CONSTITUTIONS OF THE LITTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF
AFRICA
0.1.1. Jesus, the only Son of God, came
into the world to save every tribe and to walk together with each and every
person in the journey of life.
0.1.2.
He came to enlighten for us the culture, which we inherited from our ancestors,
so that we can see how it leads to him, the new Adam.
0.1.3. He
came to gather us anew through his Spirit of love, who makes us the family of
God the Father, the fraternity of his own little brothers and sisters, who
defeated fear and hate among them, and the copy of the Holy Trinity, perfect
communion of diverse persons, in which all languages would gather to proclaim
the marvels our almighty God has done for us.
0.2.1.
By his love, he wanted Africa to be his second
continent, where he would get safety during his childhood and would be more and
more African through the members of his body.
0.2.2. The
Church of our continent, after being done great things by him, and flourished by
the efforts and blood of our elders in faith, now has the responsibility to
spread the salvation to the ends of the earth, not just to be satisfied with
fulfilling the needs of her dioceses only.
0.2.3. After
the Vatican II Ecumenical Council, the Holy Spirit in the first Synod of Africa
told her how he wants she to show that herself is the family of God and to
preach the Good News of Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life of
any African and any person of the world.
0.2.4. The
second millennium, a unique opportunity to convey the Gospel to all peoples, is
again her appropriate time.
0.2.5. Even
if many Africans are still left behind politically and economically, their
culture of life and solidarity are urgently needed by the whole world.
0.3.1. Saint
Francis of Assisi bore witness to Christ with gentleness and courage in front of
Muslims of our continent, aspiring to shed his blood for people who did not know
Jesus.
0.3.2. His
example and his God-given charismaa, which has two characteristics, brotherhood
and littleness, are very useful in fulfilling the Synod’s propositions.
0.4.1. We,
Little Brothers and Sisters of Africa, bearing this in mind, feel the vocation
to fulfil that charismaa in Africans’ real environment, by keeping,
flourishing and spreading the values of their culture which correspond to the
Gospel.
0.4.2. Hence
we hope that the power of God, which reveals itself clearly in human weakness,
will use us for the growth of the whole Church, which depends on and leads to
holiness, that is, to share totally in the life of God.
0.5.1. Our
Franciscan missionary Order has its headquarters in the town of Morogoro, where
the diocesan bishop, his Grace Telesphore Mkude, in his efforts to spread the
Gospel, has instituted it as a Public Association of the Faithful, according to
the canon 312 CIC.
0.5.2. It
is on the bishop of that diocese to keep discerning our charismaa so that he can
recommend this Order to be recognized as a new form of consecrated life,
according to the canon 605 CIC, or that he can dissolve it for grave reasons.
0.6.1. It
is he who has approved these Constitutions so that they can help us to follow
Jesus surely and fulfil the Father’s will for us.
0.6.2. The
Constitutions concern directly those of us who have promised keeping chastity,
poverty and obedience, by living the Gospel in community within different
fraternities of brothers or sisters.
0.6.3. True
members of the Association are also diocesan clergymen, laymen and women,
singles as well married who, after having been formed properly, live in the
world near one of such communities, sharing its spiritual and apostolic life:
they follow the Rule and the Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order like
other members of that pontifical Order.
0.7.1. These
Constitutions contain only those things of our charismaa and regulations which
are not expected to be modified.
0.7.2. Even
so, we should continue asking God’s light and benefiting our experiences so
that we can better understand his will for us, bearing in mind the discipleship
of Christ according to the Gospel, the Franciscan spiritual heritage, the aims
of the Church and the needs of the world, always putting the progress of our
souls and the salvation of humanity as our main priority.
0.8.1. The
bishop of Morogoro can approve the amendments of these Constitutions which have
been passed by two thirds of the Larger Inter-council votes, provided they are
really needed so that we can persist to build on the same basis.
0.8.2. It
is better to renounce them if there isn’t such need, because any changes make
the laws grow weak, and small changes prompt larger ones, until the nature of
the Order becomes different and causes its infertility.
0.9.1. In
order to get happiness by fulfilling perfectly what we have been shown, let us
strive to live so that the real aspect of our Order would resemble the picture
God through his Church has given us in these Constitutions.
0.9.2. The
General Chapter can approve a few bylaws for the whole Order, and modify them
where necessary, provided they are always conformed to the Rule and these
Constitutions.
