregis
* Papal renunciation
* Reforms of Pope Benedict XVI
* Historical
* Cum proxime
* Jus exclusivae
* Papal appointment
* Aeterni Patris Filius
* Romano Pontifici eligendo
* Ingravescentem aetatem
* Ubi periculum
* Quia propter

Legal practice and scholarship

* List of legal abbreviations

Academic degrees

* Licentiate of Canon Law
* Doctor of Canon Law
* Doctor of both laws

Journals and Professional Societies

* Canon Law Society of America
* The Jurist

Faculties of canon law

* Catholic University of America School of Canon Law

Canonists

* Medieval
* Gratian
* Hostiensis
* Jean Lemoine
* Raymond of Penyafort
* Rufinus
* Johannes Teutonicus
* Geoffrey of Trani
* Burchard of Worms
* Brocard
* Modern & Contemporary
* Eugenio Corecco
* John D. Faris
* Pietro Gasparri
* Ladislas Orsy
* Edward N. Peters

Law of consecrated life

* Solemn vow
* Exclaustration
* Manifestation of Conscience
* Canonical erection of a house of religious
* Pontifical right
* Diocesan right
* Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

Institute of consecrated life

* Religious institute
* Congregation
* Order
* Monasticism
* Canons regular
* Mendicant orders
* Clerics regular
* Secular institute
* Cum Sanctissimus
* Primo Feliciter
* Provida Mater Ecclesia

Society of apostolic life

* Decretum laudis

Catholicism portal

* v
* t
* e

A religious congregation is a type of religious institute in the Catholic Church. They are legally distinguished from religious orders – the other major type of religious institute – in that members take simple vows, whereas members of religious orders take solemn vows.

## History

[edit]

Until the 16th century, the vows taken in any of the religious orders approved by the Apostolic See were classified as solemn.[1] This was declared by Pope Boniface VIII (1235–1303).[2] According to this criterion, the last religious order founded was that of the Bethlehem Brothers in 1673.[3]

By the constitution Inter cetera of 20 January 1521, Pope Leo X appointed a rule for tertiaries with simple vows. Under this rule, enclosure was optional, enabling non-enclosed followers of the rule to engage in various works of charity not allowed to enclosed religious.[1] In 1566 and 1568, Pope Pius V rejected this class of institute, but they continued to exist and even increased in number. After at first being merely tolerated, they afterwards obtained approval.[1] Their lives were oriented not to the ancient monastic way of life, but more to social service and to evangelization, both in Europe and in mission areas. Their number increased further in the upheavals brought by the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic invasions reckoned as religious, when Pope Leo XIII recognized as religious all men and women who took simple vows in such congregations.[4]

The 1917 Code of Canon Law reserved the name "religious order" for institutes in which the vows were solemn, and used the term "religious congregation" or simply "congregation" for those with simple vows. The members of a religious order for men were called "regulars", those belonging to a religious congregation were simply "religious", a term that applied also to regulars. For women, those with simple vows were simply "sisters", with the term "nun" reserved in canon law for those who belonged to an institute of solemn vows, even if in some localities they were allowed to take simple vows instead.[5]

However, it abolished the distinction according to which solemn vows, unlike simple vows, were indissoluble. It recognized no totally indispensable religious vows and thereby abrogated for the Latin Church the special consecration that distinguished orders from congregations, while keeping some juridical distinctions. Solemn vows were originally considered indissoluble. Not even the Pope could dispense from them.[6] If for a just cause a solemnly professed religious was expelled, the vow of chastity remained unchanged and so rendered invalid any attempt at marriage, the vow of obedience obliged in relation, generally, to the bishop rather than to the religious superior, and the vow of poverty was modified to meet the new situation, but the expelled religious "could not, for example, will any goods to another; and goods which came to him reverted at his death to his institute or to the Holy See."[7]

After publication of the 1917 Code, many institutes with simple vows appealed to the Holy See for permission to make solemn vows. The Apostolic Constitution Sponsa Christi of 21 November 1950 made access to that permission easier for nuns (in the strict sense), though not for religious institutes dedicated to apostolic activity. Many of these institutes of women then petitioned for the solemn vow of poverty alone. Towards the end of the Second Vatican Council, superiors general of clerical institutes and abbots president of monastic congregations were authorized to permit, for a just cause, their subjects of simple vows who made a reasonable request to renounce their property except for what would be required for their sustenance if they were to depart, thus assimilating their position to that of religious with solemn vows.[8] These changes resulted in a blurring of the previously clear distinction between "orders" and "congregations", since institutes that were founded as "congregations" began to have some members who had all three solemn vows or had members that took a solemn vow of poverty and simple vows of chastity and obedience.

