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The Process of Formation of Religious Members in the Church

A Case Study of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Marren Rose A. Awiti IBVM (Author)
©2019 Monographs XXX, 240 Pages

Summary

The Process of Formation of Religious Members in the Church: A Case Study of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary offers comprehensive and detailed information on the norms and teachings of the Church regarding the concept of formation. This book undertakes a case study of the IBVM, detailing both the unique and standard aspects of their program. It will be a valuable resource for the commission entrusted with the work of revising the law of the Church.

Table Of Contents

  • Cover
  • Title
  • Copyright
  • About the author
  • About the book
  • This eBook can be cited
  • Contents
  • Foreword by C. Burke IBVM
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • List of Abbreviations
  • General Introduction
  • Chapter One: Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows in Religious Institutes in the Canonical Tradition
  • Introduction
  • 1.1 The State of Consecrated Life in the Church
  • 1.1.1 Formation of Religious as a Constant Concern for the Church
  • 1.1.2 The State of Consecrated Life in the Life and Holiness of the Church
  • 1.1.3 The State of Consecrated Life and the Hierarchical Organization of the Church
  • 1.1.4 The Canonical Structuring of the State of Consecrated Life in the Latin Church
  • 1.2 Consecrated Life in Religious Institutes
  • 1.2.1 Religious Life and Religious Institutes Within the Organizational Structure of Consecrated Life in the Church
  • 1.2.2 Profession of the Evangelical Counsels
  • 1.2.3 Life in Common
  • 1.2.4 Withdrawal From the World
  • 1.3 Notion of Formation of Women Religious According to the 1917 Code
  • 1.3.1 Canonical Significance of Constitution Conditae a Christo of Leo XIII (1900)
  • 1.3.2 Stages of Formation
  • 1.3.2.1 Postulancy
  • 1.3.2.2 Novitiate
  • 1.3.2.3 Religious Profession
  • 1.3.3 The Custom of Dowry of Women Religious
  • 1.4 The Impact of Vatican II on Consecrated Life
  • 1.4.1 Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium
  • 1.4.2 Decree Perfectae Caritatis
  • 1.4.3 Decree Ecclesiae Sanctae
  • 1.4.4 Instruction on the Renewal and Adaptation of Formation for Living the Religious Life Renovationis Causam
  • 1.5 The Process of the Revision of Canon Law on Consecrated Life
  • 1.5.1 The Principles Governing the Revision of Canon Law on Consecrated Life
  • 1.5.2 The 1977 Schema Codicis
  • 1.5.3 The 1980 Schema Codicis
  • 1.5.4 The 1982 Schema Codicis
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Two: Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows According to the 1983 Code and the Subsequent Documents
  • Introduction
  • 2.1 The Norms on Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows in the 1983 Code of Canon Law
  • 2.1.1 Formulation of Canon 659 on Formation of Members of Religious Institutes
  • 2.1.1.1 Sources of Canon 659 § 1 and § 2
  • 2.1.1.2 Development of Canon 659 § 1 and § 2 in the Drafting Process
  • 2.1.1.3 Analysis of Canon 659 § 1 and § 2
  • 2.1.2 Formulation of Canon 660 on the Pedagogy of Formation
  • 2.1.2.1 Sources of Canon 660
  • 2.1.2.2 Development of Canon 660
  • 2.1.2.3 Analysis of Canon 660
  • 2.1.3 Formulation of Canon 661 on the Responsibility of Members and of the Institute on Formation
  • 2.1.3.1 Sources of Canon 661
  • 2.1.3.2 Development of Canon 661
  • 2.1.3.3 Analysis of Canon 661
  • 2.2 Canonical Principles Governing Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows in the 1983 Code of Canon Law
  • 2.2.1 Duration
  • 2.2.2 Role of Formators
  • 2.2.3 Rights and Obligations of Religious in Temporary Vows
  • 2.2.4 Conclusion of the Period of Temporary Profession
  • 2.3 Documents on Formation After the 1983 Code
  • 2.3.1 Directives on Formation in Religious Institutes Potissimum Institutioni, 1990
  • 2.3.2 Instrumentum Laboris of the 1994 Synod of Bishops on Consecrated Life
  • 2.3.3 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata, 1996
  • 2.3.4 Instruction on Inter-Institute Collaboration for Formation Attenta alla Condizioni, 1998
  • 2.3.5 Instruction Starting Afresh From Christ, 2002
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Three: Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows in the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters)
  • Introduction
  • 3.1 The Religious Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters)
  • 3.1.1 The Foundation of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • 3.1.2 The Growth and Expansion of the Institute
  • 3.2 Formation in the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • 3.2.1 Recent Directions in Formation in the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary Since Vatican II
  • 3.2.2 Aims of Formation in the Institute
  • 3.2.3 Formation in the Living of the Vows
  • 3.2.4 Stages of Formation
  • 3.3 Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows
  • 3.3.1 Essential Elements of the Programme of Formation During the Period of Temporary Profession
  • 3.3.2 Responsibilities of Those Involved in Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows
  • 3.3.3 Review Process for Renewal of Vows
  • 3.3.4 Conclusion of the Period of Temporary Vows and Readiness for Perpetual Profession
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Four: Assessment of Conformity in the Implementation of Proper Law of the Institute of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) to the Universal Law on Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows
  • Introduction
  • 4.1 Aspects to Be Considered in the Content of the Formation Programme of Members in Temporary Vows
  • 4.1.1 Temporal Goods in the Institute
  • 4.1.2 Necessary Discretion in the Use of Means of Social Communication
  • 4.1.3 Structures of Authority and Governance in the Institute
  • 4.1.4 Cultural Studies
  • 4.1.5 Mariology
  • 4.1.6 Familiarity With the Documents of the Holy See and Contemporary Theological and Spiritual Publications on Consecrated Life
  • 4.2 Aspects to Be Considered in the Structure of the Formation Programme of Religious in Temporary Vows
  • 4.2.1 Formative Community
  • 4.2.2 Training and Preparation of Director of Sisters in Temporary Vows
  • 4.2.3 Harmonization of Different Aspects of Formation During the Period of Temporary Vows
  • 4.2.4 Duties Which Impede Formation
  • 4.2.5 Availability of a Well-Stocked Library
  • 4.3 Recommendations
  • 4.3.1 Identity of the Institute
  • 4.3.2 Mission of the Institute
  • 4.3.3 The Temporarily Professed
  • 4.3.4 Possibility of Revision of Certain Canons and Further Legislation on Temporary Profession
  • 4.3.4.1 Canon 696 § 2 on Dismissal of Members in Temporary Vows
  • 4.3.4.2 Canon 684 on Transfer to Another Institute
  • 4.3.4.3 A Feminine Model of Formation
  • Conclusion
  • General Conclusions
  • Appendix
  • Bibliography
  • Sources
  • IBVM Archival Sources
  • I. IBVM Central Archive, Dublin
  • 2. Canadian Provincial Archive, Toronto
  • Constitutions
  • Books
  • Articles

