Tag: religious

On
Abbot Marcel Rooney

Adaptation and renewal of Religious Life: A return to the sources of Christian life

Reflections on Religious Life column by Abbot Marcel RooneyEditor’s note: During this Year of Consecrated Life, this is the fourth in a series based on the Second Vatican Council’s document, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life) written by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine order who now resides in Madison.

When the Second Vatican Council called for the renewal of Religious Life, it was not speaking primarily about the externals which characterized that life, such as the Religious habit to be worn, the living arrangements of communities and individuals, etc.

Rather, from the outset, the council was concerned about the deeply interior renewal of this special sign of the Church’s life.

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Abbot Marcel Rooney

Adaptation and renewal of Religious Life: Special gifts of the Holy Spirit

Reflections on Religious Life column by Abbot Marcel RooneyEditor’s note: During this Year of Consecrated Life, this is the third in a series based on the Second Vatican Council’s document, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life) written by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine order who now resides in Madison.

The decree of the Second Vatican Council on which these reflections are based speaks in the very first paragraph about special gifts of the Holy Spirit which have been imparted to the Church.

The purpose of these gifts is the building up of the Church in the world, and for manifesting God’s own kind of Life in the world.

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Abbot Marcel Rooney

Adaptation and renewal of Religious Life: Pursuit of perfect charity

Reflections on Religious Life column by Abbot Marcel Rooney

Editor’s note: During this Year of Consecrated Life, this is the second in a series based on the Second Vatican Council’s document, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life) written by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine order who now resides in Madison.

We have seen in the first reflection commenting on Religious Life that the basis for and origin of this way of Christian life is the example and teaching of Jesus (Perfectae Caritatis, #1).

The Second Vatican Council’s teaching says that the consecration of Religious Life is focused on the pursuit of perfect charity.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Year of Consecrated Life concerns all of us

Year of Consecrated Life

In case you haven’t heard, we’re in the midst of the Year of Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church. It began in November of 2014 and continues until February 2, 2016 — so it actually lasts more than a year.

An average lay Catholic may think, what does this have to do with me? Why should I be concerned about a year dedicated to priests, Sisters, consecrated virgins, and other persons in consecrated life?

Applies to all of us

Pope Francis would say, “It applies to every single Catholic person.”

That’s what the Holy Father did say in a letter he wrote on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. He said he wished to speak not only to consecrated persons, but also to the laity, “who share with them the same ideals, spirit, and mission.”

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Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

Adaptation and renewal of Religious Life

Reflections on Religious Life column by Abbot Marcel Rooney

Editor’s note: During this Year of Consecrated Life, this is the first in a series based on the Second Vatican Council’s document, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life) written by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine order who now resides in Madison.

Pope Francis has declared this year as one to be dedicated to the Life of Religious Consecration.

This is not a one-sided emphasis, since this is also the year of the Synod of Bishops which will be dedicated to the discussion of married life. It is important to see both ways of life as at the heart of the whole Church’s life and calling to witness Jesus.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

By the Cross offers books by area author, items for children

MADISON — Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles — in fact anyone involved with children — should visit By The Cross Catholic Gift and Bookstore on Madison’s east side.

This store is filled with many wonderful religious items for children, from coloring and activity books to prayer books to stuffed animals. It’s literally a treasure trove of educational, faith-filled, and fun things for Catholic kids.

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Mary C. Uhler

Religious freedom: We need to protect it more than ever!

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Religious freedom was among the topics which Pope Francis touched upon during a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

Vatican Radio reported that in his address to the Italian head of state, Pope Francis recalled how 2013 marked the 17th centenary of the Edict of Milan, a document which many consider to be the first example of religious freedom being promoted.

It’s everyone’s responsibility

“In today’s world, religious freedom is more often affirmed than put into practice,” the pope said. It is often threatened, and not infrequently violated. The serious outrages against this fundamental right are a source of serious concern and need to be confronted at the global level, he said.

Defending religious liberty and making it available for everyone, Pope Francis said, is everyone’s responsibility. Doing so “guarantees the growth and development of the entire community.”

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