ST. GASPAR BERTONI: Reflections on his Original Constitutions concerning the PROGRESS of the Confreres The Challenge of Continuing Conversion, On-Going Formation Spiritual, Intellectual, Juridical, Missionary Development Apostolic Missionaries for the Assistance of Bishops [For Private Use] Joseph Henchey, CSS 2014 APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 The Stigmatine Vocation – A Share also in the Prophetic Role of Jesus Christ PRAYER & STUDY Introduction CF 6 1 Tm 4:16 [Commentary of St. Thomas] SC # 2 & DV 9 Original Constitutions CONCERNING THE PROGRESS OF THE CONFRERES A. SPIRITUAL PROGRESS 6 [FOURTH PART cc. 1, CF ## 47-68 Presentation: c. 1: Spiritual Development [## 47-48] # 47: Prayer # 48: Ascetical Practices [1] Living the Constitutions – A Portrait of Jesus Christ [2] A Hope in Progress [3] Spiritual, Apostolic Experiments [cf. CF ## 42; 72-76] [4] Schola Affectus [cf. CSJ # 516; CF # 152]. [5] Spiritual Practices [CF # 47] [6] Ascetical Practices [CF # 48] [7] Role of Superiors in Spiritual Progress of Superiors [CF # 263] [8] Spiritual Conversations among Confreres [CF ## 283, 284] [9] Insistence on Recreation: for Spirituality, balance in Study [CF ## 59; 128; 132; 250; 256]: a relaxation of spirit, and a celebration of intelligence.’ [a] Moderation for Study [CF # 59] [b] Training in Rules for Modesty [CF # 128] [c] For just Repose, Moderation in Banter, Skill in Conversation [CF # 132]. [d] Extended Time Commitment [CF # 250]. [e] Spiritual Pleasantry, Evangelical Salt, Pleasing Odor of Wisom sought [CF # 256]. † ††† † B. INTELLECTUAL PROGRESS 21 Introduction : The Life of St. Gaspar [FOURTH PART c. 2: Intellectual Development ## 49-68] [1] A Spirituality of Intellectual Progress [Ph 1:6; CF ## 41; 185 [2] More than Ordinary Knowledge [CF # 49] – especially Theology. [3] Combat Heresy, Moral Lassitude [CF # 50] [a] For Instruction [CF # 67] [b] Illumine Others [CF # 50] [c] Resist Heresies [d] Defense, Propagation of the Faith, Progress of Souls [e] Resolve Moral Difficulties [g] Theological Doctrine [4] Series of Studies [CF # 53] APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 [5] Embellish Theology [CF ## 54, 55] [6] Specialization [CF ## 56-58] [7] Aids to Serious Study [8] Spiritual, Intellectual Competence for Greater Church Service. [9] Special Interest for Seminarians [CF ## 67; 164] – for the Apostolic Missionaries. [10] All with the Spiritual Missionary Welfare in Mind [a] Balance [b] Contemplatives in Action – Monks at Home, Missionaries Abroad [c] Specialization [d] Theology dominates [e] The Plan [f] Doctrine [g] Obstacles [h] Right Order [I] Concrete Methods [j] Academic Degrees. † ††† † C. JURIDICAL PROGRESS 54 [cf. CF ## 27-46; 69-82; 152-157; 158, ff.] [I] Admission and Post Novitiate [CF ## 27-46] [A] First Probation [1] Admission [CF ## 27-29] – no specific Habit – but, proper, conformed to the region; Poor. [2] Novitiate Regimen [CF ## 30-32] [3] Novitiate Formation [CF ## 30-39] – through Ignatian ‘Experiments [CSJ nn. 64- 70]. † [B] Second Formation [1] Time after Novitiate: 3 Years of Philosophy; 4 years of Theology; 2/3 of Fathers = 10 years after Novitiate [CF ## 40-42] [2] Manner of Penance [CF ## 43-44] [3] Breviary and Suffrages [CF ## 45-46] [a] Renewal of Vows [b] Scholastic Intellectual Program: Form Priests; Apostles]. † [II] Juridical Promotion in the Spiritual, Intellectual, Apostolic Experiments (A) Students and Brothers [CF ## 69-82] Presentation (I) Ignatian Influence [Part V] [1] From Initial Admission to Progressive Aggregation, Eventual Definitive Incorporation [2] Four Levels of membership [CSJ n. 510] [3] Schola Affectus [CSJ n. 516-521] APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 [4] ‘Sufficient’ Knowledge [5] Eucharistic Element in Ritual of Profession [6] Solemn Profession and teaching Catechism [7] Other Rituals. † (II) St. Gaspar Bertoni – Part V [CF ## 69-78] – Promotion to, and Initiation in the Priesthood Premise [1] Various Requirements, Ignatian ‘Experiments’ [2] Direction of the Missions [CF # 76] [a] Two-fold Stigmatine Opinion, regarding these Missions. [b] Compendium Rude n. 2: [Nuestro Modo de Proceder ] [c] Promotion to Profession [CF ## 7; 158, ff.] [d] Jesuit Pontifical mission (1) Gradual Apostolic Commitment (2) Special requirements for Profession [CSJ n. 12] (3) Spiritual Coadjutors can be appointed rectors of Colleges, Universities [CSJ nn. 557 etc.] (4) Comments of Fr. Nadal, SJ, on Directing the Missions. † (III) Promotion of Others [CF ## 77-78] [1] Non-ordained Clerics [CF # 77] [2] Material Coadjutors [CF # 78] [3] Their Many Duties [CF ## 79-82] † (B) Seven Years of Theology – Extended ‘Experiments’: Schola Affectus [CSJ n. 516] (I) A Long, Gradual Initiation into the Priesthood already received [CF # 40] † (II) Steps of Promotion to and in the Priestly Office [CF ## 69. f.] [1] After age 