Directives on Formation in Religious Institutes
by Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life
* The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which publishes this document, gives it the weight of an Instruction according to can. 34 of the Code of Canon Law. It deals with provisions and orientations approved by the Holy Father and proposed by the Dicastery with a view to clarifying the norms of law and assisting in their application. These provisions and orientations presume the juridic prescriptions which are already in effect, referring to them on occasion, and in no case derogating from them.
The Purpose of Religious Formation
A Constant Concern of the Holy See
The Post-conciliar Activities of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
The Reason for This Document and to Whom It Is Directed
Chapter I RELIGIOUS CONSECRATION AND FORMATION
Religious Identity and Formation
Religious and Consecrated Life According to the Doctrine of the Church
A Divine Vocation for a Mission of Salvation
A Personal Response
Religious Profession: An Act of the Church which Consecrates and Incorporates
A Life According to the Evangelical Counsels
Chastity
Poverty
Obedience
Religious Institutes: a Diversity of Gifts to be Cultivated and Maintained
A Life Unified in the Holy Spirit
Chapter II ASPECTS COMMON TO ALL STAGES OF RELIGIOUS FORMATION
A) Agents and Environment of Formation
The Spirit of God
The Virgin Mary
The Church and the "Sense of Church."
The Community
The Religious Themselves, Responsible for Their Formation
Instructors or Formators: Superiors and Others Responsible for Formation
B) The Human and Christian Dimension of Formation
C) Asceticism
D) Sexuality and Formation
Chapter III THE STAGES OF RELIGIOUS FORMATION
A) The Stage before Entrance into the Novitiate
Rationale
Content
Forms of Realization
B) The Novitiate and First Profession
End
Content
Professional Work during the Course of the Novitiate
Some Conditions to be Observed
Pedagogy. The Directors of Novices and their Collaborators
Religious Profession
C) Formation of the Temporarily Professed
What is Prescribed by the Church
Significance and Requirements of this Stage
The Content and Means of Formation
D) The On-going Formation of the Perpetually Professed
Reasons for On-going Formation
Its Content
Special Times of On-going Formation
Chapter IV FORMATION IN INSTITUTES ENTIRELY ORDERED TOWARDS CONTEMPLATION ESPECIALLY OF NUNS (PC 7)
The Place of these Institutes in the Church
The Importance of Formation in These Institutes
Some Points To Be Stressed
Lectio Divina
Liturgy
Work
Asceticism
Measures To Be Taken
Chapter V ACTUAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING RELIGIOUS FORMATION
A) Young Candidates to Religious Life and Vocation Promotion
B) Religious Formation and Culture
C) Religious Life and Ecclesial Movements
D) The Episcopal Ministry and Religious Life
E) Inter-institutional Collaboration on the Level of Formation
Chapter VI RELIGIOUS CANDIDATES TO PRIESTLY AND DIACONAL MINISTRY
Formation
The Specific Religious Character of Religious Priests and Deacons
The Place of the Religious Priest in the Diocesan Presbyterate