The
fundamental norm of the Religious Life is following Christ as proposed by the Gospel,
which is to be regarded by all communities as their supreme law. The contents of all
religious rules are summarized in these words : " If anyone wishes
to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow in My footsteps
". The Rule and Constitutions are nothing more than the Gospel
itself explained in detail and applied to the life of the community.
The
Seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi used to call the rule "
the book of life, the hope of salvation, the marrow of the Gospel, the pledge of glory,
the way of perfection, the key of paradise, the bond of eternal covenant ".
These reflect the sanctity of the rule.
The soul
of the institute is the spirit of the founder and the rule is the reliquary of his
spirit.
The
Constitutions and Statues are the sisters' guide to holiness and are specific mission by
placing at the service of evangelization the fields of their apostolate : education,
pastoral work, health and social assistance
as well as domestic services to the priests and seminarians
and other special ministries. In these Apostolates, the sisters
bring back as many souls as they could to Christ through their
work, prayer, and penance.
- In the field of education,
the sisters commit themselves to school management and teaching. Hence, the sisters
must possess the necessary qualifications for the tasks. They must have patience and
understanding for the young and effectively promote campus ministry.
- As a pastoral
worker, a sister must have the spirit of sacrifice and perseverance to be able to
bear the inconveniences that the apostolate entails.
- In the medical
field, a sister must have the necessary courage and prudence to be able to serve
the physical and spiritual needs of the sick without endangering her soul in the process.
- Like the Blessed Virgin
Mary, who took care of Jesus and the disciples, the sisters tend to the needs
of the priests and seminarians by rendering them
services with humility and generosity.
