Carmelitess Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Hi, all! I've been wondering about something for a while. Why do some religious communities (cloistered and active) engage in the media? Some religious houses watch the nightly news or surf the internet, still others even watch the latest movies! Now, if there is a religious on this forum whose community does allow them to do the things I mentioned, please don't take offense at what I'm writing because I just don't understand and need clarification. I'm particularly disturbed by cloistered nuns who go online, watch movies, and view television. I found a link on Phatmass to an NBC segment on the PCPAs in Arizona, and it said that they watch the latest movies and sports (which are inundated with suggestive commercials). I also know of another Poor Clare monastic community in Washington that watches Oprah occasionally and even looks at YouTube!! How can these sisters keep their minds clean and pure when they're sullying them with the media? Would anyone be able to explain the reasons behind all of this? Thanks! God bless, Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sr Mary Catharine OP Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 [quote name='Carmelitess' post='1297697' date='Jun 18 2007, 01:03 PM']Hi, all! I've been wondering about something for a while. Why do some religious communities (cloistered and active) engage in the media? Some religious houses watch the nightly news or surf the internet, still others even watch the latest movies! Now, if there is a religious on this forum whose community does allow them to do the things I mentioned, please don't take offense at what I'm writing because I just don't understand and need clarification. I'm particularly disturbed by cloistered nuns who go online, watch movies, and view television. I found a link on Phatmass to an NBC segment on the PCPAs in Arizona, and it said that they watch the latest movies and sports (which are inundated with suggestive commercials). I also know of another Poor Clare monastic community in Washington that watches Oprah occasionally and even looks at YouTube!! How can these sisters keep their minds clean and pure when they're sullying them with the media? Would anyone be able to explain the reasons behind all of this? Thanks! God bless, Margaret[/quote] Margaret, I don't know why religious watch the latest movies and sports. The PCPA's? I wonder if that is really true. Religioius (both active and cloistered) are suppose to have some knowledge of what is going on in the world. We don't live isolated in our own little world but are part of this world. By being appropriately informed we can better understand and pray for the needs of the world and better able to help those who may call us or come to our parlor for help. Also, there are some huge issues out there that we need to have an intelligent understanding about. We vote, too and must make informed decisions. There is nothing wrong per se about going online. It's what we do with it that could be a distraction for us. As vocation directress I participate in this forum mainly because it has helped me understand where today's young people are in regard to religious vocations. There's been quite a cultural shift since when I entered 16 years ago. I will also go online to search out catechetical and theological materials! Horray for www.op.org/summa! I have found the internet very helpful in searching out articles and even online books on specific theological topics. For the past few weeks I've been working on the Dominican Sources class for the novitiate and was able to find some of the books I needed online or some articles that I didn't even know existed. It was a lot of work but well worth it! There is a site that has all the works of St. Augustine in Latin and when I'm curious about a certain passage in the Office I go there to see what the orginal Latin is. One of our Sisters has been doing some genealogical (sp!) research on our foundresses and was able to find some things that the family of our foundress didn't know. Or we might use it to do necessary shopping which is a lot less distracting and a lot less confusing than having one of our friends go out and purchase what we ask them to. Often, they buy something much more expensive than what we would and then we have to ask them to return it, etc. Now, we never go out for shoes but by them from zappos! Or even ebay! One of the sisters who wears 2 different sizes was able to buy some sandals cheap because someone was selling exactly her 2 different sizes! We order books online and often are able to get some at cheaper prices by using addall.com. Books are very important to us! We only watch movies that are clean and wholesome so most of the time they are old movies. We only do it about once a month or so but not during Advent or Lent. Sometimes we tape something off of EWTN. The only time I've gone on youtube was because our friars has posted one of their theological lectures on Youtube and it was the only way we could see it. We thought we could download it but we couldn't. Oh, that's another thing. One of our sisters downloads series from ETWN or lectures from our friars and records them on CD for us to listen to in the refectory. Some of our garden sisters go online when they are looking for some help because of a problem. Does that help at all, Margaret? I certainly can't imagine why religious would watch Oprah! I hate it when