Putting our good qualities into action
The vow of obedience
The vow of obedience helps us to develop our abilities for the greater benefit of others, rather than for our own sake. It goes a long way towards enhancing our self-discipline. Receiving a mission rather than choosing it ourselves deepens our sense of being one Body - one Body that functions in unison and works towards one goal. Through obedience we are free to offer ourselves entirely to the service of the Gospel. At times it is tiring, but it is a kind of fatigue that helps us grow in the desire to give our all.
Sincere and transparent relationships
The vow of chastity
The vow of chastity is an invitation to keep ourselves vigilant over our disordered desire to seek affection for our own selfish ends. It is not easy to love others indifferently. And yet, our intimate relationship with God inspires us to love others as He loves us. By offering open and transparent friendships, we show our gratitude for all that we have received in grace. To conquer our affections in today’s world requires a lot of effort, but it also leads to a deep maturity. It is a very delicate aspect in which we invest much effort during our formation.
With our feet firmly on the ground
The vow of poverty
The vow of poverty educates us to be very careful with the means at our disposal to achieve our apostolic work. We hold no property or monetary accounts in our personal name: in this way we avoid accumulating unnecessary wealth that could distract us from our mission. It is not poverty as an end in itself, but rather one that is oriented towards mission. Periodically we analyse and review how best to employ our resources. A simple way of life promotes an attitude of openness that welcomes all the challenges that come our way.
