Professed house
Encyclopedia
In the Society of Jesus
, a professed house was a residence where - in a spirit of radical poverty - no member had a stable income. The Jesuit priests who lived there, all of whom have professed the fourth vow
, undertake their spiritual and pastoral ministry completely for free. With no revenues, these houses were dependent on the generosity of benefactors even for their daily needs. This type of residence disappeared during the 20th certain, though some have retained the name if not the form.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, a professed house was a residence where - in a spirit of radical poverty - no member had a stable income. The Jesuit priests who lived there, all of whom have professed the fourth vow
Fourth vow
The "Fourth vow" is a religious solemn vow that is taken by members of various religious orders or congregations of the Catholic Church, after the three traditionnal vows of poverty, chastity and obedience...
, undertake their spiritual and pastoral ministry completely for free. With no revenues, these houses were dependent on the generosity of benefactors even for their daily needs. This type of residence disappeared during the 20th certain, though some have retained the name if not the form.