Reflection on the General Chapter – John Mulrooney MSC

And with Pope Francis

GENERAL CHAPTER REFLECTION – 2023

At the end of the General Chapter the “Oceanic Territory” group met and we agreed to make a short video on various issues at the Chapter. We also agreed we would write a short personal reflection on the Chapter to be sent out to our various Province members….

When the facilitator asked us at the end of the chapter: “What has touched your heart?” my first thought went to something the Dutch Provincial said at one stage: “Our life’s work is done”. The 26 members of the Province are elderly but still they give life to other Provinces through their extensive resources and continuing interest in the life of the MSC worldwide. The Dutch, along with the French and the Belgians will be working on the process of become a ‘European Union’ later in 2024.

We set a ‘cracking pace’ at the Chapter. Starting at 8.30 and finishing at 7.30 pm with dinner, with a one hour break after lunch meant some weary souls from time to time. There were so many important issues to be addressed – declining Provinces, restructuring, working more across Provinces, thinking ‘internationally’, safeguarding, ongoing formation, JPIC, laity of the Chevalier family and so on. I was dreading the work on all the changes to the Constitutions however the work that was done by the Commission prior to the Chapter (thanks to Tim Brennan and Carl Tranter in particular) made it smooth sailing. At the previous chapter thirteen changes were presented and only one got passed!!!

With all our cultural differences – we are all in our hearts one! We all have our own journey’s of ups and downs and through it all we try to love with a human heart. Our struggles are the same; we all have the same issues day to day in our communities and ministries. I think most of us were very glad that we were there and we came away inspired and enriched by the goodness of the men; the extent of the challenges so many face. It was obvious the charism lived in each one of us lift us up and provides an answer to the many issues we face in our own countries.

This was my fourth General Chapter and my last. It is the best one I have been to. We certainly provided the General Administration plenty to work on in the coming years!!!

A last quote from the Chapter: “If you are not the message, what’s the message”?

John Mulrooney MSC

Our Chapter Reports, Day 15, Day 16 – and some nostalgia for those who have visited the General House.

Fifteenth Day, 2^nd October, a visit to Via Asmara

Photos of the visit and lunch – and some memories of visiting the General House

Drone-eye view of lunch in the courtyard

At ground level

Recreation Room

The pool

Buffet

Sixteenth Day. 3rd October by Javier Trapero

The day went by without much in the way of news. After the last day’s papal audience, there were no birthdays or feast days to celebrate the next day. Humberto Enriques was the host for the day which started as usual with the Communal Wisdom Prayer (Luke 10:1-9), … “Cure the sick who are there, and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come unto you”. 

Chris Chaplin and Michael Angelo Acera Dacalos (Philippines, Communication)

The day’s work was devoted to reviewing and approving, where appropriate, the conclusions and recommendations documents that the capitulants worked on Saturday on the following topics:

• Laity
• Ageing
• Identity
• Ongoing formation
• Safeguarding
• Secretariat, communications
• Structures (Territorial and General Administration)
• JPIC
• Internationality and Mission

Two of the topics to be discussed were not accepted, pending the approval tomorrow of the proposed amendments, modifications and clarifications: Safeguarding and Structures (Territorial and General Administration). 

At the end of the day, during the last of the breaks, the official T-shirts were distributed to each of the capitulants, as well as to the invited guests and all the staff of the General Chapter.

The Mass at the end of the day was presided by the Sam Maranresy, Provincial of Indonesia, together with Gregorius Hertanto, delegate of Indonesia.

Chapter audience with Pope Francis.  And text of his address.

And a range of photos -with thanks to various sites and Facebook pages.

And a note.  The Vatican text in English says Laymen of the Chevalier Family – dear oh dear!! And it is their title now which says Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts.

We include the whole address for those who would like to download it.

ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEARTS  Clementine Hall, Monday, 2 October, 2023

Dear Brothers, good morning and welcome!

I greet the Superior General and all of you at this meeting, which is taking place during the 26th General Chapter of your Institute.

