The light of the Star that guided the Magi to meet the Infant of Bethlehem accompanies us in the final steps of this Extraordinary General Chapter.
Yesterday, January 5, the day’s work began with time for personal reflection, followed by a discussion in assembly on the final version of the amended legislative texts for the new institutional model that has been taking shape in recent days.
The final reading of the text was received in an atmosphere of gratitude for the hard work that has led us to a global approval of the amended Constitutions. With this, Fr. Leidi concluded his work of accompanying our Chapter and immediately left for Rome.
The Chapter gives a new mandate to the General Government to set up a Commission to carry out a final revision of the text, which will then be sent to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for the necessary approval.
In the afternoon, we worked in groups to develop further suggestions and contributions for the journey that awaits us in every part of the world. Desires, proposals, and reflections emerged, emphasizing once again that many steps still remain to be taken, but that they will be supported by the desire for growth in co-responsibility and a spirit of communion.
At the end of this Chapter, we feel so grateful to the Lord, to Mother General, and to her Council for this experience in which each one of us has been able to play a leading role in the search for the good of our religious family. The topics addressed have helped us to grow in our sense of belonging and participation in the life of our family. In particular, we are grateful for the method adopted with the facilitation of the Frassineti couple.
Like the Magi, we set out again knowing that there is “another way” to return, but this Chapter has given us some bright and sure lights: love for God and his plan of good, the communion possible among our differences, mutual service for the common good of our religious family, of the whole Church, and of every person.
