Mission and newness

“Listen to God where life calls...

(God) calls us with passion.”

After the previous day’s joyful, inspirational experience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, the Capitulants were ready to respond to the invitation of the God of Life to:

‘go out’.

Jesus goes out in the company of his disciples, walks, talks with them... We welcome Jesus in everything and in all...

Invited to listen to their hearts and hear where God is speaking and calling to them, the Capitulants expressed simply those issues touching them most nearly in a broken, suffering world.

The call to ‘continuous listening’, expressed by one, also describes the attitude of the whole Chapter.

The concluding prayer, based on Fr. Noailles’ preface to the 1851 General Rules, evoking old familiar phrases – various flowers, closeness to those who live under the common law... – served to emphasise the search for newness that is happening in the Chapter and give greater urgency to his mandate to “Go Forward!”.

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With the work in progress on the first Document presented to the Capitulants, there is a sense of expectancy, almost of birthing, as the theme of MISSION, outward-looking and daring, is being crystallised.

Before sending the Capitulants to finish the work begun on Tuesday, Christine made some comments.

Referring to the Pope’s talk at yesterday’s audience she said it seemed as if he had been talking directly to the Chapter.  Hard copies were left out for all to read.

She also said the SEDOS Annual Seminar on Mission/Missiology is currently in progress in Rome (20-24 May). (Incidentally, the theme of the Seminar is: “Sent by the God of surprises, New ways of being Missionaries")

Mission is something that affects us all. The Holy Family is here for MISSION in today’s world. We need tolook out if we are still looking in. In this connection, Christine mentioned a talk given by Maria Pilar Benavente Serrano MSOLA, a Faith and Praxis Associate, that could provide further food for reflection at this stage in the Chapter.

Eventually, it can be available in three languages.

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Mission and newness were uppermost in their minds, as the work done on the Preliminary Document was listened to attentively by the Capitulants

Eight Groups gave their reports on the work allocated on Tuesday (cf. A very busy day).

Because of the wholeness of the work, the Group Members were asked to let go of their particular group and hear what the others were saying. All the reports were read, one after the other, with the recommendation to look out for the big ideas.

The Steering Committee was given the job bringing together the ideas, suggestions, challenges and risks into a further text to be approved by the Chapter before being presented to the Institute.
 

Process for Electing the General Council  

This was the work of the afternoon.

Christine took the Capitulants through the process as she did for the Election of the General Leader/Superior General.

Points for consideration:

• The shape or type of leadership that will be required in view of the NEW VISION that will emerge
• This will determine the number of Councillors needed.
• The Process itself

The Process, as set out by Christine, is one that allows plenty of time for silence, discernment in prayer, discernment in groups and conversations.

All the implications of what it means to be a Councillor were put before the Chapter. She is elected on the basis of her ability to work on behalf of the Institute, not to represent a geographical area or group of any kind.

Election of the Vicar for the Contemplatives

This is done by the Contemplatives alone. The process drawn up by the Vicariate Council was presented by Bernadette (Vicar for the Contemplatives). It follows much the same lines as that for the Superior General.

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