Rule of Life, Constitution and Directory of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity

Transcription

1 Rule of Life, Constitution and Directory of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity Approved 1985

2 1 1. Our Lord had very much at heart the creating of a spirit, a missionary spirit, an Evangelical burning that would sweep over the whole world. He came to cast a fire on the earth, and he willed that it would be enkindled (Lk 12:49). The Holy Spirit has enkindled this fire in our hearts. This is our heritage: an apostolic spirit, a Gospel spirit, a Catholic spirit. The Missionary Cenacle Spirit is charity, charity aflame. I. NATURE AND PURPOSE 2. We, the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, are a religious Institute of pontifical right, one branch of an apostolic family, who have been called by God to be missionaries in the Church. We have a special relationship with the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, priests and Brothers. Together, our religious and lay branches comprise the Missionary Cenacle Family. C 2.1 We live a vowed life in community to offer one another mutual support in our commitment to be faith filled, responsible women of the Gospel, fully alive and confident in Jesus Christ. D2.1 The Missionary Cenacle Family is comprised of four branches: the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute. D2.2 We hold as a value mutual support, collaboration and joint meetings of the various branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family to stimulate and guide our future as a family in the Church. D2.3 The General Custodian and her General Council will participate in Council meetings with the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and with the Missionary Cenacle Family Council. 3. By our lives as Missionary Servants we seek first to glorify the Triune God. We follow in the footsteps of the apostles who, filled with the Holy Spirit, went forth from the Cenacle to spread everywhere the knowledge and love of Jesus. We live and work that God's name may be hallowed, that his kingdom come, that his holy will be done (Mt 6:9-10). 4. The missionary thought, the missionary idea, the missionary spirit should be dominant in our Missionary Cenacles. We meet the pressing needs of our day by undertaking works that the Church wants, that are good and necessary and that have a note of abandonment about them. In all our apostolic commitments, we recognize the authority of the bishops and their special role as signs of unity and as pastors in the local churches. C4.1 If we are to merit Father Judge's designation as shock troops, we must offer a prophetic vision for future generations, demonstrate a strong trust and

3 2 confidence in Jesus Christ in the face of opposition and difficulties, and enter new areas of ministry with a spirit of mobility and the invincible faith and courage of picked women. D4.1 We announce the Gospel by proclaiming the Word of God and by upholding the dignity and rights of all people. A maxim of our tradition, save the child and you save all, motivates us to have a special concern for families and issues that affect them. C4.2 Our apostolic mission is expressed through ministries of Christian Formation, Education, Health Services, Pastoral Ministry, Intra-community Services and Social Work. D4.2a Ministry assignments are ordinarily for a minimum of three years. Periodic review will determine whether an assignment should continue. D4.2b Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity are to have regular mission planning for and evaluation of our ministries using a common evaluation process based on Cenacle values. C4.3 We offer ourselves for apostolic ministry at home and in other lands. We seek beginnings in abandoned places. We have at heart the home missions, the poor and neglected areas of the United States and Puerto Rico and Mexico. D4.3a In accepting new ministries, criteria based on our Charism are employed: - there is evidence of spiritual abandonment; - there is an opportunity to nurture an apostolic spirit in the laity; - an unmet need exists; - there is manifest evidence of poverty; - the ministry is Church related; - there exists the possibility of working with the Missionary Cenacle Family; - Ordinarily preference is given to ministries which embody the greatest number of these criteria. D4.3b The General Custodian, with the deliberative vote of her General Council, may commit the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity to carry out a ministry for a definite period of time in a particular place. D4.3c As missionaries we can expect to go among people of different cultures. Sisters are to be prepared for cross-cultural ministries. This preparation includes: orientation to other cultures, psychological preparedness, language studies and other special preparation as needed.

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5 4 C4.4 We shall not ordinarily undertake ownership or management of institutions. An exception may be made with the unanimous consent of the General Council after consultation with the whole Community. D4.4 Institutions, for our purposes, are settings such as hospitals, schools, child care facilities, nursing homes and housing projects. An individual Sister may assume a position of staff of an institution. D4.5 If difficulties arise with ecclesiastical superiors, the Sister experiencing the difficulty shall refer the matter to the General Custodian. D4.6 The specifics of our Mission and Ministry are in the Handbook. 5. Our specific mission is the preservation of the faith in those areas and among those people who are spiritually neglected and abandoned, especially the poor. Our chief effort is to develop a missionary spirit in the laity, with the goal that every Catholic be an Apostle. C5.1 For us, "preservation of the faith" means awakening and strengthening faith among those who have a Catholic heritage and are in danger of losing it, and making the Church effectively present where it is weak or misunderstood. It involves confessing the truths of our faith; demonstrating Christianity in action by providing human services to the needy and working for peace and justice; collaborating with others to bring about Christian unity; and fostering faith among all who seek reasons for living and hoping. 6. We are to have an ardent zeal for the poor, for those desolate in all things spiritual and for victims of injustice. Charity urges us to action on behalf of justice as an integral part of announcing the coming of the kingdom. C6.1 We must act on behalf of peace and justice. We should take practical steps to work for peace and to secure justice for abandoned people. We must be knowledgeable about social issues, prepared to implement the social teachings of the Church in communion with our bishops and ready to take a corporate stand when necessary. D6.1 The call to social justice impels us to have a concern for ecology; to live simply, to conserve natural resources, and to actively care for God s gift of creation. 7. The Cenacle spirit is a Catholic spirit, a living, burning operating love of God and neighbor. We are to share this spirit by promoting and supporting the ministries of the laity in the mission of the Church. We acknowledge "different gifts but the same Spirit, different ministries but the same Lord." (I Cor. 12:24)

