A Dictionary of Religious Orders

Book excerpt: This concise one-volume dictionary covers existing, defunct, and chivalric Orders, typographically differentiated within a single alphabetical sequence of some 1,450 entries. It includes the newer Secular Institutes and Lay Movements, as well as listing sub-families of major Orders. Appendices provide a list of popes and of post-nominal intitials, cross-referenced to entries; a specialized glossary gives details of habits. Entries typically consist of- name of Order, in English and mother tongue; locations of administrative centre; details of habit; date of foundation, with details of founder/foundress, where known; brief history; location and activities of present-day houses.