241. His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II has written the most profound statements regarding the Vow of Chastity. Here we include it as part of our Constitutional understanding of this Vow. May it always serve as a constant reminder of our calling to union with Christ.

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240. “It is indeed according to the measure of the economy of the Redemption that one must also judge and practice that Chastity which each of you has promised by Vow, together with poverty and obedience. There is contained in this the response to Christ’s words, which are at the same time an invitation: “There are eunuchs that have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it” (Mt. 19:12). Prior to this Christ had emphasized: “Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given” (Mt. 19:11). These last words clearly show that this invitation is a counsel. To this also the Apostle Paul devoted a special reflection in the first letter to the Corinthians (Cf. 1Cor. 4:16). This counsel is addressed in a particular way to the love of the human heart. It places greater emphasis on the spousal character of this love, while poverty and still more obedience seems to emphasize primarily the aspect of redemptive love contained in religious consecration. As you know, it is a question here of chastity in the sense ‘of making themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven’, a question, that is, of virginity or celibacy as an expression of spousal love for the Redeemer Himself. In this sense the Apostle teaches that they ‘do well’ who choose matrimony but they ‘do better who choose virginity’ (1Cor. 7:38). ‘The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord’, (1Cor.7:32) and ‘The unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, to be holy in body and in spirit’ (1 Cor.7:34) 

 

241. “There is contained neither in the words of Christ nor in those of Saint Paul any lack of esteem for matrimony. The evangelical counsel of Chastity is only an indication of that particular possibility which for the human heart, whether of a man or of a woman, constitutes the spousal love of Christ Himself, of Jesus the ‘Lord’. To make themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven’ is not in fact merely a free renunciation of marriage and family-life, but a charismatic choice of Christ as one’s exclusive Spouse. This choice not only specifically enables one to be ‘anxious about the affairs of the Lord’ but-when it is made ‘for the Kingdom of Heaven’-it brings this eschatological Kingdom of God close to the life of all people in the conditions of temporality, and makes it in a certain way present in the midst of the world”.

 

242. “In this way, consecrated persons accomplish the interior purpose of the entire economy of Redemption. For this purpose expresses itself in bringing near the Kingdom of God in its definitive, eschatological dimension. Through the Vow of chastity, consecrated persons share in the economy of the Redemption through the free renunciation of the temporal joys of married and family life; on the other hand, precisely by their ‘having made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven,’ they bring into the midst of this passing world the announcement of the future resurrection (Cf. 20:34-36; Mt. 22:30; Mk.12:25) and of eternal life: Life in union with God Himself through the beatific vision and the love which contains in itself and completely pervades all the other loves of the human heart”. (Redemptionis Donum, Pope Saint John Paul II, 1984 Chapter V, par.11)

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243. Our Seraphic Father Saint Francis practiced custody of the senses to perfection. Never would he tolerate in himself even the inclination against purity. Rather he took all measures necessary to protect himself from falling into sins of the flesh. In following his example, the Friars are exhorted to always keep close guard over the faculties of their body. Let them refrain from embraces with women, keep their eyes cast down when traveling and be conscious of their conversation or what they might be listening to. Let them flee from all that would intrude upon a pure spirit.

 

244. The speech of the Friars shall always be pure and respectful. Let the Guardians be quick to correct and admonish even the slightest insinuation against Chastity. The Friars shall always think carefully before speaking.

 

245. That the pure of heart may see God (cf. Mt. 5:8) with the eye of sincere faith and be more fitted for heavenly things, the Friars shall not have any suspicious conversations or dealings with women, or long and unnecessary interviews with them. (Norm XI: 2a-c) When speaking with women they shall remain where they can be seen. Let the Friars converse with purity, discretion and religious decorum.  

 

246. In order to maintain Chastity it is necessary to be a fully balanced Friar. Participating in prayer, fraternity, penance and manual labor will help keep a joyful disposition and an undivided heart. The Guardians shall keep in mind the great means of physical exercise. As our life permits, let the ministers encourage the Friars to recreate in ways keeping with our state in life and Charism.

 

247. It is rare that a man in our present culture could pass into his adulthood without being at least singed by the fire of impurity. Past experiences and remembrances are sure to be future causes of temptation to the Friars. Let the Friars offer their communal penance for the gift of reparation for their own past sins. Let them also offer their penances as a remedy for what might be a former habit of sin. The Word of the Lord is living and powerful, therefore, we exhort all the Friars, to the best of their ability, to memorize the Scriptures, which will serve as the best form of purification of the mind, heart and soul.

 

248. Remembering the words of our Savior: ”If a man looks at a woman with lust in his heart he has committed adultery” (Mt. 5:28), the Friars must keep constant custody of their own thoughts, feelings and emotions. Each Friar shall cultivate a deep devotion to Saint Michael, to whom Saint Francis was also intensely devoted, and all the Holy Angels, so that they may be for us guardsmen who watch constantly by the gates of our souls.

 

249. During the years of formation, the Directors of Formation shall see to it that the Postulants and Novices learn healthy ways to deal with temptation, they shall

also instruct them on what is proper behavior for a religious. Finally, they shall see to it that the Friars develop a balanced and mature way of interacting with lay women, Religious Sisters and people in general. Let them follow the counsel of the Holy Scriptures to treat “older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with complete purity” (1 Tim. 5:2).

 

250. Let the Friars beware lest they form unhealthy attachments to women. Let them always discern their motives and closeness to those with whom we interact. When we become inappropriately attached to someone it is very hard to see it. For this reason the Friars are exhorted to listen carefully to the warnings of their brothers lest they fall into grave sin.

 

251. The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Immaculate Conception, the Most Pure Spouse of the Holy Spirit was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. There was never in her anything impure or displeasing to God. Let the Friars remember that it is to Her and through Her that we have been consecrated. She will be our strong defense, our shelter and our strong support. We have complete trust that, by our Vow of Total Consecration to the Immaculate and our Marian devotion, we shall be given the grace to attain to the highest purity. The Immaculate, the Mediatrix of all Graces, will mediate to us the grace of perfect Chastity and spotless purity. Never shall we dare to rely upon our own strength, instead, like our Blessed Lord, let us entrust ourselves to Her protection.

 

252. As was the custom of our former generations, we shall hold in great veneration, esteem and love Saint Joseph, the most pure spouse of the Virgin. Let his sublime chastity be for us an example and model. May our daily recourse to him be for us, as he was for Our Lord and Our Lady, a strong refuge of protection from all that could injure our Vow of Chastity.

 

253. Our Lord said: “Blest are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt. 5:8). We understand this Beatitude to be a life-long goal to reach and a gift to be zealously defended. With the grace provided to us by the Immaculate we shall be able to achieve and retain this most precious gift.

 

254. The Friars shall not frequent their parlors of nuns without a real purpose and certainly not without permission of the Minister General. Any permission to enter the enclosure can only come from the Minister General and the Vicar General when the Minister General cannot be reached in a convenient amount of time.

 

255. Women shall not enter the enclosed or semi-enclosed areas of our Friaries. In cases of real necessity for women to enter these areas permission from the Guardian and the local Fraternity must be sought and the women must be accompanied by two Friars of proven years.