10.5: Religious Orders

There are also members of religious orders, some of whom are monks and nuns. Some monks are priests, but not all. They generally live in community according to a religious rule. There are several different rules by which they may live, and each community lives by one of them.

Monks and some nuns live an enclosed life dedicated to prayer. They have prayer several times a day, and they do pray for the world. They do not pray all day, as they all must earn their living. Often monasteries and convents have their own businesses, and some monks and nuns teach.

There are apostolic orders for men and women, whose members are active in the world. Some are go on the missions, where they spread the good news of Christ, heal the sick, educate people and generally serve their people’s needs. Sometimes they help with economic development in underdeveloped countries. Many work for the poor, as Mother Teresa’s sisters do. Often they try to help the poor in their struggle for justice. Several in South and Central America have been murdered by the rich because of their work for the poor. Many who stay in their own countries also teach and practise medicine. Others so social work. Some work in parishes assisting the priests. There are many nuns involved in this kind of work.

What sort of work is done by apostolic orders?

Some people say enclosed orders do no useful work at all. What would you say to this?

Enclosed orders pray for the needs of the world. Some people say that this is a waste of time. Others say that prayer is valuable. What do you think?

Read also about Mother Teresa