obediences

Obedience is the act of complying with commands or guidelines, a concept that appears in ethics, law, and organizational life. The plural form obediences is rarely used outside formal or historical contexts, but in religious settings it refers to the concrete works or duties assigned to a person by a superior as an expression of the vow of obedience. Each obedience corresponds to a specific task or mission and may reflect the needs of the community, the member’s gifts, and the order’s charism.

In religious life, obediences can be communal—shared tasks undertaken by the entire community—or personal, such as an individual assignment given to a nun or monk. Assignments may change over time and are typically reviewed by superiors. In some Catholic orders, members may choose among a set of obediences or be directed to particular ones. Common examples include education, healthcare, pastoral work, research, or missionary activity. The system aims to align the labor of individuals with the community’s spiritual and service goals and to cultivate the virtue of obedience as practical discipline.

Outside religious contexts, the term obediences is uncommon; people usually refer to duties, tasks, or assignments rather than to obediences. The broader concept of obedience spans moral, legal, and organizational dimensions, from everyday conduct to formal vows within religious life. See also obedience, vow of obedience, and apostolate for related ideas.