0.9.3. The
General Council can approve special ordinances, which deal with specific
brothers, sisters or communities, according to their needs and environment.
0.9.4. However,
let us trust more in the humble faithfulness of each one of us than in a lot of
laws and efforts of Servants and Guardians.
0.10.1. If
any doubt occurs concerning the execution of any part of these Constitutions,
the General Council can decide what to be done, until the Inter-council of the
Association would give official interpretation by consent of the Bishop of
Morogoro.
0.11.1. It
is on the Bishop of the concerned diocese to dispense brothers and sisters from
fulfilling some parts of our laws in special circumstances.
0.11.2. If
there is sufficient reason, Servants and Guardians can also dispense the
brothers or sisters under their care, those who are there temporarily and the
whole community, except what concerns the structures of our Order and the core
of our way of life; moreover, if permanent permission is needed, only the
Servant can concede it.
0.11.3. The
one who got a dispensation must make more effort in other matters which he can
do, knowing that the facility of getting such permissions hamper quickly the
longing of perfection.
0.12.1. In
a special way we should be aware of the temptation to see a must of the
Constitutions as too difficult, or to fail to fulfil it deliberately or
carelessly.
0.12.2. We
should believe that salvation came from the foolishness of the cross, and then
experience how any burden is light if it is carried for the sake of our beloved
Jesus, in order to cling to him.
1.
LIVING THE GOSPEL AS THE FAMILY OF GOD
1.1
Jesus and his Gospel
1.1.1.
Jesus of Nazareth is the perfect image of the invisible God, and is the
only One Who reveals totally to us our human nature.
1.1.2.
The Holy Gospel, which is the heart of the whole Sacred Scripture,
reveals to us His deeds and words. Hence, it leads us in the only way to reach
our Father in the Holy Spirit, and also to become mature persons as He demands
us.
1.1.3.
Our elder Francis of Assisi, since his conversion, was not deaf to the
Gospel message, but by following it exactly he went to resemble Jesus in a
unique way.
1.1.4.
Love of Jesus, which has conquered us too, is the source of our whole
life through which we pursue his Gospel’s perfection, by fulfilling not only
God’s commandments, but also the counsels arising from the teachings and
examples which he left us, in order to follow as near as it’s possible the
Lamb of God wherever He goes.
1.1.5.
We must embrace the Gospel this way more than human traditions, even if
they are religious.
1.1.6.
Thus the Holy Spirit will make Jesus the centre of our life and make anew
our culture in Him, for the praise and glory of God the Father.
1.2. Members of the Body of Christ
1.2.1.
Christ is in complete union with His bride and lives in her in such a way that
to be united with the Church and to be united with him is the same thing.
1.2.0.
Let us offer our lives and hearts, our words and deeds, our time and
efforts, to Her who is our Mother, so that we can live and work in and for Her,
because we believe that we possess the Holy Spirit in the measure that we love
the Church.
1.2.1.
Let us co-operate with Her different structures in working and especially
in celebrating the Eucharist so as to show and strengthen our unity.
1.2.2.
Let us also help Her necessary structures through collections and other
offerings, especially for the common fund if it is a provision of the diocese.
1.2.3.
We religious persons are a gift which our Father has offered to the
Church to remind His children of the depth of their particular vocations which
for all of them is only one, that is, to be holy throughout their life.
1.2.4.
As we are in need of help of the faithful, in turn they need to be drawn
by us who have refused the allurements of the world and abandoned also some
earthly values, in order to point straight away to the everlasting happiness by
following the way which Jesus showed in the Sermon on the Mount.
1.2.5.
By the example of Mary of Bethany, let us throw away our lives like
perfume at the Lord’s feet, so that the whole Church can be filled by
fragrance which may be for each Christian a challenge to hear anew the Word of
life and contribute to the courageous efforts of the whole God’s family in
proclaiming, celebrating and fulfilling this Word.
1.2.6.
So we shall take our true position in the Body of Christ, i.e. to be the
heart of her life, her holiness, and her apostolate.
1.3.0.
Particular Churches
1.3.1.
The Catholic Church lives in the particular churches of East and West
which have different faces according to the environment, history, and culture of
their people.
1.3.2.
Let us always value all this richness and keep it in mind, especially
when we are entering a certain diocese, so that our charisma should flourish
there as its own place and build her effectively.
1.3.3.
