What does “religious congregation” mean?

In the Catholic Church, a religious congregation, also called a “religious community”, is an institute of consecrated life.

The autonomous organization gathers members around a mission or a unifying project with a spiritual and pastoral vocation presented by their founder. This unifying and inspiring element for all members of the congregation leads them to take religious vows (vows of poverty, obedience and chastity) within one community rather than another. These members live together for the love of God, through prayer, common services and commitments according to the charism* of their community in order to ultimately contribute to the mission of the Church.

We must remember that this dimension of community life is essential within a congregation. It nourishes the sense of belonging to each religious family.

Let us recall that religious congregations are defined as follows

• Clerical when its members are priests or aspirants to the priesthood
• Lay for male or female congregations

In the case of lay female or male congregations, we speak of contemplative communities (devoted more to prayer) and apostolic communities (or active by engaging in works of charity, education, etc.) Finally, it is important to know that there are congregations that come under pontifical law (approved by the Holy See) and others that come under diocesan law (approved by and reporting to their bishop).

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is a lay apostolic congregation under pontifical law.