The 41st General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission will be held in Paris from June 28-July 16, 2010. The motto of the GA2010 is “Creative Fidelity to the Mission.” The Superior General with his Council, in a letter dated April 14, 2008, has announced that the theme of the Assembly will be: ”Faithful to the gospel…attentive to the signs of the times…open up new ways and use new means…remain in a continual state of renewal” (cf. C. 2).
The Congregation of the Mission is a community of Roman Catholic priests and brothers founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1625 for the evangelization of the poor and the formation of the clergy. Vincentian priests and brothers total over 4000 worldwide and serve in 86 countries.
Members of the community serve Christ in varied capacities including direct service to the poor who live in garbage dumps, operating a radio station in the shadow of an oppressive political regime, working as pastors, teachers and university presidents.
Vincent de Paul was born in the village of Pouy in 1581. As a boy he lived among the poor and experienced the conditions under which they lived. In 1600 he became a priest. For a time he sought to escape from the poverty of his origins, but with the help of spiritual directors he felt himself called to deeper holiness and, through the events of his life, was finally led by divine providence to a firm determination to dedicate himself to the salvation of the poor. While he was exercising his ministry in Gannes and, on the 25th of January 1617, in Folleville, he saw that the evangelization of the poor was an urgent need. He himself held that this was the origin of his vocation, and of the Congregation of the Mission.
Father G. Gregory Gay III,C.M. a Baltimore native, was elected as the worldwide superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, known as the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers, and the Daughters of Charity during the community’s general assembly (June 5 – 29, 2004)in Rome in 2004.
Father Gay, a graduate of John Carroll High School in Bel Air, Maryland oversees almost 4,000 Vincentian priests and brothers and more than 23,000 Daughters of Charity in 84 countries. He himself entered USA Vincentian Eastern Province in 1973 and was ordained priest in 1980.
Born in 1953 priest is the 23rd successor of St. Vincent de Paul, who founded the Congregation in 1625, and the second Baltimorean to hold the position of Superior General. (more)
Content here for where the CM is present; provinces, works, etc.
In their time St. Vincent and St. Louise lived the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were led by the power of this Spirit, a power that was shown in their zeal and charity and in a dynamic mission. The Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity, the Ladies of Charity were living testimony of this creativity born out of the Spirit.
After their death in 1660, the Spirit of the Lord continued to release its creative force, giving rise to movements and communities who saw in the Vincentian charism a solid spirituality, forever young, and above all a living response to Church and society. This is a universal vision of the Vincentian Family: International Association of Charities, Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and other branches.
In the context of the 350th anniversary of the death of our Founders and our emphasis on “Charity and Mission” and through the example of St. Justin de Jacobis on whose feast we present these Awards, I announce to the worldwide Congregation the five projects that were granted the Mission Award for 2010. I want to thank the recipients of this award for their missionary creativity in their evangelization of the poor. I hope that all the projects presented will help to stimulate missionary creativity among confreres in other provinces.
In light preparations for the General Assembly, the current issue of NUNTIA covers the two months: June–July. After the summer break in August, Nuntia will return at the end of September with the news of August and September.Nuntia-2010-06-07-Eng
Patient and understanding reader, know that the XLI General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission officially concluded today, July 16, 2010 at 1120 hours and concluded liturgically at 1315 hours. If you look at the calendar you will note that the General Assembly concluded under the supernatural auspices of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and other saints such as, Vitaliano, Sisenando, Faustus, Rainelda, Abundancia, Edit, Justine. Also do not forget that this is the last edition of this chronicle which now has reached fifteen editions since the beginning of the Assembly.
The Assembly concluded as it began: in an atmosphere of fraternity, cordiality and community. This chronologist, who has been gifted with languages, can assure you that neither language, nor culture, nor idiosyncrasy, nor ideology were obstacles to good relationships, understanding and unity. This is proof of the universal, ecumenical and familiar dimensions of the Congregation. It is also a reflection of the fact that living in fraternal community during these past twenty days makes us realize that there are more things that bind us together than separate us and that the language of the heart is more profound and more authentic than the spoken language.
