Part X

Part X: The Preservation and Increase of the Society #

[410] #

1As a sign of gratitude and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let that feast be solemnly celebrated; and on that day is to be renewed the consecration by which the Society on January 1, 1872, dedicated and consecrated itself totally and perpetually.2The consecration to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be renewed each year on the feast of the Immaculate Heart.1

[411] #

The sense of belonging and responsibility that each individual one of Ours has toward the whole Society should be manifested in a knowledge of our spirituality, our history, our saints, our apostolic labors, and our men, especially of those who are suffering difficulties for the sake of Christ; it is to be manifested as well by maintaining Ignatian mobility and flexibility with a view to helping any region of the Society whatsoever.2

[412] #

1All our members should have at heart a shared concern for attracting new members to the Society, especially by prayer and the example of their lives as individuals and in community.32Therefore, we must do everything possible actively to present the Society in such a way that those whom God calls will know and appreciate who and what we are and what is our distinctive way of proceeding in the following of Christ.43We must also promote vocations as widely as possible, in order to reflect the culture and experience of those we seek to serve, including minority cultures, immigrants, and indigenous people.5

[413] #

The Society should always show itself bound to its benefactors in charity and gratitude. Superiors should ensure that prayers are offered for them and other appropriate signs of our gratitude are shown them.6

[414] #

In the perfect observance of all the Constitutions and in the particular fulfillment of our Institute, our formed members should excel, setting a good example and spreading the good odor of Christ, keeping before their eyes the serious obligation they have of giving edification especially to our younger members.7

[415] #

1All by earnest reading and meditation (in particular, at the time of the annual Spiritual Exercises, renewal of vows, monthly recollection, beginning of the year, and so forth) should strive ever to know, esteem, and love better our Constitutions and the special nature of our Institute,8which are to be faithfully observed, and which for each and all of us are the one, true, and safe way that surely leads to the perfection to which our Lord calls and invites all sons of the Society.92Major superiors, especially at the time of the annual visitation, should see that this is faithfully observed.

[416] #

Finally, those means that are proposed by our holy father Saint Ignatius in Part X of the Constitutions for the preservation and development not only of the body or exterior of the Society but also of its spirit, and for the attainment of the objective it seeks, which is to aid souls to reach their ultimate and supernatural end,10are to be observed eagerly and diligently by all, with a truly personal sense of responsibility for its increase and development, for the praise and service of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, and the help of souls.11 L. D. S.

  1. See CollDecr d. 286 (GC 23, d. 46, nos. 2-3; GC 29, d. 34). ↩︎

  2. GC 31, d. 19, no. 6, a; see P. VIII, d. 1, no. 9 C_8-673. ↩︎

  3. GC 33, d. 1, no. 22. ↩︎

  4. GC 34, d. 10, no. 2; GC 34, d. 26. ↩︎

  5. GC 34, d. 10, no. 4. ↩︎

  6. See P. IV, c. 1, nos. 1-6 C_4-309- C_4-319; P. VII, d. 4, nos. 34 C 638; 640. ↩︎

  7. See CollDecr, d. 99 (GC 28, d. 22, 5°; see Part VI, c. 1, no. 1 C_6-547; P. IV, c. 10, no. 5 C_4-424; P. VI, c. 5 C_6-602; P. IX, c. 3, no. 8 C_9-746; P. IX, c. 6, A C_9-790; P. X, no. 13 C_10-826. ↩︎

  8. See P. VI, c. 1, no. 1 C_6-547. ↩︎

  9. See CollDecr d. 97 (GC 28, d. 22, 3°); P. IV, c. 10, F C_4-430; L C_4-439; P. X, no. 13 C_10-826. ↩︎

  10. P. X, no. 2 C_10-813. ↩︎

  11. See P. X, no. 1 C_10-812. ↩︎