Passionist Rule and Constitutions.pdf - The Passionists of Holy ...

13. In a world where the unjust distribution of goods is a major source of division, hatred, and
suffering, we want our poverty to witness to the true value and purpose of these goods.
As far as possible we intend to share our life with others, and to use our possessions for the
relief of suffering and for the increase of justice and peace in the world. l7
Each religious must ask himself what he can do to implement such an intention; and indeed
the whole Congregation, each Province, and every local Community must do the same in this
way we shall all be showing our solidarity with the poor.
14. In this spirit of poverty, we renounce by vow the free disposition of our personal possessions.
In order to fulfill the demands of effective and evident poverty, we also promise by virtue of
the vow to depend on the Superior with competent authority in our use and disposition of
temporal goods.
By our willingness to share in the poverty of Christ who gave all, even His very life for us, 18
we try to be faithful to the motto of our Founder: "Poverty is the standard under which the whole
Congregation fights." 19
15. Religious in perpetual vows may renounce total ownership of personal property in
accordance with appropriate norms of Provincial Authority, and with permission from the
Superior General.
Chastity
16. All human beings, created by God to love and to be loved, fulfill their vocations in different
ways.
Following the example of Christ and for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, 20 we choose
celibacy with full freedom, giving all our love to God who is Supreme love and to our fellow
human beings.
17. Furthermore, our choice also expresses our faith. Forming communities with brethren not
chosen by us, but given to us by Christ, we desire to show the profound meaning of human
love and its ultimate purpose, "that God may be all in all." 21
Notwithstanding the views of many to the contrary, we testify that it is possible to realize in
this world the prayer of Jesus, "that all may be one." 22
18. As a gift from God to His Church, 23 celibacy enables us to share with the Church in the
universal love of Christ, who came "to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." 24
The more we love others in Christ, the more sensitive we become to their joys, sorrows, and
anxieties .
Our lives are thus consecrated by vow to the service of our neighbors in fidelity to Gospel
values.
19. Evangelical celibacy does not deny the value of human affections; it transforms them, and
tends to promote mature generosity and refinement of heart. 25
Although we are aware of the radical renunciation celibacy requires of us, for the sake of the
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