YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE Consecrated life through the ages BY THE VISION EDITORS From ancient desert monasticism to contemporary forms of religious life, a small band of Christian men and women in every generation choose to consecrate their lives to God with unique vows of love and service that give radical witness to the gospel. INCE the call of the first disciples, some shape society to more closely resemble the reign followers of Jesus have sought a differ- of God. A life of chastity, poverty, and obedience ent way to live their faith. In the early gives powerful witness to faith in Jesus without a Schurch groups of widows gathered to dedicate word being uttered. themselves to prayer and good works. Others Inspired by the Holy Spirit, religious com- craved solitary prayer, so they fled to the desert munities of men and women rise up, serve a to commune with God and guide others in the purpose, thrive, and live on or come to an end. pursuit of holiness. Monasteries, cloisters, and This ebb and flow has occurred for 2,000 years religious houses eventually came into being, and will continue for millennia to come as new and religious life as we know it began to take members around the world take vows and join shape. their lives to communities to live out the gospel Consecrated life—in its diverse expres- in radical ways. sions around the globe—is a gift to the church What follows is a brief timeline of the major and world. Its prayer lifts the entire church. events in the history of consecrated life through Likewise, good works and the pursuit of justice the ages. 82 | VISION 2015 | VocationNetwork.org A.D. Letters of Saint and a convert 400- Surge of monastic nomic activity, harbor- 50- Paul refer to to Christian- 500 communities in the ing schools, hospitals, 65 distinct groupings ity, creates Eastern and Western guest houses, and in the early church, a model for church. In 470 Saint farms. Meanwhile, including groups a cenobitic, Brigid establishes Europe is ravaged by of celibate women or common, Kildare Abbey in war and instability. dedicated to prayer way of life Ireland, a double and charity. based on the monastery for early Christian monks and nuns. community in Jerusalem, with all 500- Common life members sharing their 600 (or community) goods and praying in becomes more common. dominant than the hermit’s way of 350- Saint Basil establishes life and spreads to 370 large communities of France, Germany, 50- Persecution of monks in Asia Mi- and Italy. 313 Christians. In 313 nor (modern- Roman Emperor day Turkey). FROM THE RULE OF BENEDICT: Constantine issues As bishop Of the Reception of Guests–Let 910 Benedictine Abbey of the “Edict of Tolera- of Cesarea, all guests who arrive be re- Cluny in central France tion.” Christians Basil has ceived as Christ, because he will spearheads reform of seek ways other his monks say: “I was a stranger and you the medieval church than martyrdom to engage in took me in” (Matt 25:35). and produces leaders, give themselves the apos- including monks who completely to the tolic work Saint Benedict of become bishops and faith. of teaching Nursia (480-547) even popes. and pastoral founds monasteries 251- Saint Anthony the care. and writes a rule for 1050- Camaldolese and 356 Great heeds the monks, moderate in 1150 Carthusian hermit gospel call to sell 386 Saint Jerome, scholar tone compared to and contemplative all he has, serve the and Bible translator, other rules for monks monks are founded by poor, and live a life moves to Bethlehem of the time. Saint Romuald (in Italy) of asceticism. He where he sets up and It soon and Saint Bruno (in eventually takes up lives in a monastery. becomes the French Alps). Both residence in the des- the stan- continue to this day. ert to live in solitude dard for What does love look like? It has the and prayer. His story European 1098- Cistercian order is recorded by Saint hands to help others. It has the feet monasti- to hasten to the poor and needy. It 1105 (Trappists) greatly Athanasius, bishop cism and has eyes to see misery and want. It increases in number of Alexandria, and has the ears to hear the sighs and is still used and influence with the becomes a fourth- sorrows of men. That is what love today by help of Saint Bernard century “bestseller” looks like. Benedic- of Clairvaux. –SAINT AUGUSTINE that inspires other tines throughout the men and women to world. Benedict’s twin live as hermits. Saint Augustine sister, Saint Scholas- He who prays and labors lifts 400 his heart to God with his hands. writes rules for monks tica, heads a commu- –SAINT BERNARD I saw the snares that the enemy and nuns during his nity of women near spreads out over the world and early years as a bishop Benedict’s monastery I said groaning, “What can get 1121 Saint Norbert com- through from such snares?” Then