In every place, let us fulfil our gift of prophecy with great courage, by
doing and saying on behalf of God, without following the flow or trying to
attract others to us. But also with humble hearts, by agreeing that the
successors of the Apostles.
1.3.4.
Since we are lead by faith, let us love them and appreciate their
threefold duty to teach us, sanctify us, and shepherd us.
1.3.5.
We have to be
ready to cooperate with them during the canonical visitations they do to us for
the development of our Order in the Church.
1.3.6.
Let us see
their priests as our elder brothers in Christ and receive their services with
thanksgiving, especially of our parish priests and those priests whom the
diocesan Bishop, after communicating with our servants, has chosen them to be
our own advisors and confessors in case the Order is not self-sufficient.
1.4.0.
Unity of the Church
1.4.1.
The unity of
God in Three Persons is the origin, example, and aim of His family which is
united by the Spirit of love.
1.4.2.
The quality
of the Church depends on the relationships between us, her sons, that is, how we
care for, have solidarity with, and love each other, how we welcome and discuss
and trust each other.
1.4.3.
For this
reason the Bishop of Rome has been trusted with the entire flock of sheep of
Christ in the world, so that he can shepherd it with love, and strengthen it in
faith so that it may be the pillar and foundation of truth.
1.4.4.
Through our
promise we commit ourselves to have special love and obedience to him and his
Church, making the effort to know and fulfil all documents they issue.
1.4.5.
Let us,
witnesses of the goodness of living brotherly, build bridges between the clergy,
lay and religious persons, and their respective organizations too, so that we
can accomplish with the energy of unity that enormous task which Jesus charged
to us.
1.4.6.
Moreover we
have to discuss and know each other, to collaborate, and especially to pray and
repent together with our brothers and sisters of different denominations, so
that our witness to Christ, our Peace, may be trustworthy until any divisions
would end.
1.5.0.
Franciscan Penance
1.5.1.
Jesus Christ, while preaching the Kingdom of God, called people to accept
it through an interior revolution, starting to think, to judge anything, and to
arrange their lives according to the Father’s love which He revealed to us.
1.5.2.
He Himself sent our elder Francis so that through his movement he can
reform the Church, which is Holy, but also needs a constant purification and
renewal, in order that all the faithful should fulfil in their lives the
Sacraments which have consecrated them.
1.5.3.
Let us hold
the spiritual treasure of this saint by always fulfilling it, keeping it,
studying it and developing it, and then by sharing it with every person so that
they can have salvation and holiness.
1.5.4.
Within the
Church our communities should be built as an environment of penance on the
foundation of Baptism, which enables our whole life to become Easter, proceeding
to die to sin more and more so to be raised with Christ to new life.
1.5.5.
Although we
do not know where Jesus’ invitation of losing our life after Him will lead us,
let us not worry about tomorrow’s affairs. Instead, let us leave them in the
hands of God whom all consolations come from and let us help each other to carry
the cross daily.
1.5.6.
After
starting the journey to reach perfect love, let us triumph over the temptation
of easy self-satisfaction and stopping in between, for we know that without a
step forward we are actually moving backwards.
1.5.7.
As Saint
Francis did under the direction of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, let us strip
off our old humanity and its vices, and clothe ourselves in Christ and His
virtues, in order to pick the fruits of the Spirit and taste Jesus’ beatitudes
which are the prelude of eternal life.
1.6.
Jesus’ Perfect Follower
1.6.1 All generations praise the glorious and happy
Mother of Jesus, Mary of Nazareth, for she believed the word of God and accepted
the Holy Spirit. Hence, she has been an example of how to accept graces from God
and to consecrate ourselves to God.
1.6.2. In the same way, participating from the
beginning in the hidden life of Her Son, and then being present to the main
events of His apostolic work, she has shown us the way to unite with Him,
especially by putting and meditating in a pure heart all that deals with Jesus.
1.6.3. Our spiritual life, communal life, and
apostolic life should have this particular characteristic of Mary so that we can
grow in faith, hope and love, as we are taught by the Gospel.
2.
RESPONDING TO VOCATION
2.1. Our
Way
2.1.1.
The Holy Spirit leads the children of God to follow Jesus in particular
ways and to start in the Church spiritual families which have many different
forms of charismaas.
2.1.2.
In His grace we commit ourselves in that family founded by our elder
Francis as having different branches, so that all nations should keep witnessing
the Gospel holiness which may be reached by following the steps of Jesus who was
poor and also crucified.