On 8 December 1854, Father Jules Chevalier founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Issudun, France, a foundation that would be followed in time by those of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, joined by lay associates, known as the Laymen of the Chevalier Family.

From the beginning, he thought of you as missionaries, committed to making God's love

known in the world in order to obtain from men a response of love. And it is beautiful, in this

perspective, that you have chosen to be guided on the path of the Chapter by the Gospel

pericope of Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). We can derive three fundamental attitudes from it, to

reflect on your charismatic identity and your missionary commitment: to know the Heart of

Jesus through the Gospel; to deepen its message in fraternal sharing; to proclaim it to all in

the joy of mission.

First: to know the Heart of Jesus through the Gospel, that is, by meditating on His life. It is

there, in fact, that He continues to make Himself our travelling companion (cf. vv. 25-27). Fr

Chevalier liked to define the Gospel as the book "of the Sacred Heart", while inviting

everyone to contemplate in it the charity with which the Saviour allowed Himself to be

touched by all poverty, happy to pour out the tenderness and compassion of His Heart on the

little ones and the poor, the suffering, sinners and all the miseries of humanity. Moreover, the

explanation of the Scriptures that Jesus offers to the disciples of Emmaus along the way is not

theoretical: it is the direct testimony of the One who fulfilled what he is talking about, loving

the Father and his brothers and sisters to the cross, receiving in his flesh the wounds of the

nails and allowing his Heart to be pierced for pure charity. The Risen One, who makes

Himself known in the breaking of the Bread, is the One who conquered death by giving life,

who showed mankind the Father's love by loving them without measure with His divine and

human Heart, and who therefore knows how to speak words that make the breast burn! This is

how one gets to know the Heart of Jesus: by contemplating in the Gospel his immense mercy,

like Mary, whom you venerate under the title of "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart" and who

knows how to show us the Heart of her Son precisely because "she kept these things

pondering them in hers" (Lk 2:19). This then is the first invitation:

to know the Heart of Jesus by meditating on the Gospel. And on this, do not be afraid of

silence, do not be afraid!

For this strong experience to become light for the journey, it must also pass through the

enrichment of sharing. Here is the second element: deepening and understanding the Word in

fraternal sharing. At Emmaus, the disciples, immediately after recognising Jesus, ask each

other in amazement what they had experienced (cf. v. 32). It is an invitation also for us to

make a gift to one another of the wonder that is born in the heart when one encounters the

Lord. Before meeting him, the two companions discussed failures and disappointments,

afterwards they rejoice at having seen the Risen One! Sharing was also important in Fr

Chevalier's life. In the seminary, he passed on his fervour and his dreams to some sensitive

companions, whom he used a play on words to call the knights (chevaliers) of the Sacred

Heart. And it was in meeting one of them again after years of distance, animated by the same

zeal, that he saw the long-awaited sign to begin the foundation. Therefore, in the work of this

Chapter, as in the ordinary discernment of your communities, I invite you too to always put

fraternal sharing of your encounter with Christ, in the Word, in the Sacraments and in life, at

the basis of everything and before everything else. You will then be able to address even the

most pressing problems constructively. Sharing among yourselves.

And we come to the last aspect: the joyful proclamation in the mission. The disciples of

Emmaus leave without delay, return to Jerusalem and tell what has happened (cf. vv. 33-35).

You have chosen as a motto for your chapter work the words: 'from ego to echo', that is, from

self to common home, to family, to community, to creation. It is a strong expression and a

commitment for your future, especially for discernment about new types of ministry to which

you should open yourselves. There is no shortage of challenges: witness the Martyrs of your

congregation and the many areas of charity in which you have already been called to work on

all continents. The poor, the migrants, the many miseries and injustices that continue to renew

themselves in the world urgently question us. Faced with them, do not be afraid to allow

yourselves to be caught up in the compassion of the Heart of Christ; as your Founder said,

allow him to love through you and to manifest his mercy through your goodness. And do this

with courage, as he did - for example, when he accepted the mission in Melanesia and

Micronesia, albeit with limited strength - allowing the irresistible tenderness of the Sacred

Heart to shape, modify and even upset, if necessary, your plans and projects. Please do not be

afraid of tenderness! God's style can be said in three words: closeness, compassion and

tenderness. God is like that: close, compassionate, tender. Be like this with others. But this

closeness, this compassion, this tenderness you will receive in dialogue with Jesus. Prayer is

so important to bring this about. Without prayer, things do not work, do not go.

