The capitulars started the day with faith-sharing from the gospel of St. Luke, chapter 7 verses 1-10, where the centurion being from a foreign nation is recognized as friendly to Jewish people and Jesus recognizes the great faith outside Israel. The general chapter’s “walking together” invited us to go beyond the familiar and take a risk of the unknown and different, at this point has something shifted in them during this time? This is the point of the capitular’s reflection today.
The facilitators looked backed at the experience of the capitulars during the first two weeks journey. They were led to sense the reality of the congregation as individual, as communities, as units and as a whole. They were introduced also to the process of “letting go” of some concepts, ideas and even realities which does not anymore give life. After this process. They were also given time to listen to Jesus the Savior and listen to what He is saying to each of us was experienced individually and as a group. This time, the facilitators are starting to lead the capitulars in the process of “letting come”, where we as capitulars are led to discern the implications of God’s call for our reality, for our orientations, our decisions and in the time of election of the new leadership team.
Fr. Agustin Van Baelen, SDS – General Councilor and Secretary of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Fathers) celebrated the Holy Mass. Fr. Agustin underlined three attitudes of Jesus that might also be of help in the capitulars process of discernment and decision-making as follows; flexibility, closeness and being unafraid and amazement. He quipped, “Dear sisters, may these attitudes of our Savior, also encourage us to be flexible, to be close to people in their needs, without fear of reality and always knowing we are called to awaken the best in the other.”
The liturgy was creatively organized and planned by the delegates coming from European House, Belgium; Poland Province and England Mission.
19th Day: XXII General Chapter_ Salvatorians are blessed with the private audience with the Holy father, Pope Francis.
Today will be a day to linger in our memories for a long time. We had an important and intimate encounter with Pope Francis, who closely models what Jesus wishes for all Christians, particularly religious, to follow with fidelity and courage—listening to His voice in...
18th Day: XXII General Chapter_ May the Salvatorians be attentive to the creative Suprises of the Savior.
The gospel of the day from St. Luke, chapter 7, verses 31-35 guided the capitulars as in relation to the on-going general chapter, each one is asked on what messages we might not be hearing or responding to? With this disposition, the general chapter proceeded. The...
17th Day: XXII General Chapter_ Deep into the Salvatorian key elements.
The morning started with a faith-sharing in groups on the gospel of today, from St. Luke, chapter 7: 11-17 and also from the first reading of today, from 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14; 27-31. They were led to reflect on these two beautiful readings of today in relation to...
15th Day: XXII General Chapter_ Recalling our Salvatorian Foundation at the Chapel of St. Brigida
Today was a significant day for us as we visited the site of our Salvatorian foundation, the Chapel of St. Brigida, co-patron of Europe. Sr. Natanaela Szczurko gave us explation of this place and its historical importance to our Salvatorian family. Here, our founder,...
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...
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,...