December 2017, Year 10 - N

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1 Electronic bulletin of quick information from the Servite Communications Center December 2017, Year 10 - N. 12 Piazza San Marcello, 5; Roma; Tel.: ; cosmo.osm@gmail.com; T S P I H N Any mission is the work of God. The foundation of the Order of Servants of Mary in India shows us how God continues His liberating mission in and through many persons who are guided by the Holy Spirit. Though the Order of Friar Servants of Mary has its origin in 1233, it began its mission in India only after the Vatican Council II in Many friars of the Order dreamt of going to the East Indies or Indies. According to Odir J. Diaz archival research there is various sporadic, accidental and historically uncertain evidence of a Servite presence in India and other Asian countries right from the XIII century. It is interesting to note there is documentary evidence for the existence of Fraternities of Seven Dolours in India in the XVIII century: Vaipin / Vypin (Cochin, 1750); Mangatha / Mankatha (Cochin 1780); Kallate (Granganor 1780); in Augustinian communities in Goa and Bengala / Calcutta / Kolkata; Damão / Daman e Meliapor / Chennai (1786) [(Cf. Arch. Gen. O.S.M., Reg. PP.Gen. Rom., 27, f. 273r; 32, ff. 271v-272r; 33, f. 249v)]. In addition, fra Filippo M. Berlasso in his unpublished archival study La missione dei Servi di Maria in Arabia, based on the letters written to the prior general and the Congregation for Propagation of Faith by fra Bernardo M. Rabascall (? 1845), affirms that Fra Rabascall might have spent his last years ( ) in India with the intention of opening a Servite mission. He may have died and been buried in Kalkata without succeeding. Even though, many attempts were made in the past to establish a Servite presence in India, the mother of many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, the partial aggregation of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows [Viagula Matha Sabai (1854), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu] to the Order in 1865, could be considered as the beginning of such presence. In 1924, the former Prior General, Fra Alexis-Henri M. Lépicier ( ) was named the Titular Archbishop of Tarsus and the Apostolic Visitor in the East Indies ( ). This was another milestone in the history of the Servites in India. As a consequence of his visit to the sisters in Tiruchirappalli, the Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows was fully aggregated to the Order in 1927 and today it has nearly 1050 sisters serving in two provinces and one Region in India, one province in Myanmar and missions in Australia, Italy and Philippines. It fostered the relationship of the Order with the Congregation and paved the way for bringing about the presence of Servite friars in India. In the same period ( ), according to Odir J. Diaz, the Venetian Servite Province made more than one attempt to open a mission in India but met with failure (Cf. Odir J. Diaz, India: antico sogno, in Le missioni dei Servi di Maria, n. 4 (1978). In 1964, Fra Alfonso M. Montà, then Prior General, made an official visit to the convents of Servite sisters in India in order to encourage them and to study the possibility of bringing Servite friars to that country. After the visit, he wrote to Sr. Teresita Mary OSM expressing his strong desire to have Servite friars in India: I did recommend to our Bishop our interest to establish our Order in India. Please, pray much for this intention. Certainly, I shall recommend this wonderful intention to my successor (Cf. Arch. Gen. O.S.M, Sisters India, fasc. 5/94). His successor fra Joseph M. Loftus ( ) visited India in 1969 on the way to Australia along with his councillor Fra Neal M. Flanagan ( 1985). In a letter written on November 22, 1970 to the Superior General Sr. Flora Mary OSM, the Prior General had mentioned an Indian novice, named Stanislaus Santhu taking courses at St. Alexis College in Rome, who later become an instrument of God for the foundation of the Order in India (Cf. Arch. Gen. O.S.M, Sisters India, fasc. 6/248). 1

2 It is evident God willed the presence of the Servite friars in India and this was slowly becoming a reality in and through the prophetic writings of the Servite fra David M. Turoldo. The meeting of fra David M. Turoldo with fra Stani (Stanislaus) Santhu Manickam, (the first Indian Servite) a former Jesuit scholastic studying in Milan, at the community of Sant Egidio in Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Italy, in the early 1970s was the beginning of a new history of the Servite Order in India. Inspired by the life and mission of Fra David M. Turoldo and helped by the family of Mr. Giuseppe Rocco, Fra Santhu decided to enter into the Order. He received his formation in Rovato (Novitiate) and Rome (Theological Studies). On 31 October 1973, he was ordained as the first Indian Servite priest at Monte Berico, Vicenza, Italy. He later became an instrument of God for the foundation of the Order in India. With the priestly ordination of Fra Santhu and with the interest of fra Luigi M. Sabbadin, the Prior Provincial of the Venetian Province and other young priests who had great zeal and enthusiasm to work as missionaries, the long-time dream of the Servites became a reality. Priestly Ordination of Fra Santhu On 16 February 1974, in the vigil of the Solemnity of the Seven Holy Founders Msