Servitan Secular Institute

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The Servitanische Secular Institute ( English Servite Secular Institute , abbreviation: SSI) is the international women's community in the Servite Order . It is an institute of consecrated life and a secular institute according to the canon law of the Catholic Church . It was founded in 1952 by the Englishwoman Joan Bartlett OBE DSG (1911–2002). The community is the youngest branch of the Servite Order, which was founded in Florence around 1233 .

history

Coat of arms of the Servite Order

While searching for her personal vocation, Joan Bartlett met the religious priest Gerard Corr OSM , whom she had already helped several times in the church . She intended to join the Congregation of the Servite Sisters in London . However, Father Corr advised her to serve in the midst of the world. The decisive factor was her experiences during World War II . In addition to her job at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), she worked in her free time as a helper for the British Red Cross. After the end of the war there was still a great need for help, her financial situation allowed her to open a house for the Servite Order in 1946. Here help was offered to the homeless , the elderly, the sick and other people in need. Sisters of the Servite Order also worked in this house. The Pope Pius XII. (1939–1958) published Apostolic Constitution Provida mater ecclesia from 1947 was the starting signal for the establishment of a secular religious community within the religious family of the Servites.

The first group established itself in the London House in 1952 and expanded beyond the borders of London. In 1960 the English group merged with an Italian and a German group to form an international community. In 1964 the community was recognized as a secular institute by the official church and incorporated into the religious family of the Servites. In 1979, he was appointed a secular institute under papal law . After revising its statutes in 1994, the Papal Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life renewed the approbation of the Holy See.

Conditions for registration

The institute is open to Catholic women, unmarried or widowed . All candidates are accompanied by an experienced member as a mentor for a year of preparation . After that, she joins the institute and the postulant completes a four-year training period. This concludes with a promise of time and is based on the Evangelical Councils , which include poverty, celibacy and obedience . After several years in the temporary vow, the perpetual vow can be made.

organization

The Secular Institute of the Servites is spread around the world, their groups or individuals work and live in Argentina , Belgium , Canada , Colombia , France , Germany , Italy , southern France , Spain , the USA and the UK . An association of believers is affiliated with the institute, whose members do not have to take any vows or promises. The group located in Germany was founded in 1961 and has its headquarters in Bielefeld , as well as in Gelsenkirchen and Hanover . The Generalate has its seat in Rome .

Life form

Members strive to serve God and his people, just as Mary , the first of the Lord's servants, did. They live in the middle of the world , pursue their professions and remain connected to their circle of life. There is life in small groups or as a single person , community life is practiced annually with retreats .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Joan Bartlett (Wikipedia (English)) Joan Bartlett
  2. ^ "British Red Cross" British Red Cross
  3. ↑ The Servite Sisters, the cloistered nuns, the secular institute, the members of the Third Order, the brotherhoods of the Sorrowful Mother and Friends of the Communities belong to the large religious family of the Servites (Servants of Mary).