Chapter 13 :The Religious In The Church

CHAPTER 13

THE RELIGIOUS IN THE CHURCH

A religious is someone who dedicates his or her life to serving God.The vocation and mission of a religious person is modeled on that of Jesus Christs' life .

Those called by God to a religious life belong to a religious order or congregation headed by a religious superior.

The religious dedicate their lives to God living out their vocation through the Evangelical councils which are the vows of poverty,chastity and obedience.

They are called to live out their evangelical vows within a community whose members share a common way of life,prayers , meals , manual work and other activities.

Generally two types of communities exist ,namely the contemplative religious communities and the active religious communities.

The contemplative religious community dedicate themselves totally to a life of prayer.(Carmelites)

In active religious communities they combine a life of prayer with a life of ministry and are willing to serve wherever there is a need or be sent by their superiors to work in schools,hospitals,homes for the elderly, orphanages and so on.

Bible Reading : 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 New International Version (NIV)

32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

1	Canossian Daughters of Charity (FDCC)	St Magdalene of Canossa
2	Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC) De la Salle	St John Baptist de la Salle
3	Brothers of St Gabriel(SG) (Monfort brothers)	St Louis Marie de Monfort
4	The Disciples of the Lord (CDD fathers)	Cardinal Celso Constantini
5	Society of Jesus (Jesuits)	St Ignatius of Loyola
6	Order of Friars Minor (Capuchins)	Fr Matthew of Bascio
7	Daughters of St Paul (DSP)	Fr James Alberione
8	Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood(FMDM)	Alice Ingham
9	Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM)	Mother Mary of the Passion
10	Sisters of Infant Jesus (IJ)	Blessed Nicholas Barre
11	Little sisters of the Poor (LSP)	Blessed Jean Jugan
12	The Redemptorist Community (CSsR)	St Alphonsus de Liguori