6 5 C7.1 We are to be greatly involved with the laity in cooperative endeavors to discover the fullness of Christian living. We are also to encourage lay persons to give witness to their faith in the providence of their daily lives and to place their gifts at the service of others in response to their Christian vocation. D7.1 Acknowledging different gifts but the same spirit we support and encourage those men and women who, while not members of one of the branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family, share elements of our charism and vision. 8. We are to call forth apostolic men and women from everyday walks of life to become lay associates in the Missionary Cenacle Family. A family spirit should be demonstrated by loving regard among the members of the branches and, when feasible, by collaboration in apostolic works. It is our particular responsibility as religious members of this family to conserve this Cenacle Spirit and to be the sanctuary where that fire is kept. Father Judge declared that: if the right spirit is maintained, if the primitive spirit is passed down, this family idea will engender the most beautiful fruits for the honor and glory of God and for the edification of the Church. C8.1 We are to be particularly concerned that collaboration in education, development and shared spirituality continue among the various branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family. C8.2 The Cenacle way of life is a vocation. We should encourage women and men with a missionary spirit to become members of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. We are to promote and support its development.

7 6 II. SPIRITUAL LIFE 9. The Cenacle spirit is a Christlike spirit of faith working through love (Gal 5:6). We are to confess in our hearts the mysteries of faith: the Trinity, the Incarnation and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We aspire to a devotional knowledge of these mysteries, that is, a deeply personal and interior faith that is restless until it finds expression in good works; our good works, in turn, nourish our life of faith and bear fruit in apostolic holiness. 10. We are to have a personal love of God our Father, of his son Jesus and of the Holy Spirit who abides with us. In a particular way we cherish in our prayer and labor the naked, abandoned Jesus on Calvary. We express our love through personal service to his poor and abandoned members. 11. We are to make the Holy Spirit better known and loved. By steadfast prayer in our Cenacles we seek to attract the Holy Spirit so that our own hearts may be enkindled with God's love and that we may spread this fire to others. We ask to be filled with the gifts of the Spirit, wisdom and fortitude especially. C 11.1 We are to continue the practice of a Perpetual Novena to the Holy Spirit, part of our tradition since our earliest years. 12. The Cenacle Spirit is a gospel spirit. In order to follow Jesus more closely, as set forth in the Gospels, we profess the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience as a fuller expression of our baptismal consecration. The uncompromising message of the Gospels calls us to exercise our prophetic role as witnesses to truth. 13. Vowed life in community unites us in faith, hope and love. We strive to emulate the early Christians who had one heart and one mind and were nourished by the teachings of the apostles, and the breaking of the bread and the common prayers (Acts 2:42; 4:32). C13.1 We choose apostolic life in community as our way of living out the Gospel. In undertaking missionary works, we prefer those which allow for the establishment of Missionary Cenacles where members may share a common life. C13.2 For the sake of ministry carried out in the name of the Institute, the General Custodian with the consent of her Council, may give permission, subject to periodic evaluation, for a Sister to live alone or with another Congregation.

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9 8 C13.3 Our striving to build a faith community gives direction to our lives and calls us to witness God to one another, to the people we serve and to our local community. 14. We shall hold the Word of God in high esteem. We cherish the Gospels in particular esteem cause they depict Jesus showing by word and example the way to the Father. By reflection on the providence of everyday life in the light of the Gospels we come to a devotional knowledge of the mysteries of faith and a deeper understanding of our own experience. Each shall have a copy of the Sacred Scriptures and make frequent use of them in prayer and proclamation. 15. The Eucharist is the center and sun of our apostolic lives. We are to worship God in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, our sacramental participation in the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection. We should so prepare and celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy that it will be a genuine expression of community and source of apostolic vitality. We are to have reverence for the sacramental presence of the Lord Jesus and for all that is related to the Eucharist, especially the priesthood. C15.1 Every Missionary Cenacle is expected to have a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament can be reserved; where this is not possible, the chapel will be the parish church. D15.1 The Eucharistic Liturgy, because of its transcending value, will be the preferred communal celebration of the Community. D 15.2 We recognize the ecclesial role of the ordained priesthood and our responsibility to extend support to priests, especially those in the Missionary Cenacle Family. We do this particularly by our prayer, by showing concern and by collaboration in ministry. We are to encourage the laity to do the same 16. Because of our need for God's mercy in our brokenness, we are to approach the Sacrament of Penance frequently for reconciliation and healing. By our experience of sacramental forgiveness, we grow in mercy and compassion toward others. 17. The Cenacle spirit is a prayerful spirit. We recognize that only a spiritual person can lead an apostolic life, and that we cannot be spiritual without prayer. Great value, then, shall be placed upon periods of prayerful silence and recollection. We are to devote suitable time each day to personal prayer, meditation and spiritual reading. Our reading should include Missionary Cenacle writings and, in keeping with our maxim sentire cum ecclesia we are to reflect prayerfully on the documents of the Church.

