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Convinced that God's Providential signs were leading him to establish a new religious congregation, on 20th February (Ash Wednesday), 1828, Antonio Rosmini arrived at the semi-derelict sanctuary of Monte Calvario, several hundred feet above the small town of Domodossola to spend Lent in austere but prayerful retreat, during which he wrote the Constitutions for a society that did not yet exist. He amended this initial document frequently over the ensuing years, but its basic principles remained unchanged. Perhaps most startling to the average Christian is the wording of his very first paragraph which reads: “This Society consists of faithful Christians who, in their ardent desire of living as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, apply themselves vigorously with mutual help and encouragement, to their own perfection as persons”.  Immediately you can see that the only qualifications to join his new Society are Baptism which brings us into the Christian fold and a desire for perfection (“Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect”{Mt.5:48}) which is affirmed and supported by like-minded people. There is no mention of priesthood or vows. It is clear that Rosmini's vision for his new Society was broad and deep, yet it could be lived out fully whether it comprised of 5, 50 or 5000 members!

Abram's extraordinary encounter with “The Lord” in the form of three travellers is today's first reading. In the early fifteenth century, the Orthodox monk, Rublev, gave the world one of the most reproduced icons in today's church. Though inspired by Abram's meeting, this depiction encompasses a depth of Trinitarian theology which goes far beyond just the three figures. There is a unity apparent in the encompassing of the three in a perfect circle. A circle has neither beginning nor end. They are deep in conversation, speaking the language of love which, with a unity of will, they wish to share with creation. They are depicted as angels – beings with a message to communicate, and the message is “God is Love”.

Rosmini's Institute of Charity seeks to build a community bound together by love of God and neighbour. By prayerful discernment, an Ascribed group may choose to work together to address a need which Divine Providence places right in front of us. The phrase “Communion in Mission” has grown out of the documents of the Second Vatican Council and seeks to express a way of living out our Baptismal vocation united by God's love and a desire to work with single-minded dedication to make known that Divine Love through active works of mercy. This is precisely Rosmini's call to those who would become “Ascribed” in his Institute. 

The founders of religious orders encourage their members to live the Gospel with a particular emphasis. This might be regarded as the “Spirituality” of the group. Rosmini was no different, except that he invited all faithful Christians to see the value of living according to what he called the “Maxims of Christian Perfection”. This spiritual classic opens with the words “All disciples of Jesus Christ whatever their state or circumstances, are called to perfection: for all are called to the Gospel which is a law of perfection and our divine Master was speaking to everyone when he said: “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt.5-48). Ascribed members, together with those living the vowed religious life are invited by Rosmini to adopt these six Maxims as signposts for a life of discipleship:​

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1)     To have a single and boundless desire to please God, that is, to be just.

2)     To direct all one's thoughts and actions to the growth and glory of the Church of Jesus Christ.

3)     To remain perfectly tranquil with regard to all that happens to the Church of Jesus Christ in            accordance with God's designs, and to follow God's call in working for the Church.

4)     To abandon oneself entirely to divine Providence.

5)     To be deeply aware of one's own nothingness.

6)     To regulate all one's activities with a “spirit of intelligence.”

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What are we striving for in our lives? Is it simply a worldly ambition to be well thought of; to be able to live a comfortable life surrounded by material goods or even to provide that same material

reassurance for our children? Jesus invites us to live in such a way as to make ourselves rich in the sight of God. There are many paths to sainthood, but we can be sure that to study the life of any saint and to see that their lifestyle or spirituality is something we too can imitate will lead us to the fulness of life in Heaven. The Church has recognised the holiness of Blessed Antonio Rosmini and therefore, the validity of joining his religious family as a means to lead us to salvation. Is the Lord calling you to look more deeply into the life of Blessed Antonio Rosmini and the implications of embracing his “Maxims of Christian Perfection”?

In summary, Antonio Rosmini envisaged the inclusion of laity in his new religious family. Since the 1830s, therefore, in most places in the world where the vowed members of the Institute have been called to serve the Church, groups of Ascribed members have grown up with the following purposes:

1)     To realise their Baptismal call to service by working together in the pastoral ministry of the             particular work. In parishes, people involved in a whole range of activities from reading to                 eucharistic ministry, to service of the poor to administration become Ascribed in order to

         nurture a sense of solidarity and mutual support in living the Christian life.

2)     Through regular meetings, to look at the rich spirituality of Antonio Rosmini and its

         relevance in today's Church.

3)     Through prayerful discernment, to see how the spiritual and material needs of the parish can           be met by new initiatives, using the talents and abilities of Ascribed members and the                       faithful in general.

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To discuss a calling to Ascribed membership, please make an appointment to meet Fr. Anthony in the coming weeks. To provide formation for those looking for Ascription, monthly meetings will begin in November, leading up to admission into Ascribed membership at a National gathering on or around 1st July, 2026.​​​​​​