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Epiphany Journal In this and the following issues of Epiphany Journal we will be sharing many important points from the Miles Jesu Constitutions, By-Laws, and Customs. The Constitutions of Miles Jesu show the way to perfection for Miles Jesu members. It is OUR WAY to perfection that God has inspired for us, to help us save our own souls, and many others as well. The very first point in our Constitutions says that Miles Jesu “is an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life.” What does this mean? We are Ecclesial: literally “of the Church”, we are at the service of the Church. We are an instrument in the hands of the Church for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. In Miles Jesu we practice and spread the official teachings of the Catholic Church according to our own capacity, in our station in life, by being in the world but not of the world. In this way we Christianize society from within by our witness and example in our family, in our work place, and in society. Obedience to the Catholic Church, not only in faith and morals but also in discipline is essential to being a faithful member of the Church and also a faithful member of Miles Jesu. We can’t pick and choose what to follow and what not. Some people use the term “cafeteria Catholic” to describe those who do not follow all the Church’s teachings. Really they are not “cafeteria Catholics” just bad Catholics. The only way to be able effectively to follow and promote the teachings of the Church is by knowing the teachings of the Church, by studying the Catechism, Apostolic Exhortations, Encyclicals and other documents that the popes have written for our benefit. We are an Ecclesial Family: Yes, Miles Jesu is a family. Though we are many members and we are spread throughout the world we are still very united in our daily prayer for one another. As a family we have a great love for each other and we strive to take the best care of the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of each individual. If anything comes up please be assured that we are there to help you in any way we can as your family. One easy way to share more in the family spirit of Miles Jesu and to learn more about Miles Jesu is by getting the Miles Jesu Prayerbook and Faith Family Formation Handbook. Father General has encouraged us many times to read both of these books from cover to cover, slowly, thinking about each prayer and every paragraph. Both books are a great source of Miles Jesu spirituality, formation, and history. We are an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life: a faith family in the Church, with members in many walks of life, all united together in one family through our consecration to God through the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. This consecration that we make is accompanied by a striving for perfection in our state of life. A Miles Jesu member: |