Now in our possession are the data from the Annuarium Pontificium of 2026; I add them to what was published in previous years, which I reproduce including at the end of each institute the figures as of January 1, 2025.
The religious formed an immense body at the service of the Church. To which it gave countless saints and not a few most glorious ones, missionaries, theologians, spiritual directors, educators, preachers, monuments of charity… And universities, asylums, hospitals, schools… The most select, dedicated, wise, and holy were there.
The faithful people venerated them; the Pope and the bishops had absolute availability from them for the most difficult tasks. Until… For fifty years now, the accursed post-conciliar spring, they have embarked on an accelerated race toward the abyss. For a long time it was concealed. They were a living and numerous body in which desertions, countless, and death, did not clearly reveal the immense ruin to which we have now arrived. Now it is impossible to hide it. We are facing critical figures. Which are still more serious than the mere statement of them. Because the total number is still very high. What is truly worrying is that in many it is rotten. With two cancers now terminal in not a few. That of the secularization of the members, without prayer, asceticism, common life, poverty, chastity, obedience… And that of old age. They have ceased to be a living body, with generational renewal, to become a club of bachelor retirees who apparently watch indifferently as their orders and congregations die irreparably.
They do not know how to stop the grave illness and, worst of all, they do not want to recognize it or remedy it. Many superiors should have been kicked out a long time ago. For being useless, all of them, and for being wicked, not a few. Yet they have renewed their suicidal leadership without the slightest attempt at rectification. Today, in some cases, it is already impossible. What young person is going to enter a nursing home without hopes or a future? I have been pointing this out for years, without any result, except the hatred they profess toward me for making evident what is pure fact, the sure end they are already reaching. No matter how many disguises and lies they have tried to spread. “We are fewer but better.” Utterly false. You are many fewer and much worse. You are a death foretold. And foretold very soon in not a few.
Jesuits: The Society of Jesus was the flagship of the religious orders. Where all looked to it and which all envied. With healthy envy. A militia at the unconditional service of the Pope, even with a fourth vow, it was found in the places of greatest difficulty, where greater holiness, greater dedication, greater intelligence were needed… It was the most numerous order in the Church, with 9,000 more members than the Franciscans and 13,000 more than the Salesians at their peak moments. In 1965 there were 36,038 Jesuits. The year in which the Second Vatican Council concluded. Afterward… The stampede.
A year and a half after the last figure recorded in the Annuarium Pontificium of 2014, which closes as of January 1 of the previous year for these purposes, we can be sure that they have already fallen below the 17,000 mark, I wrote then. And at this seemingly irreversible pace, in three years they will be fewer than 16,000. That will not be fixed with the announced resignation of the Fr. General. However obligatory it may be given his incapacity. What they would have to resign is their current way of life. But better dead than observant. The total number of those over 80 increases each year. With the consequent increase in deaths. This marvelous ecclesial spring has made them lose more than half of their members: 52%.
As of January 1, 2014, there were only 17,008. In that year they lost 279 Jesuits. With which the loss has already risen to 53%. And in three or four years they will have dropped below 16,000.
We already have the data as of January 1, 2015. They fell below the 17,000 mark. There are now only 16,740. In one year, 268 fewer. And one year older. The losses now reach 54%
One year later, as of January 1, 2016, only 16,378 remained. They had lost 362 Jesuits. The decline is plummeting and accelerating. But as always, fewer and older each time. Today, May 15, 2017, I said then, they may already be fewer than 16,000. Next year, for sure. And in Spain there must already be fewer than a thousand. So how can the caustic Sosa continue on that line. They have already lost 55% of what they once were.
Now in our possession are the data as of January 1, 2017: 16,088. 290 fewer than the previous year. A year and a half after those data, at the end of June 2018, they are already fewer than 16,000.
We also said that the Spaniards must already be fewer than a thousand. Given what the Jesuits meant in Spain. More than three thousand in the mid-20th century. Well yes, they are now fewer than a thousand and it is very possible that by the end of 2018 they will be fewer than nine hundred or barely exceeding that number. A tragedy. Although if they are going to be like caustic soda, better that they disappear. The decrease compared to their maximum figure is already at 56%.
