|
Cistercian Fraternity of Aiguebelle
Statutes
 1)
Members
Every baptised member of the church is called to live
the Gospel wherever they find themselves. The reply
is that of Mary :in adopting the Rule of St Benedict,
the spirituality of St Bernard and of the other Cistercian
Fathers in the spirit of the document
« Reflections on the challenges of charismatic associations
», by the Abbot General Bernardo Olivera (1st January
1995).
2)
Fraternity
By fraternity, we understand :
• In a general sense, the institution of sisters
and brothers in the Cistercian Fraternity,
• In a more precise sense, the Fraternity of Aiguebelle
(Notre Dame d’Aiguebelle 26230 Montjoyer
France),
• As part of the wider family of lay groups which
exist in the Catholic Church in France.
3)
Becoming a member of the Fraternity
It is a personal act in which one of the faithful offers
themselves to the Lord and becomes a member of a monastic
community in a very real way while remaining in the
world, which underlines the difference with the monks.
This offering is not a vow but a promise, either temporary
or definitive, and signifies the desire to deepen their
understanding and love of God by a conversion which
follows throughout their lives.
4)
Admission
All the faithful with a mature spirituality that allows
them to weigh the seriousness of this route can ask
to be admitted which will then be submitted before the
Abbot and the head of the Fraternity. It is not possible
to belong to other orders or institutes etc within the
church. The family members of monks as well as employees
of the Abbey, because of their close connections with
the monastic community cannot become members of the
fraternity.
5)
Discerning training
The faithful who wish to join the Fraternity may enter
each year between Easter and the month of July. If the
head of the Fraternity or the Abbot, or his delegate,
see no obstacle, the candidate can start a period of
training which lasts for two years. During this time,
the candidates have to deepen their Christian life,
and become acquainted with the spirit of the rule of
St Benedict and enter the school of the Cistercian Fathers.
6)
Promise
At the end of the second year, the candidates have to
decide if they wish to become members of the Fraternity.
An additional year of discernment can be granted to
a candidate if a request is made, however at the end
of the year a decision has to be taken. Following the
two years of discernment, the future member of the Fraternity
writes a letter of intention before the Abbot and the
community. The promise, temporary (three years) or definitive
is made according to the ritual in place. The future
sister or brother signs the request letter and hands
it to the Abbot during the ceremony.
7)
Responsibility
Once the promise is made the monks become brothers and
consider the new member of the Fraternity as a witness
of the monastic life and of the Cistercian spirituality
in the world. The new fraternity member has a filial
confidence in the Abbot of the monastery. This link
with the Abbot, and his delegate, helps the brothers
or sisters to further understand their human (family,
professional, social, etc) and Christian responsibilities
(ecclesial and in the parish) but does not imply any
judicial dependence on the part of the Abbot.
8)
Co-ordinator of the Fraternity
He or she is elected by the brothers and sisters of
the Fraternity according to the rule of St Benedict
for a duration of four years renewable. To fulfil his
mission he or she should always by preference look to
the rule but bearing in mind the spirit rather than
the letter. The Co-ordinator of the Fraternity should
always seek the council of the elders of the Fraternity
when ever possible.
9)
Prayer and silence
The Fraternity is linked with the monastery through
daily morning and evening prayer. This prayer life is
encouraged by a climate of silence that is a communion
with God and with those near to us and it depends less
on the exterior conditions than on an interior aptitude
to listen to the Lord. Each member of the Fraternity
will try to frequently consult the rule of St Benedict
and the writings from our Cistercian heritage.
10)
Meetings
Four meetings per year (Saturday and Sunday) with teachings
on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. A retreat
together once a year.
11)
Fraternity / Community links
The link between the lay Fraternity and the monastic
community of Aiguebelle, through the intermediary of
the Abbot, is shared through a relationship of mutual
confidence and reciprocal understanding and is not a
relationship of subordination.
 |
Estatutos-Hermandad Cisterciense
de Aiguebelle en CASTELLANO |
 |
Fraternité Cistercienne
d'Aiguebelle
Les status FRANCAIS |
|
Naissance
de la vie monastique
N.D. d'Aiguebelle 