10 9 C17.1Each Sister is to give at least one half hour daily to personal reflective prayer. C17.2The local Community shall determine how an atmosphere of prayerful silence and recollection will be achieved. 18. Periodically we shall seek extended times of prayer and recollection. We are each to make an annual retreat. In order that we may be more attentive to the lights and impulses of the Holy Spirit in our following of Christ, we are encouraged to seek personal spiritual direction. C18.1 Each Sister is to make an annual retreat of at least five consecutive days. D18.1 Each Missionary Cenacle shall set aside a period of time every month for spiritual reflection. 19. We are to glorify the Triune God through common prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours. We pray together to promote greater zeal in the apostolate, more supportive community life and stronger bonds within the Missionary Cenacle Family. We shall encourage others to share our prayer. C 19.1 In each Missionary Cenacle the Sisters shall gather daily for Morning and Evening Prayer at times suitable to their apostolic commitments. D19.1 Our traditional Cenacle prayers, as well as other sources, may be incorporated into Christian Prayer, or used by themselves for community prayer. D 19.2 Faith sharing and apostolic reflection are to have an important place in the prayer life of the Community. 20. Our prayer should not be narrow personal prayer; it should reach the throne of God only after having touched the farthest bounds of God's creation and mourned in every human misery and rejoiced in God's goodness. We are to pray, therefore, for the needs of the entire Church, especially for the Holy Father, for bishops and for priests; we pray for youth and for those who are sick, suffering or abandoned. We have a special obligation to pray for our living and deceased relatives, friends, benefactors and members of the Missionary Cenacle Family. D20.1 Prayer for one another is a mark of God s favor upon the Cenacles. Sisters are to pray daily for each other and for the apostolic works of the Missionary Cenacle Family. D20.2 As a special mark of unity and charity we are to pray for our brothers, the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity.

11 10 D20.3 It is our practice to offer sacrifice and prayers for the faithful departed. The way of expressing this practice is determined in the local Missionary Cenacle. D20.4 It is our practice to pray for vocations to the Missionary Cenacle Family. The way of fulfilling this practice is determined by the individual Sisters and the local Community. 21. In our religious family we have special devotion to Mary, Queen of the Missionary Cenacle, to Joseph, an unfailing and powerful friend, to the Apostles, ardent followers of Jesus, and to Vincent de Paul, patron of charity and humility. 22. The Cenacle spirit is an apostolic spirit which finds its perfection in zeal, the white heat of charity. We are to become perfect in the spirit and virtues of the Cenacle, to live and die simple, prudent, humble, charitable men and women; men and women of sacrifice, of patience, of self-denial whose lives are spent and consecrated to the service of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. III. VOWED LIFE 23. Christ calls us to follow him with liberty of spirit and to share in his emptying of self for others (Phil 2:7). He was celibate and poor (Mt 8:20, Lk 9:58) and obedient unto death (Phil 2:8). We freely vow chastity, poverty and obedience as a personal response in faith to God whose love the Holy Spirit has poured out in our hearts (Rom 5:5). C23.1 A vow is a baptism of love. Thus, intimacy with the Lord Jesus is at the heart of vowed life in community. It is love that motivates and permeates the three vows and calls us to continual growth. 24. Our religious profession binds us to the Church and its mystery in a special way. By profession of vows we are joined together for the sake of apostolic mission, through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Our vows should help us to express a more generous love of one another in community; community life, in turn, should contribute to the faithful living out of the vows. C24.1 As a witness to evangelical poverty, and to religious consecration, our garb, while being in some way different from forms that are clearly secular, will be the plain dress of any modestly attired woman of our day. This is the original intent of our Founder and, historically, this custom has enabled us to move freely among the poor and abandoned. D24.1 Our clothing is to be simple and appropriate so that we may approach people readily and not attract attention to ourselves. We are to be

