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You may have come across a number of obscure words as you've
been learning more and more about religious life in the Church today, or you may
have found that you need to sift through information with you pocket-dictionary
close at hand.
Here's a brief glossary of terms that you may find helpful as you learn more
about religious life in the Church today.
Apostolic - adj.
Usually describes a religious order of women or men whose mission is active
ministry within the Church and world. It is derived from the word "apostle"
meaning "one who is sent."
Celibacy - n. The state of being unmarried;
usually refers to the freely-chosen lifestyle of priests, Sisters and brothers
in the Church; commonly confused with chastity.
Charism - n. With regard to religious
communities it refers to the particular gift that the community brings to the
Church and to the world. It is expressed through a community's spirit and
spirituality. The Charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph
is union and reconciliation.
Chastity - n. One of the evangelical counsels
to which all baptized Christians are called; fidelity to one's professed manner
of living and loving. - i.e. married persons are called to live lives of
fidelity to their marriage vows and to one another, thus living chaste lives
within the sacrament of marriage. Sisters, brothers and priests are called to
live chaste lives within a celibate lifestyle; commonly confused with
celibacy.
Contemplative - adj. Usually describes a
religious order of women or men whose mission is realized through the prayer of
its members.
Discernment - n. A decision-making process that is rooted in one's relationship with
God.
Inquirer - n. With regard to many religious communities, it refers to a person who
is interested in religious life and has requested to learn more about one or
more communities.
Novice - n. A term describing one who is "new" to a way of life.
Novitiate - n.
1. The
name given to the period of initial religious formation marked by intense
prayer, study and attention to the history, mission, Charism and spirit and
spirituality of the particular community.
2. Name given to the place where a
novice resides.
Obedience - n. One of
the evangelical counsels to which all baptized Christians are called; refers to
attentive listening to the voice of God in one's life. When vowed publicly by
women and men religious also has implications regarding the manner in which
individuals and communities make decisions.
Poverty - n. One of the
evangelical counsels to which all baptized Christians are called; refers to
radical dependence on God. When vowed publicly by women and men religious also
has implications regarding the ownership, use and administration of property and
other material goods.
Vow - n. solemn, public
and binding promise; in reference to men and women religious also has legal and
canonical consequences. | 
