Consecrated Life

The Latest

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

A religious sister at the Beatification of Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, N.J. on Oct. 4, 2014.

Pope Francis: Vocations are about quality, not quantity

Apr 13, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Well-formed vocations are more important than numerous vocations Pope Francis said in address to religious formators on Saturday at the... Read more

Carmelite sisters in Birmingham.

500 years after birth, witness of St. Teresa of Avila remains strong, says Pope

Mar 28, 2015

By Ann Schneible

On the 500th anniversary of St. Teresa of Avila's birth, Pope Francis praised the Spanish mystic and reformer for her... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 2, 2015.

Consecrated life without sacrifice is a 'caricature,' Pope Francis says

Feb 2, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis warned consecrated men and women against reducing their religious live to a “caricature,” calling them to instead embrace... Read more

Pilgrims pray for all cardinals and bishops who died in the last year at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica, Nov. 3, 2014.

'Year for Vocations': English diocese stresses universal call to sainthood

Dec 2, 2014

Alongside the Year for Consecrated Life called for by Pope Francis, the Diocese of Shrewsbury, England, is observing 2015 as... Read more

Members of the Marian Community of Reconciliation, known as "Fraternas," at the recent Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.

Fraternas: Living and serving with 'the total security of God'

Apr 1, 2014

At age 19, Maria Teresa Alva was already involved with the Christian Life Movement in her native Peru, when she... Read more

(L-R) Paula Errázuriz, Cristina Danel, Mari Carmen-vila, Fr. Agostino Montán, Gloria Rodríguez, Cardinal De Paolis, Viviana Limón and Denise Funke.

Regnum Christi's consecrated women choose leadership

Dec 13, 2013

The consecrated women of Regnum Christi, the lay association of the Legion of Christ, have elected Spaniard Gloria Rodriguez as... Read more