The Spirituality of the United Secular Institute
Sharers in the Threefold Office of Jesus Christ – Prophet, Priest, King
Correlated Images and the Theological Virtues
“The laity are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people to offer spiritual sacrifices
in everything they do and to witness to Christ throughout the world”
Sharers in the Threefold Office of Jesus Christ – Prophet, Priest, King
Correlated Images and the Theological Virtues
“The laity are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people to offer spiritual sacrifices
in everything they do and to witness to Christ throughout the world”
Proposal: a united Secular Institute in the heart of the laity, the world and the Church strong and effective for the 21st century and beyond: a Secular Institute which will sing its “own song” with its own Charism, Spirituality, Organisation...
The spirituality of the united Secular Institute is based on the Second Vatican Council documents on the laity with other aspects specific to the Secular Institute vocation.
The Secular Institute has been raised up by God to respond to the needs of the world and its peoples according to the salvific plan of God, within the mandate of the vocation,
The vocation requires the solidarity of the consecrated laity with humanity and especially with those within the lay state; a cry to Love from the heart of humanity in the midst of the world.
Foundation
“Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in divine and human favour” Lk 2: 52
It is necessary for those who aspire the the Secular Institute or who are professed to take time and effort to resolve any human problems they may have social, civil, psychological etc. as “tangled persons /situations” impact on self and others, and ones testimony is potentialy less effective because of a basic lack of attention given to our human needs and maturation – remember body soul, and spirit .1 Thes 4: 23
For the laity it is important, (as far as circumstances permit) to lay sound foundations in life of education, moral values, development of talents, choice of career, professional skill, wisdom, understanding of the world, people and situations, a civic spirit and the maintaining of good relations with others and the “virtues relating to social customs, namely, honesty, justice, sincerity, kindness and courage, without which no true Christian life can exist”. Apostolicam Actuositalem
Jesus - The Alpha and Omega Jesus – Prophet; Priest, King
The united Secular Institute will have two major images for Jesus,
> the Alpha and the Omega which forms the framework
> the participation in Jesus Prophet Priest King the threefold Office of Christ
The Thelolgical Virtues – the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity infused at Baptism can be correlated with the participation of the People of God in the threefold office of Christ.
The Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” Rev 1: 17 - 18
The movement to – from. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith Heb 12: 2 This aspect is chosen for the breath of scope that is required for the Secular Institute spirituality – from eternity to eternity; the creation of the world, the incarnation of the Son of God, the new cre
The spirituality of the united Secular Institute is based on the Second Vatican Council documents on the laity with other aspects specific to the Secular Institute vocation.
The Secular Institute has been raised up by God to respond to the needs of the world and its peoples according to the salvific plan of God, within the mandate of the vocation,
The vocation requires the solidarity of the consecrated laity with humanity and especially with those within the lay state; a cry to Love from the heart of humanity in the midst of the world.
Foundation
“Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in divine and human favour” Lk 2: 52
It is necessary for those who aspire the the Secular Institute or who are professed to take time and effort to resolve any human problems they may have social, civil, psychological etc. as “tangled persons /situations” impact on self and others, and ones testimony is potentialy less effective because of a basic lack of attention given to our human needs and maturation – remember body soul, and spirit .1 Thes 4: 23
For the laity it is important, (as far as circumstances permit) to lay sound foundations in life of education, moral values, development of talents, choice of career, professional skill, wisdom, understanding of the world, people and situations, a civic spirit and the maintaining of good relations with others and the “virtues relating to social customs, namely, honesty, justice, sincerity, kindness and courage, without which no true Christian life can exist”. Apostolicam Actuositalem
Jesus - The Alpha and Omega Jesus – Prophet; Priest, King
The united Secular Institute will have two major images for Jesus,
> the Alpha and the Omega which forms the framework
> the participation in Jesus Prophet Priest King the threefold Office of Christ
The Thelolgical Virtues – the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity infused at Baptism can be correlated with the participation of the People of God in the threefold office of Christ.
The Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” Rev 1: 17 - 18
The movement to – from. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith Heb 12: 2 This aspect is chosen for the breath of scope that is required for the Secular Institute spirituality – from eternity to eternity; the creation of the world, the incarnation of the Son of God, the new cre
esus – Prophet, Priest, King
The Secular Institute in the World and Church
The Laity are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly functions of Christ
Vatican 11 as quoted above emphasise the sharing of the laity in the threefold office ( munus triplex ) of Jesus Christ Prophet, Priest, King. The spirituality of the Secular Institute will incorporate all three Offices into its spirituality. This participation will be applied to the world and the Church gives the united Secular Institute a common basis with the other laity and
A common core with the laity in general is important for the Seuclar Institute spirituality and theology and therefore it is necessary that that the vocations springs from and remains at the heart of lay spirituality.
