Canossian Daughters of Charity

Via della Stazione di Ottavia. 70
00135 ROME

                                         LETTER OF PROMULGATION

Dearest Lay Canossians,

I have the joy to promulgate, on the Feast of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, the Statutes of the Association of "Lay Canossians" that I presented, on behalf of the XII General Chapter, to the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which approved and confirmed them, with the attached Decree.

The approval of the Statutes of the Association of "Lay Canossians" is the sign of authentic fruitfulness of the numerous expressions of the Canossian charism in the Church.

The foundational charism belongs primarily to her, in whom all states of life are deeply unified in the "mystery of communion" and are dynamically and harmoniously coordinated in her only mission.

You are the legitimate heirs of the charism of St. Magdalene, ample and creative by its nature and history. This commits you to be responsible for its growth and realization in our time. It is your duty to re-interpret the Canossian spirituality so that it may conform to the secular nature of the laity.

While greeting you, I invoke, from Our Lady of Sorrows our Mother, an intense and deep communion in fidelity to the same charismatic vocation.

Rome, June 29, 1991

M. Elide Testa
Superior General

CONGREGATION

FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE
AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC UFE

Prot. n. V. 8-1/91

                                                                                   DECREE

The Institution named "Lay Canossians" belonging to the religious Institute of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, whose Generalate is in the city of Rome, is a public Association of faithful in which the members are called to live the charism and the spirituality of the Canossian Family in the world.

The aim of this Association is the active participation of the members in the life of the local Church, collaborating also in the specific ministries of the Daughters of Charity: education, evangelization, pastoral care of the sick, formation of the laity and spiritual exercises.

The Superior General of the Institute, on behalf of the General Chapter, has presented the Statutes of the said Association, to the Apostolic See for final approval.

This Congregation for Institutes of consecrated life and Societies of apostolic life, after carefully examining the Statutes, with the present Decree, approves and confirms them, according to the original written in Italian, which is preserved in its Archives as required by Canon Law.

Notwithstanding any disposition on the contrary.
Given in Rome, February 19, 1991.

I. IDENTITY OF THE LAITY IN THE CHURCH

1. All the faithful, constituted the people of God through baptism, are "called, each one according to his or her particular condition, to exercise the mission which God entrusted to the Church to fulfill in the world":

- to celebrate the grace of salvation

- to proclaim the Gospel

- to live the commandment of love.

From this fundamental equality among all Christians, through a particular gift of the Holy Spirit, various choices of vocations and ministries are derived.

2. The lay person, who is characterized by his/her secularity, is called "to develop and make effective all those latent Christian and evangelical possibilities, which already exist and operate"⁸ in the complex social, economic, political, cultural realities, which influence the way of living personal, family, civil and ecclesial relationships. With inner freedom, courage and intelligent creativity, he/she seeks to transform the restless search for riches and power into evangelical gratuitousness and service.

3. Fully inserted in the culture of his/her time, he/she witnesses and reminds the religious of the meaning of temporal realities: the Kingdom of God which is "at hand". Tending towards what is "yet to come" of every human reality, he/she is open to the religious who witness and remind him/her of it.

Il. IDENTITY OF THE LAY CANOSSIAN

4. The Lay Canossian, attracted by the charism of Magdalene, is called to live the love of Christ Crucified in the secular dimension, for “the glory of God and the sa1vation of all”.

Inserted, fully in the social and ecclesial realities of his/ her time, he/she makes present the gratuitous love of the Father by his/her proclamation, witness of life and active charity. Attentive to the manifold forms of human poverty, he/she promotes life and shares in the suffering and needs of his/her neighbours.’

5. The Lay Canossian, formed by Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, relates to the Father with filial trust. He/she is attentive to welcome the presence of God in the events of life and to seek his will. Entrusting himself/ herself to God, he/she lives the trials of each day and the experience of sorrow in the spirit of the Paschal Mystery.

The unconditional love of Christ empowers him/her to bring peace, unity and joy into his/her family, profession and social and pastoral commitments.’

In Mary, Mother of Charity at the foot of the cross, he/she finds a mode! of faith, fortitude and gratuitous gift.

6. The Lay Canossian nourishes his/her spirituality, integrating faith with daily life:

— in the active participation in the liturgical and sacra mental life of the Church,

— listening to and meditating on the Word of God,

— in personal, family and community prayer

— in the evangelical commitment within the temporal realities,

— in the trusting love of Mary, Mother of mercy and hope.

7. Called to be, like Magdalene, “expert in human ness”, the Lay Canossian cultivates a simple, humble and joyous style of life. He/she is available to put his/her time, energy and resources at the service of others, especially those who are most in need).  In his/her relation ships with persons, he/she is respectful and welcoming of everyone, reflecting the “most amiable, most generous and most patient” spirit of Jesus.’

III. MISSION OF THE LAY CANOSSIAN

8. The charism of charity, “a fire which spreads arid seeks to embrace all”,’ makes the Lay Canossian courageous and creative in proclaiming and witnessing the Gospel in every field: the family, the world of work, of culture, of politics and economics,’

The Lay Canossian is co-responsible with the whole people of God, for the mission of the Church. He/she participates actively in the life of the local Church, collaborating also, where possible, in the specific ministries of the Daughters of Charity: education, evangelization, pastoral care of the sick, formation of the laity and spiritual exercises.

