Every vocation in the Church is at the service of holiness. Some however, such as the vocation to the consecrated life, is at the service of holiness in a thoroughly unique manner. It is to this vocation that I invite everyone to pay particular attention by intensifying your prayers for them.
John Paul II, Message for 39th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, n.2
What is Consecrated Life?
The consecrated life is based upon the example of Christ (poor, chaste and obedient), serving as a visible sign in this world of the Kingdom of God to come (Introduction to John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata). The consecrated life is integral to the life of the Church and is at the very heart of the Church’s mission in the world. It is not only a help and support, but also a precious and essential gift to the People of God (Vita Consecrata, n.3).
Women Religious
A woman religious is a lay person who commits herself to Christ and to the Church by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. She lives in a religious community that follows a constantly renewed tradition, patterned on the life and teaching of the founder of the community. The work a religious does will depend upon the particular community as influenced by the needs of the Church and its people. The role of women in the Church is constantly developing and expanding.
A significant part of that renewal is occurring within the faith communities of women religious. Prayer and work are part of the tradition of all communities yet some are primarily are contemplative while other are more active
(A Guide to Religious Ministries, Section A-29 and 30)