Meeting of Young Priests and Brothers Forum The Vocation of the Holy Cross Brother Rome, April 20 to 23, 2015 REPORT TO THE CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Transcription

1 Meeting of Young Priests and Brothers Forum The Vocation of the Holy Cross Brother Rome, April 20 to 23, 2015 REPORT TO THE CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERSHIP Day 1 (April 20): Introduction Father Richard Warner, C.S.C., Superior General, opened the gathering on Monday, April 20. He reminded the forum participants that their task was to discuss the vocation of the Holy Cross Brother in the Church and the Congregation. The focus should be on the founding charism of the Congregation given to it by Father Basile Moreau. We are a Congregation composed of two equal but separate societies, one of religious Priests, and one of religious Brothers, with a single mission. Fr. Warner pointed out that there is no other religious institute like Holy Cross; Moreau s vision of two equal societies is unique in the Church. Father Warner believes that Holy Cross has reached a crucial juncture, given the decline in the number of Brothers. We need to be faithful to our charism. Our forbearers gifted us with a great spiritual heritage: trust in Divine Providence, conformity to Christ, confidence in the Cross our only Hope, zeal for the mission, and a spirit of union and collaboration. This legacy has borne fruit. Holy Cross grew, first in France, then in the USA, and later in many other places. There have been difficulties over the years, but Father Moreau s intuition that Holy Cross is not a human work, but God s very own has proved prophetic. Today, we face challenges, too: diminishment due to deaths, retirements, and fewer new vocations. We have had trouble staffing key ministries, for example, St. Joseph Oratory and the Parish in LeMans, Diminishment has also made it difficult for us to provide proper formation in some locations, especially for the Brothers. These challenges require innovation in how we promote mission effectiveness and adaptation in how we prepare Members for ministry. We are meeting these challenges, and must meet them in the future, by increasing our internationality in mission. We have taken the first steps in this by asking men from other jurisdictions to assist at the Oratory and in LeMans and by establishing the International House of Formation in Santiago, Chile. The 2010 General Chapter mandated that we plan for the future. The high rate of participation in the electronic/written survey soliciting their input (92%) shows that the Membership understands that we have to move ahead to reach our preferred future. We are at a critical moment. If we do not make major decisions, we may have to worry about our very survival as the Holy Cross Moreau envisioned. These decisions include how to provide more members for international mission, how to make cross cultural formation experiences available to more religious; how to share financial resources without centralizing them; and how to maintain parity but improve proportionality. Above all, given the present demographics, the Chapter needs to address how we can promote the Brothers vocation in Holy Cross. Father Warner hopes that the young Brothers and Priests participating in the meeting will help chart a path forward for the Congregation, especially for the Brothers. He believes they can do this by studying the founder s vision, reflecting on their experiences, and reading the signs of the times. He concluded by noting that the timing of this meeting will make it possible to share the results of these deliberations with the delegates to the upcoming 2016 General Chapter. Day 1 (April 20): Blessed Father Moreau and the Vocation of a Brother Father David Guffey, C.S.C., National Director of Family Theater Productions, part of Holy Cross Family Ministries, was the next speaker. He focused on three elements of Father Moreau s vision that shape our life as Priests and Brothers in a mixed Congregation. 1

2 First, Moreau treated the identity of a religious Brother as a given. He referred to the virtues of brotherhood in terms very similar to those he used in his references to the virtues of priesthood. He saw the purposes of both vocations as parallel. Some means used for achieving these ends were common as well. We now struggle to understand and define the identity of the Brother, which at the time of Moreau must have seemed quite clear. Changes in the social order and the Church have brought about a cultural shift. As a society, we have moved away from the ideal of living in a community, and the Brothers emphasis on common life is counter cultural to modern individualism. In the Church, Vatican II opened many forms of Church ministry traditionally served by Brothers to the laity, and this has had an impact on the general understanding of what the Brothers ministry is. Second, for Moreau, union was essential. He believed that the Brothers and Priests were one and equal. He believed that they should be united in community and mission. He also believed that the mission was one there was not one mission for the Priests, one for the Brothers, and one for the Sisters. Father Moreau used