Slight decline in 2nd largest men’s religious order
January 28, 2010
An increase of vocations in South Asia and Africa was not sufficient to stem a decline in the number of Salesians of Don Bosco, the Church’s second-largest men’s religious institute. There are now 15,952 Salesians, including novices.
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits), with 18,711 members, is the largest men’s religious community. The Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) (15,130), the Capuchin Franciscans (11,092), and the Benedictines (7,558) rank third, fourth, and fifth respectively.
The Salesian Sisters, with 14,420 members, are by far the largest women’s religious institute.
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