All baptized persons are called to be chaste, caring and responsible in their love for each other. Through the vow of celibacy a person chooses not to marry and refrains from sexual activity as a means for sharing love in service of others and of witnessing to the coming of God's reign. Men and women who vow celibate chastity commit themselves to love in a single-hearted way, letting God's love for them and their love for God be the center and source of their love for others. They witness to others God's love which is free, unconditional and faithful. Charism A charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to an individual or a group for the good of others.
Every religious congregation claims a special charism for the good of the whole church.
This gift is what forms the identity and mission of the congregation. For example, Dominicans are known for the charism of preaching, Franciscans for the simplicity of lifestyle, Paulines, for the use of communications technologies to proclaim the Gospel. Cloistered congregation This term is used to describe certain contemplative communities . For the sake of supporting their ministry of prayer, members choose to have limited opportunity to leave the monastery, and outsiders have little direct contact with members. Not all contemplative communities are cloistered.