International
Public Association
 |
PONTIFICIUM
CONSILIUM
PRO LAICIS
2827/97/AIC-75
|
DECREE
In conformity with
the request of the Pious Union of the Militia of the Immaculate
for erection as an international public Association, submitted
to the Pontifical Council for the Laity by letter dated 29 August
1996 (Prot. N.79/96) from the Procurator General of the Order
of Friars Minor Conventual, on the petition of the Minister General
of the same Order;
Bearing in mind the
long and meritorious history associated with the Militia of
the Immaculate, founded on 16 October 1917, and whose founder,
Fr. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM CONV., was later declared a saint
and martyr by His Holiness John Paul II (10 October 1982). Erected
as a Pious Union on 2 January 1922 by the Vicariate of Rome,
the Militia of the Immaculate has received the particular
attention and special interest of the Supreme Pontiffs. Among
the examples of this attention and interest are the Brief of
Pius XI (18 December 1926), which grants indulgences and privileges,
and the subsequent Brief of the same Pontiff Die XVIII mensis
Decembris (23 April 1927), by which the Militia of the
Immaculate is raised to a Primary Pious Union. On 8 November
1975, the Pontifical Council for the Laity approved its General
Statutes and this approbation was renewed on 20 December 1980
ad experimentum usque ad accommodationem novo Codici juris
canonici;
Having noted with
appreciation the subsequent updating of the Statutes to bring
them in line with the new canonical legislation;
Considering that
the Militia of the Immaculate is present today on five
continents and in 46 nations, with many canonically erected offices,
27 National Centers and various works of Christian formation
and spreading the Gospel, already reaching a total membership
that nears four million;
Welcoming with gratitude
the definition given by the same Fr. Kolbe to the Militia
of the Immaculate: "A global vision of Catholic life
under a new form, consisting in the bond with the Immaculate,
our universal Mediatrix before Jesus" (Kolbe's Writings
1220);
Valuing greatly the
scope of the Militia of the Immaculate, "universal
like its mission", according to what is proposed in
the new statutory texts:
"l~...collaborate
in the conversion of all, so that "through the intercession
of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, all peoples might
be led as soon as possible to awareness of the truth" (AG
42), to observance of the law of God and union with the Church,
"so that with the help of the Mother of God they may be
one" (OK 30; MC 33)";
"2~...collaborate
in the sanctification of all persons and each person in particular,
after the example of the Immaculate, in Whom the Church 'joyfully
contemplates, as in a faultless image, what she, as a whole,
wishes and hopes to be' (SC 103)"; and in that way
"3~...obtain
the greatest glory for the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity"
(cf LG 69);
Noting that the Militia
of the Immaculate is still under the "altius moderamen"
of the Minister General of the Franciscan Order of the Friars
Minor Conventual and that it has among its most avid supporters
and enthusiastic members not a few Most Eminent Cardinals, Most
Excellent Bishops and other prelates;
Having closely examined
the new General Statutes elaborated by the International Administration
of the Militia of the Immaculate;
after ample consultation:
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR
THE LAITY
DECREES
the erection of the
Militia of the Immaculate as an International Public
Association, in accordance with can. 312, 1, 1~ et seq. of
the Code of Canon Law, approving at the same time its General
Statutes in conformity with the original text presented and filed
in the Archives of the Dicastery.
The General
Statutes
of the International
Movement of the Militia of the Immaculata
The updated
governing statutes of the MI were approved by the Pontifical
Council for the Laity in October, 1997. But this is only a point
of departure for the movement, says MI international president
Fr. Eugenio Galignano, OFM CONV.
The entire
movement is now called to "enter intelligently and with
a creative spirit upon the pastoral perspectives which these
present us with." The statutes are not only to be studied
- and then filed away - but are to be put into "operative
dedication" to renew the MI. They are meant to better prepare
us, says Father Eugenio, to "respond to the expectations
of the Church at the threshold of the new millennium."
With these
beginning thoughts in mind, here are the new statutes to study
and ponder in your heart.
I. NATURE
Article
1
The
Militia of the Immaculata,
founded in Rome by St. Maximilian Kolbe on October 16, 1917,
with the Latin name Militia Immaculatae (MI), is a public
association of the faithful that is universal and international.
