Indeed from the very beginning of the Church men and women have set about following Christ with greater freedom and imitating Him more closely through the practice of the evangelical counsels, each in his own way leading a life dedicated to God.
(Perfectae Caritatis n. 1)
Homily on the 14th Day of Consecrated Life
Pope Benedict XVI – February 2, 2010
Address for the 13th World Day of Consecrated Life
Pope Benedict XVI – February 2, 2009
Address for the 12th World Day of Consecrated Life
Pope Benedict XVI – February 2, 2008
The Service of Authority and Obedience
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life – May 11, 2008
Address for the 11th World Day of Consecrated Life
Pope Benedict XVI – February 2, 2007
Homily on the 10th World Day of Consecrated Life
Pope Benedict XVI – February 2, 2006
Starting Afresh from Christ – A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in Third Millenium
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life – May 19, 2002
Vita Consecrata – An Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II – March 25,1966
Fraternal Life in Community
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life – February 2, 1994
Essential Elements in the Church’s teaching on Religious Life
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life – May 31, 1983
The Contemplative Dimension of Religious Life
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life – March 1980
Evangelica Testificacio
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Paul VI – June 29, 1971
Perfectae Caritatis – Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life
Decree of Pope Paul VI – October 29,1965
Today more than ever, the world needs to see in you men and women who have believed in the Word of the Lord, in His resurrection and in eternal life, even to the point of dedicating their lives to witnessing to the reality of that love, which is offered to all men. In the course of her history, the Church has ever been quickened and gladdened by many holy religious who, in the diversity of their vocations, have been living witnesses to love without limit and to the Lord Jesus. Is not this grace, for the man of today, a refreshing breeze coming from infinity itself, and foreshadowing man’s liberation in eternal and absolute joy? Open to this divine joy, live generously the demands of your vocation, renewing the affirmation of the realities of faith and in its light interpreting in a Christian way the needs of the world. The moment has come, in all seriousness, to bring about a rectification, if need be, of your consciences, and also a transformation of your whole lives, in order to attain greater fidelity. (Evangelico Testificatio n. 53)
