Holy See invites consecrated people to renew their spiritual life

PetersVoice.com ^ | 6-14-02 | Vatican

[Salvation]

Holy See invites consecrated people to renew their spiritual life
VATICAN, 14 June 2002 (ACI).- A new Vatican document released today encourages consecrated men and women to reflect on "the need for a strong spiritual life and for renewed quality in consecrated life."

The instruction "Starting Afresh from Christ. A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millenium" was made public today by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

The first chapter, "Consecrated Life: the Presence of the Love of Christ in the midst of Humanity," highlights the "admiration aroused by the many and varied missionary activities of consecrated persons," and affirms that "the strength of the Spirit continues to guide the dynamism of consecrated life, and even in times of crisis we see the flowering of new institutes."

Chapter two, "Courage to face Trials and Challenges," examines the most significant difficulties that consecrated people must face, which are the "temptation of efficiency and activism," the dominance of individualism, and "the decline in numbers and increasing old age of members."

These challenges "must be faced with a new quality of consecrated life ... by means of a process of formation that involves - at different levels - superiors, communities or fraternities, and individual consecrated men and women."

The third chapter, "Spiritual Life in the First Place," offers a series of concrete guidelines "for uthentic formation, for overcoming difficulties and for responding to challenges." The document invites consecrated laypeople to follow the indications given by the Pope in his Apostolic Letter, "Novo millennio ineunte" where he advises practicing "contemplation of the face of Christ" and "a profound spirituality of communion." The letter also emphasizes that "when the Word of God, prayer and the Eucharist are the motor driving consecrated life, the consequent spirituality naturally tends to be a spirituality of communion."

"Witnesses to Love," chapter four of the document, is "an invitation to all consecrated people to follow to the end this path of spirituality and communion, renewing life and work." The instruction gives particular attention to "the necessity for consecrated persons to be engaged in dialogue with everyone: with brothers who are separated, with those who belong to other religions and with those who profess no particular religion."

The document, which is 60 pages long and contains an introduction and four chapters, has been published in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. It bears the signatures of Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo and Archbishop Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti C.P., respectively prefect and secretary of the congregation, and is dated May 19, Solemnity of Pentecost.

[Salvation]

For your discussion.

A new Vatican document released today encourages consecrated men and women to reflect on "the need for a strong spiritual life and for renewed quality in consecrated life."

[Siobhan]

bump and ping

[Salvation]

Thanks, I just pinged everyone for the Mass Readings, belated posting, and I did not want to ping again.

[Siobhan]

My pleasure. I just read multiple pings as a sign that it is really worth reading!

; ^ )

[Lady In Blue]

Thank you,Salvation.Bumping for a later read.I haven't forgotten(so far)to pray for our bishops.It's so easy to criticize and to forget that bad priests,bishops like good priests and bad bishops come from the FAMILY!The laity has more than it share to help correct the abuses in our Church by raising holy children,who hopefully,will inter the seminary.

[Salvation]

Thank you, Lady in Blue. I am going to take a Rosary break right now. Been a distraction - filled day.

Also a bump for increased reverence when receiving the Holy Eucharist.