Religious orders are organized groups of people who dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits and service. Throughout history, religious orders have played an important role in many faith traditions. Some of the most well-known religious orders today include the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Carmelites.
What is a Religious Order?
A religious order is a community of people who live according to a common religious rule and dedicate themselves to prayer, service, and spiritual growth. Members of religious orders take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They live together in community and follow a rule of life set out by their founder. Examples of religious orders include monastic orders, mendicant orders, and clerical religious institutes.
Religious orders are different from secular institutes, societies of apostolic life, and consecrated life in general. Secular institutes are groups of laypeople who live in the world and consecrate themselves to God. Societies of apostolic life are focused on active ministry. Consecrated life refers to a broad range of lifestyles devoted to God.
Characteristics of Religious Orders
While each religious order is unique, most share the following characteristics:
- Members live together in community
- They take public vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
- They follow a rule of life and spirituality
- Prayer and spiritual growth are emphasized
- Active ministry and service are pursued
- Members give up personal possessions and rights
By living in community and following a common rule of life, members of religious orders seek to grow closer to God and support each other spiritually. Their main purpose is to pursue holiness and direct service to God.
History of Religious Orders
Religious orders have existed since the early days of Christianity. Some key events in the history of religious orders include:
- c. 300s – Development of Christian monasticism in Egypt and Syria
- 529 – St. Benedict founds the Benedictine order in Italy
- 800s – Rise of mendicant orders like the Franciscans and Dominicans
- 1540 – Establishment of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
- 19th century – Founding of missionary and teaching congregations of sisters
- 20th century – Decline in religious order membership in Western countries
The earliest form of religious order was Christian monasticism. As monastic communities developed rules and structures, the concept of religious orders emerged. Mendicant friars brought religious life directly to the people through preaching and service. In modern times, religious orders continue adapting to changing social needs.
Major Types of Religious Orders
There are several main types of religious orders:
Monastic Orders
Monastic orders focus on prayer, contemplation, and labor while living in a self-sufficient community separated from the world. Examples include the Benedictines, Cistercians, and Carthusians.
Mendicant Orders
Mendicant orders direct their energies outward to preaching, teaching, and service to the poor and sick. The four main mendicant orders are the Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Carmelites.
Clerical Religious Institutes
Clerical religious institutes have communities of priests and brothers dedicated to active ministry such as education, healthcare, and missions. The Jesuits and Redemptorists are leading examples.
Other Types
There are other types of religious orders as well, including canons regular, clerics regular, and religious congregations that focus on a particular field like teaching or nursing.
The 5 Major Religious Orders
While there are hundreds of religious orders, five stand out as the most prominent and influential. These five orders shaped monasticism, served the poor and sick, reformed the Church, and spread the faith globally. They are:
- The Benedictines
- The Franciscans
- The Dominicans
- The Augustinians
- The Carmelites
Let’s take a closer look at each of these five important religious orders.
1. The Benedictines
The Benedictines were founded in the 6th century by St. Benedict of Nursia. Their guiding text is The Rule of St. Benedict which outlines their way of life. Some key facts about this monastic order include:
- Focused on prayer, manual labor, and lectio divina (spiritual reading)
- Take vows of stability, fidelity, and obedience
- Live in autonomous, self-sufficient monastic communities
- Ora et labora (pray and work) is their motto
- Have heavily influenced Western culture and spirituality
Today, the Benedictines run schools, parishes, retreat centers and engage in other ministries while continuing monastic contemplative practices.
2. The Franciscans
The Franciscans were founded in the 13th century by St. Francis of Assisi. They strive to follow the example of Christ through poverty, humility, and service. Key facts include:
- A mendicant order focused on preaching and ministry
- Divided into three main branches: Friars Minor, Conventuals, Capuchins
- Committed to serving the poor, sick, and marginalized
- Have a spirituality of simplicity, joy, and peace
- Played a role in the Inquisition as well as missions in the Americas
The Franciscans continue their dedication to social justice, peacemaking, and care for creation.
3. The Dominicans
The Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, were founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century to preach the Gospel. They strongly emphasize intellect and defending the faith. Facts about this order include:
- A mendicant order dedicated to preaching and teaching
- Engage in academic study and run educational institutions
- Played a key role in the Inquisition
- Have produced many important theologians and philosophers
- Run retreat centers, campus ministry programs, and parishes
The Dominicans continue to engage with the modern world through scholarship, apologetics, and evangelization.
4. The Augustinians
The Augustinian order developed out of loose groups of hermits and mendicants in the 13th century. They follow the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo. Here are some key Augustinian facts:
- Blend monastic and mendicant elements
- Emphasize intellect through education and scholarship
- Split into several sub-groups over time
- Open schools, hospitals, and serve parishes
- Smaller in size than other major orders
Today, the Augustinians continue to balance community life with pastoral ministry and education.
5. The Carmelites
The Carmelites began as hermits on Mount Carmel in the 12th century. They moved to Europe and became mendicants in the 13th century. Some features of this order are:
- Began as hermits but switched to mendicant life
- Divided into enclosed nuns (Carmelites) and friars (Carmelites of the Ancient Observance)
- Known for mystical spirituality and devotion to Mary
- Produced mystics like St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross
- Run schools, retreat centers, and parishes
The Carmelites stress contemplation and meditation in the Carmelite spiritual tradition.
Conclusion
Religious orders have served as a vital part of Christian history and spirituality for nearly two millennia. The Benedictines built monasticism, the mendicants evangelized society, missionaries spread the faith globally, and contemporary orders work for justice and offer spiritual guidance. The five major orders of the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Carmelites have left an indelible mark through their prayer, service, and witness to the Gospel.