12 11 modest and neat, and by our appearance show respect for those with whom we minister, and proclaim to all our consecration as women religious. C24.2 As a public sign of our consecration, we are to wear the official emblem of the Institute which is given to each of us at the time of profession. Chastity 25. We imitate the single-hearted love of Jesus, who gave himself for us as an offering to God (Eph. 5:1). Our gift of self in consecrated chastity should liberate our hearts to love and to be loved by all those given us in community and ministry. Our chastity should find expression in a warm and selfless love of others. 26. By the vow of chastity, we promise to remain celibate and to lead lives of perfect continence for the love of God and for the sake of the kingdom (Mt. 19:22). By accepting the gift of celibacy, we express our preferential love of the Lord Jesus. C26.1 As religious women we are to convey by our attitude, manner and presence that we have given ourselves to God and to his people. 27. In the spirit of the Missionary Cenacle, we are to offer each other support and understanding, rejoicing with those who rejoice and sorrowing with those who sorrow. In a special way, our love is given to the sick and aging who are our particular treasure in community. C27.1 We grow in the virtue of chastity by fidelity to our spiritual practices, particularly devotion to Mary and Joseph, by commitment to each other in community and by the practice of the Cenacle virtues of prudence and self-denial, especially in interpersonal relationships and in our forms of relaxation and entertainment. D27.1a Each Sister shall strive to excel in charity in all her relationships. She shall strive to create a vibrant faith community so that both she and her Sisters may be encouraged in personal growth and in living the Missionary Cenacle spirit in the context of Gospel values. D27.1b We are to be generous in spending time with each other so that by our presence and interest we contribute to a union of hearts, minds, and goals.

13 12 D27.1c Sisters will gather periodically to support and encourage each other. These gatherings of Sisters may be structured according to various geographic areas, ministries, or other arrangements with the approval of the General Custodian. The members of each gathering will determine their own internal structure. D27.1d Lectures, days of renewal and prayer, workshops, celebrations of community events and taking counsel on matters appropriate to common life and mission are possible material for gatherings of Sisters. D27.1e Participation in these gatherings is a responsibility of each Sister and a legitimate expectation on the part of the Community. D27.1f The General Custodian will determine how the members of the General Council will relate to these various gatherings of Sisters in order to bring about effective and creative exchange of concerns to enhance the common good. D27.1g D27.1h We acknowledge the enrichment as well as the challenge that cultural diversity presents to us. We are to strive to learn about, respect and honor the cultural differences among us. Charity and justice will be the criteria when considering the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of each Sister. We will continue to cherish each other in Christ, through each stage of life s development including times of crisis, prolonged illness and convalescence. Refer to Guidelines for Dealing with Serious Illness at the Local Level. D27.1i Caring for her health is the responsibility of each Sister. Because we cherish one another in Christ, it is also the responsibility of the Community. D27.1j Arrangements for vacations shall be decided at the local level. Each Sister shall take into account the needs of community life, of her ministry, the house budget, as well as her own personal needs.

14 13 Poverty 28. We imitate the poverty of Jesus who for our sake "made himself poor though he was rich, so that we might become rich through his poverty" (2 Cor 8:9). The virtue of poverty inspires us to be totally dependent upon the providence of God, to be subject to the common law of labor, to heed the cry of the poor and to live simply, holding all things in common. D28.1 Each Sister is to strive for a spirit of poverty in her personal life. 29. By the vow of evangelical poverty, we renounce our right to dispose of and to use anything that has material value without permission. We retain the radical right to own and acquire goods. C29.1 By the vow of poverty, a Sister foregoes the administration of her goods and the right to use and dispose independently of them and of their revenues. She also foregoes the administration of her patrimony and the right to use and dispose independently of it or of its revenues. D29.1 According to the custom of our Institute, a Sister s own goods, such as property, money or insurance, consists of those goods: a) which she acquired prior to her first profession of vows; b) which she acquired as gifts from relatives or from friends known prior to her first profession. A Sister s patrimony consists of those goods inherited from her own relatives or from friends known prior to her first profession. C29.2 Prior to profession of vows, and for the length of time she shall remain bound by them, a Sister must cede by legal document the administration of her goods and patrimony; a Sister may change the cession with the permission of the General Custodian. If the Sister leaves the Institute, such a cession loses all validity. D29.2 Cession of administration of goods and patrimony may be made in one of the following ways: a) Cede the administration to the Institute, which will invest the patrimony and use the interest for the works of the Institute. The principal remains part of the Sister s estate to be disposed of according to her Last Will and Testament. b) Turn the administration over to someone else; the goods and patrimony remain part of the Sister s estate to be disposed of according to her Last Will and Testament

