Society of Apostolic Life

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A Society of Apostolic Life is a kind of religious order within the Roman Catholic Church, whose members do not profess religious vows, unlike members of an Institute of Consecrated Life. This type of orgainization is defined in the Code of Canon Law under canons 731-755.

While a society has some community life, the mission of the community is given emphasis; members of a Society for Apostolic Life can be reassigned among the various communities of the society as needed, and this lack of community stability distinguishes this kind of society from some religious orders, such as the Benedictines.

A community needs the written approval of a Bishop to operate within his diocese. Clerics of a society, however, are incardinated into the society and not the diocese, unless specified otherwise in the Society's constitution. Each community has a right to its own oratory.

Members of a Society of Apostolic Life are allowed to own their own property, but must live in community.

These societies are regulated by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.