several images to convey this vision. He often spoke of the union of the hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; the parable of the vine and the branches; and the Pauline concept of many parts and one body. The pursuit of the ideal of union has been the source of some our greatest strengths and also the cause of some our greatest challenges. Today, many congregational terms like solidarity, internationality, and collaboration words that shape our contemporary discourse are rooted in this call for union. Third, Moreau acknowledged that there would be differences among the religious in talent, task, authority, and ability. However, he insisted that these would exist in a context of equal dignity and the same call to serve the Church as Holy Cross. In subsequent years, Priests and people in authority were not as sensitive to the gifts, wisdom, and dignity of all members of the Congregation. The difference in vocations led to division, subjugation, and lack of appreciation, which damaged the sense of unity. In concluding, Father Guffey emphasized that union and diversity are part of who we are as Holy Cross. Amid the changes and challenges in the Church today, we must articulate the value of the common vocation we share in Holy Cross as well as the value of our respective vocations. Our challenge is to live our vocations well so that they just make sense. To use a term favored by Pope Francis, we must strive to encounter each other. That is, we must appreciate the gifts and challenges we share as well as those particular to each vocation, cultural setting, and way of life. We have often fallen short of the ideals of Father Moreau, but we have also learned lessons. The wisdom and insights we have gained are a source of strength. Day 1 (April 20): Being a Brother to Others Brother Thomas Dziekan, C.S.C., Vicar General, spoke on Monday afternoon. He based his talk on one guiding principle: A religious Brother is defined less by what he does than by who he is. His hope was that, based on his 48 years as a religious Brother, his words would put a personal face on the Brothers vocation. Brother Tom spoke of Holy Cross s essential charism as a single religious Congregation composed of two distinct but equal societies of Priests and Brothers as a living ecclesiology. It relates to how we gathered together in mission to be church. He quoted the Brief of Praise issued by the Vatican when the Congregation was approved: One must praise this Institute composed of Priests and laymen who mean to be united by a covenant of friendship and in such fashion that each Society preserves its own nature, neither one prevails over the other, but that they work together. Tom believes that this vision of the Congregation as a covenant of friendship reflects the best aspect of our unique identity. When he entered the Congregation, Brother Tom said, the Brothers vocation was understood there was no need to explain it. The vocation of a Brother was seen as being complete in and of itself. The culture both within the Church and in the wider society appreciated the vocation. This understanding and appreciation, however, is not as widespread today. It is more prevalent for people to see Brothers as people who did not go all the way in becoming 2

3 Priests. Nevertheless, changes in the Church and society have served to help highlight what is the core of the Brothers vocation. Brother Tom emphasized that being a religious Brother is primarily about relationship. The work or even the ministry he does is never the full response of the Brothers vocation, even though it is still important. As an example, he cited the Brothers early 20th Century decision to focus on high schools as a turning point in the history of the Brothers. That decision led to a growth in Brothers vocations. Brother Tom gave personal examples to highlight this importance of relationship, of being a Brother to others. He told how the Brothers teaching in his high school helped him find his vocation. Their presence also helped his family and friends understand his decision to be a Brother. Then he explained how his formation took place during a time of great transformation in the Church and the Congregation. Values endured, but externals changed. What helped him during this period was the presence of individual Brothers who mentored him and modeled the Brothers vocation through their lives. After giving examples of relationships, of being a Brother to others, during his high school teaching years, Brother Tom said his first experience of not being understood as a Brother came when he served at the novitiate in Colorado. He had to make his presence felt more deliberately. He learned that, for Priests, there are the Sacraments, a doing of Church related things, a theology. For a Brother, those parts are missing. Being a Brother is communicated by how one lives. It is a relationship based on equality; there is no hierarchical dimension to it. A Brother ministers by his life of faith, by the public testimony of his vows, and by being a Brother to Jesus and to all. Brother Tom ended by speaking of the importance of language in our conversations with each other and with the outside world. Sometimes the language