Secular Institutes of Consecrated Life

An institute of consecrated life is a community of either men or women who wish to give themselves completely to God. Unlike professed religious, members of secular institutes do not forsake the world; rather they make “a true and full profession of the evangelical counsels” while remaining in the world (Perfectae Caritatis 11). The primary apostolate of those who belong to secular institutes is one of presence and witness: being present to those with whom they come in contact and witnessing Christ’s love to them.

Today there are 214 secular institutes spread across 5 continents in the Church. One such institute is the Secular Institute of Mary the Handmaid of the Lord, a community of women who have given themselves exclusively to God through vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and live and work in the world in order to entrust themselves and those with whom they come in contact to God through Our Lady.

If you are interested in finding out more about this particular institute and vocation, you may visit www.secolare.com and/or contact chicago@secolare.com.