Q.- Last November 20, Pope Benedict XVI had an audience with the Congregation and talked about the monastic life. What was the motive of the meeting?
A.- Last November, the Congregation for Religious Life and Societies of Apostolic Life held two important assemblies. One was the commemoration of the first centenary of the Congregation; the other was the celebration of the “Plenary Assembly” of our Dicastery. This was held last November 18-20 that dealt precisely on the “Monastic life and its significance in the Church and the world of today”. For reason of these two events the Holy Father had us for an audience and he gave a very nice reflection on these two happenings.
Q.- What is a “Plenary Congregation”?
A.- It constitutes the most significant moment in the life of the Congregation. Participating in this assembly are the “members” of the Dicastery who are the cardinals, bishops and superior generals chosen by the Holy Father coming from various countries. It is usually celebrated every two years wherein actual and relevant matters pertaining to religious life are being tackled or discussed. The results of these gatherings are the documents published by the Congregation like: “Fraternal life in the community”, “Start walking afresh from Christ”, and lately “The service of authority and obedience”.
The Plenary with the Holy Father Benedicto XVI. Analysis
Q.- From the general title of monastic life what were the principal issues discussed or tackled?
A.- Firstly, it studied the essential elements of this way of consecrated life, namely the radical search of God and the passionate love for Christ, the centrality of the Word of God, the liturgy of the hours, the Eucharist, the fraternal life in common, and the welcome to those who desire to participate in the spiritual life of the community. There was a panoramic presentation of the sociological and statistical status of the monastic life today. Some enlightening testimonies were also presented by women contemplatives with their austere life as well as the difficulties from different countries and diverse spiritualities. Likewise some issues of juridical and structural nature were also discussed.
Q.- Many years ago the Congregation asked some information or data from the Order of Augustinian Recollects about the monasteries of the contemplative nuns. Does it have any relation with the “Plenary”? A.- Yes, the Congregation is very much interested in the contemplative way of life and follows it with careful attention. As a kind of response to the request of the previous Plenary, it was important to know the actual situation of the monastic life especially the feminine monasteries in Spain. In 2005 a survey was made through the superior generals and bishops who are involved to these monasteries of contemplative life. Let us not forget that Spain is the country in the world with the highest number of monasteries and contemplative religious. From its numerous monasteries many women religious founded other monasteries especially in Latin America . However nowadays many monasteries are closed due to the scarcity of vocation and of old age.
Q.- What is then, the numerical status of the monastic life in the whole world?
A.- Throughout the world there are 3,511 monasteries, 44.982 nuns (2006). In Spain there are 850 monasteries (24,1% ) and 10,568 nuns (21,8%). It is a nation with huge number of monasteries and nuns. Next is Italy with 523 monasteries and 6,446 nuns. In Europe the total is 2,229 monasteries (2,321 in 1985) with 28,798 women religious of solemn vows (40,321 in 1985). In Asia, Africa and Latin America there is also a significant increase of monasteries and the professed nuns. In the center and south of America there are 646 monasteries (552 in 1985) and 9,155 solemnly professed religious (8,418 in 1985).
In Europe, particularly Spain , we have to consider the closure of some monasteries.Q.- Are you planning to publish some documents about this topic?
A.- The Congregation has gathered these data (documents), studied them and tries to see what would be the best way to help, animate and accompany this marvelous form of consecrated life. Ten years ago the Instruction “Verbi sponsa” was published. Presently it is also considered whether there is a need to publish another one.
Challenges
Q.- What are the urgent challenges to be confronted with?
A.- In Europe, particularly Spain , we have to consider the closure of some monasteries, the scarcity of vocations and the aging of the sisters (nuns). It is certainly a painful but necessary decision. Other topic that is of interest is the initial and continuous formation. Nowadays there is the need to offer to the contemplative religious a complete cultural, human, religious and spiritual formation (theology, liturgy, bible, charism, consecrated life, etc.). We understand the difficulty of giving (imparting) the richness of this integral formation to each of these monasteries. That is where we see the need and importance of federations as organisms of communion and service in favor of the monasteries of nuns. The liturgical life itself which is the central nucleus of monastic life is limited and less developed when the number of contemplative nuns is reduced.
Q.- Can other contemplative nuns from other countries not go to Spain to avoid the closure of monasteries?
A.- To bring nuns from other countries implies an enormous risks unless they professed in the same Federation or charismatic spirituality. I would say that balance should be properly observed regarding the autonomy of the monastery and the demands of a new socio-cultural context. Neither should we forget that there are many persons in the world who come to the monasteries searching for a response to their existential and spiritual longings and desires searching for God. With such and other similar situations, it obliges us to have special attention to this form of life. We have to consider the profound significance and spiritual richness that the contemplative life contributes to the whole Church and to the whole consecrated life. Because the transparency of the reign of God shines in this contemplative life, the “querere Deum”, the fraternal life in the community and constitutes a serious call for the “eternal goods”.