30, Initiation into, and in the Priesthood [CF # 71 [2] Gradual Insertion into Ignatian ‘Experiences’ [CSJ nn. 65-70] [3] Eventual Direction of the Missions [CF # 76]. [Some Jesuit History] † (C) The Schola Affectus – Prior to Profession [CSJ n. 516][CF ## 38; 152-157] [Some Stigmatine History] [1] Ordained Priests, initiate into further Priestly Ministry, long before Profession [CF # 38] [2] The Eighth Part: On Final Profession: [a] One More Year [CF # 152]: Proven Spiritually and Pastorally [b] Commentary [c] Nature of this Formation [d] Commentary and Sources † APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 (D) Promotion to the Apostolic Mission and to the Grade and the Life of the Professed [Part IX, CF ## 158-186] General Introduction: Some Stigmatine History Compendium Rude CF # 7 Fr. Lenotti’s Comparison with the Company of Jesus † ††† † D. APOSTOLIC PROGRESS 96 [cf. CF ## 72-76; 163-186] [1] Schools in the Original Constitutions [2] Formation of Youth [3] Christian Doctrine to the Young, the Unlettered [4] Special Duties of the Professed [CF # 164] [a] Seminarians [b] Catechism [c] Integral Formation of the Young – Biblical Support [CF # 166] [Jesuit Profession Ritual [d] Modern Papal Teaching (1) Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, December 8, 1975 (2) John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, October 16, 1979 [e] Private Instructions [f] Schools, when possible [CF # 166] [5] Emphasis on the Spiritual [CF # 167] [6] Teaching: A Spiritual Ministry [CF # 173] [7] Good Teachers [8] Broad Understanding of Preaching [PO 4, etc.] † ††† † APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY A. SPIRITUAL PROGRESS 6 A. SPIRITUAL PROGRESS Presentation CF 6. The Means [to be employed]: The spiritual perfection of each one [the perfection of oneself]; Perfection in ecclesiastical doctrines [doctrinal proficiency]; Common Life; The perpetual exercise of obedience, chastity and poverty The program of living regarding food, clothing and lodging, will be in harmony with the more observant clergy among whom the Missionaries live, for the edification of the faithful, both regarding Christian parsimony and evangelical poverty. Introduction [1] In this Compendium Rude , St. Gaspar Bertoni lists the principal Means to be used in the realization of the Apostolic Mission: this might best be seen in the Latin Vulgate translation of 1 Tm 4:16: Take heed to yourself and to doctrine...1. This needs to be seen in its context in the Latin Vulgate: ... Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that your profiting may be manifest to all. Take heed to yourself and to doctrine; be earnest in them. For in doing this you shall save yourself and those that hear you... [cf. 1 Tm 4:11-16] [2] St. Thomas’ Commentary2 here unfolds thus: # 171: By two means is one suitable then for teaching , i.e. through reading in which one acquires knowledge – and by its exercise, in which one is rendered ready. And therefore when the Apostle says, until I come, attend unto reading, i.e. of the holy books. 1 M 12:9: We, though, needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands. Jn 5:39: Search the Scriptures. And this is what is meant in Ex 25:12, f. where it is said that in the Ark of the Lord there ought always to be carrying rods and four golden rings, which you shall put in the four corners of the ark: and this was as though to be always ready for carrying the Ark of the Covenant. And for the exercise, or practice, there is necessary our exhortation as for acting, and doctrine for knowing. Jr 3:15: And I will give you Pastors according to My own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine. 1 Attende tibi et doctrinae ... [2 Co 4:16] 2 S. Thomase Aquinatis, Super Epistulas S. Pauli Lectura. Vol II. Ed. VIII revisa.Taurini /Roma: Marietti 1953, ## 171-176, pp. 245, f. APOSTOLIC MISSION & STUDY A. SPIRITUAL PROGRESS 7 # 172: Therefore, when he says Neglect not the Apostle establishes the reason for the above warning; and - first, the text places the cause from the gift received; - secondly the Apostle notes the cause from the expected reward, when he says: Attend to yourself ... Then, he establishes the reason; Secondly, he shows how that which is contained in the reason can be fulfilled, in n. 175: Meditate on these things. # 173: Here therefore says, Neglect not the grace, as though he meant: Pay attention, because whoever receives grace should not be negligent in it, but ought to profit by it. That servant hiding money in the earth, is punished due to his negligence Mt 25:24: Do not, therefore, neglect the grace, etc. Understand by this, either the Episcopal dignity, or the gift of knowledge, or prophecy, or of miracles, of which nothing should be neglected. 2 Co 6:1: And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain . I say grace which is given to you for prophecy, i.e.