Institutes of Consecrated Life is another term for religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church. They are the major form of Consecrated life, characterized by a stable community life. Their members profess the Evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience and confirm this by a vow that is binding in Church law. They are defined in the Code of Canon Law under canons 607-709. Institutes of Consecrated Life needs the written approval of a Bishop to operate within his diocese; and a diocesan Bishop can erect an Institute of Consecrated Life in his own territory, with consultation with the Apostolic See. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has the ecclesial oversight.
Institutes of Consecrated Life
- Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem
- Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
- Order of Friars Minor
- Order of Preachers
