• History
  • Identity
  • Structure
  • Activities

 

The beginning of the International Center of Spirituality officially goes back to the 1991 General Assembly, when, through an Assembly Act, the sisters asked that a center of international study be set up at the generalate whose scope would be “…research, development and promotion of our spirituality also in regard to topics dealing with the transformation of the world and justice and peace.”
The CIS staff named by the General Council began its term in 2003. 
Their first task was that of setting up a place at the generalate that would become the site for CIS. 
In commencing their work for which it was begun, the group outlined a profile of CIS based on various suggestions and specifying its nature, purpose, functions, etc. 
CIS would have a double function: pastoral and research.

On the pastoral level it would have to:

  • organize ASC spirituality courses on an international level both at the generalate and in other places;
  • offer initiatives on ASC spirituality for ASC students in Rome and for laity;
  • provide opportunities of sabbatical time for ASCs upon request;
  • set up in the center a library that gathers all the materials on ASC spirituality existing in the Congregation, and theological and scriptural texts available for study and research;
  • offer materials for distribution and information to the various provinces for pastoral work.

On the educational and research level it was to:

  • write and coordinate materials for the understanding and appreciation of Maria De Mattias and other sisters of the Blood of Christ;
  • gather materials produced by the provinces and evaluate their value for translation;
  • provide for specific research requested by the General Council or by the General Assembly;
  • plan the preparation of the ASC museum that shows the reality of the past and of today.

In the course of the years in following this outline, CIS carried out numerous endeavors and various publications:

1994

  • International spirituality course on “ASC Charism and Spirituality” – 52 ASC participants

1995

  • International spirituality course for ASCs above the age of 65 on “A Congregation for Peace: Charismatic reading in the Light of Reconciliation and Peace” – 37 ASC participants
  • Spirituality course in 3 turns for the 50th anniversary of the province – for Polish ASCs

1996

  • International spirituality course for ASCs over the age of 50 on “Charity as New Creation: Reading in the light of Reconciliation and Ecological Harmony of ASC Culture” – 43 ASC participants
  • Spirituality course in India “My Profile as Inculturated ASC Woman” – 27 Indian sisters participated

1997

  • Workshop for the those in charge of initial formation on “At the Sources of ASC Culture” 39 ASC participants
  • International workshop on “Dialog and Spiritual Accompaniment:  Challenge of the Post-Modern Age”  for sisters who minister as spiritual directors – 32 ASC participants
  • Meeting of the provincial superiors of the Congregation with the General Council on “Future Challenge of our ASC Identity for Women Ministering in Leadership”
  • Reflection on “Eco-Wisdom in the Vision of the Blood of Christ”  at the Earth Summit in the Ruma province (USA)

1998

  • International workshop for young ASCs – 18 young sisters coming from 11 nations
  • International pilgrimage course of spirituality on “Life Pilgrimage.  Remembering and Sacred Adventure: a Re-Reading of Life in the Light of Christian and Charismatic Pilgrimage”  29 ASC participants
  • “Desert Prayer Experience on Cultural and Biblical Themes” in Nephta (Tunisia) in collaboration with the international community in Tunisia – 9 ASC participants

1995 -1998:

  • University courses at the Lateran University on the topic of the Blood of Christ

1999

  • First international course on the opening of the great jubilee focused on the incarnation “Open your Eyes, God’s Challenge”  - 34 ASC participants

2000

  • Second international spirituality course in preparation for the great jubilee;  “Open your Eyes, God’s Challenge”  - 25 ASC participants
  • Third international spirituality course in preparation for the great jubilee:  “Open your Eyes, God’s Challenge”  - 28 ASC participants
  • International meeting for Associates and their ASC directors on “Pilgrimage on the New and Living Paths of the Blood of Christ” – Participation at the July 1 jubilee celebration in St. Peter’s Square

