More About Christian Life Community of South Africa
What is the Christian Life Community?
Christian Life Community (CLC) is an international, apostolic community of small groups of Catholic lay people, from all walks of life, who desire to deepen their relationship with God and grow in faith by finding His loving presence and purpose in their every day lives. Inspired by the insights of St Ignatius of Loyola, they use his Spiritual Exercises as a particular tool to attain this desire.
CLC South Africa - Vision Statement
"We, the CLC of South Africa, aware of the needs of our times, freely choose to commit ourselves to a community in Christ. Opened by the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius to the discernment of God’s will, we desire to give ourselves more generously to God and allow Him to use us to touch others in each situation of our daily lives"
Our CLC way of life has three main thrusts:
IGNATIAN
PRAYER,
and an active sacramental life aimed at deepening of relationships with God,
self and others through the Spiritual Exercises.
COMMUNITY
LIFE,
providing support and shared responsibility for the journey of Christian
growth. We meet regularly (usually weekly) in small groups and offer prayer
days, spiritual direction, retreats and workshops.
MISSION,
promoting the spread of the Kingdom of God according to individual gifts
and calling, reaching out to the poor and weak and working for the reform
of unjust structures in our society. Mary is our model for mission.
A summary of the history of the Christian Life Community
CLC is one of the oldest worldwide Catholic lay organisations and our origins can be traced to the Sodalities of Our Lady set up in 1563 by two Jesuits, John Leunis and Francis Coster, through the inspiration of St Ignatius.
With The Second Vatican Council, various movements in the Church were urged to re-discover their original identity and particular charisms. In response, 38 Sodalities met in 1967 to try to recapture the Ignatian charism. The outcome was a new name, with General Principles to support the way of life. Pope Paul VI gave final approval for these on 31May 1971. Today we are one world body, present in 60 countries, with a World Secretariat in Rome.
CLC in South Africa began in the 70’s in the Northern areas of South Africa through Jesuit and Dominican influence and spread South through a full time lay worker. Today, CLC South Africa is a recognised member of the world body and is served by national and regional committees and a Jesuit Ecclesiastical Assistant. CLC is spread across vast distances in our country.
At present, CLC functions in 3 main areas/regions, the Gauteng Region, mainly in and around Johannesburg, the Western Cape, mainly in and around Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape mainly in Port Elizabeth, with key members in King Williams Town and East London. In addition, there are ‘satellite’ groups scattered throughout the country, affiliated to one of the three main regions. We have about 150 members and many friends!
Those who work to support the structures of CLC are called out of a sense of great gratitude for the treasure found through CLC - the treasure of the ongoing encounter with Christ. This is facilitated by the CLC process and formation according to the Spiritual Exercises. The sharing of this treasure is a deep desire and challenge – in our everyday lives at home, at work, in our parishes, wider communities in our country and in our world.
Acknowledgements: Protea drawings by Jane Hulley