« Jesus whom we undertake to follow preferred the poor. The destitue, the dropouts, the victims of injustice and the sick welcomed Him as one of their own. They discovered in Him the eminent dignity of the poor according to the heart of God. Like Jesus, humbly, we make the choice of poverty according to the Beatitudes ; poverty which is above all the acceptance of our limits and of what is given to us, divesting and renouncing ourselves in order better to serve the Lord and our brothers. »

« This poverty of heart puts us into the hands of the Father. It makes us free, close to men and close to God, ready to preach Jesus Christ. »

« We have heard the Lord call us to voluntary poverty. Let us ensure it truly enters into our life. Let us accept occasional wants, for the poor are often in want. Let us be concerned to share with those near to us, and with everyone to show the world that the Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of love. Let us listen to other cultures to bring us nearer to humanity and to discover with them the gifts God has given them. Sent by the Lord, our sole treasure is the Gospel. »

[Constitutions, §33-35]