It is open to the laity and clerics and is governed by the norms
of canons 312-320 of the CJC [Code of Canon Law], by the
directives of the Church and by the present statutes.
According to the thought of the Founder, it can assume various
names depending on different cultural and environmental exigencies,
but consistently keeping the international abbreviation sign,
MI.
Article 2
It is therefore an association in which the members,
mindful of the calling of all Christians to personal holiness
and to evangelization, and of Mary's mission of grace in the
Church and in the world, the fruit of her perfect union with
the Holy Spirit (cf., SK-Writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe,
634, 1224, 1229, 1310), recognize in the mystery of her Immaculate
Conception the focal point of their spirituality, theology and
apostolate (Disc. of Paul VI for the Beatification of Father
Kolbe, 17.10.1971).
Article 3
The Militia of the Immaculata was defined by Father Kolbe
himself: "a global vision of Catholic life under a new form,
consisting in the bond with the Immaculata, our universal Mediatrix
before Jesus" (SK 1220).
In fact, the MI essentially intends to promote the extension
of the Reign of Christ in the world through the action of the
Immaculata, encouraging all Christians - the laity, religious
and contemplatives - to place themselves at her service in the
mission that she has as Mother of the Church.
II.
SCOPE
Article
4
The
scope of the MI,
universal as its mission, consists:
1. In collaborating in
the conversion of all, so that "through the intercession
of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, all peoples might be led
as soon as possible to awareness of the truth" (AG-Ad
Gentes 42), to observance of the law of God and union with
the Church, "so that with the help of the Mother of God
they may be one" (OE-Oriental Ecclesiarum
30, MC-Marialis Cultus 33);
2. In collaborating in the sanctification of all persons
and each person in particular, after the example of the Immaculata,
in whom the Church "joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless
image, what she, as a whole, wishes and hopes to be" (SC-Sacrosanctum
Concilium 103);
3. In obtaining the greatest glory for the "Most
Holy and Undivided Trinity" (LG-Lumen Gentium 69).
III.
SPIRITUALITY AND FORMATION
Article
5
The
spirituality of the MI
consists in living the baptismal consecration in the light of
the Immaculata, gift of the Redeemer. On Calvary, he accomplishes
the first act of entrusting, giving Mary to the disciple and
the disciple to Mary (Jn 19:25-27). The life of the disciple
is characterized by the presence of the Mother (RM-Redemptoris
Mater 45).
Father Kolbe lived that vital relationship with Mary in a unique
way, understood as a "transformation in her," a "becoming
her" (SK 508), in order to reach a more perfect union
with Christ.
Article 6
The MI affirms in Christians the pre-eminence of the
interior life, according to a principle dear to St. Maximilian:
"first of all, dedicate yourself completely to yourself
and, in this way, you will be able to give yourself completely
to others . . . through the overflow of your fullness" (SK
971, 980).
With regard to personal prayer, MI members will attend to, in
particular, the daily recitation of the ejaculatory prayer: "O
Mary, conceived without sin . . ." together with the "intentions"
suggested monthly by the International Center.
Not to be neglected is the praiseworthy custom of wearing with
devotion the Miraculous Medal, an exterior sign of one's own
belonging to the MI (cf. Original mission statement of the MI).
Article 7
After the example of Mary, Virgin in listening, Virgin
in prayer, Virgin Mother, Virgin offering (RM 17-20),
members of the Militia of the Immaculata recognize the fundamental
value of listening to the Word of God, of the liturgical celebration,
of prayer, of charity towards others, of offering one's own being,
in order to collaborate with Christ in the salvation of the world.
Article 8
Since the giving of oneself to the Immaculata is not
a transitory act, but a responsible and dynamic acceptance of
the state of conformation to her, in order to grow in the spirit
of faith and service, it is necessary that MI members be adequately
formed according to the ideals of the Association and in the
apostolic style that characterizes it.
Therefore, members strive to deepen their own spiritual, theological,
mariological and pastoral formation, drawing on the richness
of the Church's magisterium as well as the various initiatives
presented by the Association.
Article 9
The members of the MI love the Church, Mother and Teacher,
and offer themselves as a living and effective presence for contributing
to the growth of the ecclesial community.
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IV.
