Priest, religious order

Priest, religious order: religious order priests take solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience after a long period of reflection and choose to live out these vows in a particular community, e.g. Dominicans, Benedictines, Franciscans, Jesuits, etc. Religious order priests are not automatically assigned to a particular diocese or parish, such as diocesan clergy. Instead, the superior of the order tells a religious priest where he will live to carry out his ministry and the ministry itself is often laid down in the form of “obedience” or directive from the superior. Religious order priests often live in community with one another, assisting each other in a particular mission. They can work in a variety of ministries, though they can also administer the sacraments and celebrate Mass. Their work depends on the charism of their religious order, which refers to the spirituality and particular focus for which the order was founded. Ministries can include teaching, working for the poor, leading a contemplative life, or running a parish. All religious order priests live out their vocation through observance of the order’s Rule—the thread that binds all members and establishes basic structures for their shared identity and spiritual life.