What are the Differences Between Religious Orders?
The differences between religious orders are fewer than one might initially expect. For someone who is beginning their discernment process, this may come as a surprise, as it is easy to feel a little overwhelmed at the number religious orders in existence today (Franciscans, Benedictines, Dominicans, Carmelites, Trappists, etc.). However, they all bear common features that are the hallmark of religious life, such as; community prayer (Divine Office), community meals, labor/work, private prayer, study, and religious vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience). There also may be similarities in the formation process as well, which is typically characterized in three successive stages; postulancy, novitiate, and solemn profession. The discernment process usually continues for about 4-6 years through the postulancy and novitiate, until solemn/final vows (a person is free to leave any time prior to final vows).

Their schedules may also share basic similarities. A typical daily schedule (horarium) may look something like the following;

5:15 AM, Rise, Private Prayer
6:00 AM, Divine Office (Lauds / Prime; Morning Prayer)
6:45 AM, Spiritual Reading (Lectio Divina)
7:30 AM, Mass
8:15 AM, Breakfast
9:15 AM, Morning Chores / Classes
11:30 AM, Divine Office (Terce; Mid-Morning Prayer)
12:00 PM, Lunch (with spiritual readings)
12:30 PM, Free Time / Siesta
1:30 PM, Divine Office (Sext, None; Midday Prayer)
2:00 PM, Work / Apostolate
5:00 PM, Divine Office (Vespers; Evening Prayer)
5:45 PM, Private Study / Meditation
7:00 PM, Dinner
8:15 PM, Divine Office (Compline; Night Prayer)
9:00 PM, Lights Out

A schedule like the one shown above will be repeated every day, with slight variations for weekends and other times throughout the year. Typically, orders that are more "contemplative", such as the Benedictines, tend to allot more time to prayer, and have a more fixed schedule, such as the example above. Conversely, orders that are more "active", such as the Franciscans, tend to allot more time to their apostolate (serving the community in some capacity). However, whether a religious community is active or contemplative, they all share this fundamental component, that is; heart of their lives is prayer. Every religious community in the world recites the same prayers of the Divine Office each day, breathing together in the same rhythm of prayer. According to Saint Therese, the existence of religious communities are so vital that, if one were to draw an analogy to the Mystical body of Christ, they would be considered the heart.

At first glance, such a schedule as the one shown above may seem repetitive to some. However, to the Saints, it is precisely in the ordinary of everyday life that the soul has the greatest access to God -- for it is not in external busyness that a soul finds God, but rather, in the silence and solitude of the heart, through daily penances, prayers, and sacrifices for the salvation of souls. In this sense the schedule itself is a perpetual sacrifice of great merit, since the religious is bound to it by the vow of obedience, and cannot deviate from it unless given permission do to so.

Saint Faustina, diary, 1933, ¶.61
"O life so dull and monotonous, how many treasures you contain! When I look at everything with the eyes of faith, no two hours are alike, and the dullness and monotony disappear. The grace which is given me in this hour will not be repeated in the next. It may be given me again, but it will not be the same grace. Time goes on, never to return again. Whatever is enclosed in it will never change; it seals with a seal for eternity." [...] "My life is not drab or monotonous, but it varied like a garden of fragrant flowers, so that I don't know which flower to pick first, the lily of suffering, or the rose of love of neighbor, or the violet of humility."

Contemplative Orders

"By prayer and mortification, we will make our way to the most uncivilized countries, paving the way for the missionaries. We will bear in mind that a soldier on the front line cannot hold out long without support from the rear forces that do not actually take part in the fighting but provide for all his needs; and that such is the role of prayer, and that therefore each one of us is to be distinguished by an apostolic spirit."
- dirary, November 1935, ¶.539

