Caritas Christi
Caritas Christi (CC) is an institute of consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church founded in France and a secular institute under papal law under canon law . The community does not have its own center; the members live in their profession and their own environment. The community was founded in 1938 by the Dominican Father Joseph-Marie Perrin (1905–2002) and the laywoman Julietta Molland (1902–1979).
history
From a young age, Julietta Molland had the idea of living in the middle of the world and serving God . After a first meeting with Father Perrin in 1939, they worked with him to develop the rules of life for the “Community of the Little Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena”. On August 4, 1937 , the first ten members of the new community consecrated themselves. In 1938 the women's community received approval from Archbishop Jean Delay of Marseille . This commissioned Juliette Molland to lead. On June 16, 1939, the first women made their solemn vows before the Archbishop of Marseille. At Pentecost 1944 the episcopal approbation took place, the community was now called "Union Caritas Christi". The next step was recognition as a secular institute of diocesan law on December 6, 1950 . The decree of recognition by the former Congregation for Religious Affairs finally led to recognition as a secular institute under papal law on March 19, 1955.
The community has grown to 1297 members and is active in 38 countries. About 40 members live and work in Germany.
spirituality
The community has chosen Saint Catherine of Siena as its patron saint . The members live by a gospel -oriented spirituality . Their vows are based on the evangelical councils , therefore they promise poverty , celibacy and obedience .
The founders
Juliette Molland was born in Noves , France at the beginning of the 20th century . She volunteered in the pastoral ministry from an early age, worked in catechesis , founded a group of Christian rural youth and was a councilor . In 1936 she met Father Joseph-Marie Perrin and began building a lay order with him. In 1939 she became the first person in charge of the “Union Caritas Christi”. After a few years, she transferred the responsibility to other hands and withdrew into a quiet and secluded life. On August 6, 1979, after suffering a long illness, she died and was buried in Noves.
Joseph-Marie Perrin was born in Troyes , in north-eastern France, in 1905 . At a young age, the boy suffered from an eye disease and gradually lost his eyesight . The almost blind 17-year-old joined the Dominican order and was trained as a religious priest . He stayed mainly in the monasteries of Marseille or Montpellier and was an extremely active person. He was active in the French resistance and was imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1943 . Since 1937 he was in contact with Juliette Molland and founded the "Union Caritas Christi" with her. From 1940 to 1975 he worked as a spiritual advisor and priest of the institute and traveled all over the world. He presented the Union in the Vatican and also led it to papal recognition. Since April 15, 2002 he has been resting in the earth of Provence , in Ste Baume, according to his wishes .