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Members of each institute should recall first of all that by
professing the evangelical counsels they responded to a divine call so
that by being not only dead to sin (cf. Rom. 6:11) but also
renouncing the world they may live for God alone. They have dedicated
their entire lives to His service. This constitutes a special
consecration, which is deeply rooted in that of baptism and expresses
it more fully.
Since the Church has accepted their surrender of self they should
realize they are also dedicated to its service.
This service of God ought to inspire and foster in them the exercise
of the virtues, especially humility, obedience, fortitude and
chastity. In such a way they share in Christ's emptying of Himself
(cf. Phil. 2:7) and His life in the spirit (cf. Rom.
8:1-13).
Faithful to their profession then, and leaving all things for the sake
of Christ (cf. Mark 10:28), religious are to follow Him
(cf. Matt. 19:21) as the one thing necessary (cf. Luke
10:42) listening to His words (cf. Luke 10:39) and
solicitous for the things that are His (cf. 1 Cor. 7:32).
It is necessary therefore that the members of every community, seeking
God solely and before everything else, should join contemplation, by
which they fix their minds and hearts on Him, with apostolic love, by
which they strive to be associated with the work of redemption and to
spread the kingdom of God.
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