A religious order is like a spiritual family within the Church. Its members live by a specific set of practices, known as a “Rule” or “Way of Life” and they usually focus on some sort of mission, like teaching, serving the poor, or evangelizing. Each order also has its own way of praying, its own set of traditions and customs, and its own governance. Each religious order has something called a “charism,” a special gift or focus given to it by the Holy Spirit. This charism helps the order carry out its mission in a way that no other group can. Some orders live a residential or monastic lifestyle; others are dispersed and gather on a regular basis for prayer, study, mission, and mutual encouragement.
