Biblical and theological identity of religious life

1. Orientations of documents of the Church on religious life To have an overall view of orientations of the Church on religious life, it is useful first of all to know the journey of light to follow. That is, it helps to have available a list of the principal documents of the Council and of post-Council regarding the Biblical and theological identity of religious life. Therefore, I am offering a chronological list. The description, evaluation and analysis of the Christological elements of the individual documents have been done in a book by A. Pardilla, CHRIST’S WAY OF LIFE AT THE CENTER OF FORMATION FOR RELIGIOUS LIFE. The Biblical and Theological Picture of Formation, Ed. Rogate, Rome 2001, pp. 189-355. 1) Directions of the dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium” (1964). 2) Directions of the decree “Perfectae Caritatis” (1965). 3) Directions of the motu proprio “Ecclesiae Sanctae” (1966). 4) Directions of the instruction “Renovationis Causam” (1969). 5) Directions of the new “Roman Missal” (1970). 6) Directions of the “Rite of Religious Profession” (1970). 7) Directions of the exhortation “Evangelica Testificatio” (1971). 8) Directions of the exhortation “Evangelii Nuntiandi” (1975). 9) Directions of the document “Mutuae Relationes” (1978). 10) Directions of John Paul II in the early years of his pontificate (1978-1980). 11) Directions of the document “Religious and Human Promotion” (1980). 12) Directions of the document “Contemplative Dimension of Religious Life” (1980). 13) Directions of the document on vocation ministry (1982). 14) Directions of the new Code of Canon Law (1983). 115) Directions of the instruction “Essential Elements” (1983). 16) Directions of the exhortation “Redemptionis Donum” (1984). 17) Directions of a message of John Paul II to religious men and women of Brazil (1986). 18) Directions of John Paul II in a discourse to USMI (1988). 19) Directions of the letter to all consecrated persons (1988). 20) Directions of the instruction “Potissimum Institutioni” (1990). 21) Directions of the letter of John Paul II to religious of Latin America (1990). 22) Directions of the encyclical “Redemptoris Missio” (1990). 23) Directions of the document on vocation ministry (1992). 24) Directions of the new “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (1992). 25) Directions of the instruction “Fraternal Life in Community” (1994). 26) Directions of John Paul II in the catechesis on occasion of the synod on consecrated life (1994-1995). 27) Directions of the exhortation “Vita Consecrata” (1996). 28) Directions of the message of John Paul II for the celebration of the Day for Consecrated Life (1997). 29) Directions of the instruction “Inter-Institutional Collaboration for Formation” (1998). 30) Directions of John Paul II at the Jubilee celebration for Consecrated Life (2000). 31) Directions of the letter “Novo Millennio Ineunte” (2001). 2. Biblical and Theological Identity of religious life  in light of the dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium”