42 and confi rmation. Religious consecration and priestly ordination are just additional reasons for undertaking this duty. The passion and paschal dimension of following of Christ, which is the basic element of the Holy Scriptures and clearly present in the writings of Blessed Stanislaus and Blessed George, is also explicitly stated in our Constitutions. This topic is treated in a way which is very similar to Blessed George’s approach—it is united with the evangelical aspect. It is particularly emphasized by §26 of the Constitutions: “Faithfully and courageously following Christ, let each one be ready, whenever necessity demands it, to suffer and endure heat, cold, thirst, hunger, lack of the necessities of life, hardships, injuries, contempt and humiliations as often as these seem to contribute to the greater glory of God, the spiritual benefi t of others and the salvation of their own souls.” In the very same spirit, we must understand §12 of the Constitutions, which speaks of the marks of a true Marian: “They should especially try to excel in a spirit of self-denial and selfsacrifi ce; in humility, piety and industriousness; in a lively, fi rm faith and fervent charity; in a mutual fraternal union and perfect obedience to the Superiors; in an apostolic spirit and active zeal.” It seems to be possible to sum up the Marian tradition in this manner: the sequela Christi means a living relationship with Christ leading to a gradual transformation of life and a total resemblance to Christ. Communion with Christ leads to a total dedication of one’s life to Christ’s salvifi c mission, which is the proclamation of the Gospel.
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