CM Priests students doing their post-graduate studies in various universities in Rome gathered together in the Curia on Sunday, December 1. Traditionally, they are invited to a special meeting on First Sunday of Advent each year.
Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M., the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission along with other members of the General Curia warmly and wholeheartedly welcomed all the student Priests on their arrival.
Welcome address of the Superior General opened the meeting officially, 9:30 a.m. The ice-breaking session followed when participants introduced themselves. Fr. Miles Joseph Heinen, C.M., Assistant General responsible for specialist studies in Rome introduced the theme of the day, ‘the Culture of Vocation within us’ with a short video about the presentation on ‘The Culture of Vocations’ by Fr. Amedeo Cecini, F.D.C. Discussion in groups on the theme of day followed. Confreres formed four groups in five men each. Conclusions of the discussion in groups were presented next.
A presentation of Pope Francis’ video message concluded this part of the day. The Pope highlighted three aspects of fostering vocations: to pray for them, to listen to them patiently and to walk with them.
Next everyone moved to the house chapel in the Curia Curia where at 11:00 a.m. the Superior General presided at the Eucharist. Fr. Javier Álvarez, C.M., the Vicar General and Fr. Giuseppe Turati, C.M., the Secretary General were main concelebrants.
Fr. Miles Heinen in his homily highlighted the importance and the significance of each vocation. Also during the Eucharist a letter from Pope Francis was read, in which the Holy Father thanked and expressed appreciation to the Superior General for response to the campaign to “send 1% of the members of the Congregation of the Mission to the missions ad Gentes.”
Right after the Mass, all attendants went to the garden where the Superior General blessed the newly built grotto of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Some group photos were shot afterwards.
The final moments of the meeting was sumptuous lunch followed by the time of community sharing.
Isaia Nayak, CM
Province of India Nord