used, even by people in Holy Cross, is not inclusive of the Brothers or does not fully recognize them. He gave the example of speaking of seminaries rather than houses of formation. He said that being precise in our use of language could be part of a wider effort to help each other, the Church, and the world to understand and appreciate the Brothers vocation. Responses to the questions posed by Father Guffey and Brother Thomas: 1) What are the essential aspects of the vocation of Holy Cross Brother today? What must we be clear about as we communicate a vision to the wider Church? While our vocations, like any other vocational call, draw us into service of God in a particular way, our call includes a commitment to grow together as one community and work together as one unit. We are witnesses to the world by living out our family spirit. Looking at the diversity of cultures where we work, we realize that Brothers are often not recognized and valued as equal to Priests. Moreover, they are sometimes considered as less intelligent and limited to classroom teaching, managing technical schools, etc. In the midst of all of these misperceptions, we as Holy Cross religious need to make a difference. It is not difficult though it is challenging. We have excellent examples of Brothers whose contribution to the church speaks volumes. For instance, Brother Flavian in Bangladesh had a great impact on the lives of fisher folk, and, of course, there is our own Saint Brother Andre. We need to draw inspiration from these men. We must keep in mind that the struggles with the Brothers vocation are not unique to Holy Cross but are a part of wider currents and trends in Society and the Church. At times, it seems that we are struggling more with currents and discrimination in society and the broader church than within Holy Cross itself when it comes to questions regarding the Brothers vocation. We see the Brothers vocation as defined as accompaniment. It is a walking with people in a way made possible by the vows and conformity to Jesus Christ. 3

4 Trusting in Divine providence does not mean we are helpless or that we can do nothing to promote the Brothers vocation. The sentiment that encouraging the Brothers vocation is useless or hopeless is not the feeling of the Brothers and Priests at this forum. (2) How can we foster the kind of unity of heart and unity of mission that Father Moreau envisions? We need to start working now, in the midst of all the possible difficulties, towards a time when, as far as possible, all our ministries involve both Priests and Brothers. One concrete step in this direction is to have joint formation during the post novitiate years. Another is to ensure that we actively involve all confreres in promoting vocations to Brotherhood. Other ideas for closer collaboration included: 1) involving Brothers in the pastoral context by empowering them to actively participate in the life of the parish; and 2) having Brother Principals in our schools and having other affairs of the parish looked after by Priests. Language and the way we speak are important; being more precise in our speech can help us change culture. It could be useful if we develop some standards or guidelines for language in terms of how we refer to ourselves as one indivisible brotherhood of religious Priests and religious Brothers. These standards or guidelines would be helpful both for internal communications and public relations. Priests often have a prominent platform for discussing vocations, including the vocation of the Brother. Members of the Priests Society could help the Brothers by using language inclusive of the Brothers. By changing our language and by working against prevailing currents to bring Brothers and Priests together to work and live, we in Holy Cross could become a leaven in society and the Church. It is critical in this regard that we also speak of the leadership role and potential of Brothers. We cannot get hung up on language, however. What is of even greater importance is how we treat and value each other in our actions. It is important that our actions as religious Brothers and religious Priests in Holy Cross show value for the other Society. (3) What can help us foster an authentic encounter with each other across cultures and societies so that the gifts and vocations of all are appreciated, used, and empowered for mission? We are an international missionary congregation and therefore we by our very nature are called to cross boundaries. We need to cross borders of every sort and be faithful to the vision of Father Moreau, who sent his religious across the world for evangelization. Are we ready to follow the view and actions of our founder? All Brothers should be required to do some basic philosophical and theological studies to help us have a common foundation for ministry in the Church. However, the foundation of shared formation would be our Holy Cross heritage and spirituality. We need to groom our younger generations during their formative periods in the missionary zeal required to work wherever congregational needs arise. Collaboration between Brothers and Priests varies significantly. We must remain cognizant of these different realities. Nevertheless, Priests and Brothers living and working together will be the big grace or force for change and transformation in the Congregation. Although small strides can be made to this effect now, as long as Priests and Brothers are in homogeneous structures, this progress will be minimal. We need to explore the possibility of common provinces and structures because without this structural change bringing together administration and 4

