20th Day: XXII General Chapter_ Welcoming the Holy Spirit to be the guide for this day of discernment

Today’s gospel, from St. Luke (verses 1-3), lists the names of the women accompanying Jesus along with the apostles. In the faith-sharing session, the capitulars were led to reflect on their attachments which prevent them from hearing the names that God sees as those best suited to fulfill the ministry of leadership in the congregation for the next six years.

At the beginning of the plenary session, the capitulars invited the Holy Spirit to be with them during this day of discernment. Each capitular was given a lighted candle as a sign of welcoming the Holy Spirit to guide them throughout the day of discernment. The outgoing members of the Generalate were given time to share with the plenary what activities their roles entail, both as a team and on the congregational level, as well as the implications on the international level. They also discussed the questions, discernment processes, and decisions they have engaged in, along with the statutory responsibilities they face, both canonical and civil. Their sharing on concrete experiences in the learning and doing process as a Generalate team was particularly interesting.

The latter half of the day focused on discernment regarding the type of leadership that today’s world will require. Additionally, the facilitators challenged the capitulars to reflect on the mental models they possess, which might impair their discernment and make it difficult, if not impossible, to hear what God is imparting regarding who would form the most suitable team for the congregation at this time in its history. Silent reflection and plenary sharing followed.

The remaining time was spent on discerning conversations with co-capitulars, allowing them to get to know each other better in terms of leadership and all aspects of religious life. Confidentiality was upheld during these conversations.

His Eminence, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, celebrated the Holy Eucharist organized by delegates from the Santa Catarina and São Paulo provinces of Brazil, with members of the outgoing Generalate leading the offertory procession. His Eminence reminded the capitulars to practice synodality in leadership, emphasizing that the entire community should participate in decisions that affect the life of the congregation, and urged them to move away from a pyramidal style of leadership.