Centered on Jesus and 3 Aspects of His Life
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld, which appears in the Directory of
International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical
Council for the Laity.
* * *
Official Name: Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld
Acronym: FCF
Established: 1991
History: FCF was established at Bayonne, France, by a group of women of
20 nationalities who had shared a long experience of the Jesus Caritas
Fraternity (today a secular institute).
It is one of the branches of the spiritual Family that arose from the
charism of Charles de Foucauld, centering on Jesus, his "beloved
Brother," and on three aspects of our Lord's life: his hidden life in
Nazareth, his stay in the wilderness, and his three-year ministry.
Recognized at diocesan level in 1991, in 1992 FCF became a member of the
General Association grouping together the Charles de Foucauld
Fraternities which draw on his teachings in order to update them so that
they meet the demands of the age, harmonizing contemplative life with
missionary activity extended to the poorest sections of society.
On Dec. 1, 1998, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed
recognition of the Fraternité Charles de Foucauld as an international
association of the faithful of pontifical right.
Identity: FCF is an association of lay women wishing to live in
virginity according to the charism of Charles de Foucauld, as a vocation
and as a state of life taken on and offered.
Incorporated into the local Church, they are committed to discerning
God's plan in events and in history, and to deepening God's project in
their lives; living in the world following the example of the Family of
Nazareth; adopting a simple way of life in solidarity with the poor; and
meditating assiduously on holy Scripture, and in particular on the
Gospel.
Organization: The fundamental cells of the FCF are the "base
fraternities," small groups of six and seven members. The base
fraternities in one country or group of countries make up regions
animated by regional teams.
The international team is elected by the international General Assembly,
and comprises the international "responsible" and representatives of
each continent. Its task is to safeguard fidelity to the charism of
Charles de Foucauld, promote communion within the fraternity, and to
implement the guidelines laid down by the international General
Assembly, the decision_making and supreme governing body of FCF. The
latter is composed of the outgoing international team, the delegates
elected by the grass roots, and the members of the new international
team.
Membership: FCF has about 360 members, in 25 countries in Africa,
Europe, North America and South America.
Publications: Boletín de Enlace, published three times a year
Web site: www.charlesdefoucauld.org.
Headquarters:
Fraternité Charles de Foucauld
Hocquart 2217
apto. 9
Montevideo
— Uruguay
E-mail: ammv@adinet.com.uy
© Copyright 2006
—
Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06051623
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