can be considered the father of societies of apostolic life. Members of apostolic societies prioritize mission over community life. According to the Vincentian priest Robert P. Maloney, community life should be strong enough to be supportive to those who have pledged to pursue the same apostolic purpose, and flexible enough to allow members to respond to the urgent needs of those they serve. In community, apostolic societies must maintain a balance between prayer and active works. Apostolic societies vary widely in their missions and areas of focus. Some emphasize preaching, teaching, healthcare, seminary formation, foreign missions, retreats, or advocacy for justice, among other goals. Most were founded in response to a specific need recognized by their founders. Today, many continue to center their work on one or more of the corporal and spiritual
works of mercy. Vincent de Paul chose not to establish the Daughters of Charity as a religious order because at that time women religious were "enclosed" (
cloistered), and that state was "not compatible with the duties of their vocation." A community needs the written approval of a
bishop to operate within his
diocese.
Clerics of a society of apostolic life usually are
incardinated into the society and not a diocese, unless specified otherwise in its constitutions (for example, the
Sulpicians, who are members of both their society and dioceses). Each community has a right to its own
oratory. Members of a society of apostolic life are allowed to own personal property, but normally live in community together. Canon 731 speaks of such societies as being "comparable to
institutes of consecrated life". They are regulated by the
Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. == List ==