15 14 D29.3 Each Sister is bound by civil law relative to ownership, income and taxation procedures. C29.3 We are free to make renunciation of our patrimony. Renunciation of patrimony may be made ten or more years after perpetual profession. Permission for such renunciation must be received from the General Custodian. C29.4 A Sister may give to the Institute all or part of the patrimony which she currently owns without making a renunciation of patrimony which may be acquired by her in the future. This gift to the Institute would not be returned to her if she leaves the Institute. C29.5 Whatever property, income, pensions, gifts or bequests a Sister acquires in the Institute as remuneration for her ministry or by reason of the Institute, belongs to the Institute. D29.4 If a Sister receives a gift of substantial value, permission must be obtained from the designated authority as to its disposition. C29.6 Professed Sisters may not seek compensation for work done for the Institute. At the time of both first and perpetual profession of vows, a Sister must, therefore, sign a document valid in civil law in which she declares that she will not demand any remuneration for services given the Institute if she leaves it or is dismissed. C29.7 A Sister may not dispose of the goods of the Institute without permission. C29.8 Before perpetual profession, a Sister shall freely make a Last Will and Testament valid in civil law, disposing of her actual possessions and of those that may come to her later. Sisters may change their Last Will and Testament only with the permission of the General Custodian. 30. We are to be responsible stewards of the material goods entrusted to us. Our Cenacle heritage, moreover, directs us to be generous in sharing with others and in offering hospitality. C30.1 In our Missionary Cenacles we are to extend hospitality to guests and members of the Missionary Cenacle Family in places set aside for that purpose. D30.1 Our witness to poverty is to be visible in our manner of living. Our Cenacles are to be simple and modest, in keeping with the virtue of poverty. D30.2 Our witness to corporate poverty is seen in the zeal, the spirit of sacrifice, the simplicity of life, and the spirit of love and service which are essential expressions of our missionary charism.

16 15 D30.3 An attitude of respect and thanksgiving for the goods of this earth impels us to use and care for these goods in a conscientious manner. Obedience 31. We imitate the obedience of Jesus, who "humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross" (Phil 2:8). The virtue of obedience is grounded in faith and love, generosity and forgetfulness of self. Our obedience should be humble and of the heart, simple and entire, constant and strong in everything. 32. By the vow of obedience, we pledge to obey those persons who exercise authority in our Institute in everything that pertains to the observance of the Constitution and the integrity of our religious profession. We are to obey the Holy Father in virtue of our vow of obedience and to show him a particular loyalty. C32.1 The General Custodian is to give a command in virtue of holy obedience rarely, cautiously and prudently, and only for a just and grave reason. Such a formal precept shall be given in writing or before two witnesses. C32.2 A Sister exercises her ministry as a response to her vow of obedience. Therefore, she shall undertake and terminate her ministry following the process outlined in the Handbook under "Mission and Ministry." 33. Relying on the Holy Spirit, we are to seek together to discover God's will in a climate of respect and trust. With genuine love we call each other to grow in apostolic holiness through encouragement and mutually appropriate accountability. This practice of taking counsel in matters of common life and mission is a cherished tradition in the Missionary Cenacle. After prayer and counsel, we humbly accept the decisions of those in authority. C33.1 Our Cenacle tradition of holding council gives expression to our desire to know God's will in all things. We submit all important matters to prayer and council. All, before coming to a council meeting, should individually and earnestly pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of Counsel. We should enter with prayerful minds free from bias and love of our own opinion. We state our views with detachment, giving out what the Holy Spirit gives us. All our deliberations are marked by a peaceful and charitable presentation of reasons. The rest we leave to the direction of the Holy Spirit. D33.1 The ordinary channel for seeking resolution of local conflict is the House Council; then the Sister with religious authority on the local level; then the General Custodian. Every Sister has the right of direct recourse to the General Custodian. D33.2 A Sister may appeal decisions made concerning her by using appropriate channels.

17 16 D33.3 A Sister is forbidden to appeal the decisions of the Community authority to anyone outside the Institute other than the proper Church authority. A Sister may not appeal to a secular tribunal on matters internal to the Institute. D33.4 It is possible that a Sister may find herself in serious and unresolved conflict. In such a situation, the principle of council may indicate that the General Custodian or the Sister invoke the formal Process of Equity. Details of this procedure are outlined in the Handbook. IV. MINISTRY OF AUTHORITY 34. Religious authority is exercised by those chosen to call us to be faithful to our vocations as Missionary Servants. The function of this authority is to assist each other to seek the will of God, to promote a true spirit of community and to unite us in pursuing our apostolic goals. 35. This authority, a ministry after the example of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28), is to be exercised according to the Constitution and other statutes of common and particular law. C35.1 The fundamental principle of government in our Community is charity. From this flow the other principles: communication, co-responsibility, accountability, subsidiarity and service. D35.1 Council / counsel is central to the exercise of religious authority; it is also central to our way of responding in obedience. Some of the elements of council are: - prayerful minds free from bias and love of our own opinions; - a calm statement of views; - a holy indifference to our own interests and sentiments; - a peaceful and charitable presentation of reasons; - freedom from human expedience. D35.2 In our Community respect for diversity and the effort to achieve consensus are to characterize the exercise of authority and the response in obedience. 36. We recognize the value of counsel and consultation in important matters of common concern. In house council, we are to share the responsibility for decisions affecting the local community. Local Custodians and other designated persons exercise personal authority within their mandate.