Thank you, dear brothers, for what you are and what you do! Continue your work with

enthusiasm. Flee from sadness, which is the cankerworm that ruins personal and consecrated

life! That sadness that brings you down, not the good sadness of repentance, that is another

thing, but that daily sadness is a woodworm that ruins. I bless you from my heart. And I

recommend t h a t y o u pray for me, because I need it, this work is not so easy! Thank you.

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.

Our Chapter Reports, end of the second week

We have already shared the news of Abzalon’s re-election as Superior General. These are the reports of the sessions.

Ninth Day. 26th September by Javier Trapero

The ninth day of the 26th MSC General Chapter was the first of the two-day process for the Election of the Superior General of the Congregation. It was a day dedicated to discernment and began, as in previous days, with the Communal Wisdom Prayer (Acts 15,22-31). The day was hosted by Simione Volavola.

Joe and Frances, facilitators, led the discernment process, this time with a question for reflection in the morning inviting the capitulants to ask themselves, “What, God, are You asking of the Congregation today and into the future?“.

In the afternoon, in the first session, the question was “What kind of leader are You calling?“. This concluded the discernment phase. After the break, the voting took place to nominate candidates from whom the Superior General would be chosen the following day.

The day ended with a Mass. On this occasion, it was a special Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten the capitulants in the final vote. Edwin Borlasa, Provincial of the Philippines, presided.

Tenth Day. 27th September by Javier Trapero

The 26th MSC General Chapter reached a very important moment. After the last day’s discernment sessions, the tenth day was the day of the election of the Superior General. From the beginning of the day, every detail was charged with symbolism. In the Communal Wisdom Prayer, the text by Fr. Jules Chevalier, “The Heart of Jesus is the Center upon which all things converge”, was used together with the readings from Luke 24:28-32, which recalled the end of the journey of the disciples at Emmaus, when they invited Jesus to sit at table, and the reading Philippians 2:1-8, which says, “he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.”

It was the turn of Humberto as host, who reminded that St. Vincent de Paul’s Feast Day was also celebrated in the Church that day. 

In the first session in the morning, Frances, facilitator, invited all the capitulants to a final moment of reflection, asking the question: “God, who are You calling to the service of leadership?” At that moment, a dialogue between brothers was recommended, small moments to discuss who should be the person to lead the Congregation for the next six years.

These meetings of dialogue, calm and serene, lasted the whole morning.

After lunch, all the electors were called back to the main hall to proceed to the voting. On this occasion, before the vote, a final question was asked to make each voter aware of what he was going to participate in, “Who do you sense God is calling to ‘stay with us’ as our leader for the next six years?”

The election of the Superior General took place in the first round and Abzalón Alvarado, msc, was re-elected for a second term. An official communiqué was then sent out which contained the main ideas of his speech after the election.

The day ended with a Mass of Thanksgiving presided by the former Superior General, Michael Curran, in which Abzalón made the Profession of Faith.

11^th Day – Excursion to Assisi

Twelfth Day. 29th September by Javier Trapero

After a restful excursion in Assisi,  the capitulants went back to the matters for consideration raised in the first few days, i.e., on the Constitutions and other documents. The visit to Assisi was a short rest after the election of the Superior General, the capitulants visited the birthplace of St. Francis, and where St. Clare and Blessed Carlo Acutis are also buried.

The day began with the Communal Wisdom Prayer (1 Corinthians 12:12-31a). After it,  John Mulrooney reminded the assembly of the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels and informed the capitulants that the Superior General’s consultation for General Assistants would take place over the next five days.

All the sessions, both morning and afternoon, were devoted to the final votes on the topics discussed in the previous days,  i.e., Safeguarding, Formation,  and Finance.

