I. Charism - La Salle.org

IV. DISCOVERING, LIVING, SHARING THE GIFT OF GOD 165
the putting into practice and the scope of the vow of stability,
which is concerned at the same time with belonging to the Society,
the survival of the latter and commitment to the schools. The
Society of the Christian Schools and its end - to keep gratuitous
schools - are constantly united in the view of the early Brothers.
When they speak of “Society”, it seems to me that before thinking
of association as a juridical or administrative structure, the Brothers
are thinking of an association of concrete persons who have
expressed a wish to be together in order to achieve a decisive “end”
for their lives and for the meaning they intend to give to them. This
was what was behind the listing of the names of those who were
committing themselves by vows in 1694. The point of view of
Brother Irénée on the vow of stability, is more juridical and is looking
entirely at the potential question of leaving the Society, something
also considered by the Collection, but for all the vows and not
just for that of stability:
By the said vows they are committed to all the things above, under
pain of mortal sin. From which it follows, that after having made these
vows, they cannot, during the time for which they have made the
vows, either leave or absolutely wish to leave the Society of their own
accord, or wish to force their expulsion, under any pretext whatsoever,
without violating their vow and committing mortal sin and a sacrilege.
A comparison of the Collection and the text of Brother Irénée on
the “vow of association” allows us to better determine the understanding
of the Brothers with regard to this vow, what they are sensitive
to and what they wished to say for themselves; this helps us
to better understand the evolutions which occurred later.