Associate Members Brothers of Charity Partaking in the same spirit.

Associate Members Brothers of Charity

Partaking in the same

spirit

1.

The influence of some

important documentsdocuments

“ 14. You are not alone in your vocation. There are christians like yourself who thanks to a gift from God are endowed with the same sentiments of charity. Together with your community, they wish to bear witness to God’s love among the poor.“ Moved by charity

“ 84. The associate members of the Congregation observe their own particular statutes, as approved by the Holy See. Since they are not religious, they are not bound by the same obligations as the Brothers. However, as associate members, they share in the spiritual benefits of the Congregation.” Moved by charity

Vita Consecrata nr. 54-55-56

In recent years, one of the fruits of the teaching on the Church as communion has been the growing awareness that her members can and must unite their efforts, with a view to cooperation and exchange of gifts….


Contacts with the laity, in case of monastic or contemplative Institutes, take the form of a relationship that is primarily spiritual, while for Institutes involved in works of the apostolate these contacts also translate into forms of pastoral cooperation.


Today, often as a result of new situations, many Institutes have come to the conclusion that their charism can be shared with the laity.

If formerly we spoke of passing on our charism, today we have grown aware that “passing on” was somewhat of a misnomer. If you pass on something to another person, he receives something second-hand. Thus a new insight grew: by sharing our charism with others we can experience spirituality together, as a community, as a group. Charism, which is a gift from the H. Spirit, remains effective today, galvanising other people besides religious, and giving the first impulse to a new and specific experience of spirituality Inheritors or New Members ? (Bro. R. Stockman)


We may say that in the light of certain historical experiences such as those of the secular or third orders, a new chapter, rich in hope, has begun in the history of relations between consecrated persons and the laity.


These new experiences of communion and cooperation should be encouraged for various reasons :

• to ensure the continuity of the services typical of the Institute;• lay people will be encouraged to live and bear witness to the spirit of the beatitudes.• brings unexpected and rich insights into certain aspects of the charism.


A significant expression of lay people’s sharing in the richness of the consecrated life is their participation in various Institutes under the new form of so-called associate members or, in response to conditions present in certain cultures, as people who share fully for a certain period of time the Institute’s community life and its particular dedication to contemplation or the apostolate.

Canon 303

Associations whose members live in the world but share in the spirit of some religious institute, under the overall direction of the same institute,and who lead an apostolic life and strive for Christian perfection, are known as third orders, or are called by some other suitable title.

Starting Afresh From Christ : A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life. ( Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated

Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, June 14, 2002)

The fact that the charisms of founders and foundresses, having been born of the Spirit for the good of all, must once again be placed at the centre of the Church, open to communion and participation by all the People of God, is being increasingly discovered.



The new phenomenom being experienced in these days is that some members of the laity are asking to participate in the charismatic ideals of Institutes. This has given rise to interesting initiatives and new institutional forms of association.

Starting Afresh From Christ : A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life. ( Congregation for Institutes of

Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, June 14, 2002)

Whereas in times past it was especially the task of religious men and women to create, spiritually nourish and direct aggregate forms of laity, today, thanks to an every increasing formation of the laity, there can be a mutual assistance which fosters an understanding of the specificity and beautyof each state of life.



This ecclesial dynamic will be helpful to the renewal and identity of consecrated life. As the understanding of the charism deepens, ever new ways of carrying it out will be discovered.

Promulgation General Chapter 2000

The Chapter wishes that the vocation of associate membership be understood and promoted

2.

Some history

•1971 : Remodelling of the constitutions in the spirit of Vatican II

•70-ties : Experiment with associate members in Canada

•1994 : Promulgation chapter 1994

•1996 : Draft statutes “ad experimentum”

•1997 : start formation of first group of 9 candidates

•1998 : 8 people make their promise

•1999 : 7 people make their promise

•2000 : may, Zelzate : growing to an own definition, 8 people make their promise

•2001 : august, Moerzeke : working at the actual definition and statutes

•2001 : 5 people make their promise in Belgium and 3 in Rumania

• 14 january 2002 : Associate Members and statutes recognised by Vatican.

•2002 : 6 people make their promise, 2003: 3 people make their promise

•2004-… : 2 people make their promise in Belgium, 1 in the Philippines

actions in Walloon part, Congo, Rwanda,…

Associate Members Brothers of Charity all over the world !?

3.

A definition

Associate members to the Brothers of Charity are believing Christians of all ranks of life who want to sanctify their lives by radicalizing their life’s mission by taking the charism of Peter Joseph Triest as an inspirational starting point. Their lives are based on an intense relation with God. Together with the brothers they attach great importance to the cultivation of a deep prayer life. Their actions are characterized by a particular sensitivity for passing on their loving kindness to the poor. They also want to be the ‘leaven’ for each other and the larger community.

