14th Day: XXII General Chapter_God’s works can only prosper in the shadow of the cross.

“The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and the text of today’s Gospel, leads us to a statement that accompanied Blessed Francis Jordan throughout his life and which he even wrote in his spiritual diary (I/163): God’s works can only prosper in the shadow of the cross.” This is the opening words of Fr. Agustin Van Baelen, SDS – General Councilor and General Secretary of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Fathers) during the Holy Mass which he presided at the beginning of the day.

The whole day was an “Emmaus experience”. The capitulars were guided to form a pair, form a trio, a group of six and a group of twelve. The sharing focused on the experience of the previous day dialogue with God, what happened in that dialogue and what did they hear God saying to them. In all of these groups, they would share and make two sentences that would capture their experiences. In the end, the capitulars, after coming from a group of 12 people, were asked to have only two statements that would capture their experience of the day in dialogue with God and what would God want to say to them.

The process was an experience of the goodness of walking together and the challenge of walking together too because of language, however, there was a feeling of belonging to a family, a family that is so different, yet so much alike. It was as if the capitulars are led to write a Salvatorian gospel through the workings of the Holy Spirit.

It was a relief to have undergone this kind of process, that we are reminded always that prayer is the foundation of the life of a Salvatorian, as Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan admonishes us; “Carry on your spiritual dialogue with the Savior. Sit at His feet, humble and docile and attend to His words.” (I/65)

*The delegates from the Holy Land (Emmaus, Nazareth and Jordan) organized the solemn liturgy.