2.1.3.
He Himself is the main book through which the Holy Spirit teaches us of
the meaning and the way of living, loving and suffering, insofar that we arrive
to accept with peace the Father’s will in the most difficult situations of
life.
2.1.4.
With special love God Father calls continuously those whom He chooses to
abandon all things so that they can completely unite with His Son spiritually
and in the way of life, especially through obedience, poverty, and chastity,
which were truly his own and which were very fitting for him to keep in this
world.
2.1.5.
Like such love, all these things deal with our nature until the innermost
self, where we feel the compulsion to plan our life, to possess things, and to
sexual love.
2.1.6.
We who have been given such charisma cannot value it properly, but let us
accept it with thanksgiving and return to God our whole humanity so that His
power can multiply it for the benefit of the crowd.
2.1.7.
Thus we shall show to all people the way to overcome the bad desires of
power, possessions, and pleasures of life which are born in everyone’s heart
with original sin and will eventually lead them to perish.
2.2.
Vocations
2.2.1.
Our Lord’s life and command show that from the beginning the question
of holy vocations is fundamental to the Church, and that prayer is the way to
afford it very surely.
2.2.2.
Let us participate in the Church’s work for them by teaching,
especially youth, to pray for vocations, by promoting and welcoming those who
feel they have a vocation so that we can sustain them in order to respond well,
while showing by deeds the excellence of living with Jesus and making known our
charismaa.
2.2.3.
Each vocation is a special invitation by God to a certain person which
brings joy and hope to him and to the community, and also asks for rejuvenated
efforts so that it can flourish through the faithfulness of all of us.
2.2.4.
A priest or deacon should not be accepted without first the servant
getting the advice from his Bishop The one who was a consecrated person or a
seminarian should not be accepted without information from the superior of the
Order where the candidate comes from, or the rector of the seminary concerned.
2.2.5.
The following absolutely cannot be absolutely accepted: those who are
under 18 years of age; those who have not received Baptism, Confirmation, and
Eucharist; those who are not in perfect communion with the Church; those who
enter the Order due to force or fear or deceit; those who are accepted by the
servant in such ways; those who cannot pay their debts; those who are married;
those with religious vows or are members of other forms of institutes and those
who in the past made perpetual promises in any fraternity of our Order.
2.2.6.
The steps of entering our life, which are postulancy, probation and
juniorate, must be done under formation directors, who are supposed to help the
new members get gradually experience and knowledge, which are needed to go on in
the spiritual life with interior freedom which grow more and more.
2.2.7.
To discharge a postulant or a novice who is not fit is the sole
responsibility of the servant. But under an urgent serious condition, it may
also be the responsibility of the formation director by permission of the
Council of the community concerned.
2.3.
Formation
2.3.1.
In order for one to get help to participate in Christ’s love even unto
on the cross hoping for complete fulfilment in resurrection, he/she needs an as
full as possible Franciscan formation in humanity, Christianity, consecrated and
missionary life, from when one enters the Order until his/her death.
2.3.2.
Moreover, this formation’s aim is to help him/her to get human maturity,
a foundation which enables one to build the Order, the Church and the society.
2.3.3.
Trusting in the Holy Spirit who was sent to be the great Actor of
formation, all brothers and sisters concerned, that is who have accepted
vocation, the inter-council, the council of the fraternity, the formation
directors, the spiritual directors, with the whole community should have one aim
and one heart, co-operating well together in the different responsibilities.
2.3.4.
They themselves should continuously respond in their vocation and use
well the assistance given to them so that they can resemble Jesus in the
important occasions of life as well as in those common, in both the sweetness
and the difficulty of living together in community and in the apostolic
commitments.
2.3.5.
Although our life and formation depend on and aim directly to unite
ourselves with Him instead of following detailed directives, moreover, the
inter-council should prepare a good arrangement of all that work which should be
fulfilled by other special writings for each stage and formation house.
2.3.6.
Its execution should be considered by the Inter-council as its first
responsibility, especially through preparing in each fraternity enough brethren
for the very important work of forming and teaching their brethren.
2.3.7.
The Council of the fraternity, when sending some of the brothers or
sisters to begin community in other countries, should ensure that some of them
are able also as formation directors.
2.3.8.
They should know well especially the way of God in order to lead those
who have been trusted to them by the fraternity; moreover, they should not be
overloaded by other activities and thus becoming unable to serve them properly.
