Shortly before the Provincial Election Assembly in June we asked a former and current provincial superior to reflect on Rule of Life No. 127 for the monthly publication As a Rule. The passage addresses the job of the provincial superior, in particular, stating that the “task of animating and governing the province belongs to the provincial superior.”
Reflecting on that, Fr. John Czyzynski, SCJ (pictured above), wrote that “For me, animating my brothers meant that I needed to spend more time with them so that I could get to really know them, to truly listen to them, to affirm them and call forth the best in them. That is what animating my brothers means to me. As provincial I believe that No. 127 of the Constitutions called me to be a life-giver among my confreres.
“As I reflect on the other main task of provincial leadership – namely, to govern – I think of what Jesus said in the twenty-second chapter of Luke’s gospel. He said that among the Gentiles those in authority lord it over others. It was not to be so among His followers. In Jesus’s company those in authority were to serve the others. The provincial and council, in their role of governing, are to serve the members of the province in discerning what is God’s will for us as a province: Where is God leading us? What is God asking of us? The provincial and council are to listen to the membership and listen to one another and endeavor to discern together where God is calling us.”
Click here to read Fr. John’s full reflection, as well as that of Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ.
Fr. Vien –– along with the newly elected Provincial Council –– will begin a new leadership term on August 1.
