The guardianship of the Charism
Chapter four, the kernel part of the Constitutions is very important; it is the chapter of the guardianship of the charism. The charism cannot be distorted, so worthy that it cannot be wasted, such a gift given to Saint Angela and recognized by the Church.
There must be study and participation…The Company cannot in fact offer everything regarding formation; it is called to offer a specific formation but each one can and must preoccupy herself to form herself and to bring herself up to date.
The Constitutions require an enrichment of our spiritual life
- through the study of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church
- through the participation in the initiatives promoted by the local Church
The Rule and the writings of the Foundress…We will meditate the Rule and the other writings that our Foundress has left us a sure way of responding faithfully to the divine call. (cons. 14, 6) “For if you strive in the future, with all your might to live as is required of true spouses of the Most High and to keep this Rule as the way along which you have to walk and as that which has been drawn up for your benefit, I have this firm and unquestioning faith and hope In divine goodness, that not only shall we easily overcome all dangers and adversities but also, to our great glory and jubilation we shall defeat them. We shall even spend this very short life of’ ours in consolation.” (Rule Prologue 23-26)
“Every consecrated person will constantly refer to the Rule, the Memoirs and the Testament of Saint Angela Merici because referring to one’s origins preserves and nourishes the spiritual energies capable of always paving the way for an authentic renewal.” (Const. 37, 1)
“Finally, take the greatest care that the good directives gives, especially those in the Rule be most diligently observed.” (Testament 11.1) “I ask you all, or rather I beg you for love of the Passion of Jesus Christ and of our Lady, that you strive to put Into practice these few counsels which I am leaving you now, to carry out after my death; they will be for you a reminder of at Least a part of my will and desire*” (Counsels Pro. 20-21)
“The Rule and the Constitutions which are its actuality must become a object of meditation: there, one discovers a richness, otherwise unknown.” (M. Albertini)
From chapter five of the Constitutions…..some reflections
THE COMPANY IS…….. * being united together……is a call and a goal for all; sisters and leaders. The task of unity and communion in the Company is entrusted to every member even if the specific task is entrusted to those called for the service of authority.“Beloved daughters and sisters, God has given you the grace to separate you from the darkness of this miserable world to unite you together to serve His divine Majesty.” (Memoirs pr. 4)
IN THE COMPANY WE SEEK AND MUST FIND……
* Seek for ways to edify and guard the spirit of unity and fraternity (4.4)
* The grace of the presence of the Lord among us
* The experience of fraternity
* The support and the help to live our vocation and mission.
EACH SISTER IN THE COMPANY PARTICIPATES AND IS CO-RESPONSIBLE
This is essential for the life of the Company. It has to do with participation and with co-responsibility and has to be motivated and always renewed in the life of the sisters of the Company.
* Collaboration: it must be active
* Capacity and competence: these can always grow and improve; it is necessary to let the fruits and the gifts be for the glory of God and at the service for all.
* Duties and commitments….in the secular style: true availability is necessary to assume not all the duties, but those that the good of the Company requests; attention and discernment are needed, not for my own use and consumption but according to the desire of the Church and Secular Institutes.
THE DUTY OF THE LEADERS……that of guidance and service.
“Be faithful and solicit towards His brides that are being entrusted to you to take care and watch over them as watchful pastors and good ministers.” (Memoirs, 3-4)
The duty of the leaders is very great, a duty of guidance and of service entrusted to them by the Church and the Company…..In the Company there is the authority….but it is an authority of service in imitation of Jesus who came into this world not to be served but to serve…..
* Service done in a maternal spirit: this is the style of the authority which must be lived by the leaders of the Company….a style traced for them by St. Angela Merici who had placed them to be guardians and mothers of the spouses of the Most High.
“Consider the wonderful grace and your luck, that God has deigned to make you mothers of so many virgins, and that He has put into your hands His spouses, and entrusted them to be governed by you.” (Testament pr. 11)
“To be truly and affectionate mothers of such a noble family.” (Testament pr., 11)
From the second chapter of the Constitutions…some reflections
Having been thus chosen to be the true and virginal spouses of the Son of God …A Premise…
We arrive at this chapter somehow puzzled… perhaps thinking that it doesn’t matter much in a historical moment which also indicates for the Company a decrease in vocations. And then perhaps we consider this chapter solely juridical … to be referred to only when it is necessary… and if there are no vocations, what necessity could there be?
Yet it is the chapter that speaks of us … called to be the true and virginal spouses of the Son of God…it invites us continually to verify our formation and our persistent attachment to the plan of God in the Company.