MISSION
Article
10
The
fronts of action
for the members of the Militia of the Immaculata are three: oneself,
one's surroundings, the world. Indeed, the one who chooses to
belong to the MI:
1. Begins his or her mission by conversion and personal
sanctification; the conquest of self for God is his or her first
indispensable act;
2. Discerns, then in family, in neighbors, in the field
of his or her work or free time - the providential terrain to
evangelize by example, a good word and the dissemination of printed
matter (SK 1127);
3. Finally, since the MI is a movement with an ecclesial
dimension, the MI member opens up his or her heart to every person
and to the entire world.
Article 11
The members of the Militia of the Immaculata make their
own the mission of the Church: "to bear the Gospel of Christ
as a source of hope for all and a source of renewal for the society"
(ChL-Christifideles Laici 29).
Article 12
Recognizing in the Immaculata "the new creature,"
the MI sees in her, perfect disciple of the Lord, the model of
the believer.
Article 13
The specific nature of the MI consists in promoting the
mystery of the Immaculate Conception, namely: "to sow this
truth in the hearts of all . . . and to take care of its growth
and the fruits of sanctification" (SK 486), contributing
to the Christian formation of consciences and to the new evangelization.
Mary, sign of victory over evil and death, "through her
intimate participation in the history of salvation, while being
preached and honored, calls believers to her Son, to his sacrifice
and to the love of the Father" (LG 65).
Article 14
Therefore, MI members strive to communicate love for
the Immaculata by their witness in the various spheres of social
activity, permeating every human reality with evangelical spirit.
Consequently, they are called to carry out every activity with
particular dedication, to promote the protection of life, in
service of the integral dignity of the person, while proposing
values of fraternity, justice and solidarity.
Article 15
All members of the MI, aware of always and everywhere
being missionaries, are such to the extent in which they live
the union with Christ Redeemer after the example of Mary.
In recognizing that the true missionary is holy, they give first
place to the evangelical vehicles of prayer, sacrifice and the
witness of their life (RMi-Redemptoris Missio 90).
Father Kolbe also strongly recommends spreading the Miraculous
Medal, a sign of Mary's maternal concern for sinners and a propitious
opportunity for their conversion.
Article 16
Persons
who suffer constitute
a significant presence in the Association. Their consecration
to the Immaculata in offering up their own sufferings makes the
entire Association a participant in the redemptive mystery of
Christ and renews its missionary thrust.
Article 17
Particular
attention is given
to the presence of the youth. Every national center is to do
everything possible to organize the Youth Movement MI as an integral
part of the Association. Regarding this movement, the national
director will set out a specific formative and pastoral itinerary.
Article 18
Members
of the MI,
according to the meaning of article 8, avail themselves of the
means that Father Kolbe used with prophetic and Franciscan spirit,
thereby becoming apostles "of the pen, the microphone, the
screen or whichever other means" (SK 382). The members
are active:
1. In the field of evangelization (announcing the Word,
catechesis, care for the young people's world, missions for the
people, courses in spiritual formation, updating, or Marian doctrine);
2. On the level of charity (human promotion, attention
to emerging needs);
3. In the areas of mass media (editorial, radio and television,
and data processing activity, etc.).
V. ORGANIZATION
AND GOVERNMENT
Article 19
Essential to belonging
to the MI is the total
entrusting, that is, the consecration of oneself to the Immaculate:
body and soul, human abilities and spiritual gifts.
No one can be enrolled in the Militia of the Immaculata without
adequate preparation, according to the norms of the national
directory.
The rite of enrollment is celebrated following the ways of the
place, while highlighting two essential aspects: the act of consecration
and the imposition of the Miraculous Medal.
The act is transcribed in the register of the Association at
the center or a juridically erected office.
Article 20
According to the directions
of Father Kolbe, in
the MI the consecration can be lived out in three ways.
1. MI/1: Individually and spontaneously, according
to the original statute drafted by the founder himself,
2. MI/2: In an associative form, according to the
norms of article 1 of the present statutes,
3. MI/3: In a total and unconditional way, in legitimately
autonomous bodies, devoted in an exclusive manner to the cause
of the Immaculata. This is precisely the case of the City of
the Immaculata [Niepokalanow], of the National Centers, of the
Marian houses, of the male and female institutes and congregations
of Kolbean inspiration.
Article 21
The structures of the
Association are the:
· International Center
· National Centers
· Regional centers
· Filial offices and local centers.
