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Jesus Caritas Fraternity |
| For | Women |
| Founded |
Founded in France, 1952; approved as a secular institute of diocesan right,
1996. Consists of at least 26 nationalities. |
| Purpose | To form members in the
contemplative tradition of Br. Charles de Foucauld, bringing God's love especially to
his most
neglected children. Members strive in their daily lives to live the Gospel message.
Jesus Caritas Fraternity is an international secular institute of lay women drawn together
by their search for God, and by their response to the call of the Gospel. It is approved by the
Church. There are over 340 members throughout the world: They share a common vision and
give one another support in their effort to Cry the Gospel with their lives. |
| FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS AND THE
GOSPEL | The Jesus Caritas Fraternity invites those who wish to answer the call of
Jesus to lead a life dedicated to God in celibacy. Based on an intimate relationship with the Lord
who is sought in contemplation and love. Their source of inspiration for this way of following
Jesus is Brother Charles of Jesus, "The Universal Little Brother." |
Charles de Foucauld
1858-1916 | Charles
de Foucauld was a French soldier and explorer who on the rediscovery of his faith began a great
search for absolute love. His quest led him first to the austerity of a Cistercian Monastery, then to
the Holy Land to imitate as far as was possible the life of "The Poor Man from Nazareth." After
his ordination it drew him to the Sahara and, finally, to the Tuareg People. His presence among
these people was that of a loving brother and servant. He did not make converts. He drew up
a rule for a religious order, but as no companions joined him, it failed to materialize. On December 1, 1916, he was killed in the Desert
by the bullet of a frightened fanatic. Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and
dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. (Jn
12:24) Now, there are many religious and lay people, who follow Brother Charles
in a life consecrated to the imitation of Jesus at Nazareth and to all of these he has bequeathed a
strong spirit of poverty, an emphasis on contemplation - especially in adoration of the Eucharist
-, an appreciation of The Desert, and a call to simple, universal charity. |
| The Fraternity | The Fraternity is a cell of the
Church; it is not a place. It is an encounter of people who want to know Jesus deeply. Each
member lives her own individual secular life, in her family, on her own, or with friends, and each
works. There is nothing external to distinguish a member. Once a month the members come
together in local fraternities - where these exist. The meeting normally consists of a period of
Adoration, a celebration of the Eucharist, a time of listening to and sharing of the Gospel and A
Review of Life. |
| A Review of Life | The Review of Life is an
exchange prepared in prayer, during which each offers her life to the others, knowing that where
two or three are gathered in His name, the Lord is present. It is a time of trust, of humility, of
being totally present to one another and to the Gospel, which is the point of reference.
Each member commits herself to prayer every day and when possible to spend some time every
month at one with God, In the Desert. |
| Admission and Formation | The first contact is
made with an individual member. This is followed by an invitation to attend the local Fraternity
Meeting. This group, of not more than eight members, is themain instrument of formation.
Training does not, therefore, imply spending any considerable time away from one's normal
environment.
The annual week's retreat provides an opportunity not only to deepen spiritual life, but also to
meet members from other Fraternities and countries.
Progress towards Consecration is gradual and final Consecration is never made before the
candidate's thirty-fifth year. It is a challenging, satisfying, difficult yet simple way of life for
those who are Summoned by Love. |
Contact
Links + Mail |
Anne-Marie Roussel
3, rue Ebelmen
75012 Paris
France
Telephone: 01 44 74 04 53
E-mail: am.roussel@wanadoo.fr
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Produced by: USCSI: United States Conference of Secular
Institutes
Rev.
George F. Hazler, President: director@voluntasdeiusa.org
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