The basic principles of the spirituality of cones crated life as presented in chapter VI of „Lumen gentium”, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

Authors

  • Mateusz Micek The University of Card. Stefan Wyszynski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/pch.2185

Keywords:

Consecrated life, imitation of Christ, vocation, evangelical counsels

Abstract

The article presents the basic principles of the spirituality of consecrated life as they are laid out in chapter VI of the Constitution on the Church. These principles can be summed up as the following:
1. Consecrated life means the imitation of Christ.
2. This imitation is of a charismatic nature, thus can only be lived by vocation, with the power of and originating from the Holy Spirit.
3. The fruits of the works of the Holy Spirit, and consequently, the enforcement of the imitation of Christ is love; a love that is always love towards God and your neighbour. How diverse talents and vocations can be.
4. Thanks to this love, enforced by the Holy Spirit, consecrated life presents itself as a present from Christ to the Church. It is therefore, placed in the centre of Church life and serves the Church not just by obedience and ministry, but even deeper by a living witness that reflects the pilgrimage of a Christian, and the hope for a life to come.

References

Dokumente des II. Vatikanischen Konzils:

– Die dogmatische Konstitution über die Kirche, Lumen gentium.

– Dekret über die zeitgemäße Erneuerung des Ordenslebens, Perfectae caritatis.

– Das Dekret über die Hirtenaufgabe der Bischöfe in der Kirche, Christus dominus.

Benedikt XVI., Enzyklika Deus caritas est., Bonn 2005.

Benedikt XVI., Predigt des Heiligen Vaters am 11. September 2006. In: Sekretariat der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz (Hrsg.), Verlautbarungen des Apostolischen Stuhls 174, Bonn, 2006.

Boff L., Zeugen Gottes in der Welt. Ordensleben heute, Zürich­‑Einsiedeln­‑Köln 1985.

Buob H., Berufen zur Hingabe. Die evangelischen Räte, Linz 1990.

Heilige Kongregation für Orden und Säkularinstitute, Informatives Dokument, in: AAS (1984).

Herzig A., Ordens­‑Christen. Theologie des Ordenslebens in der Zeit nach dem Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil, Würzburg Echter 1991.

Johannes Paul II, Apostolisches Schreiben Novo millennio ineunte, Bonn 2001.

Johannes Paul II., Apostolisches Schreiben Vita consecrata, Bonn 1996.

Johannes Paul II., Enzyklika Veritatis splendor, Bonn 1995.

Kraus A., Franziskanisches Apostolat im Lichte des II. Vatikanischen Konzils, Rom 1970.

Recker K., Heute nach dem Evangelium leben. Mainz Matthias­‑Grünewald 1979.

Schütz Ch., Sendung und Erwartung der Ordensgemeinschaften heute, in: Ordenskorrespondenz, 46 Jhg. 2005.

Tillard J.M.R., Vertrauen zur Gemeinschaft, Freiburg­‑Basel­‑Wien Herder 1973.

Tillard J.M.R, Frei sein in Gott. Zur Praxis des Ordenslebens heute, Freiburg­‑Basel­‑Wien Herder 1979.

Union der Generaloberen, Gottgeweihtes Leben heute: Charismen in der Kirche für die Welt, in: Sekretariat der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz (Hrsg.), Arbeitshilfen 120, Bonn 1993.

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Published

2017-11-01

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2017)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2017 Mateusz Micek

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