Dear Tannianly:

Everyone should be living a consecrated life by virtue of their baptism. Baptism is a consecration.

The word "consecration" is from the Latin consecrato; from consecrare, meaning "to render sacred."

In Mass the Priest "consecrates" (renders sacred) the Host and Wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord.

In baptism we are sanctified (set apart for a sacred purpose -- of knowing and loving God)

A bishop is "consecrated" (set apart for the sacred office of Bishop).

In marriage the couple are consecrated to each other and to God.

Then there are devotional consecrations (setting oneself apart for the devotion of Mary, for example). Common devotional consecrations are the Consecration to Mary, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the Sacred of Jesus, etc.

The term "consecrated life", however, usually means a life consecrated by profession of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience.

Institutes of Consecrated Life detailed in Canon Law include:

1) Religious Institutes (the typical monastic order)
2) Societies of Apostolic Life
3) Secular Institutes
4) Order of Virgins
5) Canonical Hermits

6) In addition to these defined Institutes are also other forms of Consecrated Life that are newly formed and not yet formally defined in Canon Law. Secular Institutes were like that for 300 years. They were finally canonically defined in the 1940's I think it was although they were in existence since the 16th century.

7) Also possible on other levels of consecration found in Third Orders, such as the Lay Carmelites, or in Private and Public Associations of the Faithful.

In each of the seven areas of Consecrated Life described above, the members either vow or make promises or other sacred bonds to live in accord with the evangelical counsels of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience in accord with their state in life.

Thus a traditional monk or nun will live out those evangelical counsels in a different way that a secular person. A married person will live those evangelical counsels differently than a celibate.

By the way, all monks, unless ordained priests or deacons, and all nuns and sisters are laity.

The religious life is neither lay or clergy, but a separate and additional consecration that some clergy and some laity offer to God.

I hope this helps you.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary