Religious Congregations in Their External Relations

Religious State is the invention of the Church. Christ, the Author of perfection, proposed the counsels but left the mode of their observance to the individual and the Church. If they are to form the foundation of a special state of life, some device must be resorted to in order to insure stability in their observance. Stability or permanency is the first requisite of any state. The very word "state" suggests it. Se- bastianelli says: "Status a 'stare,' est quidem vivendi modus cum permanentia ex causa non facile mutabili sed perenni" (o. c., vol. II, p. 346). How can this be procured? Christ has left the way of Christian perfection optional, and consequently no authority can make it obligatory. A firm resolution or a promise may ensure some sort of stability, but hardly an irrevocable state. There remains, however, the possibility of invoking God in confirmation of a promise or directing the promise immediately to Him. Thus a fourfold method of observing the counsels or striving after perfection is presented to man: the state of perfection may be inaugurated first by a mere resolution sustained only by the bond of charity; secondly, by a promise to a legitimate superior, which would add at least the obligation of fidelity; thirdly, by an oath or lastly by a vow,either of which would strengthen the promise by the bond of Religion. Each of these has been chosen as the bond of Religious life in Societies approved by the Church. ' Vermeersch, Catholic Encyclope... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.