Article 22
The International Center
carries out the directive
and coordinative work of the Association worldwide. Its task
is to see that the ideal and teaching of Father Kolbe are strengthened
and developed through in-depth studies and new projects, keeping
pace with the Church, and making use of the contribution of institutes
of Kolbean inspiration, living witness of the multiform inheritance
of the saint.
Article 23
The International Center
is made up of the:
· President
· Assistant
· Presidential Council.
The other centers are structured in a like manner within their
respective scope of influence.
Article 24
The governing bodies
of the Association are the:
· Supreme Moderator
· General Assembly
· International President
· Presidential Council.
The administrative control body is the Board of Auditors.
Article 25
The Supreme Moderator
of the MI is the Minister
General of the Friars Minor Conventual. He guarantees the exact
interpretation of the Kolbean charism and renews the historical
bond of the Association with the Conventual Franciscan Order
to which St. Maximilian belongs.
The International Assistant is the delegate of the Supreme Moderator
and is appointed by him from among the religious of the same
Order.
Article 26
The principal tasks
of the International Assistant are to:
1. Establish a continuity
of relations between the Association and the Order of Friars
Minor Conventual.
2. Provide clarifications of guidance regarding doctrinal
principles that have to guide the various actions of the Presidential
Council.
3. Give rise to an atmosphere of prayer within the Council
that animates all its apostolic activity.
4. Appoint the National Assistant, designated by the competent
religious authority, according to the norms of the national directory
and the meaning of article 38 of the present statutes.
Article 27
Given the universality
of the Association,
the General Assembly of members is constituted in a representative
nature by the:
· International President
· International Assistant
· Presidential Council
· National Presidents
· National Assistants
· Delegates of the MI Youth
Movement, according to the norms of the directory.
In the case of elections, the Supreme Moderator or his delegate
presides at the Assembly and has the faculty of confirming the
eventual election of a religious to the office of International
President.
Article 28
It is the competence
of the General Assembly to:
1. Elect, according
to the norms of common law, the President-who can be a religious
or a lay person-and, on the President's suggestion, to elect
the members of the Presidential Council.
2. Discuss and approve the essential features of the activity
to be carried out in the various ecclesial situations.
3. Elect the Legal Representative of the Association.
4. Elect the Board of Auditors, composed of three members.
5. Discuss and approve; the report of the President and
the balance sheet and budget of the International Center.
6. Examine and evaluate the proposals of the Presidential
Council and members in view of the growth of the MI worldwide,
also keeping in mind the administrative aspect.
7. Examine the reports of the National Centers.
The election of a religious to the office of President must be
confirmed by the competent major superior.
Article 29
It is the competence
of the International President,
in collaboration with the Assistant, to:
1. Convoke and preside over the Presidential Council twice
a year.
2. Call and preside over the General Assembly every six
years.
3. Erect National Centers, after hearing the opinion of
the Presidential Council.
4. Coordinate the work of the National Centers and to
foster communion with the local ordinaries.
5. Represent the Association before agencies of the Apostolic
See.
6. Promote meetings, study conferences and the participation
in activities promoted by other institutions, bringing, where
it is useful and opportune, the contribution of the charism of
the MI.
7. Engage those responsible on the local, regional and
national level in the realization of the official program of
the Association.
8. Aggregate new MI offices and, for a just cause, to
suppress or transfer offices already aggregated.
9. With the advice of the Presidential Council and in
agreement with the Supreme Moderator, to resolve eventual conflicts
within the Association.
Article 30
It is also the task
of the President every
year to present to the Supreme Moderator a written report on
the activity of the Association and its administrative operation,
according to the provisions of canon 319 of the Code of Canon
Law.
Article 31
The Association is non-profit. Its resources are made up from the
proceeds of the specific activities of the International Center,
the contributions of the National Centers, bequests, donations
and various offerings, third-party benefits, and possible subsidies
from public and private corporations.
Article 32
The administration of
goods is up to the Presidential
Council, which is invested with the faculty of carrying out or
authorizing all the acts and transactions permitted the Association,
provided they are not reserved to the General Assembly and they
fall within the institutional aims.
Article 33
The International Presidential
Council is composed
of the:
· President
· Assistant
· Vice-President
· Secretary
· Treasurer
· Two Councilors.
