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The monastic life, that venerable institution which in the course
of a long history has won for itself notable renown in the Church and
in human society, should be preserved with care and its authentic
spirit permitted to shine forth ever more splendidly both in the East
and the West. The principal duty of monks is to offer a service to
the divine majesty at once humble and noble within the walls of the
monastery, whether they dedicate themselves entirely to divine worship
in the contemplative life or have legitimately undertaken some
apostolate or work of Christian charity. Retaining, therefore, the
characteristics of the way of life proper to them, they should revive
their ancient traditions of service and so adapt them to the needs of
today that monasteries will become institutions dedicated to the
edification of the Christian people.
Some religious communities according to their rule or constitutions
closely join the apostolic life to choir duty and monastic observances.
These should so adapt their manner of life to the demands of the
apostolate appropriate to them that they observe faithfully their way of
life, since it has been of great service to the Church.
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