“The Theological Dimension of Community Life” by Ignacio Fernàndez de Mendoza, C.M.
The Church has a long tradition with many different types of community life. The varied experiences of life in common usually coincide in one fundamental element: all propose as a first objective the perfection of their members, while at the same time insisting on one or another particular end and on some characteristic virtues of the Institute. After the Protestant Reformation diverse traditional forms of community life continued to flourish, without stifling the appearance of new types, among which is found the Vincentian mode of community life. When St. Vincent designed the community of his missioners he was not starting from zero. He implanted the elements needed from the diverse traditions of the common life: monastic, mendicant, and Jesuit, while adding at the same time original Vincentian elements. Thus the community life of the Congregation of the Mission would evolve in the function of the Mission, which is none other than the evangelization of the Poor. Missioners living in community would be contemplatives in action and apostles in prayer.
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