← xiv | xv →

Foreword

C. BURKE IBVM

 

As a non-canonist asked to write a foreword to a book on canon law, I read this book from the perspective of an older religious who is currently also tasked with oversight of sisters in temporary vows. I have found Marren Awiti’s book enlightening and challenging. It brings together a wealth of information and insight from the canon law of the Church and requirements of a particular institute, yet its findings can be easily applied to other congregations which have grappled with change.

As with so much in the Church, Vatican II was a watershed. The particularity of formation of religious during the period of temporary vows has received greater attention since the time when institutes were urged to return to the charism of their founder and apply that in their current context. The challenge to the whole Church to orient outwards to the world was balanced by the universal call to holiness and discipleship. Religious women responded to both calls with vigor. We have had to make the path to a new way of religious life by walking it.

In that 50 years, even though many congregations, especially in the West, have faced into the darkness of diminishment, with very new members joining, there are those in other parts of the world which are flourishing. Such congregations want to give the best possible foundation for their new members who will step into key roles in flourishing congregations. Marren’s book invites every congregation, whether in Africa, Asia, the West, or the Latin American world, to stand back ← xv | xvi → and reflect on the practices that have emerged as we struggled to find how best to prepare recently professed members to move towards full participation in God’s mission through a particular congregation. It also invites the writers of official Church documents to look afresh at canons which may not be as apt as they were hoped to be.

Most people are attracted to religious life by a strong desire to grow in love of God and a sense of a “fit” with the particular charism rather than any great awareness of the intricacies of the vows or canons that can give shape to this life. The challenges involved in understanding religious life’s place within the ecclesial community and experiencing the demands of justice and the social teaching of the Church emerge more strongly during this period of temporary vows. A large community of similar age can be both a support and a challenge to newer sisters in places such as Africa or Asia. It might be easier to fulfill some requirements as a formator when a group of sisters are in this period of temporary vows, rather than when a lone sister walks this path in a province. Religious institutes need to consider how to move forward today when crossing boundaries and witnessing through inter-cultural communities.

