Overview

The question of community is one of the burning issues of the age. Religious communities have many insights to offer. At the same time they have an urgent need of their own to reflect upon the richness of their experience and to engage in a real debate about the spirituality and the theology of community. This book is a lively contribution to the process.It begins, in the first part, by looking at the New Testament roots of community. Then, in the second part, it goes on to study the theological and spiritual development of religious life, particularly from the viewpoint of the life of communion. Next, in the third part, the book considers the theological basis of religious life. Finally, in the fourth part, there is an outline of a practical methodology for living out and renewing the life of communion.This is a book of great scholarship, one that will inspire and enlighten in equal measures. It speaks specifically to religious, but its pages have much to offer anyone seriously interested in the spiritual life.

Full Product Details

Author:   Fabio Ciardi
Publisher:   New City
Imprint:   New City
Dimensions:   Width: 13.60cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 21.50cm
ISBN:  

9781905039333

ISBN 10:   1905039336
Pages:   391
Publication Date:   14 March 2017
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 11Longing for unity: a sign of the times 12The Spirit's answer to the longing for unity 15The religious community as a response to the signsof the times 19PART ONEThe Evangelical Inspiration1. NOSTALGIA FOR THE BEGINNINGS 272. TO BE HIS COMPANIONS: The Twelvearound Jesus 33The birth of the apostolic community 33A community in the making 40The characteristic features of the apostolic community 473. ONE HEART AND ONE SOUL: The first Christian community 51Reborn in the Spirit 51The unity of the community is the fruit of the Spirit of Pentecost 55The face of the new community 58Jerusalem: a paradigm of the ideal 63PART TWOHistorical Undestanding1. ABOVE ALL, THE CHOICE OF GOD: Solitude and communion in primitive eremitism 71The quest for solitude 72The cultural motivation of solitude 75Solitude as the prelude to communion with Godand the brethren 76Communion in the eremitic life 802. HOLY KOINONIA APPEARS: The dawn of themonastic community 91The community is born out of experience 92The foundation of charity 93Doctrinal development 96Some fundamental principles take shape 1013. THE EXCELLENCE OF THE COMMON LIFE:The evangelical brotherhood of Basil 105The beginning of monastic experience:solitude and ascesis 105The discovery of the precept of charity 107The excellence of the common life 110An open community 1134. THE CENTRALITY OF LOVE: The trinitarianunity of the Augustinian community 117Attracted by the sweet melody: 'Brethren living together' 117The nature of community: love and unity 120The trinitarian model 1265. A SCHOOL FOR THE DIVINE SERVICE:The Bene-dictine monastery 131The monastery, school of the divine service 131Unity and charity 1346. THE SPACIOUS CLOISTER OF THE WHOLE WORLD: Franciscan brotherhood 141A new form of community 142Brotherhood, the constituent element of cohesion 145The expressions of fraternal charity 1497. UNITED IN OORDER TO BE SCATTERED:The Society of Jesus 157A new apostolic community is born 159The value and meaning of obedience to the Pope 162The features of the new community 1638. AMONG YOURSELVES, LOVE, AND OUTSIDE, ZEALFOR SOULS: The experience of the Congregations 173A community for mission 175A community united like a family 179United by bonds of the most fervent charity 181The shape of the community and the marks of unity 184The call to unity 186The missionary character 1889. THE ATTRACTION OF MODERN TIMES:New communities for today's Church 193The secular community 194New communities 198Our brothers' keeper 201Ecclesial movements 204The focolare 20610. LOVE IS GREATER: The feminine accent in the experience of community life 213The difficult path of the female community 214Profiles of some female communities 219The charism of love 228PART TREETheological Reflection1. THE TRINITARIAN MYSTERY:The Trinity as archetype of community 239The Trinity as the origin and source of communion 242A family of brothers united in the same Father 245Made one in Christ Jesus 246In the koinonia of the Holy Spirit 248Involved in the dynamics of the Trinity 2512. THE PASCHALL MYSTERY: The risen Lord as the life of the community in the power of the Spirit 259Kenosis as the revelation of othernessand the relationship of unity 261The presence of the risen Lord 266Charity, the gift of the Spirit 2763. THE GIFT OF UNITY:The theological components of community 281Unity in the Word of God and in the 'word'of charism 281Unity in the Eucharist 286The brother or sister as sacrament of God's love 2904. ECSTASY OF LOVE:The evangelistic dimension of community 295Communion is missionary 297The apostolic dimension of the religious life 301For a new charismatic creativity 3035. SIGN OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:The religious community in the community of the Church 309The ecclesiality of the religious community 309Elements which characterize the religious community 312The religious community in communion with other communities 316The religious community, reminder and propheticsign of unity 323PART FOURThe Daily Journey1. COMMUNITY AS DUTY AND COMMITMENT:The anthropological dimension of community 335The community as a place of personal growth 336Towards a community spirituality 340In search of brethren 346The centrality of love 3482. THE CONCRETENESS OF LOVE:How to build up community 355The practice of charity 355Teaching methods for the life of unity 364The measure of love 369CONCLUSION 375SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 381

Reviews

Author Information

Fabio Ciardi OMI has written extensively on religious life and has a particular interest in exploring the theological dimensions of spirituality. He is a member of the interdisciplinary study centre of the Focolare known as the Abba School.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions