Resources
New Study by CARA Shows Solid Growth of Associates in Religious Orders
A new study entitled Partners in Mission: A Profile of Associates and Religious in the United States announces exciting growth in the numbers of associates affiliated with religious orders. Over 25,400 associates are counted, a growth of almost 11,000 since 1995 when the last survey was taken.
Associate directors of 1,100 religious institutes of women and men religious received questionnaires concerning the statistics, goals and activities of associates affiliated with their congregations. An accurate picture is emerging of laity who desire affiliation with religious congregations while living an independent life style as married or single folks.
Orders find new life in lay associates
A new area of growth emerging in North American Catholicism-associate members of religious orders-is giving renewed life to those orders and a new role to laity who want to be part of the spirituality and work of religious communities.
Despite plummeting numbers of vocations over the past two decades, the vision and ministry of thousands of religious sisters and brothers are being expanded to "associates," lay men and women who form a special relationship with the orders but not as traditional sisters or brothers.
SALT Magazine
BVM Associate Reflects
by Norm Freund, BVM Associate
Sisters of Charity, BVM - 1100 Carmel Drive - Dubuque, Iowa 52003 - 563.588.2351