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Religious should diligently practice and if need be express also
in new forms that voluntary poverty which is recognized and highly
esteemed especially today as an expression of the following of Christ.
By it they share in the poverty of Christ who for our sakes became
poor, even though He was rich, so that by His poverty we might
become rich (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 8:20).
With regard to religious poverty it is not enough to use goods in a way
subject to the superior's will, but members must be poor both in fact
and in spirit, their treasures being in heaven (cf. Matt.
6:20).
Religious should consider themselves in their own assignments to be
bound by the common law of labor, and while they procure what is
required for their sustenance and works, they should banish all undue
solicitude and trust themselves to the provident care of their Father
in heaven (cf. Matt. 6:25).
Religious congregations by their constitutions can permit their members
to renounce inheritances, both those which have been acquired or may be
acquired.
Due regard being had for local conditions, religious communities
should readily offer a quasi-collective witness to poverty and gladly
use their own goods for other needs of the Church and the support of
the poor whom all religious should love after the example of Christ
(cf. Matt. 19:21, 25:34-46 James 2:15-16; 1
John 3:17). The several provinces and houses of each community
should share their temporal goods with one another, so that those who
have more help the others who are in need.
Religious communities have the right to possess whatever is required
for their temporal life and work, unless this is forbidden by their
rules and constitutions. Nevertheless, they should avoid every
appearance of luxury, excessive wealth and the accumulation of goods.
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