Biblical Foundations For Religious Life

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r e l i g i o u s f o r m at i o n c o n f e r e n c e

InFormation nothing less than excellence

in this issue
Letter from the Executive Director
Letter from the
As we prepare the 2010 winter issue of InFormation, and the final issue of TransFormation in its current form,
Executive Director..... 1
it is indeed, a privilege to review with you RFC happenings of this past year – a
A Prophetic Vision.... 2 year which has been gifted generously and blessed graciously by our magnani-
mous God and by your support and engagement as members.
An Action Oriented
Initiative...................... 6 In addition to ForMission (2 sessions), Life Commitment and Orientation to
Formation programs which received excellent reviews, the workshop Biblical
Congress 2011 ............ 7 Foundations for Consecrated Life: A Prophetic Vision was offered in five hub
Life Commitment locations across the US. The attendance of close to four hundred attests to the
Program ...................... 8 interest the topic held for women and men living consecrated religious life. The
lead article in this issue by van Thanh Nguyen, SVD offers a summary review
Mary Daniel Turner of the workshop content. While the article calls us to bold words and daring
Scholarship Fund....... 9 actions as modeled by the prophets of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, we
are also aware that our individual and communal call to be prophetic reveals
Book Review...............10 itself in ordinary and daily communitarian ways distinguished by a steadfast
adherence to Gospel imperatives.
Take Note ...................11
Our national Board and national office continue to focus on RFC’s 2007-2012 Goals and Strategies to “Re-
shape the organization’s governmental structures, processes, programs and practices to reflect present and
future realities affecting religious life.” With discerning hearts and trusting the nudging of God’s prophetic
Spirit, we attempt with courageous conviction to take “the next right step” in each situation and move forward
in hope.

Speaking of moving forward in hope, I encourage you to review on the NRVC website the documents from the
NRVC September 16-19 2010 symposium – Moving Forward in Hope Project. The project is a follow-up to
the NRVC/CARA 2009 Study.

The Transformation of Religious Life in North America: An Action-Oriented Initiative will be held in five
hub locations across the US January-March 2011 continues to draw significant numbers of participant registra-
tions and indicates the interest it holds for you, our members. For further information on this pilot project, see
advertisements in this issue and on the RFC website www.relforcon.org

May this Advent, this “in between” time be a blessed experience of patient waiting and joyful expectation as we
eagerly anticipate the coming of the Word made flesh among us. May we create a fitting dwelling place for
Him in our hearts, our Church and our world that cries out in need to see a human face of God.

Advent and Christmas blessings to each of you.

Violet Grennan, mfic


Executive Director
Vol. 19 | Iss. 4 | Winter 2010
Biblical Foundations for Religious Life:
InFormation
_______________
Vol. 19 | Iss. 4 | Winter 2010
A Prophetic Vision vanThanh Nguyen, SVD, Catholic Theological Union

Who are religious really? Through the centuries a lot of ink has been spilled over this question. While
Religious Formation Conference
some spiritual authors today are hesitant to call religious life “prophetic,” many have come to recognize
8820 Cameron Street
that being prophetic is the key hallmark of this vocation. Vita Consecrata, a post-synodal apostolic
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4152
exhortation on consecrated life by Pope John Paul II in 1996, clearly defines religious life as prophetic.
The document dedicates a whole section to this dimension of consecrated life entitled, “A Prophetic
301.588.4938 phone
Witness in the Face of Great Challenges” (#84-95). Paragraph 84, which is subtitled “The prophetic
301.585.7649 fax
character of the consecrated life,” states:
rfc@relforcon.org “There is a prophetic dimension which belongs to the consecrated life as such, resulting from the radical
www.relforcon.org nature of the following of Christ and of the subsequent dedication to the mission characteristic of the
consecrated life….”
Editor: Violet Grennan, mfic Authors, including contemporary authors, writing on religious life would agree that the form of life
not only can but must be prophetic today in order to fulfill its true character. There is no better place to
InFormation is published explore and find inspiration for our prophetic way of life than the biblical landscape and in doing so
four times a year by the Religious perhaps re-discover a model for religious life in our Church and world today. We might even be aston-
Formation Conference, expressly for ished to discover that we are challenged and transformed in the process of retrieving and embracing
RFC members. For information about anew prophetic religious life.
membership in the Conference,
contact the National Office. A Biblical Prophetic Landscape
Old Testament
© 2010 Religious Formation Conference In turning the pages of the Bible, one may be fascinated by the sheer number of characters who are por-
trayed as prophets. Most Christians in general and most Catholics in particular are familiar with some
PERMISSION TO REPRINT of the classical prophets. They might be able to name the four Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
For permission to reprint articles from and Daniel. Some could identify a few names from the twelve Minor Prophets: Amos, Hosea, Micah,
InFormation please contact the Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Jonah, Obadiah, and Malachi. Two other pop-
Editor at vgrennan@relforcon.org. ular prophets might be familiar to others—namely, Elijah and Elisha—whose stories take up a large sec-
When permission is granted, you will be
tion of First and Second Kings. Elijah and Elisha are leaders of a guild of prophets who dominated the
asked to provide information on the
circulation of the article and give
ninth century political and religious landscape of ancient Israel. Since their stories are often read in
“credit” to RFC. Permission is for a one liturgical celebrations, they are familiar to many believers.
time use only. RFC asks its member Many other prophets existed before the ninth century BCE. Abraham was called a prophet by God
congregations to defer to the in Genesis (20:7). Moses too was regarded as a prophet (Deut 18:15-19). The story of his call in Exodus
copyright of this publication. 3 is a traditional form of the commission of a prophet. The author of Deuteronomy idealized Moses as
a model prophet, stating: “Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD
TransFormation, the one-page knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to perform
bulletin provided by RFC as an ongoing in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds
formation resource, is created to be and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (34:10-12). Aaron,
reproduced and sent to members of the spokes-person for Moses, was considered a prophet (Exod 7:1). Miriam too acted as a messenger for
RFC member congregations. God in leading the victory dance after the crossing of the sea (Exod 15:20). Later she challenged Moses’
exclusive exercise of the role of prophet: “Is it through Moses alone that the LORD speaks?” (Num 12:2).
During the period of the judges (1200-1020 BCE), Deborah was called both prophet and judge. She sat
Design and layout: under a palm tree settling disputes and pronouncing judgment for the people (Judg 4:4-5). Responding
Beth Ponticello, CEDC to God’s invitation, she defeated the army of Hazor and helped liberate her people from foreign oppres-
www.cedc.org sion. Two other female prophets are often unknown. During the reign of Josiah (640-609 BCE) a book
of the law was found in the Temple. The priests brought the book to the king who instructed them to
consult with the prophetess for authenticity. The prophetess Huldah reviewed the book and declared it
_______________ to be authentic (2 Kings 22:8-20). The newly discovered book is believed to have been the book of
Deuteronomy.
Samuel is another important Old Testament figure who helped Israel move from a loose tribal con-
www.relforcon.org federation to a monarchy. As prophet and judge, he first anointed Saul and then David and served as
Please make note of the new the official “seer” under these kings. There are two other prophets who seemed to occupy an official
member password for the position in the court of King David: Gad and Nathan. Gad seemed to have been a close companion of
website: transformation2010 David during the early period of his life and helped him escape from Saul’s clutches. Gad also
announced God’s judgment upon David after the census and advised David concerning the purchase of

