Societies of apostolic life are communities whose members live together for a specific apostolic mission, but do not make religious vows. Which option best describes this?

Societies of apostolic life are communities whose members live together for a specific apostolic mission, but do not make religious vows. Which option best describes this?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only priests may join
• D. They always take vows

Answer: (A)

Societies of apostolic life are a form of consecrated life where members live together to pursue a specific apostolic mission, but they do not profess religious vows. This defining feature is why the statement is true: the community binds itself to a common mission and life in common, yet it avoids the public profession of evangelical vows that characterizes religious institutes. These societies can include both clerics and lay members and may be of diocesan or pontifical right, so membership is not limited to priests. Saying they always take vows or that only priests may join does not fit, since the key point is living in common for the mission without religious vows.

Societies of apostolic life are a form of consecrated life where members live together to pursue a specific apostolic mission, but they do not profess religious vows. This defining feature is why the statement is true: the community binds itself to a common mission and life in common, yet it avoids the public profession of evangelical vows that characterizes religious institutes. These societies can include both clerics and lay members and may be of diocesan or pontifical right, so membership is not limited to priests. Saying they always take vows or that only priests may join does not fit, since the key point is living in common for the mission without religious vows.