The first
“lay
association” or
“third
order”
of laity
affiliated
with a
religious
order is founded
with the establishment of the Norbertine Third Order
(often referred to as
associates, tertiaries,
lay associates, or
secular tertiaries).
Such associations
continue to link laity
and religious today.
1206-
1214
Carmelites establish
a “rule,” actually a
set of rules meant to
guide a daily life of
prayer and contemplation. As the Carmelite order grows, it
combines contemplative life with apostolic
activity.
1540
Jesuits are founded
by Ignatius of Loyola.
Their
efforts in
education and
mission
continue
to wield
influence
in the
church
and world.
of priests and laity
promise poverty, obedience, and chastity
without communal
life or distinctive
clothing.
1950-
1965
Preach the gospel at all times and
when necessary use words.
–SAINT FRANCIS
1209
IGNA TIAN SPIRITUALITY: Every way
of preparing . . . to find the Divine
Will as to the management of
one’s life for the salvation of the
soul is called a Spiritual Exercise.
Peak growth years
for U.S. religious
communities.
Religious women in the
U.S. reach their highest number of 179,954
in 1965. They continue
to outnumber men in
religious life 4 to 1.
1150-
1300
1545-
1563
Mendicant
religious orders
emerge as towns
and cities develop.
In contrast with the
previous emphasis
on contemplative
life, these new
religious orders
preach the gospel
and respond to the
needs of the poor.
The four major
mendicant religious
orders are the
Carmelites (founded
in 1150), Franciscans (founded in
1209), Dominicans
(founded in 1214),
and Augustinians
(founded in 1256).
Saint Francis of
Assisi founds the
Franciscan order. Over
the centuries various
branches of
Franciscan
men’s and
women’s
communities emerge,
with
members
exercising
influence as
teachers. Franciscans
also promote popular
piety practices, such
as the Christmas crib
and stations of the
cross.
Council of Trent
encourages
renewal of religious
orders and new
forms of religious life.
1540- Apostolic religious
1900 orders of men
and women are
established. These
new communities
emphasize
serving the
needs of the
poor, especially
through education and medical care. With
Saint Vincent
de Paul, Saint
Louise de Marillac
forms the first community of non-clois-tered sisters. Many
religious orders are
founded in Europe
to meet social needs
in the wake
of the French
Revolution.
Saint Elizabeth
Ann Seton
founds the first
apostolic community of women in
the U.S.
1962-
1965
1517
Martin Luther proposes 95 “theses” in
Wittenberg, Germany,
symbolically beginning the Protestant
Reformation and
its accompanying
social and religious
upheaval.
Second Vatican
Council. Among
many other reforms
meant to modernize the church, this
worldwide council (or
gathering of bishops)
calls for renewal of
religious communities. Communities
are urged to return
to their roots and
original charism, as
well as to respond
to the needs of the
times. Religious communities experience
change and upheaval.
Saint Thomas
Aquinas joins the
Domin-cans in
1242.
Among
the
church’s
greatest
theologians,
Canon
Law
deems
him the guide to be
followed for those
studying for the
priesthood.
1534- Saint Teresa of Ávila
1585 and Saint John of the
Cross are Carmelite
mystics, writers, and
reformers in Spain
whose writings
continue to influence
Catholic spirituality.
FROM PERFECTAE CARITATIS (Decree
on the Adaptation and Renewal of
Religious Life): Religious should
remember there is no better way
than their own example to commend their institutes and gain
candidates for the religious life.
1965-
2009
1947
Prayer is nothing else than being on
terms of friendship with God.
–SAINT TERESA
Pope Pius XII
encourages the
formation of secular
institutes, a distinct
form of consecrated
life. These groups
People continue to
found new religious
communities in
response to God’s
call. Religious life continues to evolve and
begins to experience
new growth.
VISION 2009
For more features go to VocationGuide.org
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