VI. FOLLOWING CHRIST OBEDIENT POOR CHASTE
49.
In an atmosphere of mutual trust every confrere should frequently see his rector to let him know the state his health, how his apostolic activity is proceeding, the difficulties he faces in religious life and fraternal charity, and everything that may contribute to the welfare of the individual members and of the community.C 70
Let the rector consider as one of his principal duties that of being always available to receive and listen to the confreres.
C 65
50. To promote family spirit and avoid upsetting the community programme, a confrere who has to be absent from the house, especially for visits, journeys or holidays, should have an understanding with his rector. In the case of a prolonged absence he will follow what is prescribed by the Church’s norms. (cf. CIC, can. 665,1)
Requirements of the vow
51. The ceding of the use and enjoyment of his goods and of their administration carries with it the express condition that the member shall not be involved in responsibility for their management.
With the permission of the provincial and for a just reason he can change this cession and arrangement concerning his goods and can perform those acts with regard to property which the civil law prescribes.
All this, he must also observe with regard to goods which come into his possession after profession.
C 74
He will also inform the provincial from time to time of the goods of which he retains the ownership, and of their condition.
C 74
52. The will by which in accordance with civil law a member disposes of his present and future goods, is to be drawn up in two copies, one of which will be kept in the provincial archives. For any eventual changes in it the provisions of canon and civil law shall be observed.
C 74
53. In the spirit of gospel detachment a member, after at least ten years of perpetual profession and with the consent of the Rector Major, may definitively renounce the ownership of all his personal goods. This act of renunciation shall be drawn up in accordance with the prescriptions of the civil law of his own country.
54. Should a confrere leave the Society, he shall once again have full rights over the movable and immovable goods the ownership of which he reserved to himself, but he shall not have the right to demand any of their fruits, nor any account of their administration.
Fraternal help will be afforded him to face the initial difficulties of his new situation, but he shall not be entitled to anything for the period he has spent in the Congregation.
55. Every member lives out his poverty by temperance in the use of food and drink, by simplicity in dress and by moderate use of holidays and amusements.
He furnishes his room in a simple manner, taking care not to make it a refuge which keeps him separated from his confreres and from young people.
He is watchful so as not to become a slave to any habit opposed to the spirit of poverty.
C 75
Faithful to a constant tradition he abstains from smoking as a form of Salesian temperance and as a witness in his personal work of education.
56. The members cannot retain for themselves anything they may acquire by their own work or because of their membership of the Society, but everything must be placed among the common goods.
C 76
Whatever money they receive from the community to carry out their work or for small individual needs they will use with a sense of responsibility, and give an account to the superior of how it was spent.
57. Royalties received by Salesians for their publications or other productions are fruits of work which as members they fraternally place in common for the benefit of the Society.
C 76
Hence every confrere, whether author or publisher, shall cede the copyrights he acquires according to the norms of the province and in the manner prescribed by the laws of the respective countries.
58. It belongs to provincial chapters to lay down norms with a view to establishing throughout the province a modest and effectively uniform level of community life, while taking into account special situations.
In particular they will regulate:
1. the use of personal equipment which can be taken to another house when a member is transferred;
2. the holidays permitted to members for a proper restoration of their physical and mental energies;
3. the norms for a practical exercise of solidarity between the houses of the province, and the help the communities will offer for the general needs of the province.
59. The Society should not retain possession of any real estate apart from its houses and the property needed for its work, in accordance with article 187 of the Constitutions.
C 77
In every case whatever has the appearance of counter-witness to poverty should be avoided, remembering that effective service can often be rendered with very simple material structures and in works we do not own.
C 77
60. The purpose of our works is to give service to others; they should therefore be open and available for the needs of the neighbourhood. Space and facilities required for the pastoral needs of the area should not be left unused.
61. Our tenor of life should conform to the demands of religious poverty in line with the customs of the different countries.
C 77
The interior decoration of the house, the furniture and equipment should be simple and functional and should never give the impression of wealth and luxury. This holds good also for our churches, while maintaining in them a proper decorum.
C 77
62. Proper attention should be given to the maintenance of goods and property. Special importance attaches to the preservation of libraries, archives and other documentary material, because of their cultural and community value.
63. Means of transport shall be the property of the house or province; they should not be for exclusive personal use but at the disposal of the community, which will make use of them only as a means of service and with criteria of poverty.
64. With a sense of economy and in keeping with our family spirit, domestic work and services should as far as possible be done by the confreres, who will thus try to learn by experience, especially during the period of initial formation.
C 77
65. The community, whether local or provincial, should examine at intervals it considers opportune its own state of poverty, both as regards its collective witness and the services it renders, and should study the means to ensure a constant renewal.
66.
The giving of witness and pastoral service requires the presence of the Salesian in the world.C 84
Faithful to the vocation he has chosen he will avoid the comforts and attractions of the world. He will be prudent in making visits or frequenting amusements, excluding anything not in keeping with religious chastity,
C 84
67. Female personnel should be employed in our houses and works only when necessary, and due regard should be paid to the requirements of religious life.
68. In his relationships with others and in his friendships, the Salesian should be consistent with the obligations assumed at his profession. Let him therefore avoid any ambiguous or dangerous conduct or behaviour, which could obscure his witness to chastity.