The Community
“The FRA do not live in community; each member resides where her commitment requires it; nevertheless, they should feel united among themselves by a bond of deep fraternity” (from the Statute).
The FRA do not live in community. They live in regular living conditions, without distinctive signs, sharing the common fate of the people of their neighbourhood, and the yearning and thirst for a world that groans in anticipation of “new heavens and a new earth”. A FRA’s work must be the “place” of her contemplation: no area of human endeavour is outside this calling. Thus, depending on the personal history and the aptitudes of each member, the place of contemporaneous dedication both to God and to her brothers and sisters may be a factory, a school or even parliament... In short, the whole world.
The Institute of the Daughters of the Queen of the Apostles does not have specific works; FRA members are spread out in the most diverse social and professional fields and, unless beyond their control, they do not disclose their consecration to the Lord. Following the example of Mary, who does not show signs of distinction or separation, but lives in normal living conditions, the FRA share the common fate of the women and men of their time.
Although they do not have a residential community, the FRA have a bond of deep fraternity amongst themselves, following the insights of their founder, who wished for a “spiritual family”, with all the richness that comes with it. Her call to live a life of intense fraternity is particularly profound, despite the fact that her daughters are spread out in the most varied locations. Fraternity experienced in these conditions is therefore an appeal, a task, but also a sign:
“to the point of becoming almost an outward sign of our spiritual ties. (...) The more faithful we are to keep our cell in that ocean of love that is the heart of Jesus, the more we will reap streams of love to pour out onto our sisters and we will be able to understand them all, even those who may have habits, mentalities, even spiritual attitudes that are different from our own and we will all appreciate and sympathise with them by helping them in their every need” (Elena da Persico, Letters to the Community, No. 1).
The FRA community is organised into “families” that meet in the nearest geographical location. The term “family” expresses that sense of community outlined above, composed of fraternity, charity, mutual help and growth together in a common vocation.
The Institute supports its members in their vocation with prayer, review and in-depth meetings during training days and during an annual week of fraternal life. These times are a gift of grace and mutual enrichment due to the diversity of personalities, charisms, gifts and professions, in the form of communal FRA spirituality.