There is broad agreement among theologians today that religious life is a prophetic and mystic life-form in the Church. The universal call to holiness does not negate the specific role for religious who have committed themselves to serve Jesus’ vision of bringing the reign of God in the world. Reading this book reminds me how blessed these women are when care is taken to help them grow in such varied aspects of their personal and congregational life. Many lay women and men, committed to pastoral service in the Church, would look with envy on what is outlined as necessary for religious sisters during these initial formation years. As another member of Mary Ward’s Institute, I hope that this treatise will be useful to formation teams in many institutes and challenge those entrusted with this ministry among newer religious.

← xvi | xvii →

Preface

 

The state of religious life has its basis in a divine call which has to be discerned and tested for authenticity. Persons who embrace religious life also assume serious obligations in the Church. Since the lives and actions of such persons directly affect the witness and fulfillment of the mission of the Church, they therefore require proper training and formation to equip them with the correct understanding of their identity and role in the Church. This is in order to achieve the maturity required for lifelong commitment, and to provide them with the necessary skills for apostolic work, especially in view of new emerging realities in the Church and in the world. To this effect, the Church has legislated norms which specify the aims, dimensions, and pedagogy for every stage of formation, and has issued subsequent documents which provide further directives on how institutes can respond to the challenges facing the same in the post-conciliar period.

The Church requires that those charged with formation of candidates to religious life are well-prepared for their work and provided with a well-structured plan and the necessary resources to accomplish it. In order to fulfil the ends of formation, individual institutes are required to draw up a ratio or programme for each stage of formation, which specifies the structure and duration and prepares candidates to meet the needs of the present times according to the nature and character of the institute. This ratio, the structure of which is to be congruent with the legislation of the Church, is to be flexible. It should allow for adaptations of ← xvii | xviii → aspects that may require revision as a result of new needs and realities which call for new approaches to fulfilling the works of an institute.

For the period during temporary profession or post-novitiate, the Church instructs that formation of religious begun in earlier stages be perfected, so that they can lead the life of the institute more fully and carry out its mission more effectively (cf. c. 659 § 1). The ratio for this stage of formation is therefore to follow the directives of the Church on the structure of its aims, dimensions, and pedagogy (cc. 659–661), as well as other specifications laid down by the proper law of an institute. Despite the provisions specified in the universal law, together with further directives given in subsequent Holy See documents, formation of religious continues to be a constant challenge to many, if not all, religious institutes. This may be attributed to either a poorly structured programme and/or laxity in its implementation, usually as a result of inadequate knowledge of the law of the Church, or rigidity of the ratio to allow for modifications. The effectiveness of post-novitiate formation therefore depends to a great extent on adequate knowledge of the norms and directives of the Church on the same. With such knowledge, individual institutes are able to draw up their ratio as directed by the Church and to distinguish between those elements which can or cannot be modified in the event of reviewing the ratio.

This book, therefore, is an attempt to contribute to a deeper understanding of what the Church prescribes on post-novitiate formation. It provides a comprehensive examination of the norms and directives pertaining to post-novitiate formation in religious institutes as presented in the 1983 Code of Canon Law (cc. 659–661) and in the subsequent magisterial documents. This is to help gain a deeper understanding of the teachings and the discipline of the Church regarding the formation of religious. For the purpose of illustration of the success of a formation ratio, the book employs a case study of a particular religious institute, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whereby a comparative analysis of proper law with the provisions of universal law is drawn. Through such analysis, the book attempts to evaluate how successful the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been in incorporating the provisions of universal law into its post-novitiate formation programme. From such analysis, the book is able to point out those elements which ought to be included in the ratio and the legal reforms that are necessary in both the proper law and universal law of the Church on formation. Although the analysis is based on information from a particular institute, the conclusions reached have a much broader application and can be easily applied to other religious institutes, particularly apostolic women’s religious institutes.

The book has four chapters. Chapter 1 traces the evolution of the legislation on formation of lay religious from the 1917 Code, through the Vatican II documents, ← xviii | xix → to the revision and promulgation of the 1983 Code in the context of consecrated life, its identity and role in the Church. Chapter 2 gives an analysis of the norms on formation during the period of temporary vows as presented in the 1983 Code and the subsequent magisterial documents. Chapter 3 treats the principles and structure of formation in the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chapter 4 gives a cross-analysis of the norms of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and their practical application with the principles of universal norms. Through such analysis, the aspects of the ratio which require updating as a result of new realities and needs are identified, and suggestions for their improved application are given. The chapter also offers suggestions for improving legislation on formation during temporary vows in universal law, such as the possibility of revision of certain canons on temporary vows and legislation on a feminine model of formation. ← xix | xx →

← xx | xxi →

Acknowledgements

 