Once again, the day’s work ended with the Eucharist. It was presided by Ronnie Diniz, provincial of Rio de Janeiro, together with Mesías Neyra, provincial of Andean Union.

Our Chapter Reports, End of the First Week – and Insights from our Laity.

Eighth Day. 25th September.

by Javier Trapero

Like in the Creation story, the seventh day (Sunday) was a day of rest. The formal chapter sessions continued on Monday with the Communal Wisdom Prayer led by Willy Méndez  (text from 2 Corinthians 3,1-10). After the group reflection, the whole assembly congratulated Willy on his birthday.

HoTombokan was the host for the day. It was a day dedicated to the Blessed MSC Martyrs of Canet de Mar.

Throughout the day, the capitulants worked on the Proposals of the Constitutions & Statutes Commission.

It was clarified that changes in the Constitutions proposed by a General Chapter would need a two-thirds majority and the approval of the Holy See. Changes in the Statutes, on the other hand, could be changed by a General Chapter without the need for approval of the Holy See. A vote was taken on each of the proposed changes.

The day concluded with a Mass dedicated to the Blessed Martyrs MSC of Canet de Mar, presided by Paco Blanco, provincial of Spain, together with Willy Mendez, delegate.

Insights from our Lay attending the Chapter

by Javier Trapero

The 26th MSC General Chapter is blessed to have members from our Laity of the Chevalier Family (LCF) attending and having a consultative voice in the chapter. 

Alison McKenzie, the Secretary General of the International Council (LCF) shares that she is honored to have been invited and that many of the missionary stories she has heard truly inspired her. From the point of view of the laity, she hopes to be able to define their place in the Chevalier Family and their relationship with the MSC. She considers the Laity of the Chevalier Family as interdependents with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Alison hopes that in the future the presence of the laity in the Chevalier Family will increase and be all the more recognized; that the meaning of what it means to be a lay member will be more deeply understood. “We live the charism through a secular life, through our family, our work, our relationships, our children… all these things are a vocation. There we live the Spirituality of the Heart and this is not a distraction from our vocation, it is a way of living this spirituality in everyday life, it is not an inferior way of living the Spirituality of the Heart, it is a different way than a religious, a parish priest in a parish. We too have a vocation,” she says.

The Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia held their gathering at Douglas Park last weekend - story and photos on our site next weekend.

Alison believes that the Congregation recognizes this way of living the spirituality, but does not fully understand it. The lay have their particularities and the religious have theirs.

Alison comments that as the Chevalier Family, “we are the third branch created by Jules Chevalier.” She says that it is impossible to imagine the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart without the laity. Therefore she asks that not only the members of the General Chapter, provincials and delegates, understand this role as an autonomous branch, united in spirit and mission, interdependent but autonomous within the Chevalier Family, but that all religious understand this; that the MSC in the local groups are spiritual companions, not the leader. They must be the link to carry out the interrelationship with the Congregation, but, at the same time, understand the autonomy of the laity within the Chevalier Family to which they belong.

In 2024, the Laity of the Chevalier Family will have their General Assembly in the Philippines in which representatives of the Trigeneralate (Polce, msc, Sr. Merle, fdnsc, and Sr. Nicola, msc) will participate. The Chevalier Family laity are present in 35 countries and representatives from 27 countries will attend. She is very happy with this response and hopes that it will give a new impetus to the lay movement within the Chevalier Family.

Participating in this General Chapter is very important and she is grateful for the invitation.

Alison with Doris Machado from Brazil (Deputy of the International Council of Laity of the Chevalier Family)

Our Chapter Reports, Days 5 and 6

Sylvester Warwakai, PNG Provincial (who spent some time at Cuskelly House, Blackburn, and at YTU)

Fifth Day. 22nd September, by Javier Trapero

This day was dedicated to the memory of the Blessed MSC Martyrs of El Quiché. In the Communal Wisdom Prayer, the text from Psalm 119:97-105 was used for personal reflection and subsequent sharing in the prayer groups. After this time of prayer, Humberto Henriques opened the day’s work and announced, among other things, the birthday of Ms. Doris Maldonado, Deputy in the International Council of the Lay Chevalier Family.

