From Sunset to Dawn Reflections on refounding

The reality of the refounding of religious institutes is nothing new in the Church; even less so is talking about it. There are a significant number of Congregations that can recount its experience of refounding. The history of the Consecrated life includes moments of genuine revitalisation. This history tells us that there have been men and women who one fine day realised that their religious communities had lost the ability to respond to the great and legitimate human and religious aspirations of its members and the needs of the society and the Church; and in the name of the Lord, but without delay, they began and achieved what would ultimately be considered a genuine refounding.

The topic of the refounding of religious Institutes is timely, increasingly repeated and opportune; it is, however, sensitive and ambiguous. It can arouse disappointment and provoke boldness, clairvoyance and holiness; it can remove, but does not necessarily do so, the basis of an enviable fidelity, or lead people to speak well and much about the consecrated life and to prepare the basis for its most important exigencies and thus go on generating scepticism. In taking up this topic, it is necessary to go to the root of the problems of the consecrated life today, but in it one cannot fail to make certain clarifications and distinctions. My intention is to present refounding as a special time of grace for everyone, as a kairos for those who enter into this process and as a response to the demand for creative fidelity. We do so with faith in the internal fruitfulness of the consecrated life and with the hope that it continues, and will continue, to engender new forms that will not only avoid its death but, most of all, will help it to explore "new ways to apply the Gospel in history" (VC 84b) The topic gives us courage because it tells us something of what must be done to recreate the consecrated life today in its theological and prophetic dimension. In the face of the reality we are well aware that the situations and needs are different for each of those who are listening. May each person who listens to this address from his own reality and perspective, but everyone remaining open to dialogue and challenge and the light and the call that they might receive. At the beginning of this presentation I want to invoke, together with the Pope, the help of the Holy Spirit that "he give us the courage to face the challenges of our time and the grace to bring to all mankind the goodness and loving kindness of our Saviour Jesus Christ" (VC 111d).