Legal Aspects in the Instruction Verbi Sponsa

Abstract

The instruction Verbi Sponsa regulates the whole of the nuns' contemplative life. In its text we may encounter several fragments with a normative character. The document of the Apostolic See shows the precious charisma of the contemplative life in the Church. In the instruction the significance of the contemplative convents is emphasized for particular Churches in whose region there are already nuns' contemplative orders. Establishing new forms of contemplative life, adjusted to the mentality of people, especially ones living in the area of young particular Churches, will also be useful.

Those fragments of the instruction deserve a special attention that are concerned with the inner discipline in a contemplative convent. In the case of the papal enclosure the regulation concerning entering the enclosure and leaving it by nuns by right of common law is clear. However, the legislator applies the principle that the law is subsidiary and one of the just autonomy of contemplative convents, clearly referring one to the norms defined in constitutions. Also the most modern technical and electronic inventions may be found in the convent, and the way they may be used should be regulated in the convent's own regulations.

The Apostolic See has expressed its great care about the contemplative life in the Church. Contemplative convents should also co-operate with one another to develop the charisma of prayer and contemplation. To this end they may establish federations of convents whose aim is mutual help, among others, in the matters of formation.