Apostolic/active: communities began to emerge in the 16th century. These groups of men and women developed a spirituality oriented to service, did not observe cloister, and were more mobile in their ministries. Although many distinctions among religious orders are blurred today, the history of most groups of men and women religious is rooted in one of the periods of development described above.

Augustinians: A popular name for the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, a mendicant order founded in the 13th century. Although St. Augustine of Hippo (d. 430) did not establish the Order, its members observe the Rule of St. Augustine. There are both men and women Augustinians and their ministries include secondary and higher education, parish ministry, and retreat work.

Constitution: Most communities also elect or select several more members to share authority and responsibility with the primary leader; in the Constitution, this group is called the General Council. However, like many women’s religious congregations in the United States today, most members refer to our leaders as the “Leadership Team” or “Elected Leaders.”

Constitutions: The rule of life of a community, typically including inspiration and legislation about the nature, spirit, and spirituality of the community; its mission and ministry; descriptions of membership, formation, the vowed life, prayer, and community life; and procedures for electing leaders and for leaving the community. Constitutions are approved by a Department (Dicastery) of the Vatican; they must conform to Canon (Church) law and are considered “the law” for the community. The current Constitution of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange was developed through community-wide processes that took place over 20 years. The Constitution was approved in 1989 and may be revised by the members of the Community with approval from the Vatican.

Contemplative Communities: Members of contemplative communities (Carmelites, Trappists) devote themselves primarily to prayer and silence. Members of contemplative communities typically observe cloister, that is, they do not leave their place of residence and they restrict their contact with non-members.

Eucharistic Letter: Letter written by Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ, to one of the first members of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In it, Médaille describes his project, which he calls “a little design,” for a new form of association of women, without cloister or distinctive dress, whose members would consecrate themselves to God, live together in small groups, and combine a life of prayer with an active ministry to the sick and the poor. Although the original letter has been lost; the probable date is 1646. The only known copy is found in the middle of a manuscript of primitive documents preserved in the archives of Lyon.

Final or Perpetual Profession: Making vows “for life,” forever, or perpetually ends the initial formation stage of life for members of religious communities.

Franciscans: A popular name for the Order of Friars Minor which follows the rule of life written by Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. Francis began his “little brotherhood” as an itinerant group living on the margins of society, living a life of poverty and preaching. There are many groups of men and women religious who trace their origins to the group founded by Francis and there are many variations of the interpretation of the life he envisioned.

Jesuits: A popular name for the members of the Society of Jesus, a religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). The purpose of the order was to engage in active ministry for the “progress of souls in Christian life…and the propagation of the faith” and the motto of the Jesuits is “For the Greater Glory of God.” Jean Pierre Médaille, the founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, was a Jesuit and he shared elements of the Jesuit spirituality with the earliest Sisters: the centrality of Jesus; a sense of God working in the world and in the life of every person; God’s need for human collaboration in achieving the well-being of all creation; a method of decision making characterized as discernment; generosity and zeal in service (“the more”); companionship in service; and finding God in all things.

Maxims: The dictionary defines a maxim as a “statement of a general truth or principle; an aphorism; a pithy statement, frequently drawn from experience, conveying some practical advice or general precept about human nature and conduct.” The legacy of Sisters of St. Joseph includes The Maxims of Perfection and The Maxims of the Little Institute, both authored by Father Médaille. The Maxims of Perfection, printed in 1657, are addressed to all persons, lay or religious, who aspire to holiness of life. They can be read as an exhortation to an ascetical life and as a description of God’s loving initiatives towards men and women and the response this loving action might inspire. The Maxims of the Little Institute consists of 100 Maxims culled by Father Médaille from his earlier document. Both documents were written in French and have been translated for contemporary use.

Mendicant communities: (Franciscans, Dominicans) developed in the 13th century. Initially, in contrast to monastic groups, these communities did not own property, and their members moved out into the cities and towns to preach the Gospel, relying on alms for their daily sustenance.

Monastic Communities: (Benedictines) developed in the earliest centuries of the Church. The lives of early monks were characterized by stability (staying in one place) and a schedule that included manual labor and communal prayer several times a day. Monasteries in Europe became centers of education, healthcare, agriculture, and culture and many medieval towns grew up around monasteries.

Novices: are new members of the community. The novitiate is a probationary period of one or two years where the person continues his/her formation in the spiritual life, the meaning of the vows they are preparing to take; and the life and ministry of the community.

Nuns/Sisters/Religious: Although “nun” and “sister” are used interchangeable in ordinary conversation, the words describe different realities. Nuns are religious women who make solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; observe cloister; and lives a life of silence and prayer. Sisters take simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and typically, work “in the neighborhood” doing education, healthcare, and social work. Sisters of St. Joseph are sisters, not nuns.

Postulant or Candidate: The word postulant comes from a word that means “ask for.” Postulancy or candidacy is a time of “discerning from within.” The interested woman or man lives, prays, and sometimes works with members of the community while learning about religious life and the history and spirituality of the community.

Pre-entrance: A man or woman may come to know a particular religious community through personal contact, print materials, or the internet. Contact with a Vocation Promoter or Director can take place on-line or in person. The period of pre-entrance is a time to have questions answered, to meet members of the community, and to determine a sense of the initial “fit” of the interested person and community.

Process of Incorporation/Formation: It takes a long time to become a “full- fledged” member of a religious community. Initial Formation is a structured process that includes formation personnel, a “curriculum” of education and experiences, and various stages/phases.

Religious Communities: In general, the term “religious communities” describes groups of men or women who live together; make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; and are committed to a vibrant relationship with God and to service in the Church. Religious communities are subject to canon (Church) law and have a central authority structure. If only it were that simple; there is considerable variation in the ways that communities live the vows and share common life depending upon the history and purpose of the community.

Religious Profession: Following the novitiate, a man or woman professes or “makes” vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are made to God. They consecrate the person to God and constitute them as members of the community. In the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, vows are made over a period of 3-5 years, typically for a year at a time. This allows for continued growth in the life, spirituality, and ministry of the community.

On-going Formation: Formation does not end with Final Profession: growth in spiritual life, emotional maturity, and professional competence is the ideal and the norm in most religious communities.

Organization: As noted above, one characteristic of religious communities is a central authority system. This system of internal authority typically includes elected, selected or appointed leaders depending upon the nature and organization of the group. Over the years, the highest authority in religious communities was called Father General (Jesuits), Mother Superior (many groups of women religious), Abbot or Prior (monastic groups). The elected leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange is designated as the General Superior in 1989.

Sulpicians: A popular name for the Society of St. Sulpice (named for a church in Paris) founded by Jean Jacques Olier in 1641. In their earliest years of existence, Sulpicians were instrumental in the reform of seminary education and the revitalization of priestly spirituality; their primary ministry today is seminary education.