• BENEDICTINES: Saint Benedict is considered the founder of Western monasticism (rule founded ca. 525 A.D.). The Benedictine monks were one of the first monks to live in community. Prior to this time, monks typically lived as hermits, or; Desert Fathers. The Benedictine "motto" is ora et labora; prayer and work. Traditionally, Benedictines are cloistered; living within an enclosure without any interaction with the world. Their "world" is their immediate community, which they interact with frequently (community meals, community prayer, community work, etc.). Unfortunately, over the past fifty years, many Benedictine monasteries have become more secularized, relaxing the more rigorous traditions of monastic life (it is not uncommon to find monks wearing secular clothing, more frequent socializing with laity, less emphasis on fasting, etc.). These communities have suffered greatly due to lack of vocations, and in fact, the average age of a monk in a Benedictine monastery today is typically over fifty. However, in recent times there appears to be a new groundswell of orthodox communities forming, dedicated to restoring many of the abandoned traditions, princiapally with regard to stricter discipline and perfection of the liturgical action. These communities seem to be attracting many young men and women (see Clear Creek Benedictines, Benedictines of San Benedetto, Benedictines of Regina Laudis, Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, etc.).
  • Cistercians: The Cistercians [O. Cist.] grew out of the Benedictines in the 11th century as a reform. They believed that the Benedictine order had undergone too many developments over the years, and thus sought a more literal application of the Benedictine rule. Today, however, one might not find much difference between a Benedictine and Cistercian monastery (however, this depends on the individual community).
  • Trappists: The Trappists are also known as the "Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance" [O.C.S.O.]. As the name implies, the Trappists grew out of the Cistercians as another reform in the 17th century. Like the Cistercian reform, the first Trappists strove to follow a stricter observance to the Benedictine Rule. Like most reforms, however, it gradually evolved with time. While Trappists today tend to be stricter in an external sense (do not eat meat, stricter separation between monks and laity, recite the complete Divine Office [however not necessarily chanted, or in latin]), internally they have suffered the same influences of secular society as most other religious communities. Trappists also tend to sell the fruits of their labors in an effort to be self-supportive; fruit cakes, beer, coffee, honey, etc.
• CARTHUSIANS: The Carthusians were founded in the 11th century, and unlike the previous two orders, they are not a branch of the Benedictines. They started independently by Saint Bruno, who was renown for his austere aestheticism. The Carthusians are a paradox of sorts, in that they are a "community of hermits". Not only are they isolated from the world, but they are also isolated from each other. They do not eat meals together, like most other religious orders, nor do they perform manual labor together. Most of their time is spent within their cell, in which they eat, work, and pray. They only leave their cell a few times a day for certain community prayers. The Carthusians are considered the most austere religious order.
• CARMELITES: The Carmelites started in the 12th century (under debate), by an unknown founder (also under debate). The Carmelites might be considered a middle-ground of sorts, between the eremitical life of the Carthusians and the community life of the Benedictine orders. While their ideal way of life is a eremitic, they may prayer together in community, and at times may eat meals together as well (depending on the community). They may also live in individual hermitages, or in community. Compared to the Benedictine orders, Carmelite monks (or rather, "friars") traditionally tend to place more emphasis on contemplation, allotting more time for private prayer. The Carmelites are also known for their devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Some of the greatest mystics were Carmelites (St. Theresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Therese of Lisieux, etc.) After a period of decline, today there seems to be renewed interest in Carmelite spirituality, and returning to orthodox spirit of the rule (see for example; Carmelites of Nebraska Carmelites of Wyoming, Carmelites of Texas). Today, the Carmelites are divided into two main branches; the Discalced Carmelites [O.C.D] (founded by St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross), and the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance [O. Carm.].
• POOR CLARES: The Order of Saint Clare is an order of religious women founded by Saint Francis of Assisi and his devote follower Saint Clare of Assisi. It can be said that Saint Clare complimented Saint Francis, but not in the way that most would expect. Where Saint Francis was a contemplative at heart, Saint Clare was a zealous missionary at heart. Ironically, God called the contemplative to the marketplace, and the missionary to the convent. Thus the Poor Clares today tend to be cloistered contemplatives. One of the most well known branches of the Poor Clares is the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (of which one of their convents in Alabama is home to Mother Angelica), who's charism is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for the love of God and the salvation of souls. Other branches include the Poor Clare Colettines and the Capuchin Poor Clares.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When discerning religious life, it is important to bear in mind the fact that no two communities are alike. One may find a Benedictine community spending more time in an apostolate than a Franciscan community. Or one may find a Cistercian community to be more lenient than a Benedictine community. Even within orders, the differences can be significant. No two Benedictine communities are exactly alike. No two Franciscan communities are exactly alike, etc. Suffice to say, this is why it is important to visit communities first hand, in order to get a more accurate sense of their life.

Active Orders
"Active" orders (Franciscans, Dominicans, Missionaries of Charity, etc.) are those who tend to have more direct interaction with the world than contemplative orders. While still principally prayer-centered, active orders generally dedicate more time to certain apostolates, such as feeding the hungry, teaching, preaching, missions, youth retreats, and various forms of service to the community. In this sense, they tend to follow Scripture in a more literal way; to "feed the hungry", "give drink to the thirsty", help the desolate and shunned of society. Their apostolate may be regular and daily, or it may be sparatic, depending on need. Active orders tend to be less bound by the walls of a monastery, and may reassign members of their community to different locations abroad. They are generally called mendicant orders, meaning; they live off of the charity of others, rather than trying to be self-supportive like the Benedictine branches (note; Carmelites and Poor Clares are mendicants as well, but are considered contemplative).

