Past issues of THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT have contained several articles on the possibility of living a contemplative life while remaining in the lay state. In particular the Pope's encouragement of ‘Secular Institutes’ in his Provida Mater Ecclesia was considered in relation to the contemplative ideal; for although the papal document is intended for lay organisations directly concerned with the active life and active apostolate it does also set the seal of approval on the general idea of living a specially dedicated form of life while remaining in the world. Beneath the surface of ordinary catholic life today there is such a turmoil of enthusiasm for some sort of religious life in the world that the Provida Mater Ecclesia marks the beginning of a new era in the religious life of the Church.