Father Paul Francis Spencer, C.P. writes: ” The Bull, Supremi Apostolatus, was signed on 16 November 1769. The Passionists were now recognised as a Congregation of Pontifical Right, exempt from the jurisdiction of local bishops. The document made legal history as it was the first time that a Congregation with simple vows was given all the rights and privileges of orders with solemn vows. St. Paul of the Cross had wanted the stability and apostolic freedom of an order, without taking solemn vows, as this would have necessitated mitigations in the Rule regarding poverty and penance.”
“Pope Clement XIV provided a solution by creating a new category of religious community in which to place the Congregation. Paul’s community had started as the ‘Poor of Jesus’; now they were known as the ‘Discalced Clerics of the most holy Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ’: over the years the title had been modified, but the community’s way of life and its mission in the Church were still the same.”
- As A Seal Upon Your Heart, Father Paul Francis Spencer, C.P., p. 173.
18 November, 2006 at 11:53 am |
[...] On this day, 16 November, in the year 1769, Pope Clement XIV signed the Bull Supremi Apostolatus (above), which is considered the Magna Carta of the Passionists. By this document, our Congregation was solemnly approved by the Church and given all the rights and privileges of the older Orders, the first Congregation to be recognised in this way. Father Gary at The Passionist Charism has two posts on Supremi Apostolatus here and here. BTW, my father had his operation on Wednesday and is recovering well; thank you for your prayers. [...]