4.

The Statutes

Chapter I Nature, charism and aims

Associate members to the Brothers of Charity are believing Christians of all ranks of life who want to sanctify their lives by radicalizing their life’s mission by taking the charism of Peter Joseph Triest as an inspirational starting point. Their lives are based on an intense relation with God. Together with the brothers they attach great importance to the cultivation of a deep prayer life. Their actions are characterized by a particular sensitivity for passing on their loving kindness to the poor. They also want to be the ‘leaven’ for each other and the larger community.

Chapter II Juridical and spiritual bonds with the Congregation

2.1 Juridical bondsAre juridically esteemed associate members to the Brothers of Charity those people who, out of their own free will, after presenting their candidature, and after an initial formation period, are accepted by the Congregation Brothers of Charity and pledge their promise, first for one year, afterwards for a continually renewable period of three years, and who in their lives and work bear witness to this commitment. Such engagement is unsalaried, except for some concrete and temporary situations as stipulated and agreed upon beforehand.

2.2. Spiritual bondsThe associate members are spiritually linked with the Congregation via the inspirational part of the Constitutions of the Brothers of Charity (Constitutions nos. 1 to 80), as may be seen from the following:

The name of each new member is formally entered into a register especially provided for this purpose, thereby officially recognizing him or her as an associate member of the Congregation;

The brothers welcome the associate members with kind hospitality;Associate members are invited to assist at congregational meetings, and receive the congregational periodicals and circular letters;Each month the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated for the intention of the spiritual and temporal welfare of the associate members.

Chapter III Spiritual life and engagement of the members

The life of each associate member is based on an intense relation with God. Together with the brothers they attach great importance to the cultivation of a deep prayer life. Their actions are characterized by a particular sensitivity for passing on their loving kindness to the poor and the little ones. They also want to be the ‘leaven’ for each other and the larger community.

= part of the definition

This is more explicitly externalized by the following :•Daily personal and/or communal prayer;•Praying animated by the charism of the founder;•Regular praying together with other associate members and/or brothers;•Regular celebration of the Eucharist;•Nourishing one’s spiritual life through Bible reading, and through reading the writings of the Servant of God Peter Joseph Triest;•Regularly assisting at meetings centered around spirituality or other topics, organized by the Congregation Brothers of Charity;•Cultivating relationships with other associate members, brothers and/or local brother communities;•Consciously incarnating the message of the Gospel in their lives, including a special sensitivity for people in need, for the poor, or for those whose dignity is impaired;•Being prepared, if possible, to give a positive answer to specific appeals made by the Congregation;•Passing on and living the evangelical message and the spirituality of the Congregation to and for others;•Making known the vocation of becoming a member of the Congregation, be it as an associate member or as a religious.

The associate members live this engagement within their families and their personal sphere of life, in a well-balanced way and adapted to the daily active life of each member in his or her own life’s situation.

Chapter IV Animation within the association

In each region of the Congregation Brothers of Charity the Regional Superior, in consultation with his council, will appoint a brother and an associate member who are responsible for the animation of the associate members. They see to it that at least 4 annual meetings will be organized for associate members; they are also responsible for the organization of a regular flow of information and communication among the associate members themselves, with the administration of the Congregation, and with outside instances when needed. Each associate member will receive the Congregation’s own publications, and can take part in the reflection days or periods for brothers and associate members. If need be they can be called upon for the initial formation of the associate members.

Chapter V Candidatures, preparation and acceptance

5.1. CandidaturesThose wishing to become an associate member of the Congregation Brothers of Charity should submit their written application to the Regional Superior. After an exploratory talk the Regional Superior will submit the candidature to his council and take a decision.

If this decision is positive, the candidate will go through a preparatory period of one year, at the end of which he is to renew his application with the Regional Superior. The latter, after consultation with his council and the members of the formation team, may then proceed to the acceptance of the candidate.

5.2.PreparationDuring this one year period the candidate takes part in formation sessions aimed at introducing him/her into a better knowledge of the Congregation and its spirituality.

5.3. AcceptanceThose who are accepted as associate members pronounce a promise for one year. This promise can be renewed after each period of three years if the candidate wants to do so, provided the evaluation within the Congregation and the decision of the Regional Superior prove positive.

The first pronouncement of the candidate’s promise is done during a religious ceremony, in which promises can also be renewed. If there are no candidates for a first pronouncement, the occasional renewal of promises can take place in one of the ordinary meetings of the associate members.

The promises pronounced by associate members to the Brothers of Charity are made into the hands of the Regional Superior and are worded as follows:

“In the presence of the Most Holy Trinity, of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, of St Vincent de Paul and of the Servant of God Peter Joseph Triest, I, … pronounce my promise as an associate member to the Congregation Brothers of Charity, for a period of … year(s). I promise intending to sanctify my life animated by the charism of the Congregation Brothers of Charity. I want to nourish the intense relation with God, which I think to be the cornerstone of my life, by cultivating a deep prayer life. I promise to develop a particular sensitivity to pass on the gift of charity to the poor and the weak. In my life and my work I will bear witness to this charity. Amen.”

Chapter VI Formation of members

The preparatory formation of the candidates includes :

•Becoming acquainted with the personality of the founder and the patron saint;•Becoming acquainted with the history of the Congregation, its present worldwide activities, its different houses;•An introduction into the spirituality of the Congregation;•An introduction to the Constitutions of the Congregation;•Studies related to the vocation and mission of lay people, religious and priests within the Church;•Introducing the candidates to praying in the spirit of our charism;•Studying the situation and mission of the associate members within the Congregation, the Church and the world;•Specific preparation to pronouncing one’s promise.

Permanent formation is based on a yearly curriculum and may include for example :

•A further deepening of our spirituality;•The growth of prayer life;•Improving one’s knowledge of the Congregation;

•Other topics in line with the year’s curriculum and the formation plan of the Congregation.

This permanent formation may adopt all sorts of forms : meetings, days of reflection, making available recommended literature, get-togethers, exchanges, etc.

Chapter VII Apostolic mission of the association

The associate members to the Congregation Brothers of Charity want to go out to their neighbours animated by a believing and loving basic attitude. They find their inspiration in the values of the Gospel, and they act in imitation of Jesus, our Saviour. Just as with Vincent de Paul and Peter Joseph Triest, love is the source of their commitment. To this end they form authentic communities, of which oneness, availability, dynamism and creativity are the driving forces, and in which the quality of life is being improved thanks to professional support. In this way they want to be beacons of hope in society, and to bear witness to the love of God. In this way the associate members want to better the quality of life and contribute to a more humane society in which there is room too for the poor and the weak. Via this unconditional commitment they hope that all who cross their path may catch a glimpse of God’s loving kindness, and experience already in their earthly lifetime the joy of resurrection.

Chapter VIII Government of the association

The General Government of the Congregation Brothers of Charity is ultimately responsible for the associate members. On the regional level the Regional Superior is the person responsible. After consultation of the Regional Council and the associate members, he appoints a brother and an associate member who are responsible for the formation and further animation of the associate members’ group. The duration of the mandate of the latter two runs parallel to the duration of the mandate of the Regional Council, but can be prolonged by a newly installed Regional Council. Both mandates may expire prematurely by a decision of the Regional Superior.

Chapter IX Administration of temporal goods

The administration of goods is regulated by the statutory aims.

Each member retains the property and administration of his personal goods.

All members commit themselves to contribute to the overall costs, taking into account everyone’s possibilities.

In case of a dissolution of the association, the remaining goods and means pass on to the Congregation.

Chapter X Expiration of membership

Membership expires when after the lapse of time mentioned in the promise formula the promise is not renewed, be it on account of the express wish by the member or on account of the express request by the Regional Superior.

In accordance with the spirit of Canon 702 §1 of Canon Law, members whose membership has expired cannot claim any indemnity or financial benefit for damages sustained or labour performed, if regulations of such nature had not been stipulated and agreed upon beforehand.

Nevertheless the Congregation shall observe the rules of fairness, and act with evangelical charity as prescribed by canon 702 §2 of Canon Law.

Altering the statutesThe statutes may be translated, but the English version is to be considered to be the original one.

The statutes can be altered subject to a unanimous agreement between the General Council of the Congregation and the associate members, if afterwards confirmed by the Holy See.

5.

The Formation

Initial formation

Promise for 1 year

1 year 1 year 3 years

Prepara-tory

phase

Promo- tion

Promise for 3 years

Permanent Formation

Permanent Formation

acceptance acceptance acceptance acceptance

Request to start

the initial formation

Request to make a

promise for 3 years

Request to make a

promise for 1 year

Request to renew the

promise for 3 years

? 12 meetings minimum ? ? 4 meetings minimum ?

? 8 meetings minimum ?