Regarding Spain the situation is even worse; of the three thousand who existed past the middle of the last century, today there must be fewer than eight hundred, meaning 75% of the institute has disappeared. Of those eight hundred, some four hundred must be over eighty and another one hundred fifty over seventy. Each year two or three enter, not all persevere, and fifty or more die. So you can imagine the short-term Spanish future and the longer-term general one.
Another clear sign of the decline of the Ignatian order is given by the number of houses it maintained. On January 1, 2010 I believe they reached their maximum number, although in members they had already dropped to 18,139. Between houses, residences, parishes, schools, novitiates, theologates… they had 1,782 places open. It is curious, although it was general with all religious institutes, that the fewer they were, the more houses they opened. That flight forward was naturally unsustainable and 2010 marked the turning point. In 2011 they already closed 27 houses, 1,755. In 2012, 34 more, 1,721. A year later the fall accelerated with 85 houses closed, 1,636. On January 1, 2014, 38 more had been closed, 1,598 remained. A year later another 26 houses were lost, 1,572 remained. One more year and 31 fewer houses, on January 1, 2016, 1,541. A collapse that does not stop; on January 1, 2017, another 41 closed, 1,500 remain. A year later none were closed and the 1,500 continued, but that was unsustainable and on January 1, 2018 another 23 closed again and, having lost the 1,500 mark, 1,477 remain.
According to the latest data, on January 1, 2019 there were only 15,591, 251 fewer than the previous year and the houses had dropped to 1,262, with a spectacular fall of 215 closures. The loss of members remains at 57%
On January 1, 2020 the hemorrhage continues: they had dropped to 15,306, 285 fewer than a year earlier. The houses had also dropped to 1,250, 12 fewer than a year earlier. The decrease has risen to 58%
On January 1, 2021 only 14,839 religious remained. In one year 467 Jesuits were left behind. Who today, a year and a half later, must already have lost the 14,500 reference. The number of houses has however increased to 1,266. Because if there are more houses and fewer Jesuits it is clear that there is a smaller number of Jesuits in each house except in the geriatric ones. The decrease is already 59%.
Terrible the latest data from January 1, 2022; 400 Jesuits have disappeared. 14,439 remain and the houses are now only 1,248. In 22 years they have closed 568 houses and since 1965 21,599 Jesuits have evaporated. The decrease in members is already 60%.
On January 1, 2023 the decrease has somewhat eased. They lost 244 Jesuits in a year so that 14,185 remain at the beginning of January 2023. With which we can be sure that by the end of April 2024 they have already lost the 14,000 mark. But let us not make conjectures and continue with the real figures: the decrease of the Jesuits is already 61%%
On January 1, 2024 they had already lost the 14,000 mark; there were 13,995, 190 fewer than a year earlier; the loss of members is 62%
On January 1, 2025 only 13,768 remained, 227 fewer than a year earlier. They remain at 62% of what they once were. The locations lost were 22; 1,290 in 2024 and 1,190 in 2025
Salesians: The congregation founded by that great saint Don Bosco, who rendered extraordinary services to the Church in the education of the most needy youth, has recently surpassed the Franciscans and is today the second most numerous male institute. Their highest figure was reached in 1967 with 22,810 Salesians.
As of January 1, 2013, there were 15,536. With a loss of 47 religious compared to the previous year.
If they maintain this moderate declining line, in not many years they will surpass the Jesuits, becoming the most numerous congregation in the Church. They have left behind 7,274 Salesians, which represents a loss of 33% of their members. As we shall see, they are privileged. The weight of age is also becoming noticeable in the deaths, so in the last year they have decreased by 156.
As of January 1, 2014 there were 15,378. They are still at a 33% loss.
As of January 1, 2015 there were 15,270. 108 fewer than a year earlier. The loss rose one point, standing at 34%.
As of January 1, 2016 it had already dropped to 15,033; today it is possible, I would say certain, that they are already fewer than 15,000, 137 fewer than the previous year. The decrease rises one point: 35%.
Indeed, the Salesians, who had maintained a contained reduction, are joining the general line. On January 1, 2017 there remained 14,884, 149 fewer than the previous year. Although they remain at a 35% loss which, within their tragedy, seems an optimal figure.
2017 was not too bad for them since they only lost 89 Salesians; there were 14,795 on January 1, 2018; they lose 36%.
As of January 1, 2019 they had risen to 14,932. They are now only 659 religious away from the Jesuits and have gained 137 members. They continue at a 35% loss. If this trend had been maintained until today, which we cannot know, we wrote last year, the Salesians would already be the most numerous order in the Church.
