Thanks for the info. I learned something new. I knew that they had some connection with the Dominicans of St. Cecilia during their formative years, but was not sure what rule they follow. I’m still not sure of that. Do they follow the Rule of St. Augustine? Most congregations are asked to take one of the five rules and write their constitutions usinhg it as a guide.
For those who don’t know, the five religious rules in the Church, in order of age: Carmelite, Benedictine (there is a debate about this), Basilian (Eastern Rite), Augustinian, and Franciscan.
There are also congregations that do not have a rule, but have their own statutes or their own constitutions and these are usually written by the founder. These constitutions and statutes can be changed by a general chapter of the community. A rule cannot be changed by the community, only by the Holy Father, because rules have Papal Bulls.
The difference is not obvious in the daily life and ministry of the community. It’s only obvious in canonical matters, which we don’t deal with as our daily bread. THANK GOD!!!
The Brothers of Life follow the Franciscan Rule for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, as do most Franciscans, except for the Franciscan Friars Minor, Capuchin Friars Minor and Conventual Friars Minor, for whom St. Francis wrote a separate rule and the Poor Clares for whom Francis and Clare wrote a separate rule.
In other words, there are three Franciscan rules. 1) Obedience, 2) Enclosure and Adoration, and 3) Penance. Francis wrote different rules according the the gifts of his followers at given times and given circumstances. There is one charism. But each rule places emphasis on one of the values in that charism.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
