CONCLUSION

                The Christian who reads Novo millennium ineunte and Rosarium Virginis Mariae attentively, both of which are Apostolic Letters and both from the beginning of  the new millennium, is convinced that he/she must "start afresh from Christ with Mary".

        Enlightened by the supreme light of the Gospel and guided by the doctrinal orientations of the Council and of the apostolic exhortation Vita consecrata, the member of an Institute of consecrated life becomes aware that he/she must "start afresh from Christ with Mary" not only as a Christian, but also as a consecrated person and as member of a given Institute with a specific spiritual heritage in the Church.

        There is a real need for consecrated persons who, allowing themselves to be conformed by the Father, through the force of the Spirit and becoming "Christ-like persons" (VC 19) and "Marian-like" (cfr. VC 28, 94), offer to everyone in the new millennium a clear and joyful witness of their "specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ" (VC 16) and of the "specific (Christological and Marian) spirituality" (93) of their own Institute.

        I want to conclude my contribution to your reflection with a brief but weighty Marian thought which helps to contemplate the Virgin of the Annunciation as the supreme, prayerful, and missionary consecrated person of the Gospel:  "The prayer of the Virgin Mary, in her 'Fiat' and in her Magnificat, is characterised by the generous offering of her whole being in faith" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2622).

Ángel Pardilla, CMF

AMCG -Formation 2003