ordenarse

Ordenarse is a Spanish verb with two main senses. The primary meaning is religious: to undergo ordination and join the clergy, typically becoming a priest, deacon, monk, or member of a religious order. In this sense, a person is "ordenado" by a church authority. The reflexive form is used to indicate the subject undergoing the rite: "Juan se ordenó sacerdote" or "María se ordenó monja." The passive alternative is common as well: "Juan fue ordenado sacerdote." The noun form is la ordenación (often la ordenación sacerdotal).

The second sense is non-religious and rarer. It can be used in a figurative or formal way to express putting one’s life or conduct in order, adopting a more orderly or disciplined pattern. In this usage, the reflexive form emphasizes self-imposition of order, though it is less common than the religious sense and may appear mainly in literary or philosophical contexts.

Etymology: ordenarse comes from Latin ordināre, meaning to put in order or to regulate.

Usage notes: Ordenarse is pronominal when referring to the subject undergoing the rite of ordination. In religious contexts it commonly appears with sacerdote, monja, religioso, or "ordenación." In non-religious contexts, the usage is more figurative and less frequent.

See also: ordination, sacerdocio, vida religiosa, ordenación.