The following is a translation of a speech delivered during the special programme the Society of Christian Doctrine celebrated on the occasion of the launching of the renewed Rule — 2 February 2003
The Rule Binds us to the Founder
and to the Church
by Mgr Lawrence Gatt

Mgr Lawrence GattForty years ago, during the Second Vatican Council, the Church instructed which renewals and adaptations should take place in consecrated life. The Council’s instructions apply to every form of consecrated life. It declared: "The adaptation and renewal of the religious life includes both the constant return to the sources of all Christian life and to the original spirit of the institutes and their adaptation to the changed conditions of our time. This renewal, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Church…" (Perfectae caritatis, n. 2) Doesn’t this fit perfectly to today’s occasion , the presentation of the Rule?

The Rule is God’s gift to whoever is faithful to His call. It’s a privilege to whoever embraces it. It can be a hindrance if we do not accept it entirely, whole-heartedly and daily. Since the Society’s way of life is approved and blessed by the Church, faithfulness to the Society’s life leads to a better Christian life, since it is the way to Christian perfection.

Today I feel duty-bound to encourage you to accept again the Rule which you already know, love and practise, as it has been renewed and approved by Church authorities. The authentic spirituality of the SDC Members, who have consecrated their life to God, is a spirituality of communion which was proclaimed in the New Testament and practised by the saints. In the Apostolic Exhortation on Consecrated life, the Pope shows that consecrated people should be experts in communion. We find, "In founders and foundresses, we see a constant and lively sense of the Church, which they manifest by their full participation in all aspects of the Church’s life, and in their ready obedience to the Bishops and especially to the Roman Pontiff." He mentions the devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi for "the Lord Pope", the apostolic obedience and the "sentire cum Ecclesia" of Saint Ignatius Loyola, and the profession of faith made by Saint Teresa of Avila, "I am a daughter of the Church". We can add the Founder’s motto, "I am always on the Pope’s side."

We are convinced that the revised Rule is the Founder’s will for us. On reflecting about Father Preca’s heritage, one feels that many other peoples and countries should have the opportunity of learning about him and deriving spiritual benefit from him. Father Preca’s legacy should not be confined to Malta. When one becomes familiar with Father Preca’s teachings and writings, with his intuitions, with his enthusiasm and faith, one should realize that it is indeed a privilege that one has been called to share him with others through one’s life and example.

SDC Members cannot be exempted from suffering. Christ’s life was mainly characterized by suffering and the Founder is his faithful disciple.

One inevitably comes across contradictions. It was foretold that Jesus Christ would be a sign of contradiction.

The Rule presents a dedicated life, a style embraced by people who have deprived themselves of many things to gain everything.

However one won’t fail to find the light which one requires to keep walking steadily without faltering. The Rule fulfils this role. You have chosen Jesus Christ who claimed, "I am the light of the world" (Jn 8,12). Today He was proclaimed as light of all peoples. We are privileged enough to be members of the Church, the Divine Ark, and to have embraced a holy rule which gives us the help which we need in our discipleship of Jesus Christ.

Mgr Lawrence Gatt

source:  http://users.onvol.net/112718/Pc55htm/rule.htm

Mgr Gatt was appointed to the National Order of Merit in Malta De 13 1994. (source: http://www.opm.gov.mt/om_appointments.htm)

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Thousands of liri donated by BOV to Dar Tal-Providenza following successful Cashlink for Charity Campaign
19/09/2007
Thousands of liri have been donated by Bank of Valletta to Dar Tal-Providenza following the successful Cashlink for Charity Campaign that the Bank promoted during August this year.

The donation was presented to Mgr Lawrence Gatt, Director of the Dar tal-Providenza, by Tonio Depasquale, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta, during a meeting held at the BOV Centre in St Venera.

Speaking during the presentation Mr Depasquale said, “When we launched the ‘Help Dar tal-Providenza’ Campaign we made a win-win proposal to our customers - they would benefit from the efficiency associated with using our Cashlink cards to pay, whilst Dar tal-Providenza would benefit from the donation of 3 cents (7 euro cents) which we pledged to make for every payment transaction made during August. The donation we are making today is a clear demonstration of how our customers rallied behind the proposal in support of an organisation that plays such an important social role within our society.” 

Mr. Depasquale noted that this was the third consecutive year where Bank of Valletta pledged to provide financial assistance to philanthropic associations. The first Cashlink Campaign launched in 2005 was held in aid of the Eden Foundation, the second campaign saw Caritas as the sole beneficiary, whilst this year Id-Dar tal-Providenza was identified as the recipient of this year’s donation.

“We are delighted that this year’s Cashlink for Charity campaign proved to be very successful, resulting in a 25% increase in Cashlink transactions when compared to the same period last year. As a result of this increase in usage, Bank of Valletta was able to make substantial donation to Dar tal-Providenza amounting to thousands of Maltese Liri,” concluded Mr. Depasquale.

Mgr. Gatt expressed his satisfaction with the donation made by the Bank. “At the launch of the campaign we had encouraged people to use their Cashlink to assist us in our cause to improve the quality of life for persons born with impairments, both mental and physical, whilst relieving the strain borne by their respective families. It is clear that the general public empathises with our cause and has used their Cashlink for our benefit, and for this we thank them.”

“Dar tal Providenza relies heavily on donations such as that presented by Bank of Valletta and this financial assistance will go a long way in helping us continue to deliver the highest possible standards of care within the community,” concluded Mgr. Gatt.

Also present for the meeting was Mario Gouder, Executive Head Personal Finance at Bank of Valletta.

The irrevocable fixed conversion rate of 1 euro is equivalent to Lm0.4293 and is used for information purposes only.

 Bank of Valletta Chief Executive Officer Tonio Depasquale presenting the Bank's contribution though the 'Help Dar tal-Providenza' Campaign to Mgr Lawrence Gatt, Director of Dar tal-Providenza in the presence of Mario Gouder, Executive Head, Personal Finance at Bank of Valletta.


source:  http://www.bov.com/page.asp?n=newsdetails&i=8519&text=1
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