2. The adaptation and renewal of the religious life includes both the constant return to the sources of all Christian life and to the original spirit of the institutes [ressourcement] and their adaptation to the changed conditions of our time [aggiornamento]. This renewal, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Church, must be advanced according to the following principles:
- the source of renewal is the Holy Spirit Himself through the Church.
a) Since the ultimate norm of the religious life is the following of Christ set forth in the Gospels, let this be held by all institutes as the highest rule.
- the Gospels provide a "way" or a rule of life that supercedes (and inspires) the rules of particular institutes.
b) It redounds to the good of the Church that institutes have their own particular characteristics and work. Therefore let their founders' spirit and special aims they set before them as well as their sound traditions - all of which make up the patrimony of each institute - be faithfully held in honor.
- each institute safeguards a charism, a spiritual gift that opens a way of following Christ beginning at a specific point in time. A charism is both universal (refreshing the center of the Christian mystery in startling and unexpected ways not just for its members but for the benefit of the whole Church) and particular (tied to a particular founder and a people within the Church).
c) All institutes should share in the life of the Church, adapting as their own and implementing in accordance with their own characteristics the Church's undertakings and aims in matters biblical, liturgical, dogmatic, pastoral, ecumenical, missionary and social.
- these institutes do not replace the Church, but instead offer a particular connection to the Church.
d) Institutes should promote among their members an adequate knowledge of the social conditions of the times they live in and of the needs of the Church. In such a way, judging current events wisely in the light of faith and burning with apostolic zeal, they may be able to assist men more effectively.
- a fruit of this work of ressourcement is aggiornamento, offering a judgement on events and circumstances made possible by the 'light of faith.' These judgements can be useful and helpful to others, even those who may not share the faith.
e ) The purpose of the religious life is to help the members follow Christ and be united to God through the profession of the evangelical counsels. It should be constantly kept in mind, therefore, that even the best adjustments made in accordance with the needs of our age will be ineffectual unless they are animated by a renewal of spirit. This must take precedence over even the active ministry.
- Renewal of spirit: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you; "She has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”
To be effective, aggiornamento must be rooted in ressourcement, turning to Christ in the Holy Spirit and begging for the Father's will.
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