Mysterion of Christ’s Consecration. The Carmelite «Ordo Professionis Religiosae» as a source of Systematic Theology

Abstract

In retrieving a fuller understanding of «consecration», the new rite of Religious Life, in line with the theology of the Second Vatican Council and the living Tradition of the Church, presents a coherent synthesis of Religious Life, which might itself be the source of further theologizing. A solid biblical and sacramental basis is now offered, whilst the ‘mysteric’ element of religious consecration is retrieved both in form and language used, leading various theologians to speak of a quasi-sacramental nature of Religious Life. Thus understood, Consecrated Life (as celebrated in the Rite of Profession), initiates to and professes a particular understanding of the content of faith, making the intellection of the same richer for the whole Church.