The following is a brief indication of the lay participation in the threefold office of Christ and of the images associated with it. Each point referred to requires additions, expansion and exploration as to their application to the laity in general and a tailoring to the Secular Institute vocation.
Prophet – Theological virtue – hope
The living of a throughly Christian life, a living witness in both word and deed, the application of wisdom in everyday living.
> An understanding of the Secular Institute theology and spirituality and a grounding in basic theology and the catechism of the Church.
> The variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit given to each Christian for building up the Church.
> The contribution of their professional skills in the temporalities of the Church as opportune.
Priest - Theological virtue - love
> “The liturgy of love of what we are” in daily life the “charity of the everyday”.
> Spiritual growth in God and the knowledge of God and a desire to be united to him
The offering of spiritual worship for the glory of God and the salvation of others.
> The contribution of advice and inititives as appropriate to the lay Christians. The input of appropiately called and trained lay persons within the pastoral side of the Church, if appropriate to the personal charism.
King – Theological Virtue - faith
The laity seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God as Vatican 11 declared -
“God's plan for the world is that men should work together to renew and constantly perfect the temporal order”
Apostolicam Actuositatem
The restoration of the world to the Creator. The overcoming of sin, personal, collective and in creation for “for the creation awaits with eager longing to obtain the glory of the children of God” Rm 8: 18 – 24.
Lay participation in Chruch Governance
“the laity have their own roles in building up the Church” Apostolicam Actuositalem 25
The Secular Institute in the World and Church
The Laity are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly functions of Christ
Vatican 11 as quoted above emphasise the sharing of the laity in the threefold office ( munus triplex ) of Jesus Christ Prophet, Priest, King. The spirituality of the Secular Institute will incorporate all three Offices into its spirituality. This participation will be applied to the world and the Church gives the united Secular Institute a common basis with the other laity and
A common core with the laity in general is important for the Seuclar Institute spirituality and theology and therefore it is necessary that that the vocations springs from and remains at the heart of lay spirituality.
The following is a brief indication of the lay participation in the threefold office of Christ and of the images associated with it. Each point referred to requires additions, expansion and exploration as to their application to the laity in general and a tailoring to the Secular Institute vocation.
Prophet – Theological virtue – hope
The living of a throughly Christian life, a living witness in both word and deed, the application of wisdom in everyday living.
> An understanding of the Secular Institute theology and spirituality and a grounding in basic theology and the catechism of the Church.
> The variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit given to each Christian for building up the Church.
> The contribution of their professional skills in the temporalities of the Church as opportune.
Priest - Theological virtue - love
> “The liturgy of love of what we are” in daily life the “charity of the everyday”.
> Spiritual growth in God and the knowledge of God and a desire to be united to him
The offering of spiritual worship for the glory of God and the salvation of others.
> The contribution of advice and inititives as appropriate to the lay Christians. The input of appropiately called and trained lay persons within the pastoral side of the Church, if appropriate to the personal charism.
King – Theological Virtue - faith
The laity seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God as Vatican 11 declared -
“God's plan for the world is that men should work together to renew and constantly perfect the temporal order”
Apostolicam Actuositatem
The restoration of the world to the Creator. The overcoming of sin, personal, collective and in creation for “for the creation awaits with eager longing to obtain the glory of the children of God” Rm 8: 18 – 24.
Lay participation in Chruch Governance
“the laity have their own roles in building up the Church” Apostolicam Actuositalem 25
The relationship between the laity and the clergy within the Church is a theme that requires further exploration and changes implimented. The decisions within the parish churches are taken by the clergy, there is no Canon law which obliges them to have a Parish Council or even to consult the laity; this is particularly problematic when decisions directly concern the laity and have an impact on their role and contribution in the Church.
Where a Council does exists it is only a consultative body. The laity are full members of the Church and therefore should have rights of participation in the goverence of the Church as well as in other areas. The official part of the Secular Institute is an organisation indicated for dialogue with the heirarchy on the role and participation of the laity in ecclesial decision making.