I'm stuck in a drs office waiting room and they have her on! UGH! God bless you! Sr. Mary Catharine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sr_betsy Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Carmelitess' post='1297697' date='Jun 18 2007, 11:03 AM']Hi, all! I've been wondering about something for a while. Why do some religious communities (cloistered and active) engage in the media? Some religious houses watch the nightly news or surf the internet, still others even watch the latest movies! Now, if there is a religious on this forum whose community does allow them to do the things I mentioned, please don't take offense at what I'm writing because I just don't understand and need clarification. I'm particularly disturbed by cloistered nuns who go online, watch movies, and view television. I found a link on Phatmass to an NBC segment on the PCPAs in Arizona, and it said that they watch the latest movies and sports (which are inundated with suggestive commercials). I also know of another Poor Clare monastic community in Washington that watches Oprah occasionally and even looks at YouTube!! How can these sisters keep their minds clean and pure when they're sullying them with the media? Would anyone be able to explain the reasons behind all of this? Thanks! God bless, Margaret[/quote] Hi margaret, I belong to an active community and some of our sisters do watch TV and go to the movies. It's all in moderation (it's been quite a while since I've been to the movies). Sure, there are shows/movies out there that are awful but look at the good: Mother Angelica was the foundress of EWTN and look at the good it has done. The Daughters of St. Paul - they have media as their ministry. sr betsy Edited June 18, 2007 by sr_betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlmom Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sisters, thanks for your replies--among the religious I know, nobody has much time to veg out in front of the TV or internet--they have way too much to do. Margaret, maybe you could substantiate what you mentioned in your first post by giving some links to your information? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batteddy Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 (edited) The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem do not allow television. But religious communities are supposed to have some knowledge of what's going on in the world and can use the media, such as the internet, for their ministry. The canons have a radio, and have one computer with internet access to be used with permission in the superior's office. They are also known to read the newspaper and go to a movie occasionally, and if there was some major event like a Mars landing, I'm sure they'd either be invited to someone's house, or watch it streaming on the internet. Edited June 18, 2007 by batteddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Watching the things you mentioned is not in accordance with "Verbi Sponsa" for contemplative womens' communities. Yes, the Phoenix PCPAs do watch the latest movies and such. I am not sure why they do (I have wondered myself) but at the moment they are not Papal Enclosed nuns so perhaps the rules do not apply as strictly to them right now. I will testify personally that those forms of media are not conducive to contemplative religious life, and only serve to distract and cause confusion and discord in the soul of a woman who is trying to unite herself to Jesus in that manner of life, most especially in the early stages. Verbi Sponsa very clearly lays out what forms of media are acceptable, and to what degree a contemplative nun may engage in them. It is very helpful to read it if you have any questions as to what the guidelines are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmelitess Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 [quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1297854' date='Jun 18 2007, 04:18 PM']Watching the things you mentioned is not in accordance with "Verbi Sponsa" for contemplative womens' communities. Yes, the Phoenix PCPAs do watch the latest movies and such. I am not sure why they do (I have wondered myself) but at the moment they are not Papal Enclosed nuns so perhaps the rules do not apply as strictly to them right now. I will testify personally that those forms of media are not conducive to contemplative religious life, and only serve to distract and cause confusion and discord in the soul of a woman who is trying to unite herself to Jesus in that manner of life, most especially in the early stages. Verbi Sponsa very clearly lays out what forms of media are acceptable, and to what degree a contemplative nun may engage in them. It is very helpful to read it if you have any questions as to what the guidelines are.[/quote] Hi, Thanks so much for the info! I couldn't agree with you more! Who wrote [i]Verbi Sponsi[/i], and do you know where I can find it? Perhaps EWTN has it in their documents library? Btw, here is a quote from Santa Teresa d'Avila: "Let them beware, for the devil through very small things, drills holes through which very large things enter. May it not happen that those who are to come say: 'These things are not important; don't go to extremes.'" [i]Foundations[/i], ch. 29, 32 I realize that Santa Teresa was speaking to her Carmelites, but I think this applies to all orders, active and contemplative. Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR (who, of course, is not cloistered) doesn't go to movies (unless it's a religious film such as [i]The Passion of the Christ[/i]or [i]The Nativity Story[/i]), watch the news, listen to the news on the radio, or use the Internet. He stays very well-informed due to his reading of periodicals such as [i]The New York Times[/i]. I definitely think that contemplatives should be more careful than the active communities, and shoudn't even be reading the newspaper, which also has inappropriate material in it. A good priest, friar, or layman can inform them of what world news they should add to their prayers. The Internet is a very good way of attracting new vocations, and I think that every religious community should consider having a website. It should be updated (new photographs, etc.) and maintained by the laity without the nuns, sisters, friars, monks, or brothers ever going online. I'm sure that, in an entire diocese, there would be someone willing to grant this service to the local religious house. I really don't think it's good to go online if you're a religious or priest because there are too many temptations therein. Even if one goes to a benign website, there might be an enticing link that would cause a near occasion of sin. Here is an example of an innocent-sounding webname being bad. I was looking for the old 1950s Disney [i]Cinderella[/i], and went to [mod]URL edited. --Era Might[/mod]. Imagine my surprise and disgust to find that it was a porn site! Our celibate priests and religious have enough trouble staying chaste without having that type of exposure. Just because the Internet, movies, television, and radio are available doesn't mean that we should utilize them, especially if they have the potential to damage our souls. I realize that the Internet is very convenient for cloistered religious, but there are other ways of obtaining information and products than from the Internet. Part of religious life is sacrifice and austerity---poverty. I hope this didn't offend anyone. Thanks to all who posted for giving their side of things! God bless you! Pax Christi, Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happynun Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Carmelitess' post='1297697' date='Jun 18 2007, 12:03 PM']Hi, all! I've been wondering about something for a while. Why do some religious communities (cloistered and active) engage in the media? Some religious houses watch the nightly news or surf the internet, still others even watch the latest movies! Now, if there is a religious on this forum whose community does allow them to do the things I mentioned, please don't take offense at what I'm writing because I just don't understand and need clarification. I'm particularly disturbed by cloistered nuns who go online, watch movies, and view television. I found a link on Phatmass to an NBC segment on the PCPAs in Arizona, and it said that they watch the latest movies and sports (which are inundated with suggestive commercials). I also know of another Poor Clare monastic community in Washington that watches Oprah occasionally and even looks at YouTube!! How can these sisters keep their minds clean and pure when they're sullying them with the media? Would anyone be able to explain the reasons behind all of this? Thanks! God bless, Margaret[/quote] Hi Margaret, I understand your concerns, and in my community our use of the media is directly linked with our Youth Apostolate. Don Bosco, our founder, was always on top of using the latest mediums of communication to spread the Gospel. As a result of this we are trying to build a strong web presence. We do go to movies with our kids (after carefully selecting something appropriate, but it is not often), we watch the news to stay on top of what is happening in the world (it has a huge impact on what is going on in the lives of the young people around us), we read newspapers when we have the time (there is no such thing as a good, agenda free, daily newspaper, dear... you kind of have to "pray-as-you-go" through it), and we have posted videos to youtube. Sometimes our kids want to show us something. It can make for a great teachable moment. We have to be discerning about what we consume from the media, but to cut ourselves off from it completely would be to deny a large part of our vocation as Salesian Sisters --- to meet young people and youth culture where they are at and bring the message of Christ to it. [quote]Btw, here is a quote from Santa Teresa d'Avila: "Let them beware, for the devil through very small things, drills holes through which very large things enter. May it not happen that those who are to come say: 'These things are not important; don't go to extremes.'" [i]Foundations[/i], ch. 29, 32 I realize that Santa Teresa was speaking to her Carmelites, but I think this applies to all orders, active and contemplative. Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR (who, of course, is not cloistered) doesn't go to movies (unless it's a religious film such as [i]The Passion of the Christ[/i]or [i]The Nativity Story[/i]), watch the news, listen to the news on the radio, or use the Internet. He stays very well-informed due to his reading of periodicals such as [i]The New York Times[/i]. I definitely think that contemplatives should be more careful than the active communities, and shoudn't even be reading the newspaper, which also has inappropriate material in it. A good priest, friar, or layman can inform them of what world news they should add to their prayers.