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(Latinregula, rule).
The observance of theRule of St. Benedict procured for themonks at an early period the name of "regulars". The Council of Verneuil (755) so refers to them in its third canon, and in its eleventh canon speaks of the "ordo regularis" as opposed to the "ordo canonicus", formed by the canons who lived under thebishop according to the canonical regulations. There was question also of a "regula canonicorum", or "regula canonica", especially after the extension of the rule whichSt. Chrodegang,Bishop ofMetz, had drawn up from the sacred canons (766) [cf. capitularies (n. 69 circa 810, n. 138 of 818, 819, ed. Alf. Boretii)]. And when the canons were divided into two classes in the eleventh century, it was natural to call those who added religious poverty to their common life regulars, and those who gave up the common life, seculars. Before this we find mention of "sæculares canonici" in the Chronicle ofSt. Bertin (821) (Martène, Anecdot., III, 505). In fact as themonks were said to leave the world (St. Augustine, Serm. 40 de div.), sometimes thosepersons who were neitherclerics normonks were called seculars, as at times wereclerics not bound by the rule. Sometimes also the name "regulars" was applied to the canons regular to distinguish them frommonks. Thus the collection of Gratian (about 1139), C. xix, q. 2, c. 2 and q. 3, c. 1, speaks of canons regular, who make canonical profession, and live in a regular canonicate, in opposition tomonks who wear themonastic habit, and live in amonastery. But theDecretals ofGregory IX,promulgated 5 Sept., 1234, use the word "regularis" in a more general sense, in book III, ch. xxxi, which is entitled "De regularibus et transeuntibus ad religionem". However in ch. xxxv "De statu monachorum et canonicorum regularium" the distinction returns, disappearing in the corresponding book and chapter of theDecretals ofBoniface VIII (3 March, 1298), t. XVI, in 6, which is entitled merely "De statu regularium" and reappearing in the collection ofClementines (25 Oct., 1317) but with the conjunctionvel, which indicates the resemblance between them. (Although another edition haset, the title of ch. x, c. 3 Clem. in the official edition reads "De statu monachorum, vel canonicorum regularium".)
From that time, while the word "religious" is more generally used, the word "regular" is reserved for members ofreligious orders withsolemnvows. It means strictly those religious who have made solemn profession. Those who have taken simplevows in theSociety of Jesus are also regulars in the proper sense according to the Constitution"Ascendente" ofGregory XIII. Writers are not all agreed on the question whether the religious of other orders can properly be called regulars before solemn profession. Thenovices ofreligious orders are regulars only in the wider meaning of the word.
APA citation.Vermeersch, A.(1911).Regulars. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12722c.htm
MLA citation.Vermeersch, Arthur."Regulars."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 12.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1911.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12722c.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by WGKofron.With thanks to St. Mary's Church, Akron, Ohio.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. June 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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