Called to be one in a changing world: “so that they may believe” (Jn 17:21)
Sint Unum!
On June 13, 2024, the Vatican released a study document titled “The Bishop of Rome: Primacy and Synodality in Ecumenical Dialogue and Responses to the Encyclical Ut Unum Sint.” This new document expands the work of the original Ut Unum Sint encyclical published by St. Pope John Paul II on May 25, 1995, which encouraged unity among Christians. The title translates as “To be one,” and it built on the spirit of ecumenism developed in Vatican II.
These Latin phrases catch the attention of most Dehonians because the Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, Venerable Leo John Dehon, often used the phrase “Sint Unum”, translated as “that they may be one.” Fr. Dehon yearned for unity among his congregation and among the people of God. “Sint Unum” appears as a theme in many of his writings.
Sint Unum comes from Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was handed over to the Roman soldiers. Jesus prays for the people: “so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” (John 17:21). Jesus desired for people to be one, united in God’s love, rather than divided. Even today, we see the need for this important prayer.
Fr. Dehon’s strong devotion to the Sacred Heart influenced the concept of Sint Unum for him. Knowing the abundant love God has for us, flowing from the Sacred Heart, we are invited to respond in love, through others. This flow of love is part of our spiritual journeys. Fr. Emerson Ruiz, SCJ, spoke at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology on the topic of “Sint Unum in the Life and Writings of Fr. Dehon ” last fall. He described this unity in the Heart of Jesus in the following way: “Sint Unum is to attune ourselves to the Heart of Jesus, to form one heart with Him, to feel with Him (to have the same beat). To the extent that we live in harmony with one another in God, we expand our communion until the Heart of Christ is the heart of the world.”
Just days after Vatican document was released, Dehonian representatives from around the world celebrated the Opening Mass of the XXV General Chapter. The theme of the chapter? “Called to be one in a changing world: ‘so that they may believe’ (Jn 17:21)”.
May we pray for them, and for all of God’s people, that we may know of God’s generous love for us, and to respond to that love.
Sint Unum!
In Corde Jesu,
Monica
Monica Misey is the newly appointed Director of Dehonian Associates for the US Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. You can contact Monica at mmisey@dehoniansusa.org.
LINKS:
Click HERE to read the new study document released June 13, 2024
Click HERE to read St. John Paul II’s encyclical Ut Unum Sint
Click HERE to read Fr. Emerson’s presentation about Sint Unum and Fr. Dehon
