Portal:Religious orders

Religious orders

A religious order is a form of consecrated life within the Catholic Church, in which members profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, dedicating themselves to God through a life of prayer, service, and community. Rooted in the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel and foster the salvation of souls, religious orders are communities of men or women who live according to a specific rule, such as those of Saint Benedict, Saint Francis of Assisi, or Saint Ignatius of Loyola, serving the Church through various apostolates like education, healthcare, and missionary work. Operating under the authority of the Pope in Vatican City, religious orders engage the Church’s 1.39 billion members as of 2023, guided by the Magisterium, the Church’s teaching authority comprising the Pope and bishops.

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Featured orders

The Missionaries of Charity Brothers, founded in 1963 in Kolkata, India, by St. Teresa of Calcutta, is a men's congregation serving the poorest through vows of poverty and wholehearted service. With 400 brothers in 70 countries, they operate hospices and orphanages, extending Mother Teresa's legacy in India's diverse Catholic communities.

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Section 2

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Did you know

...that the Poor Clares, founded by Saint Clare of Assisi, embraced extreme poverty to follow Saint Francis of Assisi? Her 13th-century convent in Assisi became a model for female monasticism.
...how Saint Vincent de Paul’s Vincentians transformed charity in France? His 17th-century order focused on serving the poor, inspiring global missions from Paris.
...that Saint Bridget of Sweden established the Bridgettines after visions of Christ? Her 14th-century order in Vadstena blended contemplation with active ministry.
...why the Salesian Order, founded by Saint John Bosco, prioritized youth education? His 19th-century work in Turin made the order a leader in schooling for the underprivileged.
...a rule by Saint Augustine of Hippo guides the Augustinian Order’s communal life? His 4th-century teachings on charity shaped monasteries across Europe.