The successful completion of this book would not have been possible without the contribution of various people. I am deeply indebted to Rev. Fr. Kowal Wojciech O.M.I for his remarkable dedication, with careful attention to detail in offering professional and scholarly guidance throughout the writing of this manuscript. Also, I sincerely acknowledge, with gratitude, the graciousness of those who offered me invaluable counsel and insights, especially Rev. Fr. Francis Morrisey O.M.I, Rev. Fr. Augustine Mendonça, and Rev. Fr. Jack Zupez SJ, Sr. Jeanne Cover IBVM, Sr. Marjory Gallagher SC, Sr. Gill Goulding CJ, and Professor Myriam Wiljens. Finally, my gratitude also extends to Sr. Sheila Smith IBVM, Sr. Carmen Diston IBVM, Eunice Huff, and Rachel Lee Him for their assistance in typing sections of this manuscript, and to Sr. Kathleen Fitzgerald IBVM and Áine McHugh, Sr. Juliana Dusel IBVM and Michelle Pariag for providing me with relevant archival material for the research necessary for the study. ← xxi | xxii →

← xxii | xxiii →

Abbreviations

 

AASecond Vatican Council, Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People Apostolicam Actuositatem
AAS Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Commentarium Officiale
AGSecond Vatican Council, Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity Ad Gentes
ASSActa Sanctae Sedis
CAIDCentral Archives, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dublin
c.canon
cc.canons
CCCB Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
CCEO Codex canonum Ecclesiarum orientalium, auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus, fontium annotatione actus
CCLA E. Caparros et al. (eds.), Code of Canon Law Annotated
CDSecond Vatican Council, Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Christus Dominus
CIC/17 Codex iuris canonici, Pii X Pontificis Maximi iussu digestus
CIC Codex iuris canonici, auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus
CICLSALCongregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
CLDCanon Law Digest ← xxiii | xxiv →
CLSA Canon Law Society of America
CLSA Comm1J. A. Coriden, T. J. Green, and D. E. Heintschel (eds.), The Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary
CLSA Comm2J. P. Beal, J. A. Coriden, and T. J. Green (eds.), New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law
CLSANZCanon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand
CLSAPCanon Law Society of America Proceedings
CLSGBICanon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland
CLSGBI CommG. Sheehy et al. (eds.), The Canon Law: Letter & Spirit
CPATCanadian Provincial Archives, Toronto.
DHSecond Vatican Council, Declaration on Religious Liberty Dignitatis Humanae
DVSecond Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum
Exegetical CommA. Marzoa, J. Miras, R. Rodríguez-Ocaña (eds.), and E. Caparros [gen. ed. of English translation], Exegetical Commentary
ES Paul VI, letter Ecclesiae Sanctae Implementing the Decrees Christus Dominus, Presbyterorum ordinis, and Perfectae Caritatis
FLANNERY1A. Flannery (gen. ed.), Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents, vol. 1
FLANNERY2A. Flannery (gen. ed.), Vatican Council II: More Post-Conciliar Documents, vol. 2
GCGeneral Congregation [Chapter]
GSSecond Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes
IBVMInstitute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
LGSecond Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium
NCCBNational Conference of Catholic Bishops (of the USA—prior to 1 July 2001)
OE Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Catholic Eastern Churches Orientalium Ecclesiarum
OTSecond Vatican Council, Decree on the Training of Priests Optatam Totius
PBJohn Paul II, Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia Pastor Bonus
PCSecond Vatican Council, Decree on the up-to-date Renewal of Religious Life Perfectae Caritatis ← xxiv | xxv →
PICongregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Directives on Formation in Religious Institutes Potissimum Institutioni
POSecond Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis
RCCongregation for Religious and Secular Institutes, Instruction on the Renewal and Adaptation of Formation for Living the Religious Life Renovationis Causam
RFISCongregation for Catholic Education, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis
RfRReview for Religious
RLR Religious Life Review
SC Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sr.Sister
St.Saint
URSecond Vatican Council, Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio
USCC United States Catholic Conference (prior to 1 July 2001)
USCCBUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops (since 1 July 2001) ← xxv | xxvi →

← xxvi | xxvii →

Details

Pages
XXX, 240
Year
2019
ISBN (PDF)
9781433155314
ISBN (ePUB)
9781433155321
ISBN (MOBI)
9781433155338
ISBN (Hardcover)
9781433155277
DOI
10.3726/b13401
Language
English
Publication date
2019 (February)
Published
New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Oxford, Wien, 2019. XXX, 240 pp.

Biographical notes

Marren Rose A. Awiti IBVM (Author)

Marren Rose A. Awiti IBVM holds an MA in religious studies from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi (where she teaches canon law), a JCL from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, and a JCD in canon law from Saint Paul University in Ottawa. She has published work in Studia Canonica and African Journal of Pastoral Theology.

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