New Book Guides Emerging Religious Groups Through Canon Law

Canon law expert Eileen Jaramillo provides a practical roadmap for discerning charisms and navigating Church requirements.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:22pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a religious chalice repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the process of establishing a new religious community.A new book offers guidance to emerging religious communities on navigating the complex canonical requirements for establishing an officially recognized institute.Lansing Today

Eileen C. Jaramillo, a canon law expert with a Doctor of Ministry degree, has published a new book offering guidance to emerging religious communities on discerning authentic charisms and navigating the complex requirements of the Catholic Church for establishing new religious institutes.

Why it matters

As many long-standing religious orders face declining membership, new spiritual movements and communities are forming to fill the void. However, Jaramillo cautions that simply feeling a calling is not enough - groups must properly discern their charism and follow the canonical path to gain official recognition from the Church.

The details

Jaramillo's book provides a practical, step-by-step guide for these emerging groups, covering topics such as the process of discernment, the requirements for establishing a new religious institute, and the legal and administrative hurdles that must be overcome.

  • Jaramillo's new book was published on April 7, 2026.

The players

Eileen C. Jaramillo

A canon law expert with a Doctor of Ministry degree who has published a new book offering guidance to emerging religious communities.

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What they’re saying

“There's a common misconception that if a group feels called, that's enough,”

— Eileen C. Jaramillo, Canon law expert and author

The takeaway

Jaramillo's book provides a valuable resource for new religious movements seeking to navigate the complex canonical requirements and discernment process to establish themselves as officially recognized religious institutes within the Catholic Church.