congregazioni

Congregazioni is the Italian plural form of congregazione, a term used in religious and ecclesiastical contexts to denote a gathering or a specific type of religious community. Its Latin root congregatio means a coming together or assembly. In Italian usage the word can refer to both a religious institute and to the major departments of the Roman Curia, depending on the context.

In the Catholic Church, a congregazione can designate a religious institute, a community of consecrated persons who live under a rule and vow, typically under a superior. In canon law, congregations are a form of religious institute; they may involve solemn or simple vows and a shared apostolate such as education, healthcare, or mission work. The governance of a congregazione is usually conducted by a superior general or president, with local houses organized into provinces or regions. The distinction between congregations and orders is historical and nuanced, with both groups belonging to the broader category of religious institutes.

The term is also used for major administrative bodies of the Holy See. In Italian, the congregazioni are the principal dicasteries or departments of the Roman Curia, assisting the pope in governing the universal church. Examples include the Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) and the Congregazione per i Vescovi (Congregation for Bishops). These bodies are not religious institutes themselves but administrative offices that oversee specific areas of church life.

Beyond ecclesiastical usage, congregazioni can simply refer to groups gathered for religious worship, social action, or cultural activities.