Images Salt, Light, Leven
“These three images taken from the Gospel are specifically applied to the lay faithful as they are used with reference to the world; They speak of the deep involvement and full participation of the laity in the affairs of the earth, the world and the human community.” CLF
Salt, Light, Leaven - salt of the earth, light of the world, leven the growing of the Kingdom of God and the santification of the world from within. These images can be corrolated with the participation of the laity in Jesus - Prophet, Priest, King.
Mt 5: 13-16, 13: 33
Salt - Prophet testimony - word and in deed, preseverence throughout life, a “word in season” which gives flavour the laity are called in a special way to make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can it become the salt of the earth
Light - Priest the “light within” which gives light to others and shines in dark places. This light is more incisive as ones personal holiness increases.
Leaven – King the raising of and santification of the world from within
Where a Council does exists it is only a consultative body. The laity are full members of the Church and therefore should have rights of participation in the goverence of the Church as well as in other areas. The official part of the Secular Institute is an organisation indicated for dialogue with the heirarchy on the role and participation of the laity in ecclesial decision making.
Images Salt, Light, Leven
“These three images taken from the Gospel are specifically applied to the lay faithful as they are used with reference to the world; They speak of the deep involvement and full participation of the laity in the affairs of the earth, the world and the human community.” CLF
Salt, Light, Leaven - salt of the earth, light of the world, leven the growing of the Kingdom of God and the santification of the world from within. These images can be corrolated with the participation of the laity in Jesus - Prophet, Priest, King.
Mt 5: 13-16, 13: 33
Salt - Prophet testimony - word and in deed, preseverence throughout life, a “word in season” which gives flavour the laity are called in a special way to make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can it become the salt of the earth
Light - Priest the “light within” which gives light to others and shines in dark places. This light is more incisive as ones personal holiness increases.
Leaven – King the raising of and santification of the world from within
Images from the Epiphany
“The Magi opened their treasures and offered Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” Mt 2: 11
The Magi who represent all nations came to do homage to the child Jesus bringing gifts of gold, fankincense and myrrh. These gifts can also be correnlated with the munus triplix.
Gold – King gold is a symbol for the kingship of Jesus and the participation of the consecrated laity in the kingship and glory of Christ.
Frankincense – Priest frankincense is a symbol for the prayers of the people of God and for the offering of themselves and their lives in Christ as a liturgy to God the Father.
Myrrh – Prophet is a symbol for mortality the human nature of Christ, his life and teaching and likewise is a symbol of our humanity in all its variation and richness.
Other images will be used for the different aspects of the spirituality as appropriate. The above is a basic overview of important aspects of the spirituality for the formation of a new united Secular Institute.
The formation of – a new United Secular Institute
The Lord is calling on the present Secular Institutes to begin to explore the proposal for the formation of a new united Secular Institute now in our time; a united Institute in the heart of the laity and lay spirituality, ready and equipped for leadership, a reference point for both the laity and Church hierarchy on lay spirituality and issues - a new united Secular Institute - a necessity for the world and the Church of today.
“The Magi opened their treasures and offered Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” Mt 2: 11
The Magi who represent all nations came to do homage to the child Jesus bringing gifts of gold, fankincense and myrrh. These gifts can also be correnlated with the munus triplix.
Gold – King gold is a symbol for the kingship of Jesus and the participation of the consecrated laity in the kingship and glory of Christ.
Frankincense – Priest frankincense is a symbol for the prayers of the people of God and for the offering of themselves and their lives in Christ as a liturgy to God the Father.
Myrrh – Prophet is a symbol for mortality the human nature of Christ, his life and teaching and likewise is a symbol of our humanity in all its variation and richness.
Other images will be used for the different aspects of the spirituality as appropriate. The above is a basic overview of important aspects of the spirituality for the formation of a new united Secular Institute.
The formation of – a new United Secular Institute
The Lord is calling on the present Secular Institutes to begin to explore the proposal for the formation of a new united Secular Institute now in our time; a united Institute in the heart of the laity and lay spirituality, ready and equipped for leadership, a reference point for both the laity and Church hierarchy on lay spirituality and issues - a new united Secular Institute - a necessity for the world and the Church of today.
s and has washed away our sins with his blood,
and made us a Kingdom of Priests to serve his God and Father,
to him be glory and power for ever and ever.
Amen
Diana May Cockburn
Solemnity of the Ascension
5 May 2016
and made us a Kingdom of Priests to serve his God and Father,
to him be glory and power for ever and ever.
Amen
Diana May Cockburn
Solemnity of the Ascension
5 May 2016