5 leadership, steps forward will remain partial. Without structural change, practical and financial matters could continue to derail efforts for collaboration. The relationship between the Brothers and Priests in Holy Cross historically was different than it is today. While we must know the past and learn from it, we must live in the present. From our experience, younger Brothers and Priests in the Congregation are not bound by past hurts and recriminations. Hopefully, this positive vision of the young can spread in the community. Being a Brother is not defined by what we do but by who we are. The quality of the Brothers relationships with those they serve has an effect on vocation promotion. All Brothers need to see themselves as vocation promoters. If more mixed provinces or structures are not possible today, we can prepare now for their future realization. We can take incremental steps towards bringing ourselves together, including joint formation and vocation promotion, as well as shared apostolates. Such incremental steps are not a defeatist approach, but a realistic one that can turn collaboration from something imposed to something willingly embraced as relationships are built and formed. Wherever possible, vocation offices should be staffed by both a Priest and a Brother in order to promote both vocations. Presentations should emphasize the unique organization of Holy Cross, i.e. two equal societies, and make use of Father Moreau s images. Shared formation, particularly in Novitiate and parts of post Novitiate formation, would open the way to a more collaborative spirit and reality. From our experience, we know that lasting friendships and bonds can form during initial formation that then change our community life and mission well into the future. Shared formation could be better in the Novitiate and post Novitiate, but it is also critical that members of both societies be initially formed into the unique aspects of their vocations as well. This approach would necessitate some differences in post Novitiate formation, even if it were done at the same house. Day 2 (April 21): Critical Issues Facing the Brothers Today On Monday evening, April 20, the participants received a summary of concerns related to the Brothers vocation. The first part of this paper proposed a definition of Brother, discussed the need to foster the vocation of the Brother, and presented the demographics of the Brothers decline in numbers, both in the Congregation and the Church as a whole. Part I also suggested reasons for this decline and pointed out ways the Brothers vocation might be revitalized. The second part of the paper addressed the principles of parity and proportionality in light of the decrease in the number of Brothers. On Tuesday, April 21, the participants discussed questions included in this summary of concerns. The morning discussion groups were set up by Society one Brothers group, one Priests group. Here is a combined report summarizing their conversations: (1) How do you define a Brother in Church? In Holy Cross? Both groups were content with the definition of Brother given in the summary: A religious Brother is a member of a Catholic religious institute who commits himself to following Christ in consecrated life, ordinarily by making public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He usually lives in a religious community. He lives his faith by deepening his personal spiritual life, sharing prayer and community with his religious brothers, and by being a brother to everyone he meets. He serves other through a particular ministry; however, he does not always serve in the Church s formal structures. They liked the definition s starting point in relation to Christ; Christ lived a poor, celibate and obedient life. It was noted that religious of both societies strive to live in the same fashion through their vows in conformity to the same Christ, Our Lord. 5

6 The Brothers felt that the definition of Brother Saint John Paul II gave in Vita Consecreta was also well stated: These religious are called to be brothers of Christ, deeply united with him, the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29); brothers to one another, in mutual love and working together in the Church in the same service of what is good; brothers to everyone, in their witness to Christ s love for all, especially the lowliest, the neediest; brothers for a greater brotherhood in the Church. The Priests noted that as religious in Holy Cross, we also have another fundamental attribute: we not only accompany but also guide others in their spiritual journey. We would like to emphasize that religious Brothers in the Congregation also play a role in leadership within the community and the Church. (2) Do you have thoughts about the reasons given