What is Servitium Christi?
Servitium Christi is the SECULAR INSTITUTE of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
Origin
St. Peter Julian Eymard founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (priests, deacons & brothers) and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. He also envisioned a community of consecrated lay persons whose Eucharistic life would penetrate the world from within.
Inspired with this vision of St. Eymard, Fr. Godfrey Spiekman, SSS, the 9th Superior General of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, founded the SERVITIUM CHRISTI in 1952 in Holland. It was officially established as Secular Institute on May 8, 1963. Its members are now spread throughout Europe, South America, USA, Australia, Vietnam and in the Philippines.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Servitium Christi is the same as that of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Under the inspiration of St. Peter Julian Eymard whose life and apostolate were centered on the Eucharist, the members center their lives on this mystery of our faith. By their gift of self through the vows of poverty, chastity in the celibate state and obedience, the members endeavor to live fully the Paschal Mystery, deepening its value in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and sharing with everyone the life that springs from it; thus, making their lives in the world a “Eucharist” by PRAYER, PRESENCE and SERVICE.
Apostolate
The apostolate of the members springs from the Church’s mission to continue the redemptive work of Christ. As living witnesses of God’s love for the world, members dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to its salvation and undertake this mission in the secular world.
The members’ first apostolate is to witness to Christ Jesus in whatever profession, trade or other work by which they earn their livelihood. When possible, they are encouraged to involve themselves in ministries and apostolate more directly linked to the Eucharist.
Way of Life in General
Members live on their own, with their family or together in small groups. This choice depends on the social conditions of a country or the needs of the members and is made in dialogue with the leadership of the Institute.
Qualifications
The Secular Institute Servitium Christi started as a women group. Until now it remains a group of women who have the desire to dedicate themselves to Christ by the evangelical counsels of poverty, celibacy and obedience and feel called to live this consecration according to the ideals of the Institute. One must have the physical, psychological and social abilities to assume responsibilities of this way of life; must be unmarried (widows may be considered on a case-to-case basis); must not be a member of any religious institute or other secular institutes; must be capable of providing for their own livelihood and willing to undergo formation.
Period of Formation
After the application is accepted, the candidate makes the devotional commitment that marks the beginning of the formation period. This period lasts at least three years. During this time, the candidate studies seriously all aspects of this particular vocation. After the initial formation, the candidate may request to be admitted for temporary profession of vows which is annually renewed for at least within six years. Towards the end of sixth year, the candidate requests to be admitted for perpetual profession, i.e. a lifetime commitment to the Institute.
Who Can Be A Member?
Laymen, women and even diocesan priests may seek admission to the Secular Institute. After a period of formation, if one is emotionally mature, possesses a balanced personality, and is economically self-supporting, such person may request admission to be a member. After professing the counsels, one is considered an official member of the Institute.
Consecrated laypersons wear no habit and they are indistinguishable from other laypersons. They do their daily works in offices, schools, factories, hospitals, etc, and are engaged in different activities, both civic and religious. Their one aim is to sanctify their work and their environment by personal witness, transforming presence and encouraging words.
What Is A Secular Institute?
There is a growing number of individuals who are becoming more involved in the growth and expansion of the Church and its mission of spreading the “Good News.” The laity has responded magnificently to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who has called certain baptized persons to a life of consecration through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. To give unity and permanence to a particular form of apostolic activity, many lay persons have sought consecration in an association known as a “Secular Institute.”
Secular Institutes are one of the most noteworthy developments in the modern Church. The phenomenon of laypersons professing the evangelical counsels while living in the world is undoubtedly an added glory for the Church. Whether one is a lawyer, a teacher, office and factory worker, baker, etc, one can be a consecrated person in his or her own environment.
Canon Law defines Secular Institute as follows: A Secular Institute is an institute of consecrated life in which the faithful, living in the world, strive for the perfection of charity and endeavour to work for the sanctification of the world from within.”
What Are The Vital Characters Of A Secular Institute?
There are three (3) essential and distinguishing qualities of this lifestyle, namely:
CONSECRATION – professing the three counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience;
SECULARITY – living in the world;
APOSTOLATE – working through their presence to transform society and involving themselves in some works in the Church and even outside the Church as long as it will not harm their being consecrated persons.
For More Information, Please Contact
Fr. Mike M. Garcia, SSS
20 SPJ Eymard Drive
1112 New Manila, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel No. (63)(02) 723-8328
Cell Phone: (63) 916- 703-6624
