Religious LIFE Blessing of the speakers at the 2010 meeting of the North American Conference of Associates and Religious.
Other vocations that may be right for you by Carol Schuck Scheiber and Joel Schorn
Carol Schuck Scheiber is the content editor of VISION, and Joel Schorn is VISION’s managing editor.
Photo courtesy of the North American Conference of Associates and Religious
In addition to traditional vowed membership, people who feel called to consecrated life have other opportunities.
A
ll Christians have a vocation—whether to marriage, single life, ordination, or consecrated life. Here are some Catholic vocation choices that are less well-known than traditional membership in a religious order or the diocesan priesthood, some in connection with communities of consecrated life.
Associates Some religious orders have associate membership, which allows single and married laypeople to have a close bond with the community. The requirements and commitments between communities and their “associates” or “co-members” vary with each religious order. Generally associate members feel drawn to the charism—the spirit and mission—of the community and pledge to carry out prayer and works of service according to this charism and their own abilities and to integrate that spirit into their way of life. They usually take part in some activities of the community. A
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