Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

152 As a corrective to a disordered emphasis upon legislation regarding the evangelical counsels, St. Stanislaus emphasizes the primacy of charity in his Norma Vitae, which he conspicuously places before the third chapter on the evangelical counsels, as love of God and neighbor (Dt 6:5, Mt 22:37) is the “common rule and the safest way to heaven.” 47 Without love, a serv- ant of God (namely, a Marian) would be a tinkling bell or a clanging cym- bal (cf. 1 Cor 13:1); therefore, Marians ought to obtain this pearl of great price (cf. Mt 13:44-46), so that all that is done by a Marian is done in love (cf. 1 Cor 16:14). Love forms the “motor” that enables Marians to observe the Gospel counsels, as well as all other rules, since “all of these” are to “be observed out of the love of God” (cf. Jn 14:23). 48 All good works are carried out in love, and all evil is to be avoided on account of love. “You will conse- crate to divine Love all of your entire life, daily actions and sufferings, and each and every moment... Each and every action and suffering ... [will be consecrated] for all eternity on the altar of love.” 49 Religious consecration by its very nature establishes a communion be- tween the religious in the community – and not merely a personal relation- ship between God and the individual religious. 50 Communion with Christ in consecration is expressed in a stable and visible way through community life. 51 Indeed, one of the primary characteristics of religious consecration is its testimony amid communal life. 52 Norma Vitae thus emphasizes the corollary to love of God, namely, mutual love: “let it be known that the one who excels in mutual love is more dear to the Divine Majesty. Each of you should keep in mind that the soul of his Institute is love, and to the extent 47 Norma Vitae, n. 2.3 . Cf. Chapter Two on Love, and Chapter Three, on Obedience, Poverty, Chastity. Cf. A Pakuła, Charity - the essence of the communal life and the organizing principle of the religious community according to Blessed [sic] Stanislaus Papczyński, Ephemerides Mariano- rum 2(2013) 395-410; cf. Religious Spirituality According to Stanislaus Papczyński and the Early Tradition of the Congregation of Marian Fathers, in which he describes the uniqueness of the order of Norma Vitae. 48 Cf. Norma Vitae, 2.2. 49 Norma Vitae, n. 2.3. 50 EE, II.18: “Religious consecration establishes a particular communion between religious and God and, in him, between the members of the same institute. This is the basic element in the unity of an institute.” 51 EE, II.19: “For religious, communion in Christ is expressed in a stable and visible way through community life.” 52 Vita Consecrata, n. 92: “92. This testimony of consecration takes on special meaning in religious life because of the community dimension which marks it. The fraternal life is the priv- ileged place in which to discern and accept God’s will, and to walk together with one mind and heart. “