Page 66 - SJC Constitution

CHAPTER VII

IN THE SERVICE OF LEADERSHIP

General Principles
129 All authority comes from God. The authority given by the
1
Father to His Son, Jesus, has been given by him to the
Church through his disciples. Each religious superior is
2
commissioned by the Church to exercise the service of
leadership in his/her own community in conformity with the
law of the Church and the Constitutions approved by the
Church.

130 Religious authority is a special grace or gift given by God to
each community through His Holy Spirit. As the purpose of
every divine gift is love , the gift of authority is given to the
3
superiors, so that, by using that gift, they may lead the
community into the love of God, love of each other and love
of Godís people. Upon being used in this way, authority
becomes in the community a call and grace for the service
of God, members of the community and Godís people.

131 Superior represents in the community Christ who is the Head
of the Church. He came to us not to be served but to serve; 5
4
He gave up his life for his sheep; He washed the feet of His
6
7
disciples; by so doing He made himself an excelling model
of service. By being in the community a mother, sister, 9
8
10
11
servant, and guide to the sisters, the superiors are to make
them experience the self-same love which God has for his
children, the members of their community.

66

www.knanayology.org