Original decree in French
As presented in the previous SSS International n°321, published on June 2023, there was an invitation from Very Rev. Fr Superior General to all SSS confreres to contribute a personal reflection on a favourite number of the Rule of Life. In the same article the SSS International Theological Commission (ITC) invited all SSS confreres to write a brief reflection (limited to 300 – 600 words maximum), sharing one’s personal experience: what is my favourite number of ROL? And why am I interested in this number of the ROL?
Giving importance to this important event, we are planning to publish a special Bulletin in 2024 which is foreseen to take place every quarter throughout the year. The quarterly publication, depending on the number of articles received, will allow us to completely commit and dialogue with ROL throughout the year. Furthermore, it also gives time for our confreres to make their contributions in stages.
We acknowledge with gratitude the religious who have already committed themselves to join us in this project. However, since the commitments are still a very few and modest, we once again fervently encourage all of you to get yourself involved in this endeavor, which is worthwhile and rewarding to fully embrace and enhance our experiences.
Towards this end, as we are at the beginning of our project on the 'Rule of Life', we welcome anyone, who may be interested in making a contribution, to get in touch with Fr. Binh, the Coordinator of the ITC, representing the General Council via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. indicating your number (ROL) chosen.
Kindly contact him on or before the 30th September, 2023.
It should be noted that we have a full year to prepare for this event, commencing on August 1, 2023. To commemorate this significant event, it is important to reflect on the Decree of approval of the Rule of Life, which was issued on August 1, 1984, the heavenly birthday of our beloved Founder, St. Peter Julian Eymard, the apostle of the Eucharist (see below).
On behalf of the International Theological Commission,
Father Joseph Binh, sss
Coordinator
SACRA CONGREGATIO
PRO RELIGIOSIS ET INSTITUTIS SAECULARIBUS
Prot. n. P.14 - 1/81
DECREE
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, whose general house is in Rome, has inherited from its Founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, a new form of consecrated life within the Church. Its mission is to place at the centre of its life and the life of the faithful, the Eucharist celebrated in the truth and internalized in a prayer of adoration and contemplation.
In conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II and other ecclesiastical documents, the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament drew up a new text of Constitutions (Rule of Life) which the Superior General, subsequent to the vote of the Chapter, presented to the Holy See for approbation.
The Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes, after having submitted the text to the study of the Consulters and taking into account the favorable vote of the Congress, approves and confirms the text, with the modifications requested by the same Congress, as contained in the French language copy kept in its archives, on condition that all the requirements of law be observed
This Congregation expresses the wish that, drawing upon their rich spiritual heritage and faithful to this Rule of Life, the Religious of the Blessed Sacrament will be authentic witnesses to the renewing power of the Eucharist for Church and society.
Given at Rome, August 1, 1984, on the feast of Saint Peter Julian Eymard.
+ V. FAGIOLO + Fr. J. HAMER, O.P.
Secr. Pro-Préf.
