Vita Consecrata : Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation / John Paul Ii.

includes index and biblioraphy

Thanksgiving for the consecrated life ... 4 The consecrated life: a gift to the Church . 5 Gathering the fruits of the Synod ... 7 The work of the Spirit in the various forms of the consecrated life ....... 8 Monastic life in the East and the West . . 9 The Order of Virgins; hermits and widows . 11 Institutes completely devoted to contemplation ............. 12 Apostolic religious life ....... 13 Secular Institutes ......... 14 Societies of Apostolic Life ...... 16 New expressions of consecrated life ... 16 Purpose of the Apostolic Exhortation . . 18 CONFESSIO TRINITATIS THE ORIGINS OF THE CONSECRATED LIFE IN THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND OF THE TRINITY Icon of the Transfigured Christ .... "And he was transfigured before them..." . "This is my beloved Son: listen to him!" . "A Patre ad Patrem": God`s initiative . . 26 "Per Filium": in the footsteps of the Son . 27 "In Spiritu": consecrated by the Holy Spirit 29 The evangelical counsels, gift of the Trinity . 31 Reflection of Trinitarian life in the evangelical counsels ............ 33 Consecrated like Christ for the Kingdom of God ............. 35 H. BETWEEN EASTER AND FULFILMENT From Tabor to Calvary ....... 36 The Paschal dimension of the consecrated life 38 Witnesses to Christ in die world .... 39 Eschatological dimension of die consecrated life ............. 42 Active expectation: commitment and watch¿fulness ............ 43 The Virgin Mary, model of consecration and discipleship ........... 45 IN THE CHURCH AND FOR THE CHURCH It is well that we are here": the consecrated life in the mystery of the Church ... 47 New and special consecration ..... 48 Relationships between different states of Christian life .......... 51 The special value of the consecrated life . . 53 Bearing witness to die Gospel of die Beati¿tudes ............ 56 The living image of die Church as Bride . 57 GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS A "transfigured" life: the call to holiness . 59 Faithfulness to the charism . `. 61 Creative fidelity ......... 63 Prayer and asceticism: spiritual combat . . 64 Fostering holiness ......... 66 "Rise, and have no fear": a renewed trust . 68 SIGNUM FRATERNITATIS CONSECRATED LIFE AS A SIGN OF COMMUNION IN THE CHURCH PERMANENT VALUES In the image of the Trinity ...... 70 Fraternal life in love ........ 72 The task of authority ....... 74 The role of the elderly ....... 75 In the image of the apostolic community . 76 "Sentire cum Ecclesia" ....... 77 Fraternity in the universal Church ... 80 The consecrated life and the particular Church 82 Fruitful and ordered ecclesial communion . 84 A constant dialogue animated by charity . . 86 Fraternity in a divided and unjust world . 87 Communion among different Institutes . . 89 Coordinating bodies ........ 90 Communion and cooperation with the laity . 92 For a renewed spiritual and apostolic dynamism 93 Associates and lay volunteers ...... 94 The dignity and role of consecrated women . 96 New possibilities of presence and action . . 98 CONTINUITY IN THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS IN THE COURSE OF CHANGE Cloistered nuns . Religious brothers . Mixed Institutes . New forms of the LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Difficulties and future prospects .... 112 Fresh efforts in the promotion of vocations . 114 Commitment to initial formation .... 117 The work of those responsible for formation 119 Formation in community and for the aposto- late .... 120 The need for a complete and updated ratio . 122 Continuing formation ........ 123 In a constant search for faithfulness ... 124 Dimensions of continuing formation ... 127