The Council of Superiors: Origin and Evolution (Pars II)

Abstract

The subject of this contribution has been divided into two articles. In the second part, we may find a research about the birth of the figure of the councillors helping the Superiors, starting from the Mendicant Orders in the XIII century up to the religious Congregations of the XIX century. The existence of people near the Superiors, helping them in the task of government, is not really an organizational necessity as we may think through the birth of Mendicant Orders and of modern Congregations called "institutes mainly dedicated to the works of apostolate". It is the awareness that spiritual discernment is necessary for a good government of religious Life, not only by the one who received the greatest responsibility to guide the members, but by listening and sharing the gifts of all brethren.