Contemporary religious order

A Contemporary Religious Order is a form of Religious Order with modern interpretations of structure, governance, and routine and which may include independence from traditional Church structures. While most contemporary religious orders possess elements found in the traditional orders there are notable differences even from new structures such as Institutes of Consecrated Life that do receive recognition from, for instance, the Catholic Church and which comply with Catholic Canon Law.^[1]

An example:

The Order of Contemporary Benedictines

Various orders of chivalry once under the patronage of noble families or the Church have now become contemporary religious orders emphasizing moral and spiritual virtues an example of which is the reformed Teutonic Order now the German Order. Contemporary religious orders, while normally under the pastoral care of a senior Church officer (typically a prelate), may also be governed by lay or non-Ordained members. Some contemporary religious orders have recovered the use of the historic title Provost as a designation for their spiritual leader while others use those more commonly known such as Abbot or Prior.

See also

• Religious order
• Sisters for Christian Community

References

The Cistercian Evolution: Constance Hoffman Berman

The Fire In These Ashes: Joan Chittister