What is the Religious state? - The religious state is a permanent way of community life, by which the faithful bind themselves to observe the evangelical counsels by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The first relgious order developed under St.Anthony the Great, who assembled around him in the desert a number of disciples living in separate cells. In the year 348 A.D. St.Pachomius gathered the anchorites under a common roof, and gave them a fixed rule; this was done on an island near the mouth of the Nile river in Egypt. From there the monastic life spread to Palestine and Syria, and thence to Asia Minor. In the 5th and 6th centuries, the monastic life was propagated in the West by St.Martin of Tours and St.Benedict. 

The religious state is called the state of perfection, because those who embrace it have the obligation, through faithfulness to their vows, of aiming at evangelical perfection.

Those who are in the “state of perfection” are not necessarily perfect; but they are expected to aim at perfection. Many people in the world are actually holy than some in the religious state. It is however easier to strive after perfection in the relgious state, where there are more aids and means than in the world with its distractions.

The call to the religious state is only an “invitation”.

“Not all can accept this teaching, but to those to whom it has been given” (Matt. 19:11)

> Any Catholic who is free from impediments (existing marriage, being less than 15 years of age, debts must be paid, parents who need one’s support), who has a right intention, and is fitted to fulfill the duties of religious life may be admitted in the religious state.

> In general, the qualifications for a vocation are good will, good health and good sense.

> One should apply for admission into the religious community chosen. If one is refused and has to return home, he/she should not feel disgraced. The novitiate is precisely a trial, to find out one’s qualifications. He/She can also try another religious community. Several great saints were refused and were even sent out, by the congregations they had first chosen.

source: My Catholic Faith

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