9. His/her mission is characterized by:

— the special attitude to see and to serve the Crucified in “the crucified brothers and sisters”, in the least of society, in those far away from God, and in those whose dignity as children of God is disfigured;

— the communitarian dimension of service in collaboration with all, in a welcoming openness to diverse cultures, rnentalities and religions;

— universality, in the desire to promote and evangelize each and every person, even with commitment “ad gentes”.

 

IV. ASSOCIATION OF "LAY CANOSSIANS"

10.  The Association of "Lay Canossians" is composed of persons living in the world, who participate in the charism of the Institute of the Canossian Daughters of Charity.

The Association is regulated by its own Statutes. National Statutes are drawn up according to the local needs, in line with the process of inculturation of the faith. The lay person who decides to belong to the Association declares his/her commitment in one of the modalities stated in the National Statutes.

11. Among the members of the Association, some may decide to express their dedication to Christ by making one or more private vows.

Those Lay Canossians who wish to live in community may freely choose to do so for certain periods of time and in ways agreed upon together.

V. FORMATION OF THE LAY CANOSSIAN

12. The formation of the Lay Canossian takes place through the action of the Holy Spirit in his/her everyday life and relationships. This formative process is sustained by the Association through formative programmes outlined in its Plan of Formation.

It aims at revitalizing the Christian life of the person with the specific charism, expressed in its secular dimension, so that he/she may respond in fullness to his/her vocation in life.

13. The formative process comprises initial formation and on-going formation. Initial formation, of the duration of at least one year, brings the person to a gradual awareness of the identity of the Lay Canossian.
On-going formation guides the Lay Canossian in the deepening of his/her identity and mission, and helps him/her to be responsible for his/her own formation.
A specific formation programme is offered to the members of the Association called to live a consecrated life in the world.
 

14. The responsibility for the formation of Lay Canossians is entrusted to the formation team, which draws up formative programmes making use also of the existing structures in the local Church.
The functions of the members of the formation team are complementary and work together towards the integration of life with the Word of God and the Canossian charism through personal and/or group communications.
Such functions will be specified in the National Statutes.
 

VI. ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF "LAY CANOSSIANS"

15. The organizational structure is such as to guarantee the realization of the formation process and the aims of the Association.
The fundamental principles guiding the functions and relationships within it are: co-responsibility, interdependence and complementarity.
 

16. The Association is organized at local, national and international levels.
The members of the Association elect a Coordinating Team at each level. The Team is formed by: the Coordinator, Secretary and Treasurer, chosen among the Lay Canossians, and the Animator, a Canossian Sister.
The National Statutes will establish the procedures of electing the Coordinating Teams at the local and national levels.
The duration of their service is three years, with the possibility of being re-elected for another three-year term.
At the international level, the Coordinating Team is elected by the national delegates who participate in the international convention, held every five years.
 

17. The Coordinating Team has the following functions:
            - to foster communion among members and groups, promoting communication and solidarity among them,
            - to sustain and encourage those who are in difficulty,
            - to approve and evaluate the formative itineraries,
            - to admit new candidates into the Association,
            - to administer the goods of the groups.
 

18. The lay person who decides to join the Association of "Lay Canossians", after the period of initial formation, presents his/her request to the local Coordinator who will evaluate it together with the other members of the Coordinating Team.
If the Lay Canossian, for personal reasons, decides to discontinue his/her membership in the Association, he/she shall communicate it to the Local Coordinator. In its turn the Local Coordinating Team can ask a Lay Canossian leave the Association.
 

19. At various levels, the Coordinating Team administers the goods belonging to the group in the evangelical spirit of justice, charity and solidarity with the poor.
A report is to be given to the members of the Association regularly.
 

20. The Local and National Headquarters of the Association shall be agreed upon by the Institute and the Association. The office of the International Coordination is in Rome.
 

VII. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION OF "LAY CANOSSIANS" AND THE INSTITUTE OF THE
DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY
 

21. The Lay Canossians and the Daughters of Charity form a community-communion of persons who live the same charism in different states of life.
Their relationship is characterized by a concrete collaboration, by a style of dialogue and acceptance and by coresponsibility in the charism.
 

22. The Lay Canossians and the Sisters share special moments of:
- prayer and fraternal life, especially on the occasion of celebrations of the Canossian Family, like the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15) and of the Foundress (May 8);
- joy and suffering present in the life of the Association and of the Institute;
- communication and evaluation in fidelity to the same charism, to the signs of times, and to the directives of the Church;
- experiences and information relative to life and pastoral activity; planning and implementation of the formation programmes;
- joint service to the "poorest" in the socio-pastoral activities.
The modalities and times for sharing are indicated in the National Statutes.
 

23. The Coordinating Team of the Association of "Lay Canossians" at the different levels, relates with the Institute of the Daughters of Charity through the Sister Animator, nominated by the respective Major Superior.
The Association of "Lay Canossians" is under the "overall direction" of the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity, called by the Church to guarantee the authenticity of the charism.
 

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