18 17 Local Missionary Cenacle C36.1 Our residences are called Missionary Cenacles. Some Missionary Cenacles are established religious houses. Each Sister is attached to an established religious house. D 36.1 Every Sister is to share responsibility for community life and mission by actively participating in a Local Council. Local Council is the group that is formed by Sisters who have chosen to come together on a regular basis to take counsel. Each local council elects/selects a Sister who will be appointed by the General Custodian and Council to hold religious authority for the Sisters in that group. C36.2 Every Missionary Cenacle shall be under proper canonical authority. D 36.2 Each Local Council is to use a model for local government which is to be approved by the General Custodian. C36.3 A Sister who governs a local Missionary Cenacle is called a local Custodian. C36.4 Custodians are appointed by the General Custodian with the consent of her Council. In each case there shall be prior consultation, and the Sister to be appointed shall be professed with perpetual vows for at least one year. C36.5 The term of the local Custodian is three years. She may be reappointed for a second term, but not for a third term successively in the same house. C36.6 The special duty of a local Custodian is to promote the faithful observance of the Constitution by the Sisters in the local Missionary Cenacle. In large Cenacles, the Custodian shall be assisted by at least two Councilors. D36.6a The Sister with religious authority at the local level, the Local Council, and the local Missionary Cenacle share the responsibility for the following: - to foster a family spirit in the life of the members; - to effect decisions regarding the local community; - to read and reflect on the Constitution and the decrees of the Holy See affecting religious life.

19 18 D 36.6b The Sister with religious authority at the local level has the following responsibilities: - to foster a spirit of on-going renewal; - to call members to accountability and responsibility in regard to the presence and participation in Community; - to promote the faithful observance of the Rule and Constitution; - to unite us in the pursuit of our apostolic goals. D 36.6c The Local Council and the local Missionary Cenacle have the following responsibilities: - to keep necessary records and a Chronicle according to the guidelines from the General Secretary; - to send reports as required; - to keep necessary financial records and receipts as required. C36.7 Council is the heart, brains and soul of the movement. House council is a legacy from our Founder. The local Custodian shall use this forum for consultation, dialogue, decision making and sharing of responsibility in community life and in mission. The Sisters permanently assigned to a Missionary Cenacle comprise the house council. D 36.7a The Sisters are to determine the frequency of their meetings both for House Council and Local Council. Council shall have a priority in the schedule of a Missionary Cenacle and shall take precedence over other activities. Each Sister will listen and will speak out in simplicity and humility whatever the Holy Spirit gives her to speak. D 36.7b The Sisters in each Missionary Cenacle, along with the Sister exercising religious authority, will draw up Areas of Agreement covering the following areas, as well as any other areas they feel will contribute to a vibrant Cenacle life: - daily and extended periods of prayer, apostolic reflection and faith sharing; - hospitality; - silence; - participation in Local Council; - participation in communal and personal celebrations; - participation in other community gatherings; - budgeting, finances and material goods; - simplicity of life style; - participation in the vocation efforts of the Community. These Areas of Agreement are to be reviewed annually and whenever a new Sister becomes part of the Missionary Cenacle.

20 19 D 36.7c A Sister living alone or with another congregation together with the Sister exercising religious authority at the local level, will draw up a written plan as to how these areas are lived out in her circumstances. D 36.7d Directives and pertinent materials that affect our ministry and community life are appropriate matters for prayer or study at Council. D 36.7e For an appropriate reason Sisters may invite others to their Council. D 36.7f Necessary information concerning decisions made in House Council and Local Council are to be recorded. Local Temporal Affairs C36.8 Individual Missionary Cenacles, as well as the Institute, may acquire, possess, alienate and administer temporal goods in accordance with Church law and the laws of the Institute. The property and other temporal affairs of the Missionary Cenacle are to be administered by the Treasurer. C36.9 Each Missionary Cenacle with property shall select a Treasurer and a Secretary with the approval of the General Custodian. D 36.9a Each Missionary Cenacle selects a Sister or Sisters to be responsible for bookkeeping, the chronicle and other reports. D 36.9b Each Missionary Cenacle as well as Sisters living with another congregation shall submit a monthly financial report to Central Administration. D 36.9c An integral aspect of the examination of our common life is the development of annual individual and local Cenacle budgets. The preparation of these budgets requires us to relate our life-style to Gospel values. The budget is to be a tangible expression of the vow of poverty and is submitted to the designated Sister for approval. When an expense