As I write these words many members of the Assembly, as well as many collaborators, are packing their suitcases, saying good-bye, exchanging phone numbers or email addresses. The Motherhouse is beginning to empty out and the city of Paris also reveals a certain sadness, indeed today is a cloudy day.
Toward the middle of the Assembly many delegates asked if there would be a Final Document or something similar that would bring together all that was said and done during these days. At first, it was stated that the synthesis complied by said Commission would be enough. Later delegates began to speak about the possibility of some official written document. We were in the midst of these discussions when the Secretary of the Assembly, Father Corpus Delgado, a tireless missionary, presented a four page written document to the delegates … a response to the concern of the members of the Assembly.
This is a simple Document, but well structured and it is hoped that this will serve as a guide and a compass for the journey of the Congregation during the next six years. It is not a normative text but a proposal for our common journey. It brings together aspects from the Consultative Document and other ideas that were discussed during the General Assembly.
The Document has three sections: the first two sections are a reflection on the events that occurred during the past six years. The third section is something similar to lines of action so that our creative fidelity to the mission does not become relegated to good will but becomes rooted in our lived reality.
As always occurs, some members of the Assembly were pleased and others not so pleased. Some felt that the document was good but “badly dressed”. Some wanted to clothe the document in “present day and more splendid clothing”. Others felt that “some make-up was lacking”. Others did not know how “to name this creature” and some were indifferent to all of this.
Finally, in the brief and final session of the Assembly, today’s final session, the document was again presented, finely clothed and ready to enter into the life of the Congregation. I do not know if it was for convenience or the approach of the end of the Assembly, but the Document was accepted and applauded. Perhaps I am presumptuous to entitle this Document: creative fidelity to the mission.
I refer here to the work of the Synthesis Commission and I refer to its three members with kindness. Today they achieved a small triumph and a recognition of their labor. During the whole Assembly they have been concerned and wearied as they sought a clear path for their work. They sought, through trial and error, the key for something that was new and difficult. Finally, the members of the Assembly affirmed their efforts,. At least the applause they received after their document was read in the Assembly Hall, confirmed their work.
With these words and following the established procedure, the Superior General closed the XLI General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission. This was done after some brief words of gratitude. As he himself said, there is always the risk of forgetting to thank someone, but this chronologist can guarantee you that no one was forgotten. He thanked God and all those who in some way made this Assembly possible. You, yourself, dear reader, are part of that long list because when the Superior General said everyone, he meant everyone, including the members of the Assembly who were present and participated.
I highlight the gratitude that was expressed to the previous Vicar-General, Father Józef Kapusciak and the Assistants General, Father José María Nieto, Father José Antonio Ubillús and Father Gerard Du Tran Cong. As the superior General embraced each one of them there was a prolonged applause which was the clearest expression of our gratitude.
This chronologist now concludes his labor. These chronicles came into existence as a vocation of service and wish to conclude in the same way. Clearly I have never pretended to give this chronicle any form of official character. That honor belongs to the Minutes. This chronologist has moved along the by-ways of the members of the Assembly and has been touched and affected by all those present during these days. I do not want to conclude these pages before extending to you, dear reader, my sincere gratitude … because without you, without the reader, this chronicle would not exist. Blessings and good-bye.
CELESTINO FERNÁNDEZ
See also the video of the closing Mass
Text of the Homily
When I began to type this chronicle, I heard from my room the loud and rhythmic sounds of fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. All of France is celebrating a national holiday and since this morning this has been very noticeable in Paris as the famous and traditional military parade was held on theChamps Élysées. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the echo of three magical words: liberty, equality and fraternity, have remained forever engraved in the heart of France. Perhaps the cloudy sky and the recalcitrant rush of rain has taken some of the grandeur away from the festivities.
The members of the Assembly have also celebrated. This, however, was a family celebration: a celebration of the Vincentian Family as announced in the schedule. In recent General Assemblies, the presence of representatives of some branches of this more than three hundred year old Vincentian tree has become customary and traditions. Thus our celebration today, like in the best of families, had a little bit of everything. As a result we might call today’s session a family day.
Work was the first element of our family celebration. This morning three individuals were seated at the presidential table: Father Manuel Ginete (General Delegate of the Vincentian Family), Yasmine Cajuste (International President of the Vincentian Marian Youth), and Mark McGreevy (Executive Director of the International Depaul Group). A fourth person, Eduardo Marques Almeida (representative of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society) was in Haiti and also in the Assembly Hall. Do not be alarmed, dear reader, this was not some miracle of bi-location. Simply the fourth person addressed the Assembly through a video that had been prepared for this occasion.
These four people spoke about their Vincentian experience, the tasks and activities of their Association, present and future commitments and objectives, their dreams and hopes, their relationship with the other branches of the Vincentian Family, the role of the Congregation in the accompaniment and the formation of lay Vincentians, creativity in the mission, a radical option on behalf of the poor, special attention to youth ministry, their present and future contribution to the Congregation of the Mission, the significance of Vincentian spirituality and leadership, what they are doing for the poor and what more can be done, the global character of the Vincentian charism, the living out of the charism in service to the poor … all of this could be summed up with the words of Father Manuel Ginete: “For Saint Vincent, who was doing the work was not important as long as the poor were being cared for.
There was also advice and recommendations for the Congregation in general … advice given with respect and kindness, as done in every family where there are good relationships and where the members are seeking to better these relationships.
Then came the second part of our celebration. This was done in the chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul in the Motherhouse at Saint Lazare. At 5:00pm the members of the Assembly, those assisting in the work of the Assembly, the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity and her Council, various Daughters of Charity and representatives from some Vincentian Associations gathered together to celebrate their unity and fraternity in the par excellence celebration, the Eucharist. With simplicity and according to the norms of the liturgy the Eucharist was presided by Father Jean-Yves Leboeuf (Visitor of Toulouse) and he created a true family environment.
At the conclusion of the celebration we were given a surprise: the reading of a letter of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity. This letter was filled with encouragement to continue to work for the evangelization of the poor. A letter in which he noted the 350 anniversary of the death of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marrilac and highlighted the creativity of the founders as a credible sign for women and men today.
The celebration of the Vincentian Family concluded as does every family celebration where things are going well. Some might call this dinner or a meal … this chronologist prefers another name: table companionship. I use this word because we did not just eat but we encountered one another, dialogued and enjoyed wonderful moments together. This chronologist remembered the words that Saint Vincent expressed in the eighth chapter of the Common Rules of the Congregation of the Mission: our love should always resemble the love of dear sisters and brothers.
Truly July 14th has been most distinct from other days of this XLI General Assembly. The members of the Assembly can see the horizon drawing nearer. But there are still two more days of work and a numbers of matters that must be addressed. Rushing is never good advice. Thus those who understand the process of pilgrimage say that we must journey forward with no hurry but also with no delay.
CELESTINO FERNÄBDEZ
Today is Tuesday, the 13th. In some cultures Friday the 13th is a sign of bad luck or imminent danger that something bad is going to occur. You might say to me, dear reader, that this is a legend that has no historical foundation, a superstition among some unlearned people. But at times this works. And the proof is in the sessions of the Assembly today. One had the impression that a legion of these unknown spirits crept through the cracks of the Assembly Hall during this morning’s session.
I must say that we approached the day with a certain timidity. During each Assembly there are certain “gray days”, that can be boring and filled with repetitions, little brilliance … it gives the impression that the train has stalled and is unable to move forward even a few kilometers. One member of the Assembly told me that the day could be compared to a traveler attempting to struggle valiantly against the cloud of words and the winds of doubt. Perhaps this is somewhat exaggerated for the veterans of these Assemblies, but the new members of the Assembly can often be surprised by these types of sessions.
