CONSTITUTIONS (FIRST  5 NUMBERS)

Somascan Congregation

1. Founder

The humble Congregation of the Somascans
originates from the "Company of the Servants of the Poor,"
which was founded by St Jerome Emiliani in the Church
under the action of the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary,
Jerome had experienced a conversion to God
and a deep Christian renewal.
Desiring to follow the way of the Crucified
and to imitate Christ, his Master,
he became poor and dedicated himself to serving the poor.
Inspired by divine love, he attracted other men,
who, for Gospel's sake,
offered themselves to Christ along with him.
By living the works of mercy,
our founding father lived
and proposed to his followers a style of life
which manifests the offering of oneself to Christ
in serving the poor.
For this reason, in the beginning,
people used to call them
"Fathers of the Works and of the Poor."

2. Recognition by the Church

On December 6, 1568, St. Pius V
included the new growing and developing Company in the list
of the Congregations of Regular Clerics.
He gave to it the right to profess Solemn Vows
and subjected it directly to the Holy See.

3. Apostolic Mission

From the very beginning,
in order to respond to the appeals of Her shepherds
and for the good of the Church,
our Congregation has undertaken various apostolic activities
inspired by the love of Christ.
With the same intense love of its Founder,
our Congregation continues to devote itself
to the spiritual and material care of orphans and poor,
provides human and Christian education to youth,
and pastoral ministry to people.

4. Form of Life

The Somascan Congregation
is a clerical institute of pontifical right,
consisting of religious, priests and laymen.
Their lifestyle is the same,
even though their ministries are different.
Following the example of Jesus and His disciples,
its members live in community
sharing all things in common,
and persevering in prayer and good works.
They strive for the perfection of charity,
in humility of heart, meekness, and benignity.
They love poverty and work,
and long for attracting and uniting men and women to God.

5. Constitutions and Rules