## Current juridical status

[edit]

The 1983 Code of Canon Law maintains the distinction between solemn and simple vows,[9] but no longer makes any distinction between their juridical effects, including the distinction between orders and congregations. It uses the single term religious institute to designate all such institutes of consecrated life alike.[10] The word congregation (Latin: congregation) is instead used to refer to congregations of the Roman Curia or monastic congregations.[11]

The Annuario Pontificio lists for both men and women the institutes of consecrated life that are of pontifical right, namely those that the Holy See has erected or approved by formal decree.[12] For the men, it gives what it calls the "Historical-Juridical List of Precedence".[13] This list maintains to a large extent the distinction between orders and congregations, detailing 96 clerical religious congregations and 34 lay religious congregations. However, it does not distinguish between orders and congregations of Eastern Catholic Churches or female religious institutes.

## See also

[edit]

* Consecrated life (Catholic Church)
* Institute of consecrated life
* Catholic religious order
* Secular institute
* Society of apostolic life
* List of religious institutes

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Arthur Vermeersch, "Religious Life" in The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. Archived 2012-01-15 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 18 July 2011.
2. ^ "Illud solum votum debere dici solemne . . . quod solemnizatum fuerit per suceptionem S. Ordinis aut per professionem expressam vel tacitam factam alicui de religionibus per Sedem Apostolicam approbatis" (C. unic. de voto, tit. 15, lib. III in 6, quoted in Celestine Anthony Freriks, Religious Congregations in Their External Relations, p. 17).
3. ^ Álvarez Gómez, Jesús, C.M.F., Historia de la vida religiosa, Volume III, Publicaciones Claretianas, Madrid, 1996.
4. ^ Constitution "Conditae a Christo" of 8 December 1900, cited in Mary Nona McGreal, Dominicans at Home in a New Nation, chapter 11. Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine.
5. ^ "CIC 1917: text - IntraText CT". www.intratext.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
6. ^ Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II–II, q. 88, a. 11.
7. ^ "Renewal of Religious Orders, or Destruction?". www.canonlaw.info. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
8. ^ Yūji Sugawara, Religious Poverty: from Vatican Council II to the 1994 Synod of Bishops, (Loyola Press 1997 ISBN 978-88-7652-698-5), pp. 127–128.
9. ^ "Code of Canon Law - IntraText". www.vatican.va. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
10. ^ Robert T. Kennedy, Study related to a pre-1983 book by John J. McGrath – Jurist, 1990, pp. 351–401.
11. ^ "Code of Canon Law - IntraText Concordances: «congregation»". www.vatican.va. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
12. ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 589. Archived 18 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
13. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2012, pp. 1411–1429.

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Consecrated life in the Catholic Church

Types|

* Consecrated virgin
* Hermit
* Religious institute
* Orders
* Monastic
* Cenobitic
* Chapter
* Enclosed
* Idiorrhythmic
* Canons regular
* Mendicants
* Second orders
* Cleric regular
* Congregations
* Secular institute
* Society of apostolic life

Vows|

* Evangelical counsels
* Poverty
* Chastity
* Obedience
* Profession
* Solemn vow
* Vow of silence
* Vow of enclosure

Monastery
(List)|

* Abbey
* Chapter house
* Cloister
* Convent
* Double
* Hermitage
* Priory
* Refectory
* Scriptorium

Prayer|

* Contemplation
* Liturgy of the Hours
* Mass
* Meditation
* Rosary

Habit|

* Clerical clothing
* Coif
* Cornette
* Scapular
* Vestment

Members|

* Superior
* General
* Provincial
* Abbot/Abbess
* Prior/Prioress
* Grand master
* Rector
* Brother
* Friar
* Monk
* Basilian
* Sister
* Nun
* Hermit
* Anchorite
* Novice
* Master
* Oblate
* Postulant
* Lay brother
* Porter

Other|

* Asceticism
* Foolishness for Christ
* Tonsure
* Vocational discernment
* Monastic cell
* List of religious institutes

* Catholicism portal

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Catholic religious institutes