"Active-Contemplative"
It may be worth noting most active orders are not "active" in the strictest sense of the word. Rather, they are more precisely "active-contemplative", comprising a relative balance between prayer and their apostolates. It is also important to stress that some active orders may have more of an emphasis on prayer, and thus may more closely resemble contemplative orders. It largely depends on the community, and how a person manages their free time within the confines of the horarium. Padre Pio was a Capuchin (the most active branch of the Franciscans), and yet he spent much of his daily life as a contemplative, spending nearly every free minute of his time in prayer (even skipping meals to remain in prayer). It was through prayer that Padre Pio was able to draw on the graces of God, and go out into the world to distribute those graces according to the needs of souls. Even Saint Francis retreated to the mountains to be alone in prayer. In this sense, the heart of the life of every religious--whether active or contemplative--is prayer. As Saint Maximilian Kolbe said; "only prayer obtains the grace of conversion" [...] "All the fruit of our labors directed to the conversion and sanctification of souls depends on prayer".

• FRANCISCANS: The Franciscans were founded in the 13th century by Saint Francis, who, in a vision, was told by God to "rebuild My Church, which as you see is falling into ruin". Franciscans are typically characterized by their lives of simplicity, penance, poverty, and love for the poor. Like the Benedictines, the Franciscans also underwent a number of reforms throughout history, but were consolidated in 1897 into three main bodies; Friars Minor, the Conventuals, and the Capuchins. Some Franciscan communities may be more contemplative in nature, such as the Franciscan Sisters of Nazareth.
  • Friars Minor: The Friars Minor were the result of a large consolidation of various groups (Observants, Discalced, Recollects, Riformati, etc.) by Pope Leo XII in 1897. Today the Friars Minor compose the largest body of the Franciscans order, and are criticized as being the most lenient.
  • Friars Minor Conventual: The Conventual Franciscans were one of the first reforms of the Franciscan order. They desired to apply the Franciscan spirit to new applications (such as urban city apostolates, rather than remaining in rural areas). As such, they were granted various dispensations to relax certain rules in order to carry out specific apostolates. Today, the Conventuals have taken on a more academic and Marian spirit, influenced by Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who also was a Conventual. The most notable Conventuals, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (who have a sister branch as well), take a fourth vow of total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary and have a very active media apostolate.
  • Friars Minor Capuchin. The Capuchin reform desired a return to a stricter observance of the Franciscan rule. As such, Capuchin franciscans tend to be the most "active", with a stronger emphasis on corporal works of mercy. A Capuchin Franciscan would be more likely to be seen feeding the poor or street evangelizing, rather than writing a book on the liturgy or studying Patristics. The most notable Capuchins today are the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
  Like many religious communities, the Franciscans have suffered from a marked decline in vocations over the past forty years; many of which have become more secularized, deemphasizing certain traditions of Franciscan heritage (penance and mortification, fasting on bread and water, use of the Discipline, etc.). It is not uncommon today to see friars watching television, or going to the movies and ice cream on a Saturday night. However, like the Benedictines, the communities of lax traditions seem to be diminishing, slowly being replaced by young communities devoted to living a more radical and counter-cultural way of life (see; Sisters of Nazareth, Friars of the Immaculate, Sisters of the Immaculate, Friars of the Renewal, Sisters of the Renewal, and the Franciscan Friars of the Primitive Observance).
• DOMINICANS: The Dominican Order (or "Order of Preachers") was founded by Saint Dominic in the early 13th century, who saw the need for greater education and engagement of intellectual society. As the name implies, the charism of the Dominicans is preaching and teaching, for the conversion of souls. Today, this apostolic spirit has adapted itself most notably to education and catechetical formation of the young, and, as such, it is not uncommon to find dominicans within the context of the school system as teachers and professors. It is worthy to note that female dominican communities, who's apostolate is often with the young, tend to be the most orthodox (and are likewise flourishing with new vocations), while male dominican communities still appear to be suffering with diminishing vocations. Among the most notable Dominican communities are; Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia, and the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Some dominican communities may be contemplative, such as the Dominican Contemplative Sisters of the Monastery of the Heart of Jesus.
• MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY: The Missionaries of Charity were founded Mother Teresa, who in 1948, received permission to leave her convent to serve God among the "poorest of the poor". Mother Teresa began working in the slums of Calcutta, India, to care for the needs of the sick, crippled, and lepers, and in 1950, established the Missionaries of Charity. In addition to the three vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience), the missionaries take a fourth vow to give "Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor".
• SISTERS OF LIFE: The Sisters of Life are a community of female religious, founded in 1991 by Cardinal O’Connor. As the name suggests, their charism is namely for the protection of the sacredness of human life. This distinct pro-life spirit directs their efforts towards working with such ministries as pregnancy care centers, pro-life rallies and lobbying, etc.. The sisters also host many retreats and conferences on related topics [see Sisters of Life].

Davide A. Bianchini, Contact