It is the chapter that proposes hope for the future of the Company… so that increases the number of those who being consecrated in the world adores the Father who is in heaven…
It is the chapter dedicated to whoever is approaching, taking the road of consecration; to whoever intends to make part of the Company in an active and responsible manner … to those who want to choose the Lord as the only Treasure and Lover.
It is the chapter dedicated to the leaders called particularly to a work of discernment and accompaniment, but also dedicated to the whole Company…responsible of the growth and sanctity of her own spiritual family.
It is the chapter dedicated to everybody and to each daughter of St. Angela so that she won’t forget of “having received a gift, such a singular gift … so that she may always be attentive, with a great heart and full of desire.”
For the present Constitutions the Candidate must:
• Have brought to maturity a firm intention to follow Christ… “I have pointed out to Him all my life, the only life that I have” (G. Biffi). It is not enough to ask to make part of the Company … it is necessary that one matures in her own choice. This maturity, if it is demanded above all from one who is in the initial stage, must then last all one’s life.
• To follow Christ according to the charism of St. Angela Merici… A superficial and passing intention is not enough … here it has to do with following Christ, according to the charism of St. Angela Merici, for all her life. A charism must always be studied, reflected upon, understood and lived.
• The request to be admitted to consecrations… If the candidate is pleased, if she knows and loves the Company, if she seems to find her true place in the Secular Institute and in the world… she could request to be admitted to the consecration.
• The consecration, though it be temporary incorporates her into the Company and she becomes part of the same family, with all the rights and mutual duties with the responsibility and the commitments that such incorporation entails. From that moment the consecrated can also use the right of voting. From the moment of the first consecration the time of the beginning of the temporary incorporation is calculated which lasts five years in all.
Who accompanies the consecrated member and to where… She who accompanies is still the formation guide or another in charge and this she will do until the consecrated member is able to show fidelity to the personal commitments and to the Company
• “in docility to the Spirit
• assumes and expresses ever more the ‘life style of a consecrated secular.
• Consecrated Secularity typical of the Company…made up of welcome, responsibility, pleasantness, unity, patience, charity…
• Grows in the desire and will to give herself to God in a total and definitive way.”
The length of the temporary incorporation…
• The length: The period of temporary incorporation lasts for five years and will be divided in two parts: the first of two-years, the second of three years. A different subdivision can be granted by the Directress of the Company with the consent of the Council and after consultation with the formation guide.
• The delay: The period of temporary incorporation can be prolonged by not more than two years upon request of the Candidate or by decision of the Directress with the consent of the Council and after consultation with the formation guide • The request must be coming from the Candidate: “Before the expiring of the various periods the Candidate will ask to renew her temporary commitment or to be incorporated for life. For a just reason the Directress of the Company can grant a possible anticipation of incorporation for life by not more than three months. The admission for the consecration…competence, consent, advice… “The right to admit candidates to temporary and lifelong incorporation belongs to the Directress with the consent of her Council after having heard the opinion of the formation guide. Who receives the consecration…
• It is the Directress who receives the consecration; if she cannot be present she can nominate a delegate.
• If possible the consecration will be done during a liturgical celebration
• The Directress receives the consecration in the name of the Church and of the Company.
From the second chapter of the Constitutions…some reflections
Having been thus chosen to be the true and virginal spouses of the Son of God …A Premise…
We arrive at this chapter somehow puzzled… perhaps thinking that it doesn’t matter much in a historical moment which also indicates for the Company a decrease in vocations. And then perhaps we consider this chapter solely juridical … to be referred to only when it is necessary… and if there are no vocations, what necessity could there be?
Yet it is the chapter that speaks of us … called to be the true and virginal spouses of the Son of God…it invites us continually to verify our formation and our persistent attachment to the plan of God in the Company.
It is the chapter that proposes hope for the future of the Company… so that increases the number of those who being consecrated in the world adores the Father who is in heaven…
It is the chapter dedicated to whoever is approaching, taking the road of consecration; to whoever intends to make part of the Company in an active and responsible manner … to those who want to choose the Lord as the only Treasure and Lover.
It is the chapter dedicated to the leaders called particularly to a work of discernment and accompaniment, but also dedicated to the whole Company…responsible of the growth and sanctity of her own spiritual family.
It is the chapter dedicated to everybody and to each daughter of St. Angela so that she won’t forget of “having received a gift, such a singular gift … so that she may always be attentive, with a great heart and full of desire.”