2001

  • International Seminar for ASCs near perpetual vows on “Look, I am Doing New Things”  - 18 ASC participants
  • Two-week retreat with days in Acuto and Vallecorsa for English-speaking Adorers – 17 ASC participants
  • International course on prayer:  an experience of various kinds of prayer with pilgrimage to Acuto and Vallecorsa “…Humbly in Your Presence”  - 37 ASC participants

2002

  • International Symposium on “ASC Mission in our Multicultural and Globalized World” - 65 ASC participants and numerous ASC and lay auditors
  • Retreat for ASC Koreans in Korea

2003

  • International meeting for formation directors on “Being Formed to Form: Reality, Instruments, Prophecy”  - 33 ASC participants
  • International spirituality course on the occasion of Maria De Mattias’ canonization “Together…toward Sanctity” – 36 participants
  • Retreat for the postulants of the Italian province

2004

  • International seminar for ASCs near perpetual vows “ASCs Forever…together toward Holiness for Mission”  - 21 participants
  • Meeting on “The Cross in Maria De Mattias, Devotion or Theology”
  • Retreat in Zagreb and in Australia

2004 – 2005: in agreement with the General Council there were no spirituality courses programmed because of the initiatives for the celebration of the bicentennial of Maria De Mattias’ birth and the preparations for the 2005 General Assembly.

In 2005 two retreats were done, one in Zagreb and the other in the Philippines.
In preparation for the bicentennial of Maria De Mattias’ birth and in collaboration with the postulation office, a three-day opportunity was offered for lay associates in pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Maria De Mattias (the Church at the generalate).

In addition, throughout the course of the 15 years of its existence, CIS has offered:

  1. Various input for lay groups on “Theological Reflection on the feminine”
  2. Input for outlying dioceses on the Synod on religious life: “Feminine Vision of Religious Life”
  3. Monthly spirituality days open to religious and laity with accompaniment according to the ecclesial program in preparation for the 2000 Jubilee
  4. Spirituality days upon request of interested persons
  5. Public presentations (three) open to religious women and men and to the laity to awaken their minds on the topic “Safeguarding Creation, Justice and Peace”
  6. Open workshops (monthly offerings for six months with sessions lasting from 4 to 12 hours) on “Spiritual Education of the Body, Reconciliation, Ecumenism, Non-Violence
  7. Personal times of spiritual desert days (upon request) for religious women of other congregations directed by a member of CIS
  8. Often guests coming to Rome were hosted for brief periods of personal searching, for pilgrimage to the places of foundation, etc., but no one requested direction or assistance for long periods or sabbaticals
  9. The library was set up and is continually updated which holds spirituality texts on: scripture, patristic theology, etc., texts on the ASC and CPPS spirituality of the Blood of Christ; it contains a multimedia section and a sufficient newspaper and periodic library.  The card catalog is currently being computerized.


CIS has one page of the international newsletter at its disposition to spread information about its activities.

The ASC sisters who have worked in CIS during these 15 years are:

  • Angela Di Spirito
  • Anamaria Antolovic”
  • Gery Furmanek
  • Nidija Felice
  • Nicla Spezzati
  • Loretta Gegen
  • Graciete Ayres
  • Molly Parayl
  • Mary Kevin Rooney
  • Luciana Coluzzi
  • Janice Lane
  • Lucja Lis
  • Emilia Salvi

Nature
 CIS is a center of studies on the spirituality of the Blood of Christ
 
Function
CIS has two functions:
 
Pastoral
It offers various programs on the spirituality of the Blood of Christ to ASCs and laity of the entire congregation

Research

  1. It gathers and coordinates existing material and that which is produced from time to time;
  2. It provides for the translation and printing of whatever seems useful for its purpose;
  3. It promotes research by offering appropriate aids among the Adorers and laity.

In research it keeps in mind topics regarding:

  1. ASC origins: spirituality, history, documents….
  2. suggestions from the Acts of the General Assemblies
  3. specific topics that arise from the existential developments of our charismatic roots: reconciliation, ecumenism, women, ecology, etc.
  4. calls from the church and world
  5. inculturation of the charism in various cultures….

