Report of the Superior General to the XIV General Synod (part two)

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Starting afresh after Cuernavaca

Dear brothers,

I am continuing my reflections following the first part of the report that I gave last Friday which sought to open up and encourage a spiritual context connected with the opening liturgy of the Synod. Yesterday the reflections of Fr. Aquilino Bocos Merino shed further light on our journey and encouraged us to continue the search for choices that will give us new vitality and energy.

We must afresh again after Cuernavaca and following the decisions that the 2008 Synod made and the direction that it provided. However, in order to understand as well as possible what happened and its meaning we need to review, even if only briefly, the period “before” Cuernavaca.

1. There were twelve provincial Chapters that were celebrated during the two years between the Synods of 2008-2010. There were a significant number of changes in provincial government and therefore it is good to review the steps that were taken in furthering the process of Restructuring because even if it is true that the Congregation is trying to involve all of the religious in the process, it is also true that when someone is called to the ministry of authority the religious understand and perceive him differently and he assumes a greater responsibility for the phases of discernment and the consequences of the decisions that were made.

2. The initial inspiration for the process of Restructuring originated at the General Chapter of 2000: “The capitulars noted the need for an organizational renewal of structures in the Congregation.” (C.D. 4.7); “‘Solidarity’ is the word chosen to describe a new way of being together as Passionists in the mission for the life of the world. New realities call for new responses in faith…Solidarity calls us to a profound conversion of mind and heart. We grow in awareness that life is a gift to be shared.” (C.D. 4.6)

However, the true and actual beginning of the process took place at the Synod of 2004 during which it was recognized as a call from God to conversion and to new, creative fidelity in community life, in mission and in solidarity within the Congregation, giving preference to the poor. [...]

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| Download | Report of the Sup. General to the XIV General Synod (part one)

The Report of the General Secretary for Solidarity and Mission

P. Jesus Maria Aristin, General Secretary for Solidarity and the Missions, updated the synod members with his report about the activities recently undertaken by his office. He underlined the importance for supporting the development of local JPIC initiatives, that do require the engagement of more Passionists that specific area. Then Fr. Jesús reaffirmed – as was already stated at the pre-synodal workshop - that our engagement in JPIC is an expression of our charism, therefore it is an important aspect of our mission.

Summary from the Drafting Commission: 22 october

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The day began with the Opening Liturgy, celebrated at three ‘stations’. In the Atrium of the Crucifix, after prayer and sacred reading, lanyards were conferred on the Synod members who then went in procession to the statue of Saint Paul of the Cross. At this second ‘station’, the co-ordinator of each configuration received a piece of the Synod logo as a ‘Symbolum Fraternitatis’.

After singing ‘Salve, Sancte Pater’, the assembly moved to the aula for the third ‘station’ where the logo-symbol was put together and Synod members attached their lanyards to the completed logo. Then, in the presence of the icon of Mary, ‘Salus Populi Romani’, the Synod members invited the Holy Spirit to be present in their midst.

The opening address of the General Superior of the Passionists

The inspirational address of the Fr. General opened the activities of the Synod. He invited all the member of the assembly to recall the fundamental elements of our charism that were the inspirational principles of the journey undertaken so far. He stressed that we have to root ourselves in the Passionist, but at the same time we have to address the challenges of the modern world. We are profoundly convinced that the Solidarity, that we are trying to implement, is an expression of the Memory of the Passion that is still the remedy for the evils of the World.

Report of the Superior General to the XIV General Synod (part one)

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Greetings and Introductory reflections

1. Dear brothers in Christ Crucified and Risen,

Fraternal greetings and best wishes to all of you here and, in particular, to each of you who, with various titles and responsibilities, are participating in this Synod. I especially wish to greet and welcome those of you who have recently been elected as Major Superiors and who are at a Synod assembly for the first time. You will enrich us with your creativity and enthusiasm. 

I also greet all of you in the name of the General Council and the community of Sts. John and Paul that offers us hospitality for the celebration of the XIV Synod of the Congregation. I welcome you and through you, with heart and mind, I see and remember all the religious of our communities and the laity of the Passionist Family who, as laborers called to the vineyard of the Lord, live and work in sixty countries. I especially wish to remember the sick and those who suffer in spirit: may the Lord bless them and may our spiritual and human concern comfort them.

I ask the men and women religious and laity to accompany us with their prayer so that the Synod may be a grace-filled event that enlightens our mind, so that we may discern the ways of the Lord for the Congregation today. May it open our hearts to charity and to generosity, and strengthen our will so that we may act courageously and definitively on what He asks of us.

2. The theme of the Synod, “Solidarity for a new life and mission”, is intended to unite us ideologically and substantially with the last Synod of 2008 that was celebrated in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It was an event that continues to offer us wonderful memories and encouragement about what has been accomplished along the journey of the Congregation. We also recall the warm welcome that we received from the religious of the Province of Christ the King, and the women religious and the laity that share our spirituality. Again, thank you: May our Lady of Guadalupe also guide and protect us during this Synod.

3. The graphic design of the Logo of this Synod consists of a Passionist Sign surrounding the world, lands and seas, along with the inscription: “Solidarity for a new life and mission”. The words follow the path of the curve of the continents between South America and Australia, encircling lower Africa. It is meant to signify our unity as an integrated family immersed in the charism. The Passionist Sign which envelopes it is meant to enhance solidarity, enlivening our community life and mission. In addition to being an ideal and a hope, as is symbolized by the color green of the contents of the Logo, solidarity is a goal to which we aspire and is indicated by the red-colored fire that forms the background of the Sign, which is immersed in the light of the resurrection and a new dawn [...]

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| Download | Report of the Sup. General to the XIV General Synod (part two)

Day of Formation and Reflection on the Themes of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC)

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Summary from the Drafting Commission

Before beginning the work of the Synod properly so called, the members of the Synod were invited to spend a day of formation and reflection on the themes of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). The general aim of the day was to remind the members of the Synod that JPIC is an integral part of the life and mission of all Passionists.

The specific aims were:

1. To give a general overview of JPIC
2. To highlight the connection between the Gospel, church teaching on JPIC and Passionist spirituality
3. To explain how JPIC is integral to the work of the USG/UISG
4. To encourage provincials to integrate JPIC into the life and ministry of their provinces, especially in initial and ongoing formation programmes
5. To support JPIC animation and encourage development of appropriate structures.

The day was led by Father Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire OFM, who had worked as a missionary in El Salvador from 1984 to 1998. He later worked as co-ordinator of the Franciscan JPIC office in Rome and is now Secretary General of the JPIC office of the Union of Superiors General USG/UISG.

Letter of convocation of the XIV General Synod of the Congregation of the Passion

Dear brothers, women religious and laity of the Passionist Family, I send greetings to all of you on my part, and also on behalf of the members of the General Council who at this time are making canonical visitations in preparation for the celebration of various provincial chapters. My means of this letter and according to the norms of our Constitutions at numbers 144, 145 and 146, I am hereby convoking the XIV General Synod of the Congregation.

As was stated in Cuernavaca, Mexico, during the last Synod of 2008, the next Synod of 2010 will be celebrated in Rome at our Generalate of Sts. John and Paul during 21 -31 October 2010. The participants can begin arriving in Rome on Monday, 18 October in order to be able to celebrate together the solemnity of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross, the following day, Tuesday, 19 October. However, everyone must be present by Wednesday, 20 October because the Synod will begin on Thursday morning, the 21st, and will conclude on the morning of Sunday, 31 October. That same evening and during the following days everyone will be at liberty to depart.