for the decline of the Brothers vocation? The Brothers added the following causes for the decrease in the number of Brothers: The Church gives more priority to Sacramental ministry than it gives to other ministries. The politicization of the Church makes the Brothers unimportant because there are so few of them. The hierarchical nature of the Church does not support the Brothers vocation. Because the Brothers do not have an exclusive ministry role in the Church, they become invisible and so does the Brothers vocation. In some areas, the Brother is seen in terms of failure to become a Priest. In some areas, too, wealth is associated with Priests, so a Brother is a failure by default. Another problem is that some people question a Brother s vocation when they believe that, because of his intelligence, he should be a Priest, not a Brother. (3) Should we review and revitalize the Brother s vocation in Holy Cross? How? Both groups answered yes to the first question. As to how, both groups agree that the Brothers need to have more involvement in the Church. The Brothers group said Brothers themselves need an attitudinal change: they need to be positive in their description of what a Brother is. The Church needs attitudinal changes, too. Everyone in the Church should be considered to be a full member; sacredness should not be seen as an attribute belonging to only one group; relationships in the Church should be fraternal rather than hierarchical. The Brothers also feel that the decline in the number of Brothers is a Congregational concern. What is the Congregation as a whole doing now to raise awareness of the Brothers vocation? For example, we should begin making plans to celebrate in 2020 the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Brothers of St. Joseph, the forerunners of the Brothers of Holy Cross. The Priests pointed out that, for some regions of the Congregation, revitalization will require going out to the villages literally and figuratively. People must see Brothers in places where their witness and ministry can be inspiring for those who may consider throwing their lot in with ours. Revitalization will come in other regions served by the Congregation through working together in Congregational apostolates, especially apostolates where we can serve and inspire young people. The Priests asked themselves: How does the Brother s life motivate young people? Their answer was that our Holy Cross lifestyle should inspire others. Many lay people, single and married, do work that is similar to ours. What separates us is the community life that supports us and the manner in which we do our work. Community life (in prayer, at table and in recreation) needs to be strengthened. We are not just our work; we are men committed to religious life in community. Our vows consecrate us to Christ and free us to serve and accompany everyone we meet. This accompaniment is something unique we can offer the world and those discerning their vocation. 6

7 One group forum participant shared the example of Brother Fernand Bessette, C.S.C., in Canada. Fernand s vocation as a religious Brother is infectious and evident in his joyful demeanor. His confidence in his vocation comes from his encounter with Christ through a self sacrificial love of God and neighbor in a radiant way. This spirit is something hard to describe, yet when you meet him, it distinguishes him from the lay people with whom he serves. Brother Fernand gives us an example we can emulate though we recognize that each religious may do so in quite different ways according to his personality and gifts. Living with a healthy community spirit and in a joyful manner, we must share this joy with others. Many will naturally feel it when they encounter us. Still, we must put aside pious humility and share our stories. Visibility was a central theme in our conversations. Religious attire has a role in this. However, working in shared apostolates, maintaining a visibly supportive community life and being prepared to share our vocation stories will help make our vocation real and make it inviting to others. (1) Should parity be kept at the General Chapter? On the General Council? How could we provide more proportional representation at General Chapters? Both groups feel that the Congregation should maintain parity in the General Council. Both support initiatives to allow a religious Brother to serve as Superior General. The Priests think that Holy Cross should retain parity at some levels, especially the most important, yet parity could yield to greater proportionality at other levels of decision making. For example, they feel that a better proportionality in the General Chapter is recommendable. The basis of that feeling is the demographic trend that foretells the greatest numerical disparity between societies since our earliest years. Along with disparity in total membership, there is an increasingly uneven distribution of Brothers and Priests in the regions served by the Congregation. Members of the Priests group wanted to make clear that this desire for greater proportionality is in no way an expression of lack of trust in a Brother or Priest Capitulant to serve effectively at a General Chapter. The motivation