As an even passing acquaintance with the literature on religious
life indicates, there is no shortage of books, articles, tapes and
other material addressing the reality of community in consecrated
life. And it should not be surprising that community has been and
continues to be a central subject of ongoing reflection and dialogue
among consecrated persons, particularly religious, since religious
life, as it has been and continues to exist in the Church, has always
included “community” as one of its essential characteristics.