2 Religious Formation Conference


the threshing floor which later became the site of the temple (2 gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9). Examining Paul’s letters, readers will
Sam 24:10-25). Nathan, on the other hand, appeared after David notice that there is evidence in the Pauline churches where
had settled in his kingdom and courageously opposed the king, prophets acted as leaders of the community (2 Cor 12:28). The
saying that he should not build a house (temple) for God but letter to the Ephesians gives us an historical glimpse of the role of
rather that God will build a house (dynasty) for him (2 Sam 7:1- prophets in early Christianity: “So then you are no longer
17). It was upon this prophetic word that all the hopes for the strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also
Davidic messiah rested. Nathan also challenged David about the members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of
sin he had committed with Bathsheba and brought an oracle of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cor-
judgment on his house (2 Sam 12:1-12). During the reign of nerstone” (2:19-20). Finally, it is worthy of note that the last book
Solomon, the prophet Ahijah announced that the kingdom of the Bible is written by a prophet and in a genre of prophecy.
would be divided (1 Kings 11:29-39), and during the reign of John, from the island of Patmos, unveiled the sin of the Roman
Baasha, the prophet Jehu denounced Baasha’s rule and predicted Empire and called Christians in Asia Minor to resist its powerful
the fall of his dynasty (1 Kings 16:1-13). Many more prophets allurement. Typical of biblical prophets, John denounced the
continued to influence the political, religious and social life of Empire and announced its imminent destruction (Rev 18:2).
ancient Israel.
Functions of Biblical Prophets
New Testament The brief survey above demonstrates that many prominent fig-
When one turns to the New Testament, one is pleasantly sur- ures found in the Bible are “prophets.” The number is indeed
prised by a cast of characters who are portrayed as prophets. In awe-inspiring. Even though the dictum, “No prophet is accepted
the first two chapters of Luke’s Infancy Narrative, we find many in the prophet’s hometown” (Luke 4:24), often rings true, biblical
figures portrayed as prophets. First and foremost, in the prophets nevertheless abounded and played a leading role in the
Magnificat, Mary of Nazareth announced a new world order life of God’s people through the ages. They were often the
where the powerful will be brought down and the lowly will be mouth-piece of God. As messengers, they spoke on behalf of God
lifted up. Her message is good news to the downtrodden for there with passion. Their hearts were usually on fire. As observant crit-
will be a reversal of fortune favoring especially the poor. ics of their time, they unveiled the sinfulness of the people and
Zechariah also spoke in the manner of a biblical prophet. His challenged the official structures of their epoch. As visionaries,
Benedictus praises the God of Israel for fulfilling the ancient prophets saw a new world order while most were unable to see
promises of salvation and proclaims the imminent arrival of a beyond their immediate physical horizon. In a nutshell, biblical
holy prophet who prepares the way of the Lord. Noticeably prophets had a two-fold task: criticizing and energizing.
Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna were filled with the Holy Spirit and
acted in manner worthy to be called prophetic (Luke 2:41, 25,
36). All four Evangelists cast the character and role of John the
...
Baptist as a prophet whose primary role is to announce and pre-
pare the Lord’s advent. How was the founder/ foundress of
Most New Testament historical critics agree that Jesus was your community prophetic in his/her
an eschatological prophet. His mission was to proclaim the good
news that was burning inside him; namely, God was coming now own time? How did s/he criticize,
to liberate God’s people from suffering and oppression. His first
words in the Gospel of Mark are, “The Kingdom of God is at how did s/he energize?
hand” (1:15). As an itinerant prophet, Jesus moved about from
place to place announcing and inaugurating God’s reign. He was
a man whose heart was “on fire”: “I came to bring fire to the
...
earth, and how I wish it were already kindled” (Luke 12:49). Jesus
believed that the Reign of God had already broken into the here Usually prophets appeared during moments of crisis and
and now. To have a share in the banquet of the Kingdom, one announced disturbing messages that would challenge both the
must repent and change. Jesus’ prophetic message was too trou- people and their institutions. Amos for example vigorously
blesome, radical and inclusive for many to accept, so they killed denounced the upper classes’ luxurious living based on an unjust
him. exploitation of the poor (8:4-7). Hosea criticized Israel’s unfaith-
fulness in worshiping other gods (2:7-15). Isaiah of Jerusalem,
Early Church also known as First Isaiah, condemned the ruling classes for their
In the early church period, prophets seemed to have played an greed and callous disregard for the poor, especially for confiscat-
important role in the Christian communities. The Book of Acts ing their land (5:8-10). Micah, a contemporary of First Isaiah,
identifies many individuals who acted as prophets. Stephen, who also condemned the rich urban landowners for devouring the
was supposed to wait on tables, preached and died in the manner peasant farmers (2:2-3) and he opposed the king for permitting
of a biblical prophet (7:1-60). The preaching and mission of Peter such unjust practices. Micah declared that the city and the
and Paul, the two major characters of Acts, are examples of Temple would be destroyed because of the sins of the people and
prophetic witnesses for believers to imitate. Acts also presents the institutions (3:9-12). Perhaps Jeremiah was the most critical
other individuals who functioned as prophets. Agabus acted as a of Judah’s moral failures as they led to its impending punish-
prophet by foretelling a severe famine all over world (11:28) and ment. This great prophet who lived and ministered during
Paul’s imminent imprisonment (21:10). There is also an interest- Israel’s most turbulent and traumatic period of history issued
ing mention of Phillip’s four unmarried daughters who had the pronouncements brimming with judgments and threatened
continued on next page