is to seek a composition in the General Chapter that most adequately reflects the membership of the Congregation and the experiences we face around the world as we gather to determine the best path forward together. The Priest group favors a two tier / two stage General Chapter. In the first tier or stage, Capitulants would be constituted on a proportional basis. This group would be subject to an oversight body constituted by parity. The role of the second tier or stage would be to review any proposed changes in the Constitutions or Statues that are perceived to be prejudicial to the rights and status of either Society of the Congregation (Option 2, p28, Proposals for Structural Change 2015). The consensus among the Brothers is that Father Moreau wanted parity between the societies in General Chapters and on the General Council. Parity in both structures is thus integral and fundamental to who we are as Holy Cross religious. The Brothers group asked, Why is parity coming up now? The afternoon discussion groups were mixed: 4 Priests and 4 Brothers in each. The two groups revisited some of the topics discussed by the societal groups during the morning session. Results of these discussions: (1) Decline of Brothers Vocation in the Church: People give numerous reasons for the worldwide decline in the number of Brothers. Some attribute the drop to the Church s lack of support for the vocation; others attribute it to the Brothers unwillingness to adapt to changes in the Church and the world. 7

8 As far as the Church itself is concerned, there can be an overload of sacralization increased stress on the cultic and ritualistic aspects of ministry, clericalism, and monopolization of the world of God. As for the Brothers, they may have lost touch with the lives of the people they serve, become professionals first and religious second, and held on to ministries that no longer serve people most in need. (2) Retrieval of the Brothers Vocation in the Church and in the Congregation: The Brothers vocation might thrive again if the Church as a whole promoted more shared responsibility in ministry. For the Brothers to flourish, the prevailing relationships in the Church would have to be fraternal rather than hierarchical everyone being brother and sister, even when they have different roles and serve different functions. No individual would have a corner on sacredness; the entire community would be considered capable of embracing the sense of the sacred. Today, people question the meaning and relevance of religious life lived totally inside consecrated walls, unaffected by the institute s original vitality or by the changes in the world. The Brothers themselves have to recapture the original spirit of religious life. They need to return to the sources of their charisms and the original inspiration for the foundation of their institutes. The Brothers need to redefine their ministries. They need to have the courage to imagine new possibilities. Brothers ministries have to be appealing and touch the lives of those served. As Brother Thomas pointed out, Brothers are not what they do but what they are. Still, the Brothers have to be involved in significant service that enters into the lives of the people. (3) Parity and Proportionality in Holy Cross: Holy Cross has a unique identity: an indivisible union of two societies, one of Brothers and one of Priests. All of us are primarily called to religious life in Holy Cross. The call to Sacramental Priesthood is an additional call to some members of the Congregation. It is necessary that we members of both societies share the stories of our religious calling with each other so we can have a better mutual understanding and appreciation. A non negotiable, fundamental value for Holy Cross is that there be parity of membership in General Chapters and on the General Council. It was the desire of Father Moreau that Holy Cross maintain parity regardless of differences in the number of Priests and Brothers. We must hold on to our fundamental values; religious life cannot always be driven by democracy. Nevertheless, the practical application of parity in our time needs to be reviewed. Consideration can be given to modifications, as long as the minority Society (whichever it might be at a particular time) is sufficiently represented in the decision making process and on the decision making bodies. It is important to focus on places where the Congregation is growing. We need to study how well the provinces in Asia and Haiti are represented in our congregational structures. We need to evaluate how well the voices of those in districts are heard. Also, voice is not enough; having a voice but no formal say in the direction of the future is a problem. Should districts have proportional representation at Provincial Chapters? Up to 2010, Provincial Chapters alone decided whether or not districts were directly represented at General Chapters. The 2010 General Chapter specified (Decree 2) the number of General Chapter Capitulants delegates from each District to be elected by Provincial Chapters. Should districts have proportional representation at General 8