Male
and
female|

* Alexians
* Assumptionists (AA)
* Augustinian Recollects (OAR)
* Basilian Aleppians (BA)
* Basilian Chouerites (BC)
* Benedictines (OSB)
* Bridgettines (OSsS)
* Canossians (FDCC)
* Carmelites (OCarm)
* Carthusians (OCart)
* Cistercians (OCist)
* Congregation of Our Lady of Sion (NDS)
* Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SSCC)
* Discalced Carmelites (OCD)
* Dominicans (OP)
* Franciscans (OFM)
* Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE)
* Mercedarians (O de M)
* Missionaries of Charity (MC)
* Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (CS)
* Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno
* Premonstratensians (OPraem)
* Servants of Charity (SC)
* Servite Order (OSM)
* Society of the Atonement (SA)
* TOR Franciscans
* Trappists (OCSO)
* Trinitarian Order (OSST)

Coat of arms of Vatican City

Male|

* Adorno Fathers (CRM)
* Albertine Brothers
* Augustinians (OSA)
* Barnabites (B)
* Basilians (CSB)
* Brothers of Our Lady of Mercy (FDM)
* Camillians (MI)
* Canons Regular of St. John Cantius (SJC)
* Capuchins (OFM Cap)
* Christian Brothers (Irish) (CFC)
* Congregatio Discipulorum Domini (CDD)
* Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM)
* Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS)
* Claretians (CMF)
* Congregation of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (CST)
* Conventual Franciscans (OFM Conv)
* Crosiers (OSC)
* De La Salle Brothers (FSC)
* Discalced Augustinians (OAD)
* Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR)
* Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA)
* Gabrielites
* Holy Cross (CSC)
* Holy Ghost Fathers (CSSp)
* Josephites (SSJ)
* Legionaries of Christ (LC)
* Little Brothers of Jesus
* Marians of the Immaculate Conception (MIC)
* Society of Jesus (Jesuits) (SJ)
* Society of Mary (Marianists) (SM)
* Society of Mary (Marists) (SM)
* Society of the Divine Word (SVD)
* Society of Saint Edmund (SSE)
* Marist Brothers (FMS)
* Mechitarists (CAM)
* Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCI)
* Missionaries of La Salette (MS)
* Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS)
* Missionaries of the Poor (MOP)
* Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC)
* Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
* Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI)
* Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV)
* Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS)
* Order of Friars Minor (OFM)
* Passionists (CP)
* Pauline Fathers (OSPPE)
* Redemptorists (CSsR)
* Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ)
* Sacred Heart Brothers
* Salesians (SDB)
* Servants of Jesus and Mary (SJM)
* Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (FSSR)
* Stigmatines (CSS)
* Xaverian Brothers (CFX)

Female|

* Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC)
* Apostolic Carmel (AC)
* Basilian Aleppian Sisters
* Basilian Chouerite Sisters
* Brigidines
* Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CSIC)
* Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa (CSST)
* Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC)
* Daughters of Divine Love
* Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception (DM)
* Daughters of the Holy Heart of Mary
* Faithful Companions of Jesus
* Felicians (CSSF)
* Filippini Sisters (MPF)
* Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus
* Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
* Hijas de Jesús
* Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters
* Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
* Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb
* Little Sisters of Jesus
* Little Sisters of the Poor
* Living the Gospel Community (LGC)
* Lovers of the Holy Cross
* Marianites of Holy Cross (MSC)
* Maryknoll Sisters (MM)
* Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC)
* Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM)
* Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart
* Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC)
* Oblate Sisters of Providence (OSP)
* Oblates of Jesus the Priest
* Oblate Sisters of the Virgin Mary of Fatima (OMVF)
* Order of Our Lady of Charity (ODNC)
* Order of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
* Poor Clares (OSC)
* Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament (MC)
* Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ)
* Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)
* Servants of St. Joseph (SSJ)
* Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
* Sisters of Charity
* Sisters of Maria Bambina (SCCG)
* Sisters of Christian Doctrine of Nancy (DC)
* Sisters of the Cross and Passion
* Sisters of the Destitute (SD)
* Sisters of the Good Shepherd (RGS)
* Sisters of Holy Cross
* Sisters of the Holy Cross
* Sisters of the Holy Family-Louisiana
* Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
* Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
* Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
* Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
* Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
* Sisters of Life (SV)
* Sisters of Mercy (RSM)
* Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN)
* Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
* Sisters of the Sacred Heart
* Sisters of Saint Francis
* Sisters of Saint Joseph
* The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
* Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (RSJ)
* Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC)
* Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls
* Sisters of Social Service (sss)
* Servants of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS)
* Ursulines (OSU)
* White Sisters

* See also: Third orders of Catholic laity
* Catholicism portal

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