This is the final week of the General Chapter in Rome. Among the significant moments of the chapter so far: the Superior General and General Council were elected, delegates had an audience with Pope Francis, deceased SCJs from 2018 – 2024 were honored (click here to view a video remembrance), the anniversary of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s first vows on June 28, 1878 was commemorated, and group work has begun on various topics and proposals, including the use of financial resources.
“We identified several challenges, such as the lack of internalization of a spirituality of economy and the vow of poverty,” wrote Fr. Willyans Prado Raposo, SCJ, newly elected General Councilor. “It seems that we need to deepen our sense of belonging to a common family where we are responsible for each other. This consciousness must be fostered during the formation process and promoted among all members of the Congregation. We need to continuously educate ourselves for poverty. Fr. Carlos remembered our Constitutions number 95 regarding initial formation; the text speaks of a dynamic process helping us inoculate in our veins the value of fraternity, against the constant temptation of selfishness and egoism.”
Delegates are pictured above during last week’s “Dehonian Voices From Around the World.” Held in the main chapel at the Generalate in Rome, staff and delegates at the chapter took turns sharing songs of their home countries. It was a celebration of the languages, traditions and cultures of the world – of the CONGREGATION! Click here to view a video of the evening.
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