NotreDame Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I know that all orders with some sort of diocesan or pontifical approval have constitutions, but do they all have "rules" (eg. "the rule of St Benedict")? What is the difference between the rule and the constitutions? Is the rule less formal? Does if have to be written down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 My two cents (and I'm not an expert at this at all), but the Rule usually is the way life is lived, but constitutions have very specific details, usually specific to canon law. For example ... a Rule wouldn't necesarily say how long a novitiate is, nor how long a sister is in formation before final vows. The constitution has those details in it. A Rule is usually a smaller document as well. Again ... I can very well be wrong. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotreDame Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Is the rule always written down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Yes, a rule is written, and as far as I know, there are actually very few among the Latin church: Benedictine, Augustinian, Franciscan, Ignatian, I believe the Servites have their own rule (it's actually a particular adaptation of the Augustinian rule, although they were first founded with their own rule), Carmelite, and Carthusian. Now from all those rules the constitutions guide the development of the particulars of daily life. The Rule is the truly the cornerstone of each community, and the constitution is each congregation's interpretation of that rule according to their charism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotreDame Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 Yes, a rule is written, and as far as I know, there are actually very few among the Latin church: Benedictine, Augustinian, Franciscan, Ignatian, I believe the Servites have their own rule (it's actually a particular adaptation of the Augustinian rule, although they were first founded with their own rule), Carmelite, and Carthusian. Now from all those rules the constitutions guide the development of the particulars of daily life. The Rule is the truly the cornerstone of each community, and the constitution is each congregation's interpretation of that rule according to their charism. So what do other religious congregations do? Are they supposed to adopt one of these existing rules or do some not have a rule? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 So what do other religious congregations do? Are they supposed to adopt one of these existing rules or do some not have a rule? They will all have Rules, but they will use one of these. The Franciscan rule is one of the last to be written, and many were suppressed in the Middle Ages. There got to be too many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 NotreDame you may want to read this: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Religious_Life/Religious_Life_042.htm This actually starts talking about the importance of constitutions. I think you'll find it fascinating :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotreDame Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 NotreDame you may want to read this: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Religious_Life/Religious_Life_042.htm This actually starts talking about the importance of constitutions. I think you'll find it fascinating :). Fr Hardon no less... Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Np. It is a good read, somewhat off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now