9 Chapters? If so, how would this affect the proportional representation of the sponsoring Provinces members not in the districts? Trust in Divine Province was very dear to Father Moreau. He bequeathed this virtue to us as part of our spiritual patrimony. Every one of us has to trust in Divine Providence at all times, but perhaps even more deeply today. The dwindling number Brothers Society is alarming. All of us need to see this decline as a wake up call. All of us need to focus our energy on vocation promotion, particularly for the Brothers of Holy Cross. Day 3 (April 22): Promoting the Brothers Vocation by Responding more fully to our Charism The participants spent most of Day 3 reacting to this question: What are concrete ways or practical steps we can take, both individually and collectively, in order to promote vocations to the Brotherhood by renewing our living of our Constitutions? Here are some of the responses: We encourage a paper on the theology of the religious Brother in Holy Cross, one that emphasizes the dignity and value of Brotherhood. This theology could be a first step in changing our community s thinking in order to foster mutual respect (C 2, 11) between the two societies. The reflections developed during this Forum could be an excellent start. The paper could be posted online and discussed in local chapters. Religious could be invited to write and post their reactions and reflections. Young men discerning religious life today are seeking an opportunity to live together, not a life that requires them to live alone. Authorities at all levels should take the steps needed to establish inter societal community houses wherever possible. In these communities, brothers and priests would contribute equally to the life and maintenance of the residence. Young men looking at religious life today are seeking an opportunity to work collectively in order to do more than they could on their own. Whenever possible, priests and brothers should serve together in common apostolates. Where it is not possible for priests and brothers to live together in the same house, regional gatherings, seminars, workshops, and retreats should seek to draw together members of both societies. At appropriate times, the Holy Cross Sisters should be invited as well. Our common feast days should also celebrated communally to the extent possible. We need to re prioritize our communal life, especially in joining together for at least one daily common meal and daily common prayer, including Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Mass. It is critical that we tune into each other during these communal times, turning off our cell phones and detaching from our work. We need to recommit ourselves to the regular local Chapter. The Chapter is an already existing vehicle that can help us foster mutual understanding and respect. These meetings need to address the deeper matters and aspects of our lives as vowed religious, including reading and reviewing the Constitutions on a yearly basis. During some of these meetings religious could talk about their vocational discernment. We should commit ourselves to a monthly day of recollection as houses and communities. Time for common prayer, even in silence, is necessary for our brotherhood and life together. Individual ministry should not ordinarily keep us from being part of a local community. However, when it does, our communities need to be more attentive to and engaged with members who live in the area but outside the community residence. Efforts need to be made to draw them in at least once a month. 9

10 We need to recapture our spirit of hospitality. Our hospitality to others is hollow if we do not live it with each other. More than a room and a meal, this means offering our time to those who visit. Personal birthdays and anniversaries should be occasions to bring the community together. Attentiveness to members whose family members are suffering is critical. We need to renew the role of local superiors; their leadership and example is essential to the community life of our houses. New superiors must be given proper training, orientation, and formation for this critical role. Formation staffs should review how men in initial formation are being prepared to relate to house superiors following Final Vows. We recommend combined formation for Brothers and Priests, especially at the Novitiate and in post Novitiate settings. Due respect should be given to the uniqueness of each vocation. Exchange programs during the initial formation period, with scholastics living with seminarians, would help solidify our fraternity. We recommend an international preparation program for Final Vows to be held each year and drawing together all those from both societies taking Final Vows that year. A month seems to be a good length; LeMans is the preferred location. International experiences are to be actively encouraged as part of initial formation. All new members need to make an effort to learn other languages and to study other cultures. Formators need to be given time and resources to receive proper training to lead international houses of formation that would form both Brothers and Priests. Formation staffs need to represent both societies, as well as all the cultures and languages present in a formation house. We