Globally we have members in Germany, Austria, Namibia, Brazil, Ecuador and the United States. In the United States there are professed members in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Georgia. We have Associate members in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Secular Institutes are not a modern form of religious life, whose members are to be a visible sign of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Secular Institute members are called to be leaven in the secular world. Our founding members wanted to live their faith radically, in prayer and charity, wherever God called them to live and work, wearing lay attire and sanctifying the ordinary in the secular world.
The sacred bonds of secular institute members are neither private nor public vows. However, our consecration is recognized by the Church in Canon Law. They are morally binding and identical in that sense to the consecration that religious take. They are not private vows because they are received in an institute of consecrated life, recognized by the Church, and the superiors receive the vows or promises in the name of the Church. They are not the public vows because they do not change our status as laypersons.The Church has not defined the exact term used to describe the consecration that a secular institute person takes, as this is a relatively new vocation and theological development is still in progress.
Members can decide where to live and work. Unlike priests and religious, members are not barred from holding political office and can work in any employment sector so long as it is not in conflict with the teachings of the Church.
In his spiritual classic, The Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales explains that all Christians are called to complete submissiveness to Christ in poverty, chastity and obedience according to one’s state in life.
Our constitution exhorts members to “budget and economize in such a way as not to become a burden to anyone. What we have left we share gladly with those who have less than we do and who need our help.” We share our time and talents and “use everything in a way that can be justified toward the order of Creation.”
“The substance of our obedience includes fidelity to the Constitution approved by the Church and to our particular Salesian spirituality…we are bound to obey the instructions of the leadership of the Institute.” Although we can decide where to live and work, members “should be prepared to generously subordinate our private interests to the claims of an important common task.”
Secular Franciscans, Benedictine Oblates, Third Order Carmelites and other Secular/Third Orders are made up of lay people who associate with a particular religious order. They may take promises of poverty, chastity and obedience, although they are not required to live celibate chastity. Our members are bound by vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience. Although our founder was a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales religious order, we are not a branch of that order but rather, completely autonomous.
Women who have been dispensed of their religious vows may apply to our institute after a period of at least two years living independently and working in the world. They are required to complete the one year aspirancy and two to three year formation period before making their first vows.
We have weekly Zoom meetings and meet twice a year in person during community week and our annual vow liturgy. We reach out to each other whenever we want to share our joys, sorrows, prayer needs, etc. through visits, texts, emails, cards, Zoom and phone calls. Keeping strong ties with the community is especially important in our institute.
Our commitments can be divided into our prayer life and our community obligations. Members are expected to attend daily mass, pray morning and evening prayer of the Divine Office, and reserve at least thirty minutes daily for meditative prayer. While there are times that this is not possible due to other obligations, this should be a habit. Members should also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month.
The minimum commitment to the community includes gathering for one weekend annually for the vow liturgy and for one week annually for community week. In addition, we meet weekly on Zoom for Evening Prayer, scripture reflection and personal faith sharing. Members are also expected to carry out the duties of any office they may be elected to hold, which requires additional time commitment and travel depending upon the duties of the office.