Formation of Women Religious During the Period of Temporary Vows With Particular Reference to the Religious Institute of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters)

Abstract

The Church instructs that the formation of religious after first profession, already begun in the novitiate, is to be perfected so that they may acquire the necessary maturity to lead the life of the institute more fully and to carry out its mission more effectively, mindful of the needs of the Church, mission of the institute and condition of people and times (c. 659 § 1). Formation after first profession for non-clerical religious is an innovation of Vatican II. The document Renovationis causam recognizes the necessity and significance of post-novitiate formation in helping the temporarily professed religious attain the required growth towards maturity necessary for permanent commitment. With the promulgation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, post-novitiate formation is accorded formal legislation and recognized as an intrinsic aspect of religious life. The Code specifies its aims, dimensions and pedagogy, leaving its structure and duration to be designed by individual institutes. The Church requires that each institute draw up a ratio which is structured according to the provisions of universal norms at the same time allowing some latitude for necessary adaptations of aspects which may require revision. Despite the provisions specified in the universal law, together with further directives given in subsequent Holy See documents, formation of religious continues to be a constant challenge to the Church as well as religious institutes. This is due to the constant and rapid changes in human society, in the Church and within religious life itself which create new realities and new needs. This call on the Church to continuously issue new directives which can respond to the challenges in formation brought about by the new realities. For religious institutes, a major concern is the need to update the formation programme. This study seeks to establish the extent of conformity in the implementation of proper law to the universal principles on formation during the period of temporary vows in one particular apostolic women’s religious institute and the norms and their adaptations in view of changing circumstances and new realities in the Church and in the Institute. Chapter One traces the evolution of the legislation on formation of lay religious from the 1917 Code, through the Vatican II documents, to the revision and promulgation of the 1983 Code in the context of consecrated life, its identity and role in the Church. Chapter Two gives an analysis of the norms on formation during the period of temporary vows as presented in the 1983 Code and subsequent magisterial documents. Chapter Three treats the principles and structure of formation in the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chapter Four focuses on the aspects of the formation programme which demonstrate lack of conformity in their practical application with the principles of universal norms and those norms which require updating as a result of new realities and needs in the Institute, the Church and the world. The chapter offers suggestions for an improved legislation on formation during temporary vows in universal law such as the possibility of revision of certain canons on temporary vows and legislation on a feminine model of formation.