InFormation | Fall 2010 3


Congregational Documents, continued from page 3
destruction because the king and the ruling elites abused the Jerusalem’s streets (27:2). Among the biblical prophets, Ezekiel
poor and powerless. was the most eccentric of them all. He began his vocation by lit-
An important function of the biblical prophets was to be the erally eating the scroll to internalize God’s word (3:1-11). To
conscience of Israel and often to act as a constant thorn in the visually show what will happen as a consequence of Israel’s
side of the established structure. However, classical prophets not wickedness, Ezekiel did a series of unusual things: lying bound
only highlighted the injustices and sinful practices but also called like a prisoner for 190 days on one side and then 40 days on the
people back to their original covenant, namely to faithfully wor- other (4:4-9); building a little wall (4:1-3); cooking his food over
ship God and love their neighbors. Consequently, prophets did a fire of human excrement (4:12:15); burning and scattering his
not only criticize but also energized the people of their time to hair (5:1-15); packing his belongings (12:1-16); and refusing to
help their contemporaries imagine a different present and the mourn for his dead wife (24:15-27).
possibility of a new future. Strange as it might seem to us today, classical prophets pub-
licly acted out their message by dramatizing their visions through
... sometimes strange and even outrageous behavior. If being
prophetic is a fundamental character of religious life, those living
consecrated religious life today must seek to imitate the biblical
How do we as community give prophets so as to live a life that identifies them as bearing
prophetic witness, namely by boldly criticizing the structures
hope to God’s people and offer a (political, religious, social, and cultural) of their time and at the
different vision to live one’s life? same time by valiantly energizing people toward a new way of life
that is transforming and life giving. If women and men religious