Well, we already know that for the moment with the data from January 1, 2020 they have not overtaken the Jesuits although they have reduced the distance somewhat. Now they are 539 religious away. The Salesians were 14,767, 165 fewer than the previous year. The decrease is 36%.
On January 1, 2021 only 14,354 remained, 413 fewer than the previous year. The decrease is 38%. The difference with the Jesuits continues to shrink; now it is only 413 religious.
On January 1, 2022 they had dropped to 14,143, 211 fewer than a year earlier. The decrease remains at 38% and the lead the Jesuits have is now only 219 religious. With which it is possible that in a couple of years the Salesians will become the most numerous congregation in the Church, taking that position from the Jesuits.
On January 1, 2023 there remained 14,018 Salesians, 125 fewer than a year earlier; the decrease is already 40%. And their difference continues to shrink in order to snatch from the Jesuits the condition of being the most numerous institute in the Church. They are now only 177 religious fewer.
On January 1, 2024 there were 13,694, 413 fewer than a year earlier. The loss of Salesians is 41%. And the distance to the Jesuits, which decreased each year, has now increased to 390
On January 1, 2025 there remained 13,605, 89 fewer than a year earlier. The decrease remains at 41%. And they are now only 163 religious away from the Jesuits.
Franciscans: It is the third most numerous order in the Church after recently losing second place. They reached 27,136 in 1963 and as of January 1, 2013 there remained 14,043, with a loss of 80 compared to the same date of the previous year. They have lost 47% of the friars.
As of today, we said that year, we can be sure they are already fewer than 14,000. Well, we were not far wrong since on January 1, 2014 there were 14,046, three more than the previous year. The loss therefore remains at 47% of their members.
That very slight increase from 2013 to 2014 was a swallow that did not make a summer. On January 1, 2015 there were only 13,632, so in that year no less than 414 friars were left behind. With which the percentage of losses rises three points, now being 50% of what they once were. Truly an annus horribilis.
And they do not improve compared to the previous year with the data from January 1, 2016. There were only 13,513. In one year 119 friars were lost. They are at 51% losses.
And the decline continues; on January 1, 2017 they had dropped to 13,348, 165 fewer friars than the previous year. Today, we said, they must be very close to losing the 13,000 mark and with about half octogenarians. Although they remain at a 51% loss.
On January 1, 2018 they lose 31 more friars, 13,337; they remain at 51%
On January 1, 2019 there are 13,149, 188 fewer than the previous year. They have already lost 52% of the Order. And it is not rash to suppose that today they are already fewer than 13,000.
Well, it was not rash to suppose so since on January 1, 2020 only 12,726 friars remained, 423 fewer than a year earlier. The loss is already 54%
On January 1, 2021 there remained 12,476, 250 fewer friars than a year earlier; the loss is 55% of the Order.
On January 1, 2022 there remained 12,186 friars, 290 fewer than a year earlier. They represent a decrease of 55%
On January 1, 2023 there were 12,169, 17 fewer than a year earlier. The decrease is 56%
On January 1, 2024 there were 11,984, 185 fewer friars than a year earlier. They remain at 56%
On January 1, 2025 only 11,468 remained, 516 fewer friars than a year earlier. The loss is already 57%
Benedictines: They achieved their maximum figure in 1963 with 12,131 monks. As of January 1, 2013 there were only 7,236 but they had gained 5 monks compared to the same date of the previous year. 41% of those who once existed have been left behind. May God grant that this minimal increase be consolidated and that recovery begin, even if very slowly.
Well, the increase was not consolidated. As of January 1, 2014 there were 7,079, 157 fewer than the previous year. With which the loss has risen to 42%.
And on January 1, 2015, 6,970, with a loss of 109 monks in that year. The loss of members is already 43% of what they once were. One point more than in the previous year.
As of January 1, 2016 they continued descending: 6,865. And Montserrat does not seem to be a nursery for the order. Rather a drag. In one year they lost 105 monks. They are already at a 44% decrease.
Well, another year without signs of recovery. On January 1, 2017 only 6,725 remained. One hundred forty fewer monks than the previous year. The loss is already 45%.
