religious life
RELIGIOUS
life has taken
different forms
in response to
changing situations.
Religious life
through the centuries
From the days of the ancient desert monks to new forms of community
today, religious life has always responded to the challenges of the times.
Here’s a sampling of the major moments in the history of religious life.
BY E VER SINCE the early days of CAROL Christianity some followers of SCHUCK Jesus sought a different way to
SCHEIBER live their faith. Groups of widows gathered to dedicate themselves to prayer
and good works. Later, others craved
solitary prayer, so they fled to the desert
to commune with God. Monasteries,
cloisters, and religious houses came into
being, and as they became formalized,
religious life as we know it today began
to take shape.
Religious life—in its multitude of
forms around the globe—
is a gift to the church and
the world. Its prayer lifts
Carol Schuck Scheiber is
VISION’s content editor.
the entire church. Likewise, good works
and the pursuit of justice also shape society to more closely resemble the kingdom
of God. A life of chastity, poverty, and
obedience gives witness to Jesus without
a word being uttered.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, religious
communities of men and women rise up,
serve a purpose, thrive, and live on—or
not. This ebb and flow has continued for
2,000 years. And God continues to call
men and women to consecrated life. In
large groups and as solitary persons, new
members around the world continue to
take vows and join their lives to religious
communities to live out the Gospel in
radical ways.
What follows is a brief timeline of
religious life through the ages.
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VISION 2009
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