The encounter with Christ as a basis for spirituality of consecrated persons according to the Pope Francis’ teaching

Abstract

In 2015 the Catholic Church celebrates a Year of Consecrated Life. This is an excellent opportunity to speak about the constitutive elements of this specific lifestyle undertaken by women and men in the Church from her very beginning. It is worthwhile analysing papal teaching about the monastic life, looking for its some aspects emphasized by Pope Francis. A careful reading allows to point out that the encounter with Christ Himself is a constitutive basis of spirituality for consecrated persons. This meeting is the source of their authentic joy. It also dynamizes their apostolate and is an expression of their witness. For this reason the Pope in his documents and statements strongly emphasizes the need to proclaim today the gospel with joy. This is a task addressed to people who have experienced the encounter with Jesus and whose hearts have been permeated through by the joy of His presence.