Abstract
As the subtitle indicates, the article analyzes von Balthasar’s thought on the states of life of christians in light of the creation of the figure of Secular Institutes in 1947 by the Apostolic Constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia. The author highlights the difference between classical thinking on evangelical counsels, based on the search for Christian perfection, and von Balthasar’s view based on the concepts of state of life and form. It underlines the significance of the writings published by von Balthasar in 1948 and 1956 not only to perceive the development of the Swiss theologian’s thought on the states of life, but also to delve -deeper into the consideration of their underlying principles. The author concludes by pointing out the need to arrive at a reflection on holiness in the Church that stems more decisively from the affirmation of the universal call to holiness.
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