Vita Consecrata

SUMMARY(1) of Vita Consecrata – Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II, 25 March 1996
[Synod Announced DEC 1991; Lineamenta NOV 1992; Instrumentum laboris JUN 1994; Synod OCT 1994]

Vita Consecrata, the apostolic exhortation resulting from the 1994 Synod of Bishops, is rather long(2) and occasionally is repetitious. It presents one truly new and very important aspect regarding life consecrated by the evangelical counsels which cncerns the theological context and meaning as well as the spiritual importance of consecrated persons as icons of the Transfiguration. This means reigious are specifically to represent and reflect the transcendence, the immanence, and the intimacy of the Transfiguration of Jesus as experienced by Peter, James, and John. Elements of theme, presented primarily in ##14-16, can be recognized repeatedly throughout the exhortation.

The document is divided into five identifiable parts, namely: an Introduction (##1-13); three chapters entitled, respectively, Confessio Trinitatis (##14-70), Signum Fraternitas (##41-71); Servitium Caritatis (##72-103) and a brief Conclusion (##1-4-112). Although it recognizes certain recent problems and even initiates several commissions to study various questions, the exhortation is very positive and pastoral in presenting both a comprehensive overview and a solid theological basis for life consecrated by the evangelical counsels. Because of its length and repetition, the following sections may be helpful reading to assess its significant content and its encouraging tone.

The purpose and theological setting in ##13-16 are actually worthy of meditation in the “configuration” to Christ which consecrated life engenders in each person. Also worthy of note are the objective excellence (#18) and transcendent witness (#20) of consecrated as a gift to the Church. VC presents “the first missionary duty of consecrated persons” as a mission “to themselves” so that, from the core of their being as reflected in a lifestyle revealing the ideal they profess, consecrated persons in the Church are actually signs of Christ in the world (#25). The specific difference for consecrated life is that it is not a “necessary” consequence of Baptism but, rather, a freely chosen consequence of it (##30-31), thus manifesting the transcendence of the Church’s holiness (#33). Fidelity, perseverance, competence and regard for the Rule (#37)—along with rediscovery of asceticism and renewed prayer in the context of deep friendship with God--are eloquently urged in response to the “temptations” which lead so many astray in society today (#38). Community is considered as a “God enlightened space,” while the elderly and ill are cited as examples of witness to complete dedication (#44). Communities manifesting qualities of concern, of communication, of responsibility, and of forgiveness are considered as crucial to sound consecrated life today (#45). “Commitment to Faithfulness,” rather than apostolic success, is presented as most important for each consecrated person (#63), while “making Christ present” in “personal witness” is seen as more significant than external works (##72 and 76). Seven key characteristics of the “prophetic dimension” of consecrated life are described #84), along with a call for consistency between prophetic proclamation and daily life (#85). The evangelical counsels themselves are explained as living responses to the major challenges of modern society throughout the world (##88-92).

Like the initial comments, the personally expressed exhortations in the conclusion (##104-109) and the final prayer (##110-112) offer worthwhile points which all might ponder prayerfully.(3)
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1 Prepared to be deliberately very brief but informative for reading the document itself.

2 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Latin text of 138 pgs. See ORIGINS, April 4, 1996, entire edition of 37pgs.

3 See ##3, 13-14, 16, 20, 25, 30-33, 37-39, 41, 44-45, 48, 57, 63, 65, 72, 76, 80, 84-85, 87-92, 93, 104-112.

Prepared by Sister Elizabeth McDonough, OP, JCD, STL