Work was done on the Reports from some of the Commissions established by the General Leadership Team according to the recommendations of the 2021 General Conference, namely:

• Safeguarding Commission: Tim Brenan, as head of the Safeguarding Commission, explained the importance of addressing the issue of safeguarding. Some provincials have had to address this issue in their provinces. Tim wanted to convey to all the capitulants to “not congratulate yourselves for making the document, congratulate yourselves for putting it into practice in your provinces”. Joe, facilitator, proposed a moment of dialogue and personal reflection afterwards with other capitulants.

• Commission on International Houses of Formation: Humberto introduced the people who have been working on this issue in recent years, among whom was Bogey Cabrera who died recently. Carl Tranter, one of the members of this commission, intervened to explain the document. The main idea for the dialogue focused on the international aspect of MSC formation.

From the two themes of the afternoon, the first session continued the discussion on formation, an issue that was linked to the last session on the older MSC:

• Ongoing formation: Chris Chaplin was in charge of leading this session, which he described as very important and underlined the need for the requirement to have Ongoing Formation coordinators and facilitators at the Entity level.

• Ageing Commission: The dialogue revolved around the Compilation of Congregational Feedback, a document dealing with the issue of ageing and proposals to address it. Joe was the facilitator, but Theo te Wierik and Sam Maranresy, provincials of the Netherlands and Indonesia respectively, showed a reality present in their provinces, stressing the importance of approaching this issue from the perspective of closeness and affection for the MSC who are getting older.

The day ended with the remembrance of the Blessed MSC Martyrs of El Quiché in the Eucharist presided over by Raúl Ruiz, provincial of Central America and Mexico, together with Willy Méndez.

Sixth Day. 23rd September, by Javier Trapero

Alan Neville began the Morning Prayer with some texts from Fr. Jules Chevalier and our Constitutions.
“The undertaking may seem foolhardy, but we have signs of God’s blessing […]” (Jules Chevalier, 1866)
“We will do everything for everyone, respecting the different cultures and being ready to take on any apostolic services that people may need […]”. (MSC Const., n. 24) “Elderly or sick confreres who are unable to work continue to participate in the mission of their religious family”. (MSC Const., n. 25)

John Mulrooney was the day’s host. He reminded everyone that it was the feast of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, more known as Padre Pio

The day continued with the Commission Reports, namely:

• JPIC Commission

Andre Claessens, JPIC Commission

• Internationality & Mission
• Commission Structures

On JPIC, it was discussed whether it could really become a priority for the congregation in the future and how networking could be created.

Regarding the Internationality & Mission Commission, the discussion focused on interculturality and what mission meant for some MSC in a province that was not their own.

After lunch there was a meeting with Tim Brenan for those capitulants who had questions from the previous day about the Safeguarding Commission. In the said meeting, they were able to present more concrete views on this issue and the MSC General Safeguarding Policy Document that was approved the previous day.

The afternoon was devoted entirely to dialogue on the structures of the congregation for the future. One of the most important topics was the Province of Italy.

The day concluded with a Mass presided over by John Chinnapan, delegate of Indian Union, together with Darwin Thatheus, union superior.

Our Chapter Reports, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Days

Alison McKenzie, General Secretary, Laity of the MSC, addresses the Chapter

Second Day. 19th September.

by Javier Trapero

The day began with Communal Wisdom Prayer. Fr. Chris Chaplin, msc, read the Gospel from the on Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27), the same reading that inspired the journey towards this General Chapter. After a moment of silence and personal reflection, the capitulants went to different rooms to share their reflections of prayer with one another.

Peter Carroll

Back in the Chapter Hall and before beginning the work of discernment, Br Joe McKee, one of the facilitators, presented the methodology that will be used on this second day: ‘World Cafe‘. A method of listening and dialogue across language groups to enable the sharing of the concerns and proposals that each senses is emerging from the Chapter for the Congregation.

Each World-Cafe group has large sheets of paper on the table to write, draw or doodle the ideas that arise during the dialogue and that will be put in a ‘parking space’ at the end of the day for delegates to ponder further.

