Priory ( Latin Priorat ) is a term in some Catholic monastic orders meaning a male or female monastery , governed by a prior (or prioressa ), subordinate to the corresponding abbey .
As a rule, these are small monastic communities that do not have their own abbess , or which do not have the canonically required number of 12 monks, or for any other reason.
The Priory is located in a certain depending on the respective abbey, which administers and instructs in the activity. Maternal abbeys usually establish priories when they own or acquire property in remote areas.
Monks are sent to the priory to process and manage this property, and the income goes to the parent abbey. On the other hand, Priory often grow - they build their churches and monasteries and often subsequently acquire the status of independent abbeys.