Consecrated Life: Members of Secular Institutes
A member of a secular institute follows the evangelical counsels and professes them by vow or sacred bond. The member of the secular institute belongs in lay state, or, if a priest, in the clerical state, and is supposed to be as leaven in the world by spreading the Gospel primarily by their example and in some cases, in the exercise of a particular apostolate.
FAQS
Q. Do members of secular institutes live in community?
A. Some secular institutes have communal life. Others don’t. Still others allow their members to choose whether they want to live individually (such as within their families) or in community.
Q. Do members of secular institutes wear habits?
A. It depends on the institute. Some have an optional habit, or designate a uniform to be worn on special occasions. However, the idea of secular institutes is to be “leaven in the world” and so the use of a habit is not mandatory, and even somewhat discouraged.
Q. Can a married person be a member of a secular institute?
A. Since the vow of chastity (celibacy) is taken, it is not appropriate for a secular institute member to be married, nor is it likely that married members will ever be permitted to full membership. Auxiliary or some other form of membership might be possible, just as with Religious Orders, there are Oblates and Third Orders for the laity who want to participate in the charism of the institute.
Q. Are there any secular institutes within the Diocese of Sioux Falls?
A. Not at the moment. However, we have had at least one vocation from our diocese to a secular institute in an adjoining state.
Q. How can I learn more about this vocation?
A. There is a website on secular institutes: www.secularinstitutes.org. You are also welcome to consult with any member of our Vocations Team. You may want to speak with Therese Ivers on the vocation, as her specialty is in consecrated life.
Q. Do I become a member of the consecrated state if I join a secular institute?
A. Members of secular institutes, although they follow a charism and have a bond with the other members as they follow the same statutes, remain in the state in life that they were in prior to joining. So, for example, a cleric will remain in the clerical state, and a lay person will remain in the lay state. This is why it is called secular. Normally, members of religious institutes do not become members of secular institutes because their vocation is not “secular”, and there could be a clash in the way the vow of obedience was lived out.