Timeline

T i m e l i n e

timeline

Themes initial formation• introduction / contact / …• P.J. Triest• Saint-Vincent• History of the congregation• Vocation of laity, priests, religious• The rule of life ‘Moved by Charity’• Prayer• The writings of the founder• Practical preparation for the promise

always on a different place contact with the local community different forms, open…

Permanent formation

In Belgium :- minimum 4 normal meetings in a year- 1 one day meeting ( together with renewing promise)

+ participating at : - Cores of Hope (spirituality groups)- Meeting together with the brothers

(formation and information)- Retreat brothers / associate members- Congregational Magazines- …

6.

Duties & Responsi-

bilities

The Superior General and the General Council

- The Superior General bears the final responsibility for the associate members (Statutes Chapter VIII).

- He is responsible for the general direction, the policy regarding, and promotion of the vocation to become associate member of the Brothers of Charity in the spirit of motion n°5: “The Chapter wishes that the vocation of associate membership be understood and promoted” (Chapter 2000).

- He has to stimulate actions in our regions, and all over the world to start or expand initiatives in the field of associate membership.

- He can alter the statutes, in agreement with the associate members (Statutes, Chapter X).

The Provincial Superior

- He has to promote the vocation of associate member within the boundaries of the province.

- He has to put the theme ‘associated members’ at least once a year on the agenda of his meetings with the regional superiors.

The Regional Superior

- On the regional level, the Regional Superior is responsible for the associate members (Statutes, Chapter VIII).

- He has to meet, and screen candidates who have presented themselves, and have asked to start the initial formation (Statutes, Chapter V, 5.1).

- Having consulted the Regional Council, he has to decide whether or not a positive reply should be given to the request to start the formation (Statutes, Chapter V, 5.1).

- After deliberation with the Regional Council and with the members of the team that is responsible for the formation of the associate members (if there is no possibility to contact all the members of the team, he should consult with the Brother and the associate member who are responsible for the animation of the associate members), he should decide whether or not a candidate can be definitively accepted, after the initial formation (Statutes, Chapter V, 5.1).

- After evaluation at the heart of the congregation, he has to decide whether or not an associate member can renew his promise (Statutes, Chapter V, 5.3)

- The associate members make their promise to the Brothers of Charity into the hands of the Regional Superior (Statutes, Chapter V, 5.3)

- After consultation with the Regional Council the Regional Superior should appoint a Brother and an associate member who should then assume the responsibility for the animation of the associate members (Statutes, Chapter IV)The Regional Superior should meet with these persons on regular occasions in order to discuss the further development and the formation of the associate members.

- The Regional Superior should make sure that all associate members receive an invitation to congregational gatherings and meetings, and that they receive the congregational periodicals and circulars (Statutes, Chapter II).

- The Regional Superior should make sure that the associate members are entered in a register appropriated for them (Statutes, Chapter II, 2.2).

- Having solicited the Regional Council’s advice, the Regional Superior has the right to terminate an associate member’s membership (Statutes, Chapter X).

- The Regional Superior should encourage the Brothers to have an open mind about the associate members.

-The Regional Superior should help to draw up a financial plan as to the associate members’ contribution to the operational costs, which ought to be adapted to the situation in the region (Statutes, Chapter IX). He should also assist in the management of the funds, and keep

an eye on expenditure.

The Brother and the associate member who are responsible for the animation of the associate members

-The Brother and the associate member fulfil their tasks by mutual agreement. They should work together as often as possible, but in some cases they should also feel free to divide the work.

-- They are responsible for the organisation of at least 4 associate member gatherings per year (Statutes, Chapter IV).

- They have to organise the communication between the associate members, between the associate members and the administration of the congregation, between the associate members and the Brothers, and if necessary between the associate members and third parties (Statutes, Chapter IV). The Brother focuses his attention on the relationship between the Brothers and the associate members.

- They have to organise regular meetings with the Regional Superior and report to him.

- They are in charge of the day-to-day business, and represent the associate members internally and externally.

- They have to seek ways of actively promoting the vocation of associate member of the Brothers of Charity.

- They collect the contributions to the operational costs, by agreement with the Regional Superior.

7.

Points of attentions &

remarks

• Respect for cultural differences

• Need for structure and accompaniment : organic grow

• Presence of the brothers in the formation program and contacts with associate members

• Relation to the local community of brothers

• Accent on the personal, individual search and the search of the congregation : different forms : from only sharing spirituality to living together with the brothers…

• Identity is never finished (dynamic idea of charism)

• Meeting with the regional superiors october 2002

8.

Associate Members :

who you are?

-Age

- Profession

- State

- Relation with the brothers

- …

A testimony

(video)

9.

Questions ?

10.

The story of little blue and

little yellow

Associate Members Brothers of Charity Partaking in the same spirit.

Documents

Transcript of Associate Members Brothers of Charity Partaking in the same spirit.