Under the guidance of
the Central Commission, for a number of days now we have been engaged in
planning for the next six-year period. Our time is equally divided into
personal reflection, study by groups, and assembly meetings, in view of
drafting a general objective and the operational guidelines that take
well into consideration the suggestions contained in the replies to the
pre-Chapter questionnaire, in the Instrumentum laboris and in the
conferences that opened the illuminative stage. In the afternoon of 5
May, we have defined and approved the general objective:
"To intensify,
as individuals and as communities, the experience of Christ as lived
by the Apostle Paul, and interpreted and handed on to us by Blessed
James Alberione, so as to announce to all peoples the message of
Salvation through languages more appropriate to the present culture
of communication."
From this objective
shall be derived the specific objectives, the priorities and the
operational guidelines that shall lead the whole Congregation, and which
are already in an advanced stage of elaboration in the study groups.
Today, in the evening,
we are to have as a welcomed guest the bishop of Albano, His Ex. Msgr.
Agostino Vallini, who shall celebrate the Eucharist and stay for dinner
with the Chapter delegates. We are to celebrate with him the first
centenary of the birth of Ven. Maggiorino Vigolungo, the ideal model of
every Pauline aspirant.
Tomorrow afternoon, we
shall start the stage of discernment in view of the election stage,
under the guidance of the Claretian Fr. José Cristo Rey García Paredes.
The casting of votes is foreseen to begin on Sunday, 9 May, in the
morning. News will be given on the elections at the internet site of the
Chapter in the section "Nuovo Governo" (New Government). After
having completed the election of the General Council, a summary press
information shall be released. On 13 May, we shall be received in
audience by the Holy Father.
During the Eucharistic
Celebration of Tuesday, 4 May, first Tuesday of the month, we wanted to
remember one by one the 90 Paulines who passed away since the end of the
last General Chapter. We begin each of our assembly meetings with a
reading, a reflection and a prayer prepared by Fr. George Kaitholil ssp,
of the center of spirituality of Mumbai (India), based on the passages
most quoted by Don Alberione and consistent with our theme.
As we approach the most
delicate stage of the Chapter, we wish, once more, to express to you our
gratitude for your generosity in prayer to the Spirit who unites and
vivifies us.
