To reawaken in our confreres a new interest in the Rule of Life

First of all, the Commission reviewed the task assigned to it: “A qualified reflection on the RL iun order to familiarize us with it as an instrument of growth, in faithfulness to the Comboni Charism” (CA 2009, 31.4).

Secondly, they viewed the current situation highlighting what follows:

A realization: There is a widespread “disaffection” with regard to the RL, seen as “just another document,” little known and undervalued. To face this “major obstacle” will be essential in order to “foster a better familiarity with the RL” (CA 31).

A conviction: On the other hand, those who know our RL show appreciation and esteem for this document. It is a “hidden treasure” that we have not been able to exploit, so someone said that “we do not deserve the RL that we have.” The Chapter has become aware of this fact and has asked the Institute to “recover the RL” (AC 31).

A priority: in approaching the RL it seems important to underline its dimension as an “instrument of” charismatic “growth” (CA 31), based on its connection with “life” and with the Gospel, rather than of “norm” based on the “rule.”

Thirdly, the Commission prepared some working proposals to be presented to the General Council. In particular, the idea of entrusting to a group of confreres a “transversal re-reading of the RL” starting from three points of view: charismatic identity, spirituality and mission (the three chapter documents that were the backbone of the reflection on the Ratio Missionis).

It is to be hoped that this initiative may contribute to reawaken in our confreres a new interest in the RL, as proposed by the Chapter.