21 20 exceeds the sum determined in the prepared budget, approval for the expenditure must be obtained from the designated Sister. D 36.9d The monthly allotment from each Cenacle to the central fund is based on the stipend(s) received by the Sister(s). The allotment will be 40% of the stipend(s) after allowed deductions are made. D 36.9e At the end of the fiscal year the balance of funds is reviewed. As a sign of equity and simplicity no less than 1/3 of the balance is to be forwarded to the General Treasurer s Office. Surplus funds may also be sent at any time during the year. D 36.9f An inventory of furnishings of each Missionary Cenacle is to be kept and updated annually for the purpose of establishing proper ownership. A copy of the inventory is sent to the General Treasurer s Office. D 36.9g For a variety of purposes, which might include education, mutual accountability, communication, or planning, a General Assembly of the total Community may be held between General Cenacles. The General Custodian and the General Council will determine the specifics of such an Assembly. GENERAL CUSTODIAN 37. Full authority shall be exercised in an ordinary manner by the General Custodian assisted by the General Council. This authority encompasses religious leadership and government of our Institute, the call of members to mission and responsibility for the administration of our temporal goods. C37.1 The General Custodian, once elected, governs and administers the entire Institute according to the present Constitution. She is responsible for safeguarding the charism, calling forth from the Sisters its living expression and insuring the stability of the Community. D37.1 The residence of the General Custodian is called Blessed Trinity Generalate. C37.2 The General Custodian may not hold any other office within the Institute.

22 21 C37.3 The following rights are reserved to the General Custodian: a) to command and correct every individual member; b) to admit and dismiss candidates; c) to extend the novitiate period, but not beyond six months; d) to admit Sisters to renewal of vows; e) to extend the time of temporary profession, but not beyond nine years; f) to grant permission for a Sister to be absent from the local Missionary Cenacle for an extended time according to the prescriptions of Canon Law; g) to supervise the General Officers in their respective duties; h) to approve the form of government selected by each Missionary Cenacle; i) to approve the Secretary and Treasurer selected by a Missionary Cenacle; j) to approve all financial transactions and legal proceedings affecting such, which do not exceed the sum determined by the General Cenacle; not, however, alienation of goods belonging to the Institute, or similar transactions, such as mortgages; k) to determine in detail the manner of applying the Constitution without either altering it or giving an authentic interpretation; 1) to grant both the Sisters and the local Missionary Cenacles permissions not reserved to the deliberative vote of her Council and to grant such permissions in particular instances, or for a time as she deems necessary, without thereby dispensing in general from the Constitution; m) to issue general instructions or general circular letters; to issue obligatory instructions, or decrees as applications of the Constitution; n) to represent the Institute before ecclesiastical or civil authority; to solicit from the Holy See the indults to be asked for the Institute and its members; p) to order Visitation of any Missionary Cenacle, and delegate, if advisable, a Sister as Visitor upon consultation with her Council; q) to provide for the dissemination of the documents of the Holy See. D37.3 The General Custodian may call any Sister to a change of ministry. A decision is reached after considering with the individual Sister her gifts in the context of the needs of the total Community and the needs of her present ministry and the ministry to which she is being called. C37.4 It is the duty of the General Custodian to conduct a Visitation of the Missionary Cenacles of the Institute, either in person or by delegate, at least once during her term of office. A full report is to be made to the General Council. D37.4a The General Custodian is to have contact with every Sister personally or through her delegated representative at least once a year.

23 22 D37.4b The General Custodian may delegate a Sister to be a Visitor. The rights of the delegated Visitor shall be specified in the act of delegation. The delegated Visitor will make a report to the General Custodian. D37.4c The goals of the Visitation are: - to strengthen the charity that unites all the Missionary Cenacles; - to bring about a renewal of fervor in fulfilling the Constitution; - to discuss the community life and ministry of the Sisters; - to examine the administration of the temporal goods. C37.5 The General Custodian may not give to the Sisters, or take from them, active or passive voice, except as determined by common law. C37.6 If the General Custodian wishes to resign her office, after conferring with her Council, she shall send her resignation to the Holy See. The resignation takes effect only after it has been approved by the Holy See. C37.7 If it should ever seem necessary to deprive a General Custodian of her office, the General Councilors, after taking council among themselves and voting by secret ballot, shall report the matter to the Holy See and abide by its decision. General Council C37.8 The General Council is composed of at least four General Councilors elected by the General Cenacle. It is their office to assist the General Custodian and to share with her responsibility for the development of the mission of the total community, according to the prescriptions of the Constitution. D37.8a The General Custodian is to convoke the General Council at least every two months and at any other time that the affairs of the Institute demand. D37.8b The General Council may propose such matters as it considers to be for the good of the Institute. If the General Councilors are aware of any abuses in the Institute they are to bring them to the notice of the General Custodian. D 37.8c The General Councilors are responsible for the following: - to aid each Sister in her on-going education; - to hold the Sisters accountable for their finances and other material goods;

