New Religious Community from the Vision of Educator Dr Maria Montessori - "Servants of the Children of Light"
A religious community with the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education!
Servants of the Children of Light is a Public Association of the Christian Faithful for Women in Diocese of Bismarck established in response to the universal cry rising up to the Heart of God, to send laborers to the vineyard to seek out and serve Christ in children, to belong completely to Christ through religious consecration, the profession of the evangelical counsels, and to live in community in fraternal charity in view of being erected in the future as a religious institute of diocesan rite. The Sisters, drawing from the rich tradition of St. Benedict, serve the Church by contemplative prayer, and have the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education.
Dr. Maria Montessori's Vision
It began with a desire...
In 1950, two years before her death, Dr. Maria Montessori would be heard remarking, "when in any particular epoch there arises in human society some universal need, accompanied by a universal longing (conscious or unconscious) to have it met, then we find that, from the heart of the Catholic Church, there arises some new spiritual movement in response to it" (Child in the Church, 116). When this occurs, the Lord, in His great wisdom, often brings about new religious orders to respond to the need.
Montessori's desire was very clear. "In truth," she said, "what we need is a new religious order. Here I am, and I have been working all my life for the rights of the child, for the recognition of childhood as 'the Other Pole of Humanity.' For 50 years I have been doing this, and look how little really has been accomplished. An individual working alone can be compared to a man digging by himself in a field whereas the work of a religious Order, by comparison, is like that accomplished by a bulldozer" (Child in the Church, 117).
On January 6, 1907, Dr. Montessori opened her first Children's House in Rome. It was the great feast of Epiphany! And now, the Lord has indeed done great things, giving rise to this new religious community in this time and place in history. What a marvel that He has allowed us to share in this great mission begun by Montessori. This mission is great, and we need your help. Please prayerfully discern if Jesus is asking you to be part of this mission!
Charism
The form of life of the Servants of the Children of Light is this: to renew the earthly city of God by serving Christ in the child in humility and meekness so that the darkness of the world may be scattered by the Light of the New Jerusalem (Is. 9, Is. 60, Rev. 11, Ps. 52). The sisters will strive to assist the child in being conformed to the image of the Son of God. To do so, the child is put into contact with Christ “who teaches within” (St. Augustine) and the Holy Spirit who causes transformation into the image of God.
St. Benedict, with remarkable foresight, realized that peace comes from doing spiritual battle with “principalities and powers;” that the rebuilding of society begins with the rebuilding of the soul on the firm rock of Christ. Because of the profound insight into the nature of monastic life, the Rule of St. Benedict serves as an inspiration for the ordering of the Community’s life.
To support and safeguard this charism, along with the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the sisters take a fourth vow to serve Christ in the child.
Please contact Mother Chiara Thérèse for more information or if you desire to learn more in regard to the long-term vision.
DECREE
In accord with the norms of Ecclesiastical Law as contained in the Code of Canon Law and Canons 312-320, by these presents the undersigned Diocesan Bishop and competent authority hereby erects:
The Servants of the Children of Light
A Public Association of the Christian Faithful for Women
of Diocesan Rite [canon 312 §1 3º]
is established in response to the universal cry rising up to the Heart of God, to send laborers to the vineyard to seek out and serve Christ in children, to belong completely to Christ through religious consecration, the profession of the evangelical counsels, and to live in community in fraternal charity in view of being erected in the future as a religious institute of diocesan rite. The Sisters, drawing from the rich tradition of St. Benedict, serve the Church by contemplative prayer, and have the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education.
An initial description of this new Public Association may be found on the Diocesan website so that those interested may seek further information with regard to is nature, purpose and organization.
The Most Reverend David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., J.C.L., Bishop of Bismarck
Given at the Chancery the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
1st day of October A.D. 2020
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