... consistently and faithfully live out their prophetic vocation, they
will not only give witness to their true character (understood as
transforming, shaping a way of life and its habitual way of living);
While people were struggling to survive due to famine, they will also provide a witness that has potential to transform
Amos, for example, imagined a new future where food will be so themselves and the world. For inspiration and guidance during
abundant that even wine and milk will run down the Judean hills this Advent season I suggest we turn to a book of the Scriptures
(9:13). Facing imminent calamity, Isaiah of Jerusalem envisioned that most Catholics tend to shy away from.
perpetual peace and a new world order where the wolf will lie
down with the lamb (Isa 11:6-9). Even though salvation for Israel Messages to the Seven Communities:
might have seemed unattainable, Micah still hoped that God will A Vision from Patmos
fling human sin into the depths of the sea (Mic 7:19-20). Despite the The Book of Revelation, also known as the “Apocalypse,” which
impending disaster, Jeremiah still spoke about how God has a in Greek means “unveiling,” was composed during a time of cri-
future and a hope for Israel’s remnant (29:11). To the heart-broken sis, probably in the mid-90s CE, when Christians in Asia Minor
exiles in Babylon, Ezekiel spoke about how God will bless, renew, (modern Turkey) were facing tremendous challenges and oppo-
and restore God’s people giving them a new heart of flesh and a new sition. To the seven communities (ecclesia), John, who was prob-
temple (Ezek 36-47). When Israel’s exiles returned to the ruins of ably a wandering Christian prophet (1:3, 10-11; 22:9, 18-19) and
the holy city and temple, and when hope seemed to have completely now exiled on the island of Patmos (1:9), wrote to criticize those
vanished, Third Isaiah envisioned that all nations will come to wor- who had lost their prophetic edge and energize those who were
ship God on the holy mountain (56:1-8) and there will be a new cre- experiencing hardships. His three-fold message to the seven
ation (65:17-25). Biblical prophets described here are essentially communities was: to resist cultural assimilation, to overcome
hope-givers and visionaries. complacency, and to persevere in times of hardship.
Prophets are too often seen exclusively as fortune-tellers or Most scholars today agree that religious persecution was not
prognosticators of future history. While this might be part of the main factor that threatened the existence of the seven
their prophecy, future prediction was not their primary task. Christian communities. While there was minor local opposition,
Rather than predicting events in a far-distant future, biblical the principal challenge for the early Christians who lived in the
prophets announced God’s will in an immediate set of circum- midst of the Roman Empire was its attraction and allurement.
stances. Both prophetic tasks of criticizing and energizing are The commodities of Greco-Roman cities and its affluent
directed primarily toward the prophet’s time using terms and
images comprehensible and relevant to their intended audience.
To make their message more effective, prophets used various
ways to convey their powerful message, at times becoming and
...
acting out the message themselves. Isaiah for example walked What do I/we as a community need
around barefoot and naked for three years to dramatize the situ-
ation of exile that threatened Israel and to illustrate the city’s to fall in love again and embrace
imminent humiliation and ruin (Isa 20:2-4). Micah likewise
walked around barefoot and naked, lamenting and wailing like our original covenant with our
the jackals and ostriches (Mic 1:8). To illustrate the broken rela-
tionship between God and the people, Jeremiah smashed a pot God and God’s people?
(19:11) and buried his underwear (13:1-11). To symbolically
demonstrate the burden of the Babylonian oppression, Jeremiah
wore a yoke first of wood and then of iron parading through
...
4 Religious Formation Conference
lifestyles, public baths, theatrical entertainment and imperial
cults, had lured and seduced the Christian believers. Believers at
Ephesus, Pergamum, and Thyatira had compromised their faith
...
through cultural accommodation to the Empire; so much so that
the church barely existed anymore. To the Ephesians John writes,
In this time of Advent we are called
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love to “wake up” and “to be alert”.
you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen;
repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you Is there an area in our personal
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent”
(2:4-5). The message to communities in Pergamum (2:14-16) and communal lives that could be
and Thyatira (2:20-23) is one and the same, namely, to resist cul-
tural assimilation by refusing to eat food sacrificed to idols and
nudged into a different awareness
practicing fornication. For the prophet John, their assimilation and increased prophetic action?
had compromised their Christian faith.
Believers at Sardis and Laodicea faced a different situation.
The danger did not seem to come from overt hostility but from
...
the kind of comfortable conditions that led to complacency. Both Conclusion: “An Advent of a Renewed
of these communities were economically affluent and therefore Religious Life?”
took pride in being self-sufficient. To the community in It is interesting to note that in our examination of the Book of
Laodicea, Christ declares, “I know your works; you are neither Revelation, John of Patmos criticized five of the seven communities
cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because for having been seduced by the Empire. Perhaps some of our com-
you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit munities have become too assimilated into our culture and accom-
you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, modated ourselves too fully to criticize our social, political, eco-
and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, nomic and religious institutions. Is it possible that our middle class
pitiable, poor, and blind, and naked” (3:15-17). The description lifestyle has made us complacent and in the process lost some of our
gives us a picture of a complacent and apathetic community. original zeal and passion to radically follow Jesus’ life and mission?
While the community is not accused of any major heresy or For those of us for whom this may be so, John’s admonition is
immoral practices, their self-satisfied complacency and half- resoundingly clear - “Come out” of the Empire and boycott it (18:2-
hearted commitment were enough to make Christ sick! Similarly, 4). Perhaps by resisting the Empire, religious will re-energize their
Christ criticized the believers at Sardis, “I know your works; you prophetic identity. We need to act now!
have a name of being alive, but you are dead” (3:1b). It seems that In reviewing the brief survey of the Biblical prophetic land-
both the communities at Sardis and Laodicea had no zeal or scape offered here, we may recognize that the biblical prophetic
intensity, and therefore they were ineffective and useless. tradition provides us with a solid foundation for establishing
Among the seven communities, Smyrna and Philadelphia who religious are called to be. (Notice that the Greek word
are the only ones that Christ did not criticize. The messages prophetes literally means “one who is called or summoned.”) To
mainly contain words of commendation and encouragement in be prophetic is indeed an essential character and function of our
times of suffering and persecution. To the community in way of life. Like all biblical characters, we are summoned to be a
Smyrna, Christ says, “I know your affliction and your poverty, prophetic voice and presence in our contemporary world and
even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those Church. Our task is two-fold: to criticize the institutions of our
who say that they are Jews and are not, but a synagogue of Satan” time and re-energize those of us who may have been overtaken
(2:9). The community at Philadelphia apparently experienced a by its attraction and seduced by its riches.
similar situation. They too were expelled from the synagogue and Due to various factors, some say that religious life is in a
publicly denounced by the Jewish officials. Without the privi- state of crisis. Others opine that it is at a crossroads. Still others
leges and protections afforded by the Jews, members of the think that religious women and men are caught between the
Philadelphian community were attacked and persecuted by the “gaps” of the “betwixt and between state” of radical or liminal life
Romans. Yet, despite suffering and hostility on all fronts, the (Ruffing, 1). Whatever the case might be, there is definitely a
community remained zealous in their commitment and faith. decline in religious vocations in many religious communities in
They did not waver in their resistance to the seduction of the first world countries. While the decline in numbers is significant,
Empire but rather stood firm in their prophetic witness. While the quality of religious life for many has not been impacted by the
the door of the local synagogue was closed to the Christian decline. After having traveled to various places in the U.S. to
believers, Christ nevertheless promised them a new passage: “I present this talk to women and men on the topic of religious life
know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, titled “Biblical Foundations for Consecrated Life: A Prophetic
which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little Vision”, I have witnessed the lives and heard the prophetic voices
power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my of many religious women and men. Most, if not all, testified that
name” (3:8). The principal message for these two communities is religious life is not in “peril” but is in a “transforming stage.”
to not be afraid (2:10) and patiently endure (3:10) during the They have a heightened awareness of their prophetic vocation in
interim period. Christ assures them that he is coming: “I am the world in the midst of being smaller in number and perhaps
coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may less obviously visible than in previous generations. Is it possible
seize your crown” (3:11). Christ’s message to the suffering believ- that this “betwixt and between time” holds within it the promise
ers is incredibly hope-filled and powerfully reaffirming in the of an advent of a renewed religious life for all of us? If religious
dire straits of their situation. continue to model their lives on the biblical characters described
continued on page 8

