As Pope John Paul II noted:
“… What in
people’s eyes can seem a waste is, for the individuals captivated in the
depths of their heart by the beauty and goodness of the Lord, an
obvious response of love, a joyful expression of gratitude for having
been admitted in a
unique way to the knowledge of the Son and to a sharing in His divine mission in the world.." Consecrated Life, 104
"In the different forms of life inspired by
the Spirit throughout history, consecrated persons discover that the
more they stand at the foot of the cross of Christ, the more immediately
and profoundly they experience the truth of God who is love."
Consecrated Life, 24
A religious order is an organization of
people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with
religious devotion. The members of such orders, termed religious as a
group, are usually distinct from both the laity and the clergy. They are
often termed monks, friars or brothers if male, and nuns or sisters if
female. Not all members of a religious order are clergy, and there may
be lay members who have sworn an oath to the order or taken vows such as
vows of poverty.
“A
Carmelite is a soul who has gazed on the Crucified One … and has wanted
to give herself as He did.” - Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity Some
orders practice literal isolation (cloistering) from the outside world;
others remain engaged with the world in various ways, often teaching or
serving in traditional roles, while maintaining their distinction in
other ways (communal living, producing religious artwork and texts,
designing and making vestments and writing religious instruction books
as examples). Some serve as canon lawyers or in diocesan
administration. Some religious are theologians and prolific writers.
Some serve the poor and beg for alms. All, however, may be
distinguished by vows or disciplines they undertake as members of their
orders.
Those
sisters, brothers and priests who belong to an order are typically
eferred to as “religious”. They live out in a special way what is termed
the consecrated life. They typically live in community. Living in
community, they would eat together, pray together and celebrate Mass
together.
"…Those who have been given the priceless
gift of following the Lord Jesus more closely consider it obvious that
he can and must be loved with an undivided heart, that one can devote to
him one's whole life, and not merely certain actions or occasional
moments or activities.…From such a life "poured out" without reserve
there spreads a fragrance which fills the whole house. The house of God,
the Church, today no less than in the past, is adorned and enriched by
the presence of the consecrated life." Pope John Paul II, Consecrated
Life, 104