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(Canon 710)Secular consecrated persons profess the Evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience while living in the world,[1] as compared to members of a religious institute who belong to a particular congregations, often with specific apostolates.
"[2] The historical origins of these institutes go back to the end of the sixteenth century, even though their juridic recognition as a state of consecrated life approved by the Church took place only on 2 February 1947, with Pope Pius XII's Apostolic Constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia.
Secular institutes are recognized either by a bishop (diocesan right) or by the Holy See (papal right).
The exact number of members of secular institutes worldwide is unclear.