1. Chapter 4 Called to the Consecrated Religious Life

2. Quick Check What are the characteristics of the consecrated religious life?

3. Quick Check What are the characteristics of the consecrated religious life? The consecrated religious life is characterized by the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

4. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel ’ s name comes from the Latin word for “ listen attentively? ” Why is listening an important part of this counsel?

5. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel ’ s name comes from the Latin word for “ listen attentively ” ? Why is listening an important part of this counsel? The evangelical counsel of obedience comes from the Latin word for “ listen attentively. ” Living this vow does not mean blind obedience. Asking questions is a part of active listening. We listen attentively to be able to make conscious choices to follow God ’ s will and keep God ’ s law.

6. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel requires us to be poor in spirit? How does this differ from being in financial need?

7. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel requires us to be poor in spirit? How does this differ from being in financial need? The evangelical counsel of poverty requires us to be poor in spirit. People who live this vow are freed from financial need and the distractions of and possible preoccupation with owning possessions and wanting more.

8. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel do consecrated religious always practice in a life of celibacy? Why?

9. Quick Check Which evangelical counsel do consecrated religious always practice in a life of celibacy? Why? The vow of chastity is always practiced in a life of celibacy for the sake of the Gospel, in order to more freely participate in the Church ’ s mission to bring Christ to the whole world.

10. The History of Religious Life

12. Quick Check What are charisms and why are the charisms of their founders so important to members of religious orders today?

13. Quick Check What are charisms and why are the charisms of their founders so important to members of religious orders today? Charisms are spiritual gifts, and different founders of religious communities were graced with different charisms. Religious orders today live out their charisms in a variety of ways, adding to the diversity and richness of how the Church reaches out to others with the Good News.

14. Quick Check What is the Church ’ s missionary mandate? Who is supposed to carry it out?

15. Quick Check What is the Church ’ s missionary mandate? Who is supposed to carry it out? The missionary mandate is to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing, and teaching. All Catholics are called to carry out the Church ’ s missionary mandate.

16. Quick Check What role does the Holy Spirit have in the Church today?

17. Quick Check What role does the Holy Spirit have in the Church today? The Holy Spirit has built up the Church from her beginning. The Holy Spirit brings the Church to life and makes her holy.

18. Quick Check Name three things religious orders in the Middle Ages did that affected history.

19. Quick Check Name three things religious orders in the Middle Ages did that affected history. Three things religious orders in the Middle Ages did that affected history: They assisted in the reform of the Church, education, and encouraged people to return to simple living.

20. Quick Check What is the contemplative life and who is called to lead it?

21. Quick Check What is the contemplative life and who is called to lead it? The contemplative life is a life focused on prayer, Christian perfection and union with Christ. People called to this life are those who want to make prayer their life ’ s work.

22. Quick Check What is Saint Benedict ’ s motto?

23. Quick Check What is Saint Benedict ’ s motto? Saint Benedict ’ s motto is “ pray and work. ” This is an important motto because of the nature of communal living in a cloister or monastery — they have to be self- sustaining, and live a balanced life.

24. Quick Check What is the Liturgy of the Hours?

25. Quick Check What is the Liturgy of the Hours? The Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the Church, also called the Divine Office. It is divided into sections that are to be prayed to mark the passing hours of day and night. It is called liturgy because it is the part of the public prayer of the Church.

26. Quick Check What type of formation does a person seeking to be a consecrated religious undertake?

27. Quick Check What type of formation does a person seeking to be a consecrated religious undertake? A person in formation to become a consecrated religious goes through a period of initial inquiry where he or she is a postulant who observes and learns about the community. The next step is the novitiate, where the novice begins to participate more fully in the community. Then the person takes Temporary or First vows, which may lead to Final or Permanent vows, whereby the person becomes a full member of the religious order.

28. Quick Check What are some reasons that active religious communities developed?

29. Quick Check What are some reasons that active religious communities developed? These communities developed in order to meet the needs of the poor and suffering: to care for, to feed, to clothe, to shelter those in need, and to reach out to those with no access to education.

30. Quick Check What is meant by the term “ semi-cloistered ” ?

31. Quick Check What is meant by the term “ semi-cloistered ” ? “ Semi-cloistered ” is a way of living whereby the women religious live a cloistered life, yet at the same time minister to those in need by bringing them in close proximity to the cloister or convent.

32. Quick Check What are some contributions religious women in active communities have made in the Church?

33. Quick Check What are some contributions religious women in active communities have made in the Church? They care for the sick, feed the hungry, clothe those without adequate clothing, shelter the poor, and teach.

34. Quick Check How do people living religious life as a brother or sister participate in the missionary work of the whole Church?

35. Quick Check How do people living religious life as a brother or sister participate in the missionary work of the whole Church? The entire Church is a missionary Church. Men and women religious participate in that missionary work regardless of where they live. They teach and spread the Gospel, fulfilling the missionary mandate and living as disciples of Jesus.