

FROM OUR STATUTES…
hospitality, and financial support 2 to pray for the needs of the laity who seek their prayers 3 to promote devotion to Eucharistic Adoration 4 to promote devotion to the Mother of God 5 to assist the members in their striving for holiness and to assist their active participation in the apostolic mission of the Church 6 to help the Souls suffering in Purgatory 7 to offer a “way” for third order seculars, or those with other forms of sacred bonds as defined by canon law, including those formerly married, to enter into religious life (after the death of their spouse,) regardless of age, and with fewer restrictions on health and education. Rationale: Our gradual process of transition from the secular lifestyle to a religious life allows for the more mature to gradually let go of their possessions and make this commitment in stages. Traditional religious communities are not structured to accommodate a gradual process. The gospel invitation of Jesus to “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, then come follow Me,” can be readily followed by the young, who have not invested several years in a family, home, or career. There are no retirement investments to sign over or a home to sell. Should they spend up to ten years in formation before discerning that the religious life is not their calling, they are still young enough to marry, start a career, save for retirement, etc. For someone who has reached middle age, on the other hand, selling a home prior to living the vows creates a difficult situation. Should the person leave (or be asked to leave) the community, they have no home to return to. Such a premise leads to a person remaining in a place where they are unsuited and unhappy because they feel they have no other option. It also places the community with the unpleasant choice of bearing with a person who is unsuited because they don’t have the heart to send them away, or tolerating a lukewarm person because the community lacks the funds to send them away in a just manner. 8 To offer a place for the lay people to pray in common with religious, in a setting that is both reverent, sacred, and of the same mind as the Church in the third millennium. |