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The original
Salvatorian model, as envisioned by Father Francis Jordan and Mother Mary of
the Apostles in the 1880s, was of a society of men and women, -- religious, clergy,
and laity. But this model was far ahead of its time and no such community yet
existed in the world. The Church was reluctant to
give its approval to such an untested model -- and the Salvatorians were
directed to minister in the manner that was more familiar to the Church of
the 1880s. The priests and brothers became the Society of the Divine Savior.
The sisters became the Sisters of the Divine Savior. And those lay persons
who had been involved in the work of Father Francis and Mother Mary could no
longer be members.
When the Second Vatican Council called religious communities around the world
to "return to the vision of their founders," the Salvatorian men
and women could once again involve committed lay persons in their mission and
ministries -- moving into the forefront of a new call from Vatican II to
recognize that ministry in the Church belongs to all the baptized, not just
the clergy and religious.
Lay Salvatorians are dedicated persons -- men, women, single, married -- who
want to live their faith more openly and share their values in their work. Central to each Lay Salvatorian's
commitment is a ministry that involves working with and being of service to
others in some direct and significant way.
Like the Salvatorians priests, sisters, and brothers, Lay Salvatorian
ministries have a wide range -- each building on the strengths and
experiences of the individual member. Lay Salvatorians minister in secular,
ecumenical, and parish settings. Their work may involve teaching, parenting,
working for social justice and human rights -- or wherever they feel God is
calling them to proclaim the Gospel in their lives and in their work.
The formation process of Lay Salvatorians involves meetings and workshops on
the history, mission, and vision of the Salvatorian community, answering the
baptismal call to minister in the Church and in the world, and living a
faith-filled life in the midst of a changing world. As a public statement,
Lay Salvatorians make a commitment to the Salvatorian vision and mission. Along
with the Sisters, priests, and brothers, the Lay Salvatorians are directly
involved in the decisions that guide the Salvatorian family, and the
continuing presence of Salvatorian witness in the Church and in the world.
Their involvement calls them into close association -- both in prayer and
social settings -- with the vowed religious Salvatorians.
For more information
on Father Francis Jordan, click HERE
For more information
on Blessed Mother Mary of the Apostles, click HERE
For information on
Father Bonaventure Luthen, click HERE
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