Ongoing Formation of Religious - CMGlobal

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VINCENTIANA 1/2-2008 - INGLESEApril 17, 2008 − 4ª BOZZA114 Cyril de Souzasame Spirit and allow himself/herself to be guided by that Spirit. Animportant help to the full development of this charism is a continualexamination of conscience to ensure fidelity to the Spirit who isactive in one’s life.6.3. Doctrinal DimensionThe Directives on Formation in Religious Institutes (PotissimumInstitututioni) once again give some clear ideas about this doctrinalupdating by suggesting a deepening of the biblical and theologicalperspectives of the religious. This document recommends also thereading of ecclesial documents, both of the universal magisterium aswell as those of the local Church. 38In the case of priest members, it would be important that they beconstantly updated in their doctrinal, biblical, theological, liturgicaland moral knowledge. While the reading of books is important andhelpful, they should not forget that they should go to the originalsources to acquire this knowledge: Sacred Scripture, Tradition,Fathers and Doctors of the Church and the Magisterium.Provincial communities could offer their members occasions forthe ongoing formation of their doctrinal dimension by organizingcourses or conferences of a theological, biblical or spiritual naturefor the updating of their members. The local communities on theirpart could also offer their contribution to this ongoing formation ofthe doctrinal dimension by providing a well-stacked library in thecommunity, which should also be easily accessible to the members.There should also be subscriptions to theological and spiritualjournals and reviews and other similar material, so that membersmay have easy access to information that could help their intellectualongoing formation.6.4. Charismatic DimensionIn his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelica Testificatio, on therenewal and adaptation of religious institutes, Pope Paul VI made adirect reference to charism as the patrimony of every religiousinstitute. 39 The charism of a religious institute, a gift of the Holy38Cf. Potissimum Institutioni n. 68.39See PAUL VI, “Evangelica Testificatio. The Renewal of Religious LifeAccording to the Teaching of the Second Vatican Council (29 June 1971),” inA. FLANNERY (Ed.), Vatican Council II. The Conciliar and Post-ConciliarDocuments (St. Paul’s: Mumbai 2001), n. 11.
VINCENTIANA 1/2-2008 - INGLESEApril 17, 2008 − 4ª BOZZAOngoing Formation of Religious115Spirit to the Church, provides a constant orientation to that instituteand to each of its members, and permits, at the same time, scope forinternal growth according to the changed times.Founders and foundresses interpreted the charism they receivedfrom the Holy Spirit in the light of the Word of God and inaccordance to the demands and needs of their own times both insociety and in the Church. These charisms, which are distinct,though not separate, from personal gifts and qualities, whetherinnate or acquired, form part of the apostolate and way of living ofthat religious institute; i.e., in action and in organization. They are aprofound way of being conformed to Christ and of giving witness tosome particular aspect of his mystery.Each and every member of a religious institute in the initialperiod of one’s life should assimilate this institutional charism andexperience it practically in the apostolate. Subsequently one shouldassess the significance of that charism and re-express it in thechanged circumstances of one’s life. This patrimony which is nowreformulated and re-expressed in terms of the contemporary needs ofsociety is then transmitted to the next generation. Ongoing formationwould require that members have the time and occasion topersonally study one’s charism, to reflect on one’s experience of it,and to share these reflections with others.The charism of an institute intrinsically comprises a communitariandimension. It can only be understood and reconstructed in allits richness of values and content together with other members of theinstitute, because all of them are jointly depositories and bearers ofthat charism. 40 A help in this regard could come from occasionalsharing of these experiences and reflections in community assembliesand in prayer.6.5. Apostolic DimensionThe ongoing formation of the apostolic dimension of a religiouswould involve a constant review of the objectives of the apostolateand a regular updating of the methods employed in apostolic works,but always in such a way that it is in fidelity to the spirit of theinstitute and the aims and the charism of the founder. It will be aform of activity, which, on the one hand, will be responsive to the40Cf. F. CHIARDI, “The Charism of Founders and Foundresses, as Word ofLife, Always Remains Uncontaminated, Prophetic and Current,” in Formationof Consecrated Life (Associate Members of General Curia: Rome 2000-2003),[unpublished], p. 313.
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