Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)
Chapter One
1. What are the prevailing lifestyles by which a Religious Congregation is identified?
Religious Congregations, according to their lifestyle, are identified as Contemplative, Active, or Mixed.
2. To which of these families does our congregation belong?
Our Religious Family is to be numbered among those Religious Congregation which espouse a mixed religious lifestyle.
3. In the mixed religious lifestyle of our congregation, which element has the highest priority?
The Contemplative Element must have the highest priority in the religious lifestyle of our Congregation.
4. Why must the Contemplative element rather than the Active one have higher priority in our Congregation?
Contemplation has the higher priority in our Congregation because it is only through Contemplation that we may reach Divine Union.
5. How important is this Divine Union to our Congregation?
Divine Union is everything to our Congregation.
6. For what purpose was our Congregation established?
Our Congregation was established for the propagation, apostolate and achievement of the Divine Union. This is our main goal.
7. Is there a formula by which this goal might be summarized?
Our goals may thus be summarized: Contemplation in action and action for Contemplation.
8. What is meant by the expression: “Contemplation in Action”?
The expression “Contemplation in action”, is meant to convey the idea that we must surrender ourselves to contemplation, not only in our daily prayers, but in all of our daily activities as well.
9. What is meant by the expression: Action for contemplation?
With the expression “Action for Contemplation” we convey the idea that all of our works and endeavors, both internal and external, are meant to serve as a means to reach a contemplative state, both in ourselves and in others.
10. If all our efforts are focused on Contemplation, won’t it be rather difficult to carry out and bring to fruition our apostolic activities?
Our efforts aimed at achieving the contemplative state, rather than constituting a hindrance to our apostolic work, are a guarantee that the supernatural effectiveness of our activities is accomplished, since Divine Union must be at the heart of every apostolic action that we undertake.