need to redouble our efforts to weave Holy Cross spirituality into all aspects of formation. We should publish more literature stressing our brotherhood as Priests and Brothers in Holy Cross. We need to communicate better internationally about what is taking place in our communities around the world so we can better support and pray for each other. Provinces, Vicariates, and Districts should consult and collaborate with other jurisdictions in their region when engaging in strategic planning. All strategic plans should address in a particular section how the jurisdiction is working with members of the other society. As a way of living our internationality in a concrete way, the Solidary Fund should be made a permanent structure. We should find additional ways to share human and financial resources that could help meet the mission and formation needs of all of our sectors. Bearing the cross in hope begins with supporting our fellow Brothers and Priests in Holy Cross. We cannot help those to whom we minister carry their crosses if we are not willing to do that for each other, especially in moments of crisis. 10

11 The time for action has come; we need to make changes in our structures. While we might not individually or regionally agree with them all, we pledge to embrace those changes with hope. We trust in God s Providence to guide us as a community. Day 3 (April 22): International Houses of Formation Fr. Richard Warner opened the conversation on international houses of formation. He wanted the participants in the Forum to look at them particularly in the light of the reason for this meeting: the vocation of the Brothers. He believes international houses of formation, staffed by members of both societies, will be essential in promoting the Brothers vocation because not all sectors of the Congregation can support and staff houses of formation. Additionally, these houses could provide opportunities not only for international exchange, but also for Brother and Priests Candidates to experience formation together. Fr. Warner went on to cite the example of the new international house of formation in Santiago, Chile, which serves Brazilians, Haitians, Chileans, and Peruvians. This arrangement has not been without its challenges, especially in the first couple of years. At the same time, learning has taken place in terms of both the issues that such houses pose as well as the means to address them. International houses of formation will be an important topic at the next General Chapter. Fr. Pete Jarret, C.S.C., from Moreau Seminary in Notre Dame, Indiana, then spoke about the experience there. Fr. Pete described the efforts to send men in formation at Moreau around the world for international experiences. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to explore how to bring men in formation from around the world to Moreau, even for shorter experiences. Finally, he explained the origin and purpose of an upcoming meeting to coordinate more fully with the Moreau and Midwest Provinces. Brother Chris Torrijas, C.S.C., then updated everyone on the new formation program being run at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He spoke of the genius of the program coming from the desire of Brother John Paige, C.S.C., the President of HCC, to form a community of Brothers at the school. He also talked about the early successes that the program has started to see. Brother Thomas Dziekan then gave a brief history of previous international houses of formation in Rome, Chile, Canada, the US and France and the current house in Santiago, Chile. He then spoke more broadly about the present plans for international houses of formation, including Pune, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Notre Dame, USA; and possibly France. He mentioned the opportunities and challenges posed by each location. He reiterated Fr. Warner s points about these houses being essential to ensuring proper formation for our men across the globe, especially as it becomes harder to staff formation programs. He added that many specifics still need to be worked out. The groups then had a brief time to discuss the topic. In the formal reporting back to the whole group, there appeared to be a consensus in favor of continuing to explore the development of international houses of formation. This agreement coincided with comments made in earlier sessions supporting joint formation for Brothers and Priests as a critical pathway to deepening the bonds and collaboration between the two societies. Advantages mentioned included having larger peer groups for formation, building relationships that could eventually support collaborative future ministries and providing inter cultural experiences. Forum participants also raised questions about lines of authority (who will operate the international houses of formation), finances and visas. Several noted working out these details would be the key to the success of these houses. Brother Thomas Dziekan closed the discussion by observing that formation would be an important concern for the 2016 General Chapter. Day 3 (April 22): Conclusion Father Warner thanked the Forum members for their participation and then declared the meeting adjourned. 11