On January 1, 2018 there are 6,636, eighty-nine fewer than last year. The decrease rises to 46%
On January 1, 2019 a spectacular recovery: 6,820 monks. 184 more than the previous year. The loss drops to 44%
On January 1, 2020 there is a slight correction of such spectacular recovery; there are 6,802, 18 fewer than the previous year. They remain at 44%
On January 1, 2021 there are 6,667, 135 fewer than a year earlier. The loss returns to 46%
On January 1, 2022, 6,655, 12 fewer than a year earlier. They remain at 46%
On January 1, 2023 they had dropped to 6,486, with a decrease of 169 monks. The loss is 47%
On January 1, 2024 there were 6,382, 104 fewer monks. 48%
On January 1, 2025 there remained 6,124, 258 fewer monks than a year earlier. The decrease is already 50%
I include the data of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation, within the Benedictines, to which Montserrat belongs. In January 2015, there were 1,343. In 2016, 1,267. In 2017, 1,283. In 2018, 1,245. And in 2019, 1,248; in 2020, 1,296; in 2021, 1,260; in 2022, 1,323; in 2023, 1,256; in 2024, 1,268; in 2025, 1,252
Those of Solesmes (Silos, El Valle) were 589 in 2020; 576 in 2021; 563 in 2022; 547 in 2023; in 2024, 523; in 2025, 531
Capuchins: Their maximum figure was 15,849 friars in 1963. As of January 1, 2013 there remained 10,659 with a loss of 127 friars compared to the previous year. They have decreased by 33% compared to the maximum figure they reached.
As of January 1, 2014 there were 10,229, with a loss of 30 friars. With which the loss is already 36%.
As of January 1, 2015 they had risen to 10,598. 369 more friars. It has truly been a spectacular year. And compared to their maximum figure, the members are now 34%
The latest figures, from 2016, point to a slight setback: 10,572. They still seem privileged. A decrease of 26 friars and in a numerous order with not a few elderly seems almost honor-roll worthy. They remain at a 34% decrease which, for what we are seeing, is a very good percentage.
On January 1, 2017 there were 10,538 Capuchins. Barely 34 fewer than the previous year. Very slight decrease
although I think Spain has very little to do with it. The decrease continues at 34%. Acceptable result.
On January 1, 2018 they lose another 43 friars. 10,495 remain. The decrease is 34%
On January 1, 2019 they had dropped to 10,461, 34 fewer; loss of 34%.
On January 1, 2020, 10,349, 12 fewer than a year earlier; decrease of 35%
On January 1, 2021, 10,355, 6 more than a year earlier. They remain at 35%
On January 1, 2022 they have a notable decrease; 234 friars disappear, 10,121 remain. The decrease rises to 37%
On January 1, 2023 141 friars are lost, 9,980 remain. The decrease rises to 38%
On January 1, 2024 they lose 186 friars: 9,794. 39%
On January 1, 2025 there remained 9,685 friars, 109 fewer than a year earlier. They remain at 39% decrease
Dominicans: In 1963 there were 10,150; as of January 1, 2013, 6,058. Although there are 111 more friars than there were a year earlier. While the situation of the Spanish Dominicans is terrible and they are on the path to disappearing from the homeland of their founder, in some other provinces notable efforts have been made to restore conventual life and it seems results are beginning to be seen. In any case the collapse is very notable and they have lost 41% of friars. It seemed that the slight recovery of the order was confirmed. Which curiously coincides with the re-establishment of conventual life, of the habit… in some places.
As of January 1, 2014 there were 6,135, 77 more than the previous year. And in percentage the loss has been reduced by one point. Now they are 60 percent of what they once were, so they have lost 40% of the friars.
But the bad data return. As of January 1, 2015 there were only 5,769, with a decrease of 366 Dominicans. 44% of what they once were.
The Dominicans, in this general debacle, are experiencing a slight but promising upturn. As of January 1, 2016 there were already 5,810. Thanks to the communities that attract vocations. And which not a few Spanish Dominicans consider the worst. The worst are they themselves. That the friars have increased by 41 in these days of general collapse seems to me an optimal piece of news. The prosperous communities bear the burden of offsetting the general collapse of the others. And they even manage it with a surplus. It seems to me an extraordinary merit of theirs. The loss has been reduced to 43%. It is still very high but for what there is, a joyful reason. And for the dying Spaniards, as if to chase them with caps.
On January 1, 2017 they have descended again: 5,742, 68 fewer friars. The decrease returns to 44%
On January 1, 2018 another miracle occurs; there are 5 more friars than a year earlier: 5,747. There are provinces that have returned to observance and have vocations. In the United States, for example. The decrease remains at 44%
They continue with slight increases on January 1, 2019 in which there are 5,753. Six more than the previous year. They continue at a 44% decrease.
2019 was not good at all since on January 1, 2020 they had dropped to 5,647, 106 fewer than a year earlier. The decrease rises one point, 45%
On January 1, 2021, there were already 5,545, 102 fewer friars than a year earlier. The loss rises one point, 46%
On January 1, 2022, 42 friars disappeared, leaving 5,503. A loss that remains at 46%
On January 1, 2023 they continue decreasing: 5,432. 71 fewer friars than a year earlier. 47%
On January 1, 2024: 5,369, 63 fewer friars than a year earlier. 48%
On January 1, 2025 they had dropped to 5,337. 32 fewer friars than a year earlier. They remain at 48% decrease
Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists): They reached their highest figure in 1969 with 6,284 religious. As of January 1, 2013 there remained 3,347 with a loss of 344 compared to the previous year. They have lost 47% of what they once were and it seems without amendment.
Well, they have had some amendment. As of January 1, 2014 there were 3,383, 36 more
than the previous year.
As of January 1, 2015 the bad data return. There were only 3,365, 18 fewer than the previous year. The decrease remains at 47%.
Since these seem to be a Guadiana that appears and disappears, at the beginning of 2016 there were 3,582. 217 more than the previous year. Many seem to me but that is what the Annuarium says. Have they falsified data? You tell me. But if they are true the figure is very positive. The loss has been reduced to 43%.
On January 1, 2017 they continue increasing since there are already 3,736, 164 more than a year earlier. The reduction is only 41%.
On January 1, 2018 they lose 43 religious leaving 3,691. The decrease is 42%
On January 1, 2019 there are 3,600, with a loss of 91 religious. This annual up-and-down is very strange. Now the decrease is 43%
On January 1, 2020 the downward trend continues. And a lot. 3,396 remain. 204 religious disappeared. The loss is 46%
On January 1, 2021 the collapse continues; there are now only 3,166 religious remaining, losing 230 Lazarists in a year; the loss of the institute is already 50%
On January 1, 2022 67 religious have been lost, 3,099 remain. Decrease of 51%
On January 1, 2023 the debacle continues; 65 religious are lost, 3,034 remain. The loss is 52%
On January 1, 2024: 3,033. They lose one religious: 52%
On January 1, 2025 there are 3,042. 9 more than a year earlier. Do we believe it? They remain at 52%
Augustinians: They reached 4,548 in 1967 and as of March 1, 2013 barely 2,818 remained, although there were 8 more than on the same date of the previous year. They lost 39% of the friars.
Well, they descend again. As of January 1, 2014 there were 2,785, 33 fewer than the previous year. They maintain the 39% loss of friars.
Terrible the following year since on January 1, 2015 they had dropped to 2,640, a decrease of 145 friars with which the loss of members reaches 43%
.
Another up and down without my knowing why. As of January 1, 2016 there were 2,665. I would like them to explain it to me. I see no reason at all for that minimal increase. Rather for their decrease. But that is what the Annuarium says. 15 more Augustinians. The loss has been reduced to 42% of what they once were.
On January 1, 2017 they descend again since only 2,646 remain, 19 fewer than the previous year,
with which they return to a 43% reduction
And the trend does not vary on January 1, 2018 since another 18 Augustinians disappear: 2,628. They remain at a 43% decrease
On January 1, 2019 a slight loss of 7 friars, 2,621 remain. They remain at 43%
On January 1, 2020 they descend to 2,616. They lost 5 friars. The decrease continues at 43%
On January 1, 2021 there are 2,500, 121 fewer friars than a year earlier; the loss is already 46%
On January 1, 2022 the hemorrhage continues; 43 friars have evaporated, leaving 2,457. The loss is already 47%
On January 1, 2023 they continue losing friars: 29. 2,428 remain. They continue at 47%
On January 1, 2024 there were 2,340. 88 fewer friars than the previous year. 49%
On January 1, 2025 they increase by one friar: 2,341. They remain at 49%