2.3.9.
They must show them the obvious and hidden obstacles, the need to deny
him/herself continually, but especially the goodness of the goal and the value
of the charisma which makes it possible to reach it.
2.3.10.
At least in the houses of postulancy, probation and juniorate, the
Council of the fraternity should also choose those who fit more to be
instruments of God for spiritual direction, according to their experience in
listening to His word, using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and discerning.
2.3.11.
The other members are required to help new brothers or sisters by
welcoming them with love, praying for them, and being good example.
2.4.
Postulancy
2.4.1.
The aim of postulancy is to fill the gaps of the early formation of a
person so that his/her vocation can be understood, and if he/she keeps living
with us can benefit from the stage of probation.
2.4.2.
Apart from the time which sometimes may be used for study purposes in
different schools and colleges, the postulant must live in our communities from
one to three years.
2.4.3.
During this time the postulant should be observing himself/herself and
being observed in regards to both his/her human and Christian maturity,
including fraternal cooperative spirit, determination to work, stability about
sexuality and affectivity, true Catholic faith, effort to grow spiritually, and
the desire of helping others reach salvation.
2.4.4.
After discovering the meaning of the consecrated life and its forms, the
postulant should write the application letter to the fraternity Council
concerned in order to begin the period of probation to get this identity in his/her
inmost.
2.5.
Probation
2.5.1
In an environment of faith, prayer and brotherly service of others, the
novices should learn the
knowledge of love in order to have the same aim of Jesus: to deny themselves
with joy and
to be humble and meek to all in any situation.
2.5.2.
To achieve this aim, the novices must be helped through Christian and
Franciscan teachings, and particularly through private conversations with his/her
formation director, so that they discover how they are loved just as they are
and how they can fully mature.
2.5.3.
This probation lasts three years, but if there is a need a fourth year
can be added.
2.5.4.
In the second year the servant, by request of the formation director, can
send the novices to live the communal life in other places, or allow them to
skip the second year if they wish to pronounce first temporary promise.
2.5.5.
In all cases, in this stage the emphasis must be on prayer and meditation
as Jesus did in Nazareth, as he prepared to offer his whole self to the Father
in order to take away the sin of the world.
2.5.6.
Three months before the end of probation time, each one should write an
application letter to the fraternity Council so that he/she can make his promise
for all the days of his/her life or for a period, which must not be less than
one year.
2.5.7.
After getting information from the formation director together with the
opinion of the community, the Council should discuss the request and vote
secretly, discerning if making vows will help novice to love more or will
overload him/her.
2.5.8.
If a novice is accepted, before making temporary promises he/she has to
submit his/her properties to anyone for care and benefit from them. Also, the
novice has to write his/her last testament. After that he/she can change his/her
decisions only for understandable reasons along with the guardian’s permission.
2.6.
Making Promise
2.6.1.
Before making temporary promise, the concerned should be at least 23
years old and have talked with his/her relatives at least by letter. For
permanent promise, the concerned should get permission from his/her closest
relatives.
2.6.2.
During Holy Mass, the concerned is to fulfil baptism promises by publicly
commit himself/herself to follow the Gospel communally according to the Rule and
Life of the Third Order Regular of the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis,
which was approved by Pope John Paul II and according to these Constitutions.
2.6.3.
This promise
to God does not commit only the one who has done so, but also the community
which has accepted it on behalf of the Church, on how to meet the goals of his/her
vocation, especially by offering him/her supportive environment and formation.
2.6.4.
By making
temporary promise, we want to follow the way of perfect love without any
obstacles so that we can unite more with Jesus such that he bears many fruits of
holiness in us, moreover, so that we can unite more with the Church and her
missionary work according to our vocation.
2.6.5.
Temporary
promise can be repeated endlessly, or be the opportunity of maturing so that
afterwards one can offer him/herself even unto death.
2.6.6.
The one who
will make permanent promise after a temporary one in order to surrender him/herself
to God as a holocaust for the salvation of the whole human race, must prepare
for two months in recollection and prayer, just as the Apostles did when they
prepared to receive the Holy Spirit to be done by him, witnesses of Christ to
the ends of the earth.
2.6.7.
Through
permanent promise, we respond with an undivided heart to the love of God the
Father, following His Son who loved to the end and by a particular charisma of
the Holy Spirit. We are consecrated in a new and special way through the Church.
