13th Day: XXII General Chapter_A day before God in stillness and silence

The capitulars reflected on the gospel of the day from St. Luke, chapter 6 verses 39-42. “Taking out the plank in our own eye first”, is an illustration of not forgetting our one’s tendency to be self-righteous, a reminder that all ungodliness is a cause for concern, whether it be in ourselves or in others.

In the plenary, the capitulars joyfully sang a birthday song greeting S. Maria Whelita Mendoza on her birthday. At the same time, they offered a prayer for the eternal repose of the soul of S. Beatrix Gumpoltsberger from Austria who died today. The irony of life sets the tone for this day for a while; a life here on earth that is to be explored and lived with trust and confidence with the Lord and a life offered in eternity, where there is no more suffering but eternal joy and bliss.

After which, the capitulars were led to an experience of surrendering before God in stillness and silence, to listen to what the Lord is telling them in this stage of the general chapter. In an atmosphere of stillness, the capitulars are invited to arrive at a state where they can find something beyond what they can only comprehend, but what God is telling them.

Before the day ends, the delegates from the India Region solemnly organized the Holy Eucharist with Fr. Agustin Van Baelen, SDS – General Councilor and General Secretary of the Society of the Divine Saviour (Salvatorian Fathers). Fr. Agustin reminded the capitulars that Blessed Francis Jordan and Blessed Mary of the Apostles continually invites them to keep searching, to know God’s will and to make Him known by others through their witnessing.