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Article 34
The mandates or offices on the International level last for
six years and are renewable.
Services rendered by members in the exercise of any office undertaken
within the Association come under the category of voluntary work
and, consequently, are intended as gratis to all intents and
purposes, except for the reimbursement of expenses upon the presentation
of a receipt slip.
Article 35
It is the competence
of the International Presidential Council to:
1. Propose, examine
and approve projects and activities according to the aims of
the MI.
2. Discuss and examine the report of the International
President and the budget and balance sheet presented by the Treasurer.
3. Express its opinion regarding the erection of National
Centers.
4. On the instruction of the President, to prepare the
list of three names for the Board of Auditors to be presented
for election by the General Assembly.
5. Approve the annual balance sheet and budget of the
International Center.
It is also up to the same Council, on the proposal of the President
and prior consultation with the Supreme Moderator, to appoint
the Director of the Miles Immaculatae, the official organ of
the Association.
Article 36
It is the task of the
Board of Auditors to
examine the balance sheet and budget to be submitted for the
approval of the General Assembly.
Article 37
The MI International
Center is located in Rome at "Casa Kolbe," Via San Teodoro 42, of the Friars
Minor Conventual, historically Sede Primaria where St. Maximilian
instituted the Militia of the Immaculata. All the other offices,
erected as Filial Offices, refer to their respective National
Centers.
Article 38
The National Centers
come under the authority
of the International Center with respect to the faithful interpretation
and realization of the aims of the Association, and are governed
by their own directory, ratified by the International Presidential
Council on the basis of the present statutes.
It is the competence of the National President to present to
the religious authority, according to the norms of the national
directory, a list of three names proposed by the Assembly for
the appointment of the National Assistant.
The same procedure is followed for the appointment of the Regional
or Provincial Assistant.
Article 39
With due regard for the unity of the Association, every
National Center, with the prior consent of the International
Presidential Council, is to work to obtain recognition as a juridical
person according to the laws of the State.
A representative of the International Center shall be the first
of the founding members of the new juridical entity.
The consent of the International Center is required with respect
to economic transactions that exceed the limit established by
the national directory.
In the event of the entity's cessation, the International Center
shall take care of the liquidation of its property with broader
powers to convert assets into cash and satisfy liabilities. The
net balance is to be given to the same International Center.
In the eventuality of a legislative lacuna, individual cases
are to be resolved by an appropriate agreement.
Article 40
In territorial areas
that are geographically extensive,
more than one Provincial or Regional Center can be recognized
and instituted with the characteristics and functions of a National
Center.
Article 41
For the composition of a National Center, at least five
canonically erected local offices are required, while preserving
the geographical unity as foreseen by the International Directory.
It is for the National Center to coordinate and promote the Association
throughout the nation, through the work of Regional and Local
Centers as well as Filial Offices.
The National President, elected by the Assembly according to
the norms of common law and the present statutes, is to be confirmed
by the International President, who by right presides at the
meeting.
It is for the President to submit initiatives of greater importance
for the approval of the International Center, to which the President
shall also send yearly a detailed administrative report approved
by the respective Presidential Council.
Article 42
To support the activity
of the International Center,
the National Centers are to contribute economically with an annual
sum to be established by the General Assembly.
Article 43
The Filial Offices are
to be erected in churches
or oratories by way of a formal request that the pastor/rector
or the superior of a religious community directs to the local
ordinary, who appoints its ecclesiastical Assistant.
In nations where a National Center is present, the pastor/rector
or the superior of the religious community must act in agreement
with the National President.
Having taken place, the erection is to be communicated to the
International President who, together with the International
Assistant, proceed to the aggregation.
The local centers do not need to be canonically erected.
Article 44
Groups formed in parishes, religious communities, seminaries
or other ecclesial situations are to refer to the Filial Offices
and/or local centers.
Each group carries on its own activity in harmony with the principles
outlined by the Regional and National Centers.
VI. VALIDITY OF
THE NORMS
Article 45
Eventual changes in
the present statutes
must be decided by the General Assembly and submitted for approval
to the Supreme Moderator and the Apostolic See (cf. canon 314).
Article 46
With regard to what
is not expressly foreseen
in these statutes, reference is to be made to the pertinent canonical
dispositions in force.
(c) Copyright 1998-2004 The Militia
of the Immaculata. All rights reserved.