InFormation | Fall 2010 5


Congregational Documents, continued from page 5
above; if they can act prophetically in the church and in the world as their
founders and foundresses did, religious life will not only continue but flourish
well into the twenty first century and beyond.
Let me end with the reassuring words and transforming vision of Christ
to the faithful community at Philadelphia: “I am coming soon; hold fast to
what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. If you conquer, I will
make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will
write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new
Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new
name. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the
churches” (Rev 3:11-13).
Noteworthy Websites
References All you ever wanted to know about Ignatian
Ruffing, Janet. “Going Up into the Gaps: Prophetic Life and Vision,” InFormation (Jan-Feb spirituality incl. discernment and more you will
1998)1-2; 8-9. finds at:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/
Vita Consecrata, http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/
hf_jp-ii_exh_25031996_vita-consecrata_en.html and the blog to it:
[accessed on November 28, 2010]. http://ignatianspirituality.com/dotmagis-blog/

vanThanh Nguyen, S.V.D., S.T.D., is assistant professor of New Testament Looking for data to inform and support your
Studies and chair of the Department of Biblical Languages and Literature at
social analysis, prayer , reflection and action:
Catholic Theological Union, in Chicago, Illinois. He is a missionary of the
The World Bank
Society of the Divine Word. He is a member of the editorial board and the
Working for a World Free of Poverty
www.worldbank.org
book review editor of New Theology Review. He contributes regularly for dif-
ferent professional journals.

Life Commitment Program July 21-29, 2011


This program is for women and men preparing for
their final vow commitment. The daily schedule
includes prayer, Eucharistic liturgy, presentation,
reflection, discussion and leisure.

The presenters are carefully selected women and men


religious who have the academic background and per-
sonal lived experience to speak on the various aspects
of religious life, including but not limited to the vows
and communal life. All is presented in the context of
religious life as prophetic enterprise in the 21st century.

Location:
Marillac Center, Leavenworth, KS
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth
4200 South 4th Street LCP participants June 2010 at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, PA
Leavenworth, KS 66048-5054
913-758-6552
www.MarrillacCenter.org

Registration Information:
Please call Yvonne DeBruin, RFC Program director after Jan 20th for an application packet.
Total Cost: $ 2,480 for non RFC members - $1,655 for RFC Member Congregations
Please watch the RFC web-site www.relforcon.org as well as e-mailings for more details.

8 Religious Formation Conference

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