Canons Regular is Clerical religious communities that unite public profession and common life, often under the Rule of Saint Augustine, with liturgical and pastoral ministry.
Canonical and apostolic life
Canons regular developed from clergy living a common rule around a church. Unlike monks, their charism ordinarily integrates solemn common worship with the pastoral service proper to clerics. Unlike secular cathedral or collegiate canons, they are religious who profess public vows and share common life.[1]
Most communities are clerical institutes and contain priests and members preparing for orders; proper law may also provide for non-ordained brothers. The Rule of Saint Augustine is widely used, but canons regular are a family of institutes and congregations rather than one universal order.[2]
Congregations and houses
Some canonries are autonomous and headed by an abbot or provost; congregations and confederative bodies provide wider communion. Governance, vows, and ministries depend on the constitutions of the particular canonical family.
References
- 1.Regular Canons — Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences overview
- 2.John Paul II to the Confederation of Canons Regular of Saint Augustine — Papal address on canonical life, liturgy, and apostolate