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Organized in 1828, and officially named the Institute of Charity, the Rosminians are a Roman Catholic religious institute founded by Antonio Rosmini. The Order was approved by the Holy See in 1838, taking its name from "charity" as the fullness of Christian virtue. Its members are commonly called Fathers of Charity. Ordained in 1821, Antonio Rosmini had been organizing his life along the principles of putting God first, and his own desires second. In 1827, Rosmini was in Milan when he met the Abbé Loewenbruck, who told him that he had been thinking of starting a religious institute that would promote excellence in education and spirituality in the clergy. Two or three people joined him by their own request, and they began to live according to the principles that Rosmini had established. Pius VIII, who was to be elected pope in the following March, approved of his plans to start small and leave the rest to God. In 1831, Cardinal Cappellari, Rosmini's friend, became Pope Gregory XVI. He issued a papal brief referring to the new society by name. In 1837, Rosmini submitted the constitutions of his religious society for official papal approval. The Congregation of Bishops and Regulars approved of the society but judged that it was too young to be approved as a regular congregation. There was also a problem with Rosmini's understanding of the religious vow of poverty, as his constitutions allowed members to hold personal property. Nevertheless, the Vatican's congregation recommended approval in 1838, and the pope ratified the decision. There are two types of membership in the Institute of Charity: those who bind themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and those who do not feel called to the religious life, live in their own homes, but according to the Rosminian charism, to pray daily and meet with others whenever possible. The Rosminian vow of poverty permits personal possessions, but prohibits being possessed by these possessions.

 

 

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