Pope Francis, in his Letter to the Consecrated, on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life (29.11.2014) invited every "charismatic family" to remember with gratitude "its beginnings and its historical development". He also invited the laity, especially those who "feel called, precisely in their lay state, to participate in the same charismatic reality" of an Institute and to "know the experiences of other charismatic families", in order to "enrich and support each other".
The authoritative intervention of the Pontiff has set in motion a path towards the rediscovery and enhancement of the presence of lay people not only "beside", but "inside" the religious families.
It is a necessary development of charisms. In fact, every charism, placed in the hands of a Founder or a Foundress, is destined for the whole people of God. It can unleash its full potential only if accepted and integrated in life, in communion and autonomy, by the various components of God's people.
In fact, we can notice that between religious and laity who share the same charism, there is a good maturing relationship based on communion and complementarity.
Knowledge and mutual respect, appreciation for people and for the respective paths, sharing of gifts: these are the basic requirements for the realization of common missions, giving effective witness of Christian life, rooted in the Gospel, in the Church, at the service of brothers and sisters.