Four questions were posed for this dialogue:

• What strengths do you see?
• Are there areas for growth? 
• Do you see any risks or possible difficulties?
• What seems to be emerging that you sense the Chapter needs to consider further?

Tim Brennan

The purpose of these questions is to enable the capitulants to have a conversation; sharing the ideas that were collected in the document ‘Compilation of Congregational Feedback’ that was presented at the Online Pre-Chapter Session on June 20-21.

At the end of the day, the reflections of all the working groups, written and drawn on the sheets that were given to them at the beginning of the day, were placed on boards and the walls of the hall, for the Chapter reflection the following day.

To end this second day of work, Mass was presided by Fr. Juan Tomás García, msc, dedicated to St. Joseph, as the father of Jesus, the heart of God incarnate. An image of St. Joseph occupied an important place in the hall throughout the day.

_____________________________

Third Day. 20th September.

by Javier Trapero

The day began with the daily Communal Wisdom Prayer (Mark 6:30-34), personal reflection, and subsequent sharing in prayer groups. 

Ho Tombokan, msc, Indonesian delegate, welcomed the Papua New Guinea capitulars, Fr. Sylvester To Warwakai, Provincial Superior, and the delegates, Fr. Christian Waira and Fr. Fabian Manukailona.

John Mulrooney (and Chris Chaplin)

There were some special moments at the beginning of the day. The whole assembly congratulated Fr. Abzalon on his birthday, Fr. André Claessens on the anniversary of his first profession. and there was a remembrance for the Korean Martyrs, Ss. Andrew Kim Taegon & Companions.

The day’s work began with Frances, facilitator, who explained the main attitude that should be present in the day’s work. Following on from the reading from Emmaus, the main idea of the day was the time for sharing at the table. It was a day of accompaniment as the issues that would be dealt with by the capitulants had to do with the attitude of ‘being present on the road‘.

• General Leadership Team vision and accompaniment: The document ‘General Admin Report’ was used.
• MSC Brothers and MSC Identity: Joe, facilitator, introduced the topic with three questions: 
  • Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?”
  • “Who do you say YOU are?”
  • “Who do you choose to be?”

Carl Tranter

In the afternoon session, two other themes closely related to accompaniment were also addressed:

• Initial Formation: Fr. Humberto explained the process that started from the first document written on formation 60 years ago, the Valladolid document, to the current one, “Emmaus: Formation of the Heart” with Formation as an idea of accompaniment.
• Safeguarding: The working sessions ended with a theme that the congregation has been dealing with for some time and which will also be important in the future. 

The day ended with the celebration of Fr. Absalon’s birthday, where some capitulants participated in games and songs to liven up the party.

_________________________________

Fourth Day. 21st September.

by Javier Trapero

September 21, Feast of Saint Matthew. Both the morning prayer and the evening Eucharist were dedicated to the Evangelist. In the Communal Wisdom Prayer, the reading from James 2:14-26 was read, then each capitulant reflected on the text personally first and then in prayer groups.

Fr. Simone Volavola was the host of the day. He took care of communicating the daily housekeeping: the ordination anniversaries of Fr. Joe McGee and Fr. Herman Van Dijck, as well as the anniversary of their first vows and those of Fr. Carl Tranter, Fr. Michael Curran, and Fr. Ton Zwart.

Michael Curran

The day marked the end of the process of discernment and of work with the documents provided by the General Administration, which were presented and commented on during the Online Pre-Chapter sessions.

• Finance: As in the previous sessions, the morning began with a personal reflection, followed by a presentation in groups. At the end, there was a plenary wherein the capitulants were able to ask direct questions to the people in charge of drafting the document: Fr. Absalon, Fr. Chris Chaplin, Ms. Sofia Amante, Fr. Benny Laisana, and Fr. Michael Huber.

