Poverty liberates us from the captivity of empty earthly possessions that fail to fully satisfy.

Mystery OF THE POOR CHRIST

In Union with Christ
The willing sacrifice of personal possessions is an intimate sharing in the mystery of Christ who for our sake became poor though he was rich, so that we might become rich by his poverty (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9).  Nailed to the cross, Christ testifies to poverty’s radicality and purpose.

Rich in God
By the vow of poverty, we express our free choice of God as our sole possession and thus give singular witness to the preeminence of heavenly riches over those of the earth.

VITA APOSTOLICA

All Possessions Held in Common
Following the tradition of the canonical life, the virtue of poverty is the first operative principle in our religious consecration.  Our particular form of poverty is shown by possessing everything in common like the members of the early Church as described in the Acts of the Apostles. We strive to live the “Vita Apostolica.” “They had all things in common and distribution was made to each one according to each one’s needs” (Rule of St. Augustine).  Behind this view of poverty is St. Augustine’s understanding that the monastic possession of everything in common is intended to be a visible expression of the deeper reality of a communion hearts. 

Concern for Each Other
Having all things in common and living without anything we call our own, we are especially united to our brothers and sisters in our religious family. We are given to one another as brothers and sisters by the one Father of all and our vow of poverty in community allows us to be truly concerned for the well-being of our brothers and sisters.

Our vow of poverty liberates us from worry about material possessions and frees us for a life of prayer and service.  We are freed from servitude that we may freely serve.   

CHILDREN OF THE FATHER

Trust in the Providence of God
As the poor of Christ, we strive to be true children of the Father.  Our poverty expresses this dependence on God and calls us to trust totally in his care for us.  We desire that nothing comes between us and the love of God. Our one desire is to please him in all things.

God Alone is Necessary
The vow of poverty is a declaration of our true condition as needy and helpless before God.  We try to express by our personal life that for us “God is the one thing necessary,” to understand that poverty is intended to lead us to freedom from all except God’s will, and to strive to accept our own limitations with courage and fortitude.

STEWARDS OF GOD’S GIFTS

Everything is Gift from God
Our monastic poverty could be expressed as the Christian stewardship of material things. It’s rooted in a poverty of spirit which recognizes that everything we have is a gift of God and that we are only stewards.  We came into the world with nothing, and we will leave the world with nothing, We only hope to be found rich in God.

Gifts Shared with God and Others 
Through our poverty we bear witness that all things are given by God to be placed at the service of others to help them to obtain the happiness for which they are destined.  To be poor in the sense of the Gospel is to focus our life on the lives of others, to no longer root our concern in ourselves, and to be poor one’s self so that others may be rich (2 Cor 8:9).

As Grateful Stewards
Each day we try to be mindful of our great wealth in God and give him thanks with a grateful heart.  Our poverty should lead us to offer a continual sacrifice of praise to the Holy Trinity.  May our gratitude lead us into the mystery of poverty.  

Simplicity in All Things
We strive for simplicity all aspects of our lives - in housing, meals, clothing, furniture, transportation… We live and work where we’re assigned, we eat what is set before us, we wear a corporate habit, we use what we are given, striving to be equally content “to have plenty or to be in want” (Phil. 4:12).

Spiritual Goods Too
Our common life is not restricted to simply holding all material goods in common.  We surrendered ourselves to God, his Church, and to the community in everything we have, in everything that we are, and in everything that we can do.  The gifts and talents we have are given by God and he expects us to use them in his service.  So, motivated by evangelical poverty, we also strive to joyfully share our intellectual and spiritual abilities.