[/quote] The New York times is not without biases... but I think that the point is that each religious community has a different spirituality and charism and discerns the movement of the Spirit for them. We should not be so quick to hold one community up as being the standard that all other communities should follow. We have to understand that for some communities the watching of the news or going to the movies can be a significant part of their vocation (Daughters of Saint Paul are an excellent example and they have a media apostolate). The CFRs have a very ascetical kind of life. The Carmelites are communal hermits. It is not fair to compare apples to carrots and then say that apples are better because they are more red. Please be careful when making judgments such as that because you will run into a lot of logical flaws that way. [quote]The Internet is a very good way of attracting new vocations, and I think that every religious community should consider having a website. It should be updated (new photographs, etc.) and maintained by the laity without the nuns, sisters, friars, monks, or brothers ever going online. I'm sure that, in an entire diocese, there would be someone willing to grant this service to the local religious house. I really don't think it's good to go online if you're a religious or priest because there are too many temptations therein. Even if one goes to a benign website, there might be an enticing link that would cause a near occasion of sin. [/quote]If there are too many temptations for religious who live in a community and have a strong prayer life then I think it would be MORE dangerous for lay people to go on the internet. If a religious does not possess the discerning maturity to be able to go on the internet and maintain their own webpage and take care of the email, then I would really wonder what they are doing in Religious Life. What are they running from? What issue/sin have they not dealt with in their life and why are they not open with their community about it? Some communities may choose to designate one person to do this, some may feel that allowing all of their members to email is perfectly fine. Each community is different, but I do not think that just because there are bad things on the internet that one should completely throw it out. It can be a powerful medium for bringing Christ to others. What about shopping malls? Are we never to use them? There are some bad stores in malls. If you continue this line of logic you will eventually never leave your house for fear of coming across evil... hopefully eventually realizing that the seed of sin lies within our own hearts and that if we allow God to heal us and sanctify us He will protect our actions and guide us... and if we should come across something evil, He will give us the grade to turn from it. [quote]Here is an example of an innocent-sounding webname being bad. I was looking for the old 1950s Disney [i]Cinderella[/i], and went to [mod]link edited[/mod]. Imagine my surprise and disgust to find that it was a porn site! Our celibate priests and religious have enough trouble staying chaste without having that type of exposure. Just because the Internet, movies, television, and radio are available doesn't mean that we should utilize them, especially if they have the potential to damage our souls. I realize that the Internet is very convenient for cloistered religious, but there are other ways of obtaining information and products than from the Internet. Part of religious life is sacrifice and austerity---poverty. I hope this didn't offend anyone. Thanks to all who posted for giving their side of things![/quote] My dear, I think that although you grasp well the evils on the internet you really should look at what is good out there. Ever seen the [url="http://www.savior.org"]adoration webpage[/url]? It is a beautiful webpage. PhatMass is another example of something good out there. If the internet is a source of sin for someone, of course they should limit it in their lives --- the same for movies and newspapers, and so on... but in general most people will be able to remain faithful to the Lord if they have a strong prayer life and are discerning about where they go and what they do. You probably do more damage to yourself by getting very upset when you come across a bad site (by accident), rather than simply changing the page and peacefully offering God a prayer for those people who made it. Yes, the internet is convenient for cloistered religious, so they should use it if their community feels the need. Have you ever looked through some of the catalogs that convents end up on the mailings lists for? Some of those can have some pretty evil things concealed within! There is the taint of sin everywhere, but "where sin abounds grace abounds all the more" Romans 5:20. So be at peace. God bless, Sr Colleen Edited June 19, 2007 by Lil Red link edited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sr Mary Catharine OP Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 [quote name='happynun' post='1298149' date='Jun 18 2007, 09:59 PM']Hi Margaret, I understand your concerns, and in my community our use of the media is directly linked with our Youth Apostolate. Don Bosco, our founder, was always on top of using the latest mediums of communication to spread the Gospel. As a result of this we are trying to build a strong web presence. We do go