• Laity: The morning ended with a presentation by Frances, facilitator, on the new role of the laity in the Church and the impulse that Pope Francis is giving them. The session was completed by the interventions and testimonies of Ms. Alison McKenzie, Secretary General of the International Council of the Lay Chevalier Family; Mr. Javier Trapero, Responsible for Communications in Spain Province; and Ms. Doris Maldonado, Deputy in the International Council of the Lay Chevalier Family and a lay missionary.

The afternoon’s work dealt with the final topics on the documents of the General Administration:

• Secretariat, Communication, Archives, and Postulation: topics that required less time for dialogue but are of utmost importance for the overall development of the congregation.

Then it was time to conclude the work on the documents provided by the General Administration, and Joe, as facilitator, encouraged the whole assembly of capitulants to have a moment of discernment and to make a synthesis of what had been discussed in these working sessions.

At the end of the day’s work, a Mass was celebrated, presided by Fr. Carl Tranter, in which he reflected on the call of St. Matthew and how his particular vocation and transformation story could resonate with our own discipleship stories.

Our Chapter – opening Mass, and from Abzalon’s homily

Some pictures of the Mass – and if you look closely, you will find Stephen Hackett, John Mulrooney, Tim Brennan and, invited to the Chapter, Alison McKenzie. And Chris Chaplin with the General Councillors.

From the Homily

There is no point in counting forgiveness. Whoever starts counting how many times he/she forgives his brother goes down an absurd path that ruins the Spirit that must reign among those who follow Jesus.

In the face of a culture of vengeance without limits, Jesus proposes forgiveness without limits. We urgently need witnesses of Jesus who proclaim His Gospel with firm words and spread His peace with humble hearts—believers who live by forgiving and healing this unhealthy obstinacy of rivalries and revenge that has penetrated His Church.

Based on this evangelical invitation, which is to love ALL without measure and from our Spirituality of the Heart, during these six years we have tried,

• To develop a shared leadership according to the Spirituality of the Heart.
• To update the structures of our Society to better respond to the needs of our mission in a changing world.
• Promote and accompany congregational solidarity and the equitable sharing of the means of our Congregation, thus supporting the first steps of what will become the MSC Foundation.
• To commit ourselves to the promotion of Safeguarding Culture and integrity in ministry.
• Renew our MSC Spirit, seeking to transform clericalist and mediocre mentalities and attitudes towards commitment to JPIC and solidarity with those excluded and marginalized, such as refugees, migrants, and other areas of exclusion.

In commending our Chapter to a Mayan indigenous leader from Guatemala, he wrote me the fruit of his contemplation and prayer, and I share it with you today because, through the reflection of this Mayan leader, I feel that the Spirit is inviting us to become aware:

The Mayan indigenous leader said to me:

• There are many unresolved problems and difficulties trampling on the congregational journey.
• The health of our communities, in terms of community and generational relationships, is suffering from imbalances.
• The spirituality that characterizes us as a community needs to revitalize its roots from its originality.
• The Chapter is a time to allow ourselves to be shaken up so that new air can enter.
• As the Pope said in Portugal, we must deepen our relationships with ALL.
• We are called to weave new strategies of fraternal dialogue, and the quality of community life depends on the quality of our conversations.
• We are called to discern and seek remedies to heal unhealthy situations and solutions to the problems that distance us from the kingdom of God.

Brothers and Sisters, the theme of this Chapter is “Did not our hearts burn within us, as we walked along together“. It reminds us that this journey started in 1854 when Fr Chevalier began to feel his heart burning for the mission. It has continued to burn for 168 years. In the last six years, this journey has flowed in synodality and interconnectedness through the General Conferences of 2019 and 2021, the accompaniments carried out, the provincial activities and meetings, as well as the international encounters undertook.

Let’s make this time an opportunity for deep listening, freedom, and courage to believe in the process, trust the guidance of our facilitators, and, thus, build together an actual MSC ecosystem.

May Our Lady of the Sacred Heart help us so that we may create participative processes and deep and empathetic conversations during these three weeks of the Chapter Assembly.

Welcome to all, and we, as a result of this, declare the opening of our 26th General Chapter.

MSC General Chapter 2023

Opening, September 17^th (Australian time, early hours of 18^th.

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SVD Nemi

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