There are 26 canonically erected institutes in the United States.

Some secular institutes are for clerics.

There have been associations of consecrated lay persons throughout Church history. Only in the twentieth century, however, have they come into special prominence because of the great need for the formation of lay apostles.

On February 2, 1947, Pope Pius XII gave official approval to secular institutes as an original form of consecrated life within the Church. Their members have the special mission "to work for the sanctification of the world from within."

The consecration of the world can be achieved through persons who are themselves consecrated to God and totally dedicated. The members of the secular institutes, therefore, profess the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience in accord with the specific spirituality and charism of their own institute. They draw strength from daily prayer, meditation and the frequent reception of the sacraments. These sources of grace enable them to be apostolically effective in their immediate environment through word and example.