in North Africa. He also at Monte Cassino. She bines a monastic I heard a voice saying to me, “Hu- founds monasteries. later is named the regimen with parish mility.” –SAINT ANTHONY patron saint of nuns. work, foreshadowing the coming of the 600- Monasteries in mendicant, or “beg- 313- Houses of monks 1000 Europe maintain ging,” orders and their 400 and nuns are the literature of the service in cities. established in the ancient world, and Egyptian desert. Christian scripture The first “lay as- is preserved and sociation” or “third Pachomius, a con- copied. Larger mon- order” of laity affiliated temporary of Saint asteries are centers with a religious order Anthony the Great of cultural and eco- is founded with the 84 | VISION 2015 | VocationNetwork.org establish- Preach the gospel at all times and orders and new religious communi- ment when necessary use words. forms of religious life. ties. Communities of the –SAINT FRANCIS are urged to return to Norber- 1540- Apostolic religious their roots and original tine Third 1209 Saint Francis of Assisi 1900 orders of men and charism—or guiding Order founds the Franciscan women are estab- spirit—as well as to (often order. Over the centu- lished. These new respond to the needs referred to ries various branches communities of the times. Religious as associ- of Franciscan men’s emphasize communities experi- ates, ter- and women’s com- serving the ence change and tiaries, lay associates, munities emerge, with needs of the upheaval. or secular tertiaries). members poor, especially Such associations exercising through educa- continue today. influence tion and medi- as teachers. cal care. With 1150- Mendicant Francis- Saint Vincent 1300 religious orders cans also de Paul, Saint Louise emerge as towns promote de Marillac forms and cities develop. popular pi- the first community of In contrast with the ety practices, non-cloistered sisters. previous emphasis such as the Many religious orders on contemplative Christmas crib and sta- are founded in life, these new reli- tions of the cross. Europe to meet 1965- People continue, gious orders preach social needs 2009 as always, to found the gospel and re- 1517 Martin Luther pro- in the wake new religious com- spond to the needs poses 95 “theses” in of the French munities in response of the poor. The four Wittenberg, Germany, Revolution. to God’s call. Religious major mendicant re- symbolically beginning Saint Elizabeth life begins to attract ligious orders are the the Protestant Refor- Ann Seton new interest. Carmelites (founded mation and its accom- founds the first ap- in 1150), Franciscans panying social and ostolic community of FROM PERFECTAE CARITATIS (Decree (1209), Dominicans religious upheaval. women in the U.S. on the Adaptation and Renewal of (1214), and Augustin- Religious Life): Religious should ians (1256). 1947 Pope Pius XII encour- remember there is no better way ages the formation than their own example to com- mend their institutes and gain Saint Thomas Aqui- of secular institutes, candidates for the religious life. nas joins the Do- a distinct form of minicans consecrated life. These in 1242. 1534- Saint Teresa of Ávila groups of priests and Among the 1585 and Saint John of the laity promise poverty, 2013- Pope Francis draws church’s Cross are Carmelite obedience, and chas- 2015 attention to religious greatest mystics, writers, and tity without commu- life when he is elected theolo- reformers in Spain nal life or distinctive in 2013. A gians, whose writings clothing. Jesuit, he is canon law continue to influence one of only deems him Catholic spirituality. 1950- Peak growth years 34 reli- the guide 1965 for U.S. religious gious order to be fol- 1540 Jesuits are founded communities. members lowed for by Saint Ignatius of Religious women in to become those studying for Loyola. Their efforts the U.S. reach their pope. the priesthood. in education and highest number of mission continue to 179,954 in 1965. They The church 1206- Carmelites estab- wield influence in the outnumber men in designates 2015 as 1214 lish a “rule,” actu- church and world. religious life 4 to 1. the Year of Conse- ally a set of rules crated Life, devoted meant to guide a IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY: “Every way to the renewal of of preparing . to find the Divine Second Vatican daily life of prayer 1962- religious life, the Will as to the management of 1965 Council. Among and contemplation. one’s life for the salvation of the many other reforms celebration of the wit- As the Carmelite soul is called a Spiritual Exercise.” meant to modern- ness of members of order grows, it ize the church, this religious orders, and combines con- an invitation to young Council of Trent worldwide council (or templative life with 1545- people to consider a encourages gathering of bishops) apostolic activity.