Members of a religious institute or order who are obliged to recite the Office in common; or at least in private, even though not bound by Holy Orders; usually those professed under solemn vows, as distinguished from lay religious or those professed under simple vows, e.g., nuns engaged in teaching as contrasted with the lay sisters or coadjutors in temporal matters.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More