Members: ASC Sisters and laity

Purpose: To be an instrument of developing and improving the resources to help the ASCs and the laity to live the “new way” of the spirituality of the Blood of Christ and to grow in their charismatic identity. 

CIS Objectives

  • To provide programs that help ASCs rediscover and actualize our charism for today, especially in the spirit of the 2005 GA Acts;
  • To create a movement in the entire congregation, working with committees in Continental Areas and Regions and soliciting participation of all Sisters (poetry, prayers, music, paintings, reflections on our charism and spirituality that come from study, research, prayer, etc);
  • To serve as the planning and coordinating persons for programming and resources for ASC and laity;
  • To “catch the movements of the Spirit” and develop them, via theological reflection, into programs (research);
  • To organize and implement programs and initiatives called for by the 2005 GA Acts, e.g., discernment and ecumenism/inter-faith dialogue;
  • To organize and implement programs and initiatives requested by the General Council, e.g., preparation for perpetual profession, 25th jubilee, Associates;
  • To coordinate the planning and work with the Resource staff, other commissions and persons who are contracted to perform specific services;
  • To explore and implement, when feasible, use of electronic means of making resources available to ASCs and laity;
  • To prepare and implement an annual budget..

The operating structure of CIS is in the form of concentric circles

It takes to the highways of the world and penetrates cultures, creating a movement that goes from the center to the edge and from the edge to the center. Its goal is to explore and discover “new ways” to enhance the circulation of life. It is not only the persons directly involved in the coordination office who work to publicize the power of the Blood of Christ. Each member of the ASC Congregation is called to give her contribution, along with the laity around her.
 
The entire structure is at the service of ongoing formation at the international level. Through study, research, meetings, and activities...participants will continue to deepen the spirituality of the Blood of Christ in relation to and in response to “humanity’s wounds”, in contact with the various cultures of the world. 
 
COORDINATORS
Full-time personnel:              Two coordinators
Length of term:                     ...Four years. The assignment can be renewed.
Place of service:                     .Rome: Generalate
Supervisors:                           ..General Councilor Contact Sisters
Adjunct personnel:             The “Extended Commission” ASC and persons of other Congregations, Church groups and institutions who can be invited as speakers, serve on special committees, and engage in other activities to reach the goal and objectives of CIS.
 
Functions of the coordinators:
develop, along with the Extended Commission, the four-year-term program;
coordinate/animate the work of the Commission;
be in contact with the general Council;
prepare the budget and accounts;
care for the holdings and the environment of CIS;
provide for publications done at the international level.
 
Extended Commission
A commission composed of ASC sisters and laity representing the continental areas.
Length of term:     Three years. The assignment can be renewed.
Role:                          Help the coordinators plan and carry out activities at Rome and in the continental areas.
Supervisors:          The coordinators of CIS.
Level at which they work:   Continental areas.
 
Functions of the Extended Commission:
·  to be a bridge between the local and the international realities;
·  to collaborate with the coordinators in the development of a program and its implementation;
·  to coordinate the Continental Area Committees;
·  to provide for translations.
 
Continental Committee
A committee made up of ASC sisters and laity who belong to and work in a continental area.  Each continental area has a Continental Committee.
 
Role: To be a bridge with the Extended Commission in order to collaborate, plan and facilitate connections and activities in the continental areas where the ASC are present.
Length of term:   Three years.
Coordination:      The member(s) of the CIS Extended Commission responsible for the respective continental area.
Level at which they work:   Countries of the continental areas in which the ASC are present.
 
Functions of the Continental Committee:
·         facilitate the study, spread and inculturation of the spirituality of the Blood of Christ;
·         create an interest in the local production of creative expressions of the spirituality;
·         promote an attitude of ongoing formation in our spirituality among the sisters and the laity;
·         network with other congregations living a spirituality of the Blood of Christ;
·         coordinate the work of the research/activity committees.

 

2006-2010 Four-Year Program
 
Four-Year General Objective
In being receptive to the Spirit’s movement, CIS will become the heart of the ASC Congregation in searching for the new way of the spirituality of the Blood of Christ by weaving new relationships for listening to and caring for the wounds of humanity and by allowing life to circulate. 
 
