Our Chapter Reports, 13th day, 14th day, Latin American perspectives.

Thirteenth Day. 30th September by Javier Trapero

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God” (1 John 4:7-16). This text was used for the Communal Wisdom Prayer in the morning. Ho Tombokan, as Host for the day, recalled that it was the feast of St. Jerome and greeted Moacir Goulart, provincial of Curitiba (Brazil) and Yvon Banackissa, provincial of UAF, on their birthdays.

As the consultation by the Superior General for the General Assistants continued, the capitulants again went back to the matters for consideration raised in the first few days. On this occasion, the dialogue was done in small groups by themes. Each member of the Chapter chose the one in which he or she wished to participate.

• Laity

• Ageing
• Identity
• Ongoing formation
• Safeguarding

• Secretariat,
• communications
• Structures (Territorial and
• General Administration)
• JPIC
• Internationality and Mission

At the end of the day’s work, all gathered in the main hall and voted on the remaining proposed amendments to the Constitutions.

Finally, daily mass was celebrated, presid ed by Sylvester To Warwakai, provincial of Papua NG

Fourteenth Day. 1st October by Javier Trapero

The day’s work was different. In the morning, after the Communal Wisdom Prayer (Psalm 91) and the announcements of Simione Volavola, host of the day, the first session again went back to the matters for consideration raised in the first few days. There was a special intervention by Daniel Auguié, who wrote a letter to all the capitulants, written in the person of Fr. Jules Chevalier, in which he encouraged all the MSC to remain firm in the mission and shared with them the difficult situation that the house and the Sanctuary at Issoudun have been going through. Then the Superior General’s consultation for General Assistants continued. 

Vito, Pacific Islands Provincial

After the conclusion of this first session, the delegates of the different provinces and unions, as well as the representatives of the Laity of the Chevalier Family and the other guests of the General Chapter, had a day of rest. The reason was the holding of the General Conference in the second session of the morning and the whole afternoon, to which only the Provincial Superiors and the General Administration were summoned. 

As every day, at the end of the sessions, the closing mass took place, presided by Herman Van Dijck, substitute for the Provincial of Belgium, together with André Claessens, Assistant General.

Insight from the Delegate of Central America & Mexico by Javier Trapero

Raul Ruiz commented that thanks to the virtual meetings he already knew what was going to be discussed and that it was a good work participated by everyone. He had never participated in a General Chapter before and what he has been experiencing here is that he feels part of the Congregation and not just another brother. He believes that this Chapter will mark the progress of the Congregation because of the theme of the previous work, and it will give a boost and a return to the sources as an identity. “To see ourselves as a body”, he says, “not to think of the Province, but of the Congregation. I am excited and passionate about this“.

In the Province of Central America and Mexico, he feels that they are living a beautiful moment, without major difficulties among the MSC and with a very strong missionary spirit. There are 20 people in formation and he thinks this gives them great strength. As a province, they feel in communion with the General House and are grateful for the accompaniment. They feel the need to strengthen certain commissions in the sense of mission.

He comments that there have been enriching series of dialogues in the working groups,  “it is truly a great richness of knowing how to listen to each other” and that with the experience of the Chapter, he does not feel alone, that he has all the missionaries of his province behind him and they are thinking of how to share what is said at the Chapter to all the communities.

He detects a special concern for formation, for learning a new language in order to be able to respond to mission. “I feel that we are an international congregation, that we have lived in a federation of provinces and now we live in a congregational sense, with a common house of studies… above all, thinking about what the different missions that the Congregation may ask of us, but if we are not prepared, we will not be able to respond”.

He also spoke of the awareness of respect for people with what has been said about JPIC, the protection of minors, and the authoritarianism with which people can be harmed. He stresses that “we are dealing with issues that have led us to touch on and take certain solutions,” and that this is good and beneficial for the whole Congregation. “To the extent that we read the documents and put them into practice, this will be the way to strengthen the future of the Congregation and the MSC spirit… they are a challenge“. He concludes by stressing and emphasizing the aspect of synodality as part of the organization of the Congregation.