History of the IRLIRL Founders |
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| Fr. John Hardon, S.J. | William Isaacson | Most Rev. James Hogan |
Mother Claudia Honsberger, L.H.M. | John Joseph CardinalCarberry |
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| William Fairman | Fr. Edmund McCaffrey | Fr. Louis Cortney, O.S.M | Francis Milligan |
Approval of Rome
In 1974, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., with the approval of the Sacred Congregation for Religious in Rome, enlisted the support of bishops, religious superiors and laymen and women to found the IRL to affirm the vocation to consecrated life in accordance with the authentic teaching of the Church, and of the Holy Father; promote authentic religious/consecrated life as set forth by Vatican II and their implementation by the Holy See; and to encourage vocations to the religious, consecrated and priestly life.
Foremost among the bishops who supported the IRL was Most Rev. James J. Hogan, then Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, PA, who served as the IRL's first president. His Eminence, John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, then Archbishop of St. Louis, served as the second president.
Help From Superiors and Laity
Religious superiors active in the founding were Mother Angela Cettini, D.S.M.P., of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence in the United States; Mother Claudia Honsberger, L.H.M., of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Immaculata, PA.; retired Abbot Edmund McCaffrey, O.S.B.; and Fr. Louis Cortney, O.S.M, of the Order of the Servants of Mary.
Outstanding laymen who helped in the founding of the IRL were Mr. William J. Isaacson, a mainstay until his death in 1995. Mr. William Fairman, Mr. Francis Milligan and Mrs. William Spencer were other early lay supporters.
Today, more than one hundred and twenty religious communities and twelve Catholic lay organizations have become affiliated members of the IRL.
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An initial meeting for members was held in Kansas City, MO at Rockhurst College in 1975. In 1976, a meeting was held at Good Counsel High School in Chicago, conducted by the Felician Sisters, which featured Mother Teresa and Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen, who also spoke at the 1978 meeting in St. Louis, MO.
Annual National Meetings of the IRL have been held annually since 1981 around the country, and are now held at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL.
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Regional meetings of the IRL have been held throughout the country and are now held in Los Angeles, CA; Boston, MA and Independence, MO.
In 1987, a summer program of theology and spirituality for religious superiors was started, and in 1988, another summer program, for novice masters and formation directors, was begun. Today, the summer schools have been expanded to become the Vita Consecrata Institute, held for priests, men and women religious and consecrated persons each summer at a convenient location.
IRL Placed Under Patronage |
This is the symbol of the loving Heart of Christ Who
came to "cast fire on the earth", which all are called to enkindle. The
heart is also that of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, enshrined in the Heart
of her Son. The three flames indicate the three vows of Poverty,
Chastity, and Obedience which give expression to the consuming love of
consecrated life.
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