Intermediate Goals

  1. Weaving new relationships by creating a network that circulates life. 
  2. Discerning where the Spirit is taking us to live the new way of the Blood of Christ.
  3. Promoting the integration of the spirituality with human sciences and theology to make it more integrated and to express it with new terminology. 

What has been done since 2006?
During the first annual meeting in 2006, the “extended commission,” coordinators and general council contact persons prepared a four-year program which indicated specific objectives and activities. 
After having chosen the continental commission members (both ASCs and laity), dialog was begun with these people to share information and the sensitize them to the direction of CIS and solicit their collaboration. 
A meeting of the local continental commission was held in each continental area.  A coordinator of CIS from Rome also attended each of the meetings.
Spirituality seminars were prepared and held:

  • 2007: a three-month seminar for ASCs near the time of perpetual vows.
  • 2008: a seminar for ASC formation directors

Four new books were published in the “Profiles” series. 
A new CIS section was created for the international website which offers, among other things, an inter-active page where people can share research and opinions on themes regarding the Spirituality of the Blood of Christ. 

In each issue of the international newsletter an article about the life, activities and themes pertaining to the work of the International Spirituality Center has been included on the page reserved for CIS. 
Since 2008, CIS has been taking care of the publication of the “Apostle of the Blood of Christ” newsletter on an international level. 
On various levels the members of CIS have been constantly working to make the new structure of CIS and its objectives and activities known to the sisters and laity throughout the Congregation.
During its annual meetings, the members of the “Extended Commission” have prepared studies upon several themes and then shared their studies with each other.  The themes studied in the light of the Spirituality of the Blood of Christ have been “The impact of religions in the various cultures,” “the conditions of women in various cultures,” and “climate change and its impact on peoples’ lives”
During these years it has been better understood that:

  • CIS is becoming a workshop where new insights and ideas are surfacing;
  • it is important to continue to promote a process of ongoing discernment;
  • it is possible to create bridges between people from different cultures in the Congregation, and often simply by getting to know each other;
  • various parts of the Congregation, and especially the younger members are asking CIS for a specific commitment to searching for ways of approaching the Spirituality of the Blood and new terminology so that it can transmit new vitality to people and respond to the needs and challenges of our time; 
  • it is necessary to continue to involve the sisters and laity in the deepening of the Spirituality of the Blood of Christ and in the production of various expressions of it (literature, art, poetry, theatrical productions, music, prayers, meditations, etc.) so that they can be made available online to others in the Congregation. 

In Preparation
Initiatives for the 175th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Congregation.

  • Publication of the letters of the sisters to Maria De Mattias
  • Development of a DVD on the international level regarding the Spirituality of the Blood of Christ
  • Preparation of and gathering of materials for prayer, meditation, reflection, etc. on the Blood of Christ, to be made available to the Congregation for the Jubilee Year. 

Spirituality Seminars
July 5-20, 2010 for sisters in active ministry who would like to have a time of renewal on the human and spiritual levels.
March 29 – May 29 for sisters near perpetual vows

Other Steps to be taken

  • Use and develop the CIS website
  • Involving the laity even more, especially the young people, in the work of CIS both on the general and continental levels and especially in the preparation of the “Apostle of the Blood of Christ” newsletter.
  • Think about what can be organized for the formation of lay collaborators (perhaps a conference on the family).
  • Gathering of experiences of collaboration between sisters and laity to better understand how to inculturate our charism
  • Stimulate collaboration with the persons in leadership in the regions, foundation and missions
  • Create interest groups around the spirituality of the Blood of Christ by making use of interactive pages on the website
  • Studying the possibility of an international meeting on the spirituality of the Blood for young people above the age of 18 in the format of youth day
  • In depth study of the topic of dialog between cultures on an international level and involving sisters and laity in this endeavor
  • Being available to organize meetings, courses or seminars on human and spiritual formation in any part of the Congregation that requests it.