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CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED
LIFE AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES
FOR THE PREPARATION
OF PERIODIC REPORTS

on the Status and Life of Institutes
of Consecrated Life
and Societies of Apostolic Life

(cf. CIC can. 592 §1)

Attachment to Prot. n. SpR 640/2008

 

Prot. n. SpR 640/2008

The Holy See takes special interest in consecrated life “deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, and a gift of God the Father to his Church through the Holy Spirit” (Vita consecrata 1). In particular, it expresses care for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life: their universal presence and the evangelical character of their witness are decisive elements for the mission of the Church and her call to communion and holiness (cf. Vita consecrata 9). For these reasons this Dicastery places great importance on the Report on the Status and Life of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which Supreme Moderators are to send to this Congregation at the time of their General Chapters. In a clear manner these reports foster communion with the Holy See in conformity with can. 592 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. In addition to supplying useful, factual information, an attentive reading of these reports enhances the theological, juridical and pastoral reflections of this Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, thus helping to concretise the service which this Dicastery is called to offer to consecrated life in these times of social and cultural complexity.

To facilitate the preparation of this informative report, the Dicastery suggests a series of themes to be covered in order to ensure that the Report can serve the purpose for which it is sought. Supreme Moderators are asked either to follow the format of the enclosed brochure “Suggested Guidelines for the Preparation of Periodic Reports to the Holy See” when preparing the Document or to send the Report on the Status of the Institute presented to the Chapter with supplemental information regarding themes that might not be present in said Report. May the Lord abundantly bless you for your service of leadership in ecclesial communion. We send heartfelt greetings in the Lord to each member of your community as together you seek to live Gospel values in your search for God and His Kingdom.

 

Vatican, Pentecost 2008

Franc Card. Rodé, C.M.
Prefect

+ Gianfranco A. Gardin, OFM Conv.
Secretary

1. FOUNDATION, CHARISM AND MISSION OF THE INSTITUTE
(cf. Vita consecrata 36-37)

Provide a brief description of the identity of the Institute and of the aspects of the founding Charism which were most stressed in recent years.

 

2. A BRIEF AND SUMMARIZED STATISTICAL REPORT
(cf. Vita consecrata 40)

Members

  • Number of perpetually professed members with age distribution.

  • Number of temporarily professed members with age distribution.

  • Number of formandi in each level of formation, divided by continent of origin.

  • Distribution of members according to Continents.

  • Number of departures and primary reasons.

 

Houses/Regions/Provinces/Delegations/ Zones

  • Number and divisions according to Continents.

 

3. CONSTITUTIONS, RULES, AND CUSTOMS OF THE INSTITUTE
(cf. Vita consecrata 36-37; 68)

  • Date of the latest approved revision of the Constitutions?

  • Are the Constitutions presently in need of revision?

  • When was the Ratio institutionis last revised?

  • What means are used in ongoing formation to assist members in their knowledge of and fidelity to the Constitution and Rules of the Institute?

 

4. THE PRIMACY OF THE SPIRIT
(cf. Vita consecrata 17-19; 35; 39; 88-90)

  • What are some tangible signs of the members’ desire to respond to the call to holiness through the sequela Christi and the living of Gospel values?

  • Describe the members’ commitment to Liturgy, the Word, and personal prayer as responses to the Spirit’s promptings to be configured to Christ.

 

5. COMMUNION IN COMMUNITY
(cf. Vita consecrata 41-45; 69-71)

  • Do the members manifest an appreciation of Consecrated life, lived as signum fraternitatis?

  • Do they give witness to being communities rich in “joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13,52)?

  • How much emphasis is placed on lectio divina, faith-sharing and community meetings, etc.?

  • How much importance is placed upon “life lived in common” and the spiritual and human growth of individual members?

  • How are elderly members cared for? What means are taken to form new leadership?

  • How is authority exercised within the Institute at the various levels (Houses, Regions, Provinces, etc.) and what means are used to facilitate communication and relationships among the various levels?

 

6. MISSION AND MINISTRY
(cf. Vita consecrata 72-83; 96-99)

  • How do members manifest their appreciation of Consecrated Life lived in the Church as servitum caritatis?

  • In what ministries are members of the community currently involved and how do these ministries reflect the founding charism in the various Cultures where members serve?

  • What programs of ongoing formation are offered to members in order to assure an updated and inculturated apostolic spirituality?

  • In the light of internal demographic shifts, what measures are being employed by the Institute to respond to its mission in the Church?

  • How is the Institute responding to new needs in the mission and the world?

 

7. VOCATION RECRUITMENT/FORMATION
(cf. Vita consecrata 63–71)

  • When were the Ratio formationis and the Ratio studiorum last revised?

  • What means are taken to recruit new members?

  • What criteria are used in the selection and retention of new members?

  • How are members formed in the Institute?

  • Does the Institute form part of any Inter- Institute formation program?

 

8. RELATIONS IN THE CHURCH
(cf. Vita consecrata 45; 52–53)

  • How are members formed in the spirituality of communion, in sentire cum Ecclesia, in insertion of communities into the Dioceses in which they serve, relationships with Bishops and Pastors?

  • Does the Institute form part of any Federations or Unions of Institutes with similar Charisms? (cf. can. 582).

  • Is the Institute a member of the International and National Conferences of Superiors General?

 

9. FINANCIAL STATUS AND PROPERTIES
(cf. Vita consecrata 89-90)

  • What is the status of the Institute’s finances and properties?

  • Is the community able to support its missions and members?

  • What provisions are made for the sharing of goods within the Institute and for the medical and retirement care of the members?

  • What initiatives does the Institute undertake to share its goods with the poor?

 

10. STATUS OF THE INSTITUTE
(cf. VVita consecrata 84-95)

  • What are the major successes and challenges which the Institute has experienced in recent years?

  • What are the major issues which the Institute must confront during the next administration?

  • What are the short and long range plans for the future of the Institute?

  • Other questions of particular interest.

 

Vatican, Pentecost 2008

          

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