As well, we are accepted definitively by the Order as our new family, and
totally surrender to it, ready to be sent anywhere throughout the world.
2.6.8.
Before making
perpetual promise, the brother or sister concerned must write a document to give
up all his/her properties forever, by arranging how to distribute to the poor
all of his/her actual belongings, and all which he/she will inherit afterwards;
this document will be applicable right from when he/she makes that promise.
2.6.9.
The one who
completed probation or made temporary promise and then leaves the Order lawfully,
if he/she applies in order to be accepted back and if the Council of the
Fraternity accepts his/her application, a certain interval of time should be
arranged and conditions made. If all goes well, the Council should agree on
giving the concerned to make temporary promise and, later, if he/she wishes, the
permanent one.
2.7.
Juniorate
2.7.1.
Three years following probation should be used to develop the formation
in regards to the Word of God and the spiritual life, together with the brothers
or sisters familiarizing with various works in and outside of the community.
2.7.2.
Such works should be arranged and performed especially for their benefit,
not according to the current needs of the fraternity or of other people, so as
not to overwhelm them.
2.7.3.
Focus on prayer and penance should dominate this stage too, so that they
proceed to offer themselves with love according to their promise, and prepare to
face all that will occur in their lives, especially in difficult environments.
2.7.4.
It must be ensured that Juniores are given specific times to live in a
remote place for prayer, meditation, and the study of the teachings they
received.
2.8.
Special Formation
2.8.1.
God has made our Order and he himself makes it new each day by
enlightening us to hold the Franciscan Gospel life, which is a complete aim and
must be the first for all who join us.
2.8.2.
Even so, if our brother has been truly called to become a priest or
deacon or to serve the Church in other ministries, the servant should give him
what necessary formation is required to become a minister according to God’s
heart, ready to represent Christ faithfully and generously. In regards to this,
the Bishop has the last decision, however, the ordination is intended to be
given for the life and missionary work of our Order, and so not only confined to
his diocese.
2.8.3.
Also, should the need arise for one of us to study for certain training,
the Council of the fraternity must choose a brother/sister whose maturity gives
hope that he/she will continue to be a good example of our vocation.
2.8.4.
Under the formation director, all the concerned must face properly any
problems which arise during their respective period of studies, so that study
should not affect the spirit of devotion and prayer, nor make them feel to be
important, but instead it must lead them closer to God who reveals himself to
little ones, and prepare them to serve the people better.
2.9.
Permanent Formation
2.9.1.
The Order has to help all brethren through daily routine as well as
through different courses, seminars, meetings and experiences so that their
Franciscan vocation should flourish continuously and their apostolate should fit
in with any environment change.
2.9.2.
Each one of us according to his/her abilities and responsibilities, has
to commit him/herself to self development in what he/she is concerned with,
starting with the spiritual life which is the key of the whole formation for him/herself
and for others.
2.9.3.
We have to believe that God the Father feeds his family first with the
Sacred Scriptures in which he speaks to us uninterruptedly so as to welcome us
in communion with him and make us come to know his will about our lives.
2.9.4.
Let us take the Holy Bible daily in our hands, aiming with humility to
understand it according to the Church’s faith and our own environment, so that
we can know Christ, the Word.
2.9.5.
Let us also prefer to read the writings of Church’s Magisterium, of her
Fathers, of the best teachers of the spiritual life, and of the lives of the
Saints, especially the Franciscans, striving to do what we read.
2.9.6.
Let us eat such food together at least in the noontime or evening when we
feed our bodies, except on Sunday, feast days, and other opportune occasions.
2.9.7.
Through this Gospel light, the Spirit of wisdom will enable us to
recognize the situation of the world and the signs of our time, to discern what
comes from God and what opposes him, and to rejoice in the way the Father leads
all things, so to bring good out of something bad.
2.9.8.
We shall also learn how to face any event, hoping in him as if all things
should depend on him alone, and committing ourselves as if they should depend on
us.
2.9.9.
For the sake of this, books and a few newspapers whose stance is truly
Catholic should be available for the benefit of all.
2.10.
Faithfulness
2.10.1.
Each of our consecrated members has the responsibility and right to
fulfil his/her vocation, and participate in the life and work of the fraternity
in its different steps according to these Constitutions.
2.10.2.
The virtue of religion and the first commandment of God want us to fulfil
all which we promised to him so as to show him due respect and love.
2.10.3.
