SISTERS TODAY - April 1969 Volume 40 Number 8 - The Instruction on the Renewal of Religious Formation - Digest

Sep 28, 2026

SISTERS TODAY (April 1969, Volume 40, Number 8) provides a digest of the Instruction on the Renewal of Religious Formation, presenting key passages and introductory editorial framing. The document outlines why religious institutes need renewed formation and updated canonical norms, enabling experiments grounded in prolonged testing and objective judgment. It sets forth guidelines and principles including the nature and value of religious profession, emphasizing vows, consecration, and faithful service to the Church while adapting formation stages across a longer period extending through novitiate and beyond.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time2 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION

I. SOME GUIDELINES AND PRINCIPLES

SisERSМагмжЭуо СьЛеое ИЬгогуDetrbit,Mc:ian 4821РВАЗе Ы МЮПрЕМОМA APRIL,1969 0 SISTERS TODAY TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME APRIL 1969 VOLUME 40NUMBER 8 A Digest of The Instruction on the Renewal of Religious Formation 441 Reflections on The Instruction on the Renewal of Religious Formation 448Sister M.Thomas Aquinas Carroll,R.S.M. Ecclesial Dimensions of Religious Obedience 456Ladislas M.Orsy,S.J. The Black Sister Today 469A Dialogue Sisters Study the Big City 477Sister Catherine Barrickman,O.S.B.andSister Theresa Demars,F.S.M. Planning for Creative Retirement 481Florence C.Weed Poem 485 Bulletin Board 486 Announcements 492 Letters to the Editor 494 Poem 495 Published monthly by monks of Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota.Editor:Father Daniel Durken,O.S.B.Book Review Editor:Father Benet Connor,O.S.B.Cover Design:Sister Mary Charles McGough,O.S.B.,College of SaintScholastica,Duluth,Minnesota.Indexed in the Catholic Periodical Index. Address all correspondence to Sisters Today,Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota,56321.(Checks payable to Sisters Today.)All manuscripts shouldbe accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and postage.Poetry will notbe accepted until further notice. 1 year $4.00;2 years $7.00;single copy 35 cents.All subscriptions arepayable in United States currency or check or International Money Order.Please allow six weeks to two months for the filling of a subscription. Printed by Sentinel Publishing Company,Hiway 10 South,Sauk Rapids,Minnesota.(Do not send mail to this address.)Second Class postage paidat Saint Cloud,Minnesota. # The Instruction onthe Renewal of Religious Formation NOTE:The following is only a digest of the 10,000-word Instruction onthe Renewal of Religious Formation.This summary of significant pas-sages is intended as an introduction to the entire decree.Reflections onthe Instruction by Sister M.Thomas Aquinas Carroll,R.S.M.,nationalchairman of the Sister Formation Conference,follow this digest.—Ed. ## INTRODUCTION The renewal and adaptation of religious institutes demand revision ofthe canonical prescriptions dealing with the structure and the means ofreligious life.Requests have therefore been formulated and transmittedto the Sacred Congregation for Religious and for Secular Institutes inorder to permit various institutes to better adapt the entire formationcycle to the mentality of younger generations,to modern living condi-tions,and also to the present demands of the apostolate while remainingfaithful to the nature and the special aim of each institute. New legislation can only be formulated on the basis of widespreadand prolonged experiments so as to arrive at an objective judgment basedon facts.The complexity of situations,their local variations,and therapidity of changes make it impossible for those charged with the forma-tion of today's youth to an authentic religious life to determine a prioriwhich solutions might be best.This Sacred Congregation wishes topermit these necessary experiments. ## I.SOME GUIDELINES AND PRINCIPLES 1.The broader norms of this Instruction give institutes the pos-sibility of prudently choosing the solutions best suited to their needs.With reference to formation and education,not even the best solutioncan be absolutely identical for institutes of men and for those of women.The framework and the means of formation must also vary dependingon whether an institute is dedicated to contemplation or is committedto apostolic activities. 2.Since this Instruction suggests that temporary vows be replacedby some other kind of commitment,it is necessary to recall the nature and value of religious profession itself.Profession of the three evangel-ical counsels brings about a total consecration to God.Such a gift shouldfind its culmination and its most eloquent expression in perpetual pro-fession.Religious profession is an act of religion and a special con-secration whe

FAQs

Why does the Instruction call for renewal and adaptation of religious institutes?

It requires revising canonical prescriptions about the structure and means of religious life so institutes can adapt the full formation cycle to newer mentalities, modern conditions, and current apostolic demands while remaining faithful to each institute’s nature and goal.

What is the role of experiments in forming new legislation?

New legislation should be based on widespread and prolonged experiments to reach an objective judgment grounded in facts, given the complexity of situations, local variations, and rapid changes.

What does the document say about religious profession and its core demands?

Religious profession is a total consecration to God through the vows of obedience, religious chastity, and poverty, culminating in perpetual profession; it binds the religious to the service of the Church, and today’s candidates are described as desiring to live the vocation with certain and authentic requirements.

Sep 28, 2026

Upload by Blue Pony