24 23 - to assist the Sisters in the use of the Ministry Placement Process; - to collaborate with Bishops, directors and clergy relative to ministries and our Charism; - to collaborate with the members of the Missionary Cenacle Family to enhance family spirit. D37.8d The proceedings and discussions of each meeting are to be recorded by the General Secretary and the minutes made available to the General Custodian and the General Councilors. If correct, they are signed by the General Custodian and General Secretary. When the acts are of particular importance, the General Custodian may request the signature of all the members of the General Council. C37.9 Every member of the Institute is free either directly or indirectly to bring important points to the notice of the General Council. The General Council will respond. C37.10 A member of the General Council may not, at the same time, be General Treasurer or Director of Novices. C37.11 If the General Custodian is not available, the Assistant General Custodian presides over the General Council. C37.12 The decisions of the General Council are reached by an absolute majority of votes. If there is a tie vote after three ballots, the one presiding may decide the matter. C37.13 For elections and for dismissals, all the members shall be present. For other affairs there must be present one more than half of the members including the one presiding. The other members must have been called to attend. C37.14 The dismissal of a professed Sister requires a collegial vote of the General Custodian and the General Council.

25 24 C37.15 Whenever the deliberative vote of the Council is required, the General Custodian acts invalidly if she acts against their vote; whenever only their advice is required, it suffices for validity that she consult them. In either case, the General Custodian is in no way obliged to act on their advice, even when unanimous; nevertheless, she should take into account their point of view and not differ from them without what seems to her a grave reason. C37.16 The following matters are reserved to the General Custodian with the deliberative vote of the General Council: a) General Discipline: - enactments according to the Constitution and for the whole Institute, with a view to preventing relaxation, or to repairing breaches in regular discipline; - dispensations to a local Missionary Cenacle, or to the entire Institute, in a matter which is disciplinary; - practical interpretation of doubtful points of the Constitution; - modification or confirmation of acts of a former General Council. b) Admission of: - widows; - those over thirty-five; - those whose marriages have been annulled; - those who have been vowed members of another religious Institute; - candidates to the novitiate; - novices to temporary profession of vows; - Sisters to perpetual profession of vows; - Sisters to perpetual profession of vows. c) Exclaustration of a perpetually professed Sister, according to the norms of common law. d) Dismissal of a novice. e) Absence: permission for a member to be absent from a Missionary Cenacle for more than a year. f) Missionary Cenacles: - establishment of a Novitiate Cenacle; - establishment of Missionary Cenacles with the written permission of the Ordinary in whose diocese they are to be located;

26 25 - closing of Missionary Cenacles after consultation with the local Ordinary; - transfer of the Generalate Missionary Cenacle with notification to the Holy See. g) Appointments: - General Secretary; General Treasurer; - Sisters to complete the term of members of the General Council, the General Secretary and the General Treasurer in cases of death, removal, resignation or incapacitating illness; - Local Custodians; - Director of Novices and her Assistants; - Sisters involved in general management of the Institute; - Visitor in the event that the General Custodian is prevented from making the visitation. h) Deposition from office: - the Assistant General Custodian or a General Councilor; - the General Secretary or the General Treasurer; - the Director of Novices or her Assistants. i) Voice: - withdrawal of active or passive voice as determined by the Constitution and common law of the Church. j) General Cenacle: - determination of the date; - anticipation of or postponement of, but not beyond three months; - convocation of an extraordinary General Cenacle. k) Temporal Affairs: - disposing of temporal goods and fixed capital, with permission of the Holy See, where necessary, and in accord with the norms established by the General Cenacle; - approval of financial transactions in which direct ownership is transferred or exposed to loss; - approval of the purchase, construction, sale or demolition of buildings owned by the Institute; - dispensation in particular cases, in whole or in part, from tax paid by the Missionary Cenacles to the General Treasurer's Office; - approval of the general accounts and budgets of the Institute submitted by the General Treasurer; - initiation of or continuation of law suits, and the taking of all appeals of the Institute to civil court.

27 26 1) Reports: - approval of the report of the General Treasurer at the expiration of her term of office; - approval of the periodic reports of the Institute to the Holy See. m) Other Matters: - decisions regarding other matters, which by canon law, the Constitution or by action of the General Cenacle, are subject to a deliberative vote of the General Council. C37.17 Any member of the General Council may be deposed from office for grave reasons by the General Custodian and only with the deliberative vote of the General Council. Assistant General Custodian C37.18 The Assistant General Custodian shall take the place of the General Custodian whenever the latter is unavailable or is in any way unable to fulfill her office. D37.18a The Assistant General Custodian may assemble the Council at the instruction of the General Custodian. In such case, a decision is not to be considered final until it has been approved by the General Custodian. She may also assemble the Council when an event calls for immediate action and the General Custodian is unavailable. In such case, the Council may come to a decision when there is a valid reason to think that the General Custodian will not oppose it. D37.18b It shall be the duty of the Assistant General Custodian to assist the General Custodian in any delegated matters of responsibility and to call to the General Custodian's attention matters which have escaped the latter's notice. C37.19 If the office of the General Custodian is vacated, the Assistant becomes by right of office, administrator of the Institute until the next election.