In order to have more and more the will to do that and to commit
ourselves according to the interior law, which is the Holy Spirit himself, let
us read part of the Constitutions daily; then once per month we must repeat our
promise after reading the whole Rule, and St. Francis’ admonition and curse.
2.10.4.
Let us ask the grace to follow them, let us meditate on them many times
and talk about them in our meetings, so that they can soak ever more deeply in
the life of each one and the whole community, hence helping us to strive for
holiness and to do apostolic work according to God’s will.
2.10.5.
In his faithfulness God cannot repent about the excellent vocation which
he has provided us. At the same time we have to be faithful to him hoping in the
grace which we will never lack insofar as we keep watch through tireless prayer.
2.10.6.
With this certainty, let us run on the narrow road of the life so to get
the everlasting crown, knowing that many do race but do not succeed.
2.10.7.
Let us care not to grow tepid, which is the beginning of apostasy, nor to
follow world fashions, but continue to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy, and pleasing to God.
2.10.8.
The tunic which we wear constantly day and night and our poverty look in
general, are aimed to help us to keep on in our vocation, and then to shock
people and make them think.
2.10.9.
So, we should not feel ashamed for them, but take care that our hearts be
like the outside in the measure it shows humility and cleanness.
2.11.
Separation From The Order
2.11.1.
If one with promise has a problem, he/she can ask for a time of
separation from the fraternity, once it is documented in writing; after the
servant talking with him and giving him a time to meditate, the Council of the
community should decide by love and wisdom; its decision is to be written on the
register and reported to the one concerned. From there, the rights and duties
connected to his/her promise are stopped, except that he/she is not allowed to
marry. If the allocated time for him/her has expired, he/she can apply again for
reception back into the fraternity. If, however, the concerned has not applied
for re-entry or has not been accepted back, he/she must take leave of the Order
forever as it is stated below.
2.11.2.
When the time of his/her promise is due, the brother/sister is free to
leave the Order while at the same time the Council can deny him/her from
renewing it or making permanent promise should there be good reasons.
2.11.3.
The brother/sister with permanent promise who has serious reasons to
leave the Order, after counsel with his/her servant, must ask permission of the
Bishop of the diocese where he/she has religious residence, for it is he who has
the authority to permit his/her leave following communication with the Council
of the fraternity.
2.11.4.
A brother/sister who renounces the Catholic faith or who has separated
him/herself from the perfect communion of the Church or who has been
excommunicated or who has abandoned the community life will immediately lose all
duties and rights which he/she holds in the Order. The servant should make every
effort to bring back the fallen brother/sister, because he/she is yet required
to fulfil his/her promise. However, if he/she is unsuccessful, he/she has to
send the concerned a warning letter that he/she will be dismissed. If no changes
have been made after one month, the Council of the fraternity has no choice but
to dismiss the brother/sister. The dismissed can recur to the diocesan bishop
where he/she had religious residence and stop the proceedings of the dismissal,
provided that he/she is not too late, within ten (10) days after being informed.
2.11.5.
For any other reasons, which are serious, open, sinful and proven as
listed in our minor laws, the Servant has to open the case in front of his/her
Council, giving the concerned the chance to defend him/herself. Then all
documentation has to be sent to the diocesan bishop where the concerned has
religious residence in order to get the official dismissal from the Order.
2.11.6.
The brother/sister who has been separated forever from the Order has no
more the rights and duties that were attached to his/her promise. In the same
way, he/she cannot demand anything for works done when living in the Order.
2.11.7.
On the fraternity’s part, it must express love and equity to anyone who
left, especially he/she who has spent many years in it, while helping the
concerned to face life outside and progress in the spiritual journey.
2.12.
The Faithful Virgin
2.12.1.
After following Jesus to Calvary, Mary bore us with pain and was made by
her Son to be the Mother of each one of us, especially those whom he loved more.
2.12.2.
From the beginning of our living in the Order let us receive anew Mary as
our Mother by loving and following her, by entrusting to her the secrets of our
life and asking her so that she can educate us as she educated Jesus.
2.12.3.
By her kindness Mary will share with us that love which enables us to
offer to her Son our entire life without taking back anything, to entrust
ourselves to the Father and his will up to the cross, then to enjoy the marvels
he does to us through his Holy Spirit.
2.12.4.
This joy lasting even in temptations will prove the excellence of living
for God only. It will attract other vocations and show the world the ways to
change and be his Kingdom.
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