V. When must there be a refounding?

At the right time. Before it is too late, as the popular song says: "the sleeping shrimp is carried along by the current" Therefore it is necessary to awake from sleep in time. It is not enough to trust that time will take care of the problems and create the solutions. Sometimes it only increases and multiplies the problems.

Neither should these processes be set in motion before time or before they are necessary. There must be a reason and cause; there must be something in the air that demands a structural change and a new encounter with the culture in which we must live. The profound revitalisation of an institute is not something secondary. Nor is it something that takes place every day; but several times, yes; and when it does, it is necessary to get to the "bottom" of things. When one’s form of life is not a symbol, it no longer provokes or suggests something that goes beyond the immediate it is a sign that the time for refounding has come.

We must admit that not all institutes need to do this, nor to do this at the same time. Each of them will find the opportune time. The revitalisation of an institute is a heterogeneous process and should not take place in an unequivocal way. The historical concrete situations can be very different.

However, recently this topic has been on the agenda of many a general or provincial chapter and in the assemblies of the conferences of the religious of various countries or continents, and has put in its appearance under many different names. However, some day it has to be the object of decision and concrete practices. This is an important step.

Sometimes there is a paralysis in beginning this process because there is not a proper response to the questions that we have formulated in this article and to those that we can state now. Should a refounding come from "above’ or "below"? Should it be the result of the decision of the majority or the minority of the members of an institute? Does the decision and its enactment come from the heartfelt need of a group that chooses this step or from a vote? These questions too require a simple, even very brief, response. Here are some orientations that can serve as a binacle for our journey:

The project of a refoundation comes from "below", from the grass roots It is not necessary for each and every one to accept it; it is desirable that the greatest number possible want to achieve it; It can be done by decree, but it must already be a reality in the life of some of the religious or communities at this time; No doubt the greater strength and energy must be placed in those who want and desire it, and not in those who will create difficulties or try to prevent it, as sometimes happens. However, everyone must be heard, and there must be dialogue with all; This is a plan that creates life and which will be presented to those who want more life and seek it; and therefore one should not follow the advice of those who are making an option for the happy death of an institute; The vision must have values that inspire and structures that give consistency; All of this comes from the Spirit; psychology and sociology help in its formulation, but the inspiration comes from the Lord; the initiative comes from him. The trappings that must guide the process must be evangelical and theological. The whole process must be carried out in constant dialogue with the founder and the history of the institute and with men and women who are "in touch" with the dynamics of today’s culture.