Consecrated Life

The Latest

Archbishop Thibault Verny.

Abuse of consecrated women: ‘The first words should be: I believe you, you are not alone’

Nov 19, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

The challenge of addressing abuse within consecrated life was the focus of a meeting organized by the Pontifical Commission for... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets men and women religious during an audience for the Jubilee of Consecrated Life in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Oct. 10, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV to consecrated men and women: ‘The Church needs you’

Oct 10, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Pope Leo XIV said the Church and the world need men and women consecrated to Jesus to reveal God’s presence... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets those gathered for the Jubilee of Consecrated Life Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV urges consecrated persons to be ‘hungry for holiness’

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life. Read more

Pope Francis presides over First Vespers for the World Day for Consecrated Life in St. Peter's Basilica, surrounded by bishops, priests, and religious men and women on Feb. 1, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis calls consecrated religious to be ‘bearers of light’ amid modern challenges

Feb 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The World Day for Consecrated Life, celebrated annually on Feb. 2, takes on special significance this year as the Church... Read more

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Religious women help launch program to combat sexual abuse, ‘create a culture of care’

Jun 3, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

The e-learning program helps educate religious women on how to protect children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse situations. Read more

Pope Francis greets a woman religious at a Mass on the World Day of Consecrated Life, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on Feb. 2, 2024, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis hails ‘immense gift’ of vocation to the consecrated life

May 30, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Francis on Thursday addressed a message to participants in a conference on consecrated religious life currently taking place in... Read more

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE.

Living the religious life in the Holy Land: Two Americans share their stories

Feb 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for... Read more

Father Marko Rupnik.

Vatican closing down Loyola Community co-founded by Rupnik

Dec 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The shutdown, which must take place within one year, is “due to serious problems concerning the exercise of authority and... Read more

At the end of the Mass of consecration on Nov. 1, 2023, María Ruiz Rodríguez shows the ring symbolizing her membership in the Ordo Virginum. That's the only outward sign of her consecration.

Church in Jerusalem welcomes new consecrated member

Nov 12, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

María Ruiz Rodríguez made her consecration in the Ordo Virginum on Nov. 1, permanently rooting herself in the local ecclesiastical... Read more

Pope Francis greets religious sisters at the end of his general audience on Aug. 10, 2022.

Pope Francis extends time to appeal dismissal from consecrated life

Apr 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The changes to canon law enter into force on May 7. Read more

Pope Francis speaking to participants of the General Chapters of three religious congregations in audience at the Vatican on July 14, 2022.

Pope Francis tells religious congregations to have ‘zero tolerance’ on abuse

Jul 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a meeting with three male religious congregations on Thursday, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of taking a “zero tolerance”... Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, May 18, 2022.

Pope Francis changes rules for major superiors of religious orders

May 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The change allows religious brothers who are not priests to lead their religious communities with Vatican permission. Read more

St. Peter holding the keys.

Pope Francis updates canon law on dismissal from religious institutes

Apr 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The change follows sweeping reform of the Catholic Church’s penal sanctions. Read more

Pope Francis says Mass for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 2, 2022.

Never lose amazement at God's wonders, Pope Francis tells consecrated religious 

Feb 2, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The amazed joy of Simeon and Anna at encountering and embracing Christ at the Temple is a virtue that consecrated... Read more

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Pope Francis tells secular institutes to reveal God's love by their lives

Feb 2, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

In a letter on Wednesday, Pope Francis commemorated the 75th anniversary of the first papal recognition of secular institutes, and... Read more

Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, at the Holy See press office, Dec. 14, 2015.

As monasteries close, cardinal says contemplative life will not disappear

Jul 28, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The cardinal leading the Vatican’s congregation on consecrated life said Monday contemplative religious communities are needed and will not disappear,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with priests and religious in Cairo, Egypt April 29, 2017.

Pope tells Egypt religious to never fear or flee from the cross

Apr 29, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis told Egypt’s priests and religious to never be discouraged or fear the challenges of their ministry, and warned... Read more

Pope Francis hears confessions of teenagers in St. Peter's Square.

Pope: Everyone needs help living the faith – no one can do it alone

Jan 28, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Saturday, Pope Francis stressed the importance of having a solid guide in the spiritual life since no one –... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square during the General Audience, April 20, 2016.

Pope Francis met with Orionines today. Who are they?

May 27, 2016

When Pope Francis met with the Sons of Divine Providence – also known as the Orionine Fathers – on Friday,... Read more

Pope Francis at Vespers with priests, religious and seminarians in Havana's cathedral Sept. 20, 2015.

Let poverty be your mother, Pope Francis tells religious in Cuba

Sep 20, 2015

Pope Francis on Sunday spoke from the heart about the importance of spiritual poverty, the danger of worldly wealth and... Read more