to movies with our kids (after carefully selecting something appropriate, but it is not often), we watch the news to stay on top of what is happening in the world (it has a huge impact on what is going on in the lives of the young people around us), we read newspapers when we have the time (there is no such thing as a good, agenda free, daily newspaper, dear... you kind of have to "pray-as-you-go" through it), and we have posted videos to youtube. Sometimes our kids want to show us something. It can make for a great teachable moment. We have to be discerning about what we consume from the media, but to cut ourselves off from it completely would be to deny a large part of our vocation as Salesian Sisters --- to meet young people and youth culture where they are at and bring the message of Christ to it. The New York times is not without biases... but I think that the point is that each religious community has a different spirituality and charism and discerns the movement of the Spirit for them. We should not be so quick to hold one community up as being the standard that all other communities should follow. We have to understand that for some communities the watching of the news or going to the movies can be a significant part of their vocation (Daughters of Saint Paul are an excellent example and they have a media apostolate). The CFRs have a very ascetical kind of life. The Carmelites are communal hermits. It is not fair to compare apples to carrots and then say that apples are better because they are more red. Please be careful when making judgments such as that because you will run into a lot of logical flaws that way. If there are too many temptations for religious who live in a community and have a strong prayer life then I think it would be MORE dangerous for lay people to go on the internet. If a religious does not possess the discerning maturity to be able to go on the internet and maintain their own webpage and take care of the email, then I would really wonder what they are doing in Religious Life. What are they running from? What issue/sin have they not dealt with in their life and why are they not open with their community about it? Some communities may choose to designate one person to do this, some may feel that allowing all of their members to email is perfectly fine. Each community is different, but I do not think that just because there are bad things on the internet that one should completely throw it out. It can be a powerful medium for bringing Christ to others. What about shopping malls? Are we never to use them? There are some bad stores in malls. If you continue this line of logic you will eventually never leave your house for fear of coming across evil... hopefully eventually realizing that the seed of sin lies within our own hearts and that if we allow God to heal us and sanctify us He will protect our actions and guide us... and if we should come across something evil, He will give us the grade to turn from it. My dear, I think that although you grasp well the evils on the internet you really should look at what is good out there. Ever seen the [url="http://www.savior.org"]adoration webpage[/url]? It is a beautiful webpage. PhatMass is another example of something good out there. If the internet is a source of sin for someone, of course they should limit it in their lives --- the same for movies and newspapers, and so on... but in general most people will be able to remain faithful to the Lord if they have a strong prayer life and are discerning about where they go and what they do. You probably do more damage to yourself by getting very upset when you come across a bad site (by accident), rather than simply changing the page and peacefully offering God a prayer for those people who made it. Yes, the internet is convenient for cloistered religious, so they should use it if their community feels the need. Have you ever looked through some of the catalogs that convents end up on the mailings lists for? Some of those can have some pretty evil things concealed within! There is the taint of sin everywhere, but "where sin abounds grace abounds all the more" Romans 5:20. So be at peace. God bless, Sr Colleen[/quote] Thank you, Sr. Colleen. You said just about everything I was going to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happynun Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 [quote name='Sr. Mary Catharine' post='1298179' date='Jun 18 2007, 09:22 PM']Thank you, Sr. Colleen. You said just about everything I was going to say.[/quote] No problem, Sister! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sister Jacqulyn Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Sisters, You have done an excellent job answering this question! I don't think I have anything else to add! My sisters are allowed to watch television and go to the movies, but again, we are to do so in moderation. Our Rule states very clearly that it is part of our vow of chastity to "safe-guard" ourselves from things that can distract us in our work and our commitment to God. Being careful of the media that we partake in is part of that! But I agree, there are many good forms of media that can be utilized in order to evangelize. As the other sisters noted, people are turning to the internet, tv, and other forms of media to find additional spiritual nourishment. But again, all things in moderation, all things rooted in the ONE! Sister Jacqulyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sr_betsy Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 [quote name='Sister Jacqulyn' post='1298198' date='Jun 18 2007, 08:55 PM']Sisters, You have done an excellent job answering this question! I don't think I have anything else to add! My sisters are allowed to watch television and go to the movies, but again, we are to do so in moderation. Our Rule states very clearly that it is part of our vow of chastity to "safe-guard" ourselves from things that can distract us in our work and our commitment to God. Being careful of the media that we partake in is part of that! But I agree, there are many good forms of media that can be utilized in order to evangelize. As the other sisters noted, people are turning to the internet, tv, and other forms of media to find additional spiritual nourishment. But again, all things in moderation, all things rooted in the ONE! Sister Jacqulyn[/quote] Absolutely agree (as I sit here finishing my homework!!). Sr. Colleen - you did a wonderful job. stlmom - you are right - there is not much time to veg out in front of the tv - which is a treat sr betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosamundi Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 [quote name='Carmelitess' post='1297923' date='Jun 18 2007, 11:09 PM']Hi, Thanks so much for the info! I couldn't agree with you more! Who wrote [i]Verbi Sponsi[/i], and do you know where I can find it? Perhaps EWTN has it in their documents library?[/quote] Verbi sponsa is a Vatican document and can be seen [url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/rc_con_ccscrlife_doc_13051999_verbi-sponsa_en.html"]here. [/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmelitess Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 [quote name='rosamundi' post='1298332' date='Jun 19 2007, 09:08 AM']Verbi sponsa is a Vatican document and can be seen <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/rc_con_ccscrlife_doc_13051999_verbi-sponsa_en.html" target="_blank">here. </a>[/quote] Thanks so much! : God bless, Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritas Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Carmelitess' post='1298713' date='Jun 19 2007, 09:13 PM']Thanks so much! : God bless, Margaret[/quote] + [b] Addressee:[/b] [size=2] CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE AND FOR SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE VERBI SPONSA Instruction on the Contemplative Life and on the Enclosure of Nuns[/size] [b]This seems to be the pertinent section:[/b] T[size=2]he means of social communications 20. Rules regarding the means of social communications in all their present-day forms are aimed at safeguarding the spirit of recollection; contemplative silence can in fact be undermined when noise, news and talk fill the enclosure. The communications media should be used with moderation and discretion, (71) not only with regard to the content but also the amount and the medium itself. It should be remembered that, inasmuch as contemplatives are accustomed to interior silence, the media have a more powerful impact on their sensitivity and emotions, making recollection more difficult. The use of radio and television can be permitted on particular occasions of a religious character. With prudent discernment and for everyone's benefit, in accordance with the decisions of the conventual Chapter, the use of other modern means of communication, such as fax machines, cellular telephones or the Internet, may be permitted in the monastery, for the exchange of information or for reasons of work. Nuns should make efforts to be duly informed about the Church and the world, not through the great volume of news, but by wise discernment of what is essential in the light of God, in order to make this a part of their prayer, in union with the heart of Christ. [/size] [b]Authority:[/b] [size=2]CONCLUSION 31. The intention of this Instruction is to confirm the Church's high esteem for the wholly contemplative life of cloistered nuns, and to reaffirm her concern to safeguard its authentic nature, “that this world may never be without a ray of divine beauty to lighten the path of human existence”. (94) May the Holy Father Pope John Paul II's words of blessing be of support and encouragement to all cloistered contemplatives: “As the Apostles, gathered in prayer with Mary and the other women in the Upper Room, were filled with the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14), so the community of the faithful hopes today to be able to experience, thanks also to your prayer, a renewed Pentecost for a more effective Gospel testimony on the threshold of the Third Millennium. Dear Sisters, I entrust to Mary, faithful Virgin and House consecrated to God, your Communities and each one of you. May the Mother of the Lord grant that from your monasteries a ray of that light which enveloped the world when the Word was made flesh and came to live among us should shine forth again!”. (95) On 1 May 1999, the Holy Father approved this present document of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and authorized its publication. From the Vatican, 13 May 1999, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Eduardo Card. Martínez Somalo Prefect Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti Secretary[/size] Edited June 20, 2007 by Veritas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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