THE RULE OF LIFE
Document 1
“Institute of the Daughters of Mary” (Grand Institut) – 1815
*December, 1815: David Monier, he was lawyer & Secretary of WJC, drafted a set of basic rules (501 articles) for the First Community of Marianist sisters.
*501 articles underwent revision & Criticism
*This Document even for First religious community of Men (Marianists)
Grand Institut became Petit Institut (document cut short to small 501 articles)
Grand Institut for both Marianist Religious & Sisters served till 1839 Constitution
“Institute” – is a society of a number of persons who bind themselves to a rule of common life & strive for the same end.
Institute: Original basic rules later on general regulations
Part One
The purpose of the Institute:
Support in Common Life under protection of Mary
1. Striving together toward evangelical perfection.
2. To draw into the ways of salvation
Respecting their own vocation
To work in the Secular world
3. Learn to deal with unavoidable dealings in the Secular world.
Perfect fidelity to the Rules
Are we frightened because of our Human Weaknesses to follow these rules?
We have power of Grace (Powers of nature aren’t enough)
Part One
1st objective of the Institute
· To Strive for Evangelical Perfection
*Merely following the Commandments is not enough but Counsels of Jesus Christ.
*Jesus Christ glorifies His Father through us (Earthly nature)
*Sublime perfection is only possible by flowing God
*Solid progress towards perfection only comes by constant work daily.
*We have damaged nature, so to repair we must walk the way of the cross. (Difficulties, troubles...)
*Christian Perfection is holy humility. Ex: August Mother, apostles, disciples
*Worrying about Duration for perfection will not help us. Only through Hope we go ahead.
Chapter two
2nd object: To draw into the ways of salvation persons of the world.
*Under the law of Jesus, Charity, to renounce the world.
*The perfection of counsel attained or perused before persons of the world and to fulfill it.
*Humble and fervent prayer toward heaven, prayer addressed to God of Abraham and of Jacob taught to the chosen people, finally the Messiah in bringing redemption!
*If not always ready to let themselves be moved, prayer not always effective, third sign applied to retreats, instructions.
Chapter three
3rd object: To maintain oneself through wise precautions in pristine fidelity to the rules.
*Fervor has created institutes; contagion of the world has corrupted them.
*It is no longer opportune for a society of Christians to exist without relation with the outside.
*The dealing with the world does not open it to be affected by its contagion.
Constitutions of the Society of Mary 1839
• in 1828, WJC felt the need for some clarification of basic guidelines and objectives
• In order to answer to some questions about Spirit, Spirituality, mission, formation and administration.
• With the help of Fr. Lalanne, WJC composed & revised a text in 1828
• Because of his long absence from Bordeaux and visitation of all communities, he thought of redoing the text
• Constitutions of the Society of Mary 1839
• In 1834 First book
• In 1838 Second book, same year he submitted for the approval of the Holy See
• In 1839, WJC published the Constitutions of the Society of Mary
• The Object of the Society and its Spirit
Objects: To raise each of its members, with the grace of God, to religious perfection
Ø This object has the Christian perfection
• Object: To work in the world for the salvation of souls by upholding and spreading, through means adapted to the needs and spirit of the times, the teachings of the Gospel, the virtues of Christianity and the practices of the Ca. Church.
Ø This object motives the zeal for the salvation of souls
Ø For the Marianist, devotion to Mary is important point in the imitation of Jesus Christ.
• On the Vow of Stability
• By this vow, we Marianists intend to establish ourselves permanently and irrevocably as the servant of Mary
• This vow shows our devotedness to our Mother
• This vow is made with the intention of never depriving the Society….
• On the Exercises of Religious Life
• Impossible to arrive at religious perfection with mental prayer
• Mental prayer should be Made exactly
According to the method With enjoyment and with Benefit
• On the Evangelical Virtues
• The imitation of Jesus Christ means practicing the virtues that are in the Gospel
• The Gospel should be the first instruction and first example of the Marianists
• We should renounce the world and oneself as Jesus says, “if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself….”
• On the Evangelical Virtues
• SM should not worry about today, tomorrow or about the past……..the only one thing we should have in our hearts is “to do always and everywhere what pleases God
• Particular Rules for Each Class of Professed
Priests:
• They should be salt of the Society in order to prevent the Society from degeneration from its primitive spirit and from its first fervor
• They should be light….to prevent the Society from ever compromising the true principles of the ways of Religious perfection….
• Particular Rules for Each Class of Professed
Teaching Laymen:
• The priests do not teach concurrently with the Brothers….
• Primary schools for the Brothers……
• No distinction among the brothers, one maybe teacher in arts, one maybe in science, but now distinction
• Particular Rules for Each Class of Professed
Working Brothers:
• Are generally formers…taking care of the property of the SM
• These brothers should stir up a pious jealousy in Priests and the Teaching brothers.
• Guided by superiors
• Their hearts are more habitually directed towards God.
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