A 'Society of Apostolic Life' is a kind of
religious order within the
Roman Catholic Church, whose members do not profess religious vows, unlike members of an
Institute of Consecrated Life. This type of orgainization is defined in the
Code of Canon Law under canons 731-755.
While a society has some community life, the mission of the community is given emphasis; members of a Society for Apostolic Life can be reassigned among the various communities of the society as needed, and this lack of community stability distinguishes this kind of society from some religious orders, such as the
Benedictines.
A community needs the written approval of a
Bishop to operate within his
diocese.
Clerics of a society, however, are
incardinated into the society and not the diocese, unless specified otherwise in the Society's constitution. Each community has a right to its own
oratory.
Members of a Society of Apostolic Life are allowed to own their own property, but must live in community.
These societies are regulated by the
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Societies of Apostolic Life
★
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
★
Maryknoll
★
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
★
Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
★
Society of Saint-Sulpice
★
Oratory of Saint Philip Neri
External link
★
Code of Canon Law regulating Societies of Apostolic Life