And you might ask me: what was the reason for this? I can only say that there is one word that will startle the members of each Assembly. I spoke about this word in yesterday’s chronicle and it appeared once again in today’s sessions: the Statutes. No, this chronologist is not obsessed with this blessed word but it does appear to be the stumbling block in the Assembly.
The morning began well and the work was surprisingly pleasant for the members of the Assembly. We spoke about the videos which we have viewed throughout the Assembly, videos projected on the large screen in the Assembly Hall which were entitled, “The cries of the poor”. These videos presented the cruel and harsh and terrible and often times forgotten world of those who live on the margins of society. These videos were meant to teach us about the darker side of life.
So that you can have some idea of what I am talking about I point out here the themes of some of these different videos: prostitution, immigration, alcoholism, women whose dignity is not affirmed, lepers, street people, drug addicts, victims of war, poor people who are ill and with no social resources, people living with AIDS, young people whose family structure has become dysfunctional, etc.
If the Assembly thought that these different descriptions of poverty and marginalization were meant to encourage us as we began each session, or a way of allowing us see “home movies” then today we came to discover their true objective: to listen with the heart to the constant cries of the poor, to involve ourselves in their world and to allow ourselves to be shaken by them. Certainly no easy task during these times.
The members of the Assembly gathered in groups and commented on the impact of the different images … on this passage from fiction to the reality of “our lords and masters”. As a result of this work some personal conclusions were made as well as conclusion for the Congregation as a whole. This was a simple work that was carried out in the Assembly Hall. It would be too tedious to write here what the groups spoke about. Often times brief, but very sincere, phrases were used: phrases that called us to a greater sensitivity; phrase that expressed the urgency of drawing nearer to the poor; phrases that referred to the need for an integral evangelization; phrases that questioned our lifestyle; phrases that challenged us to become committed to the transformation of the world; phrases that called us to liberating creativity, urging us to “run and assist the poor in the same way that one would run to put out a fire
In a previous edition of this chronicle I stated that today we would return to the Statutes. If Monday we spent almost all our time on this issue, then today Tuesday we also spent the greater part of the day devoted to this aspect. You should not think, dear reader, that the members of the Assembly want to endure some type of torment during the Assembly. Simply put, the members of the XLI Assembly have the unavoidable task of revising the Statutes and this is a task that is more one of obligation than one of devotion. Thus, in light of this obligation the task must be undertaken.
If you want to understand the movement of this morning’s session and again the session during the afternoon you only have to read the chronicle of the previous day. During today’s session we continued to study, discuss, and clarify a series of Statutes. Father Alberto Vernaschi, President of the Commission, once again showed great patience and Father Dennis Holtschneider as moderator presided over the session with mastery and wisdom.
But there was a difference: the members of the Assembly seem to have gotten bogged down on one Statute and this is the reason I spoke about Tuesday the 13th. This is a completely new Statute: one that refers to the Conferences of Visitors. I will only say that this Statute contains three paragraphs and this Statute was discussed for three hours. Now you will understand why some of the members might become weary, perplexed, why there are doubts, some unsettlement, physical and mental afflictions. There are some who want to see the Conference of Visitors become part of the legislative body of the Congregation and there are others who do not want to see this happen; then there are others who want to give another name to this creature that is the process of being born, other are content with the present name; some propose one method and other want to see the Statute reworked; some want to add an expression while others are doubtful about the meaning of some of the words … All of this but the Statute was finally found favorable to the members of the Assembly.
I conclude this edition of the chronicle warning the reader that some other Statutes are still pending. We hope that the weariness of today remains limited to today, Tuesday the 13th even though the work that was done was most necessary. But then we must look on these realities positively because it is good to view these days as special times that will be attractive to future historians of the General Assemblies of the Congregation of the Mission.
CELESTINO FERNÁNDEZ
