Participants and students studying in Rome.
Rev. Aarón Gutiérrez Nava, CM, one of the new visitors, shares his impressions.
The First Days
During this type of event, everything begins in a glorious manner. On Sunday, the 10th of January, the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, we all arrived and embraced as we greeted one another. When encountering someone unknown there was an exchange of words, probing the ground, if you will, but aware of the fact that we are all brothers. When greeting those individuals who were known, we experienced a joy of renewing that acquaintance. In such an environment we gathered in the dining room where an excellent meal had been prepared, one that gave us the strength to pass the night as we prepared for the various activities that awaited us on the first day of our coming together.
The first day began with the celebration of the Eucharist that was presided by our Superior General, Gregory Gay, who not only greeted us but also motivated us to live in an intense manner these days of formation and reflection on the ministry entrusted to us as “new visitors”. This was a real highlight for us, novices in the art of governing the Provinces that had been entrusted to us.
On that first day, (January 11th) Fathers Eli Chaves and Xavier Alvarez gave presentations. Father Chaves situated us in the midst of the world of Consecrated Life with its present crisis — a crisis in which we participate — and with its challenges which must be confronted by those who have made a decision to follow Christ. Father Alvarez referred to the present reality of our Congregation. So much work to be done! So many realities to transform! Father Alvarez, like a Jules Verne of the Congregation of the Mission gave us an opportunity to visualize the future in accord with the statistics that he presented … a future that was neither dark or negative. Rather a future that will be built with new commitments and on-going innovative efforts. We want to clothe ourselves in this garment of hope.
On January 12 we received guidance in three different areas: Father Nicola Albanesi spoke to us about the service of authority and obedience. He made clear distinctions between authority and power, service and servitude. In this same regard he spoke about these characteristics as proper to the church and that as Vincentians we take on this same characteristics but in a distinct manner. This same theme was then further developed by Father Alvarez who spoke to us from his vast knowledge of the Congregation of the Mission and the life and spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is true that if we follow more closely the example of Saint Vincent, the Congregation would be more effective in its ministry. We were provided with many motives to strengthen our identity and our membership in the Congregation and we understood that these themes are of great concern to Father Gregory and his Council.
That evening walked to the simple beat of Father Zeracristos. He outlined the figure of the Visitor in such a way that left all of us thinking: Is it possible for us poor people, new visitors, to attain in real life such a profile … then we realized that there is no worse struggle than the one that is not engaged in.
Thank God the 13th was not Friday because perhaps we would have viewed the convictions that were communicated with some form of superstition. Nevertheless, Fr. Zontak reinforced our convictions about the practice of reconciliation and preaching, issues that when viewed from the perspective of the Visitor’s role of animating and accompanying the confreres, such issues take on great significance. At the same time these same issues play an important role in one’s personal conversion, and if such conversion is to become a dynamic in the Province, it must be experienced on a firsthand basis.
In the afternoon the Visitors received various reports that will enable us to create a greater Vincentian environment in the Provinces. Father Dan Borlik encouraged us to send confreres to CIF, an institution that has grown little by little and at the present time offers various possibilities for on-going formation. Father Álvarez also spoke about the work of SIEV.
On a more practical level, we reflected on the themes of interprovincial collaboration and the international missions. Father Gregory spoke about these themes in a very fraternal and dialogical manner. Those two themes are interrelated and involve other issues such as formation, finances, the gifts of the individual confreres … a whole range of elements proper to our identity and our belonging to the Congregation.
For those who do not know what to do when certain problems arise, Father Alberto Viernaschi with his 77 years of age, informed us about the rights and the obligations of the Visitor. With such a wealth and breadth of knowledge about these matters Father left us with many questions and concerns about the responsibility that we had accepted.
The weather outside became cold and rainy and as we entered our meeting room we were content and hopeful that once again the theme would be interesting. Then Father Joe Geders spoke to us in very clear language about the need to collaborate with the Econome and he outlined some of the new possibilities that exist for this collaboration to become real.
Father Shijo Kanjirathamkunnel, young and very knowledgable, spoke with us about the tasks of the Procurator and the Postulator. All of this information made us understand the importance of maintaining contact with the General Curia, especially when we have to confront issues of this nature. Father Jorge Rodriguez, who is in charge of the Office of Communication spoke in such a clear manner that we were encouraged, not only to review the web pages, but to look for ways in which we could collaborate more closely with his office and through his office share news about the work of the province and the work of the confreres.
We are grateful to all of those who have made the various presentations, to the moderators, Father Zontak and Father Chaves who exerted great effort in providing the new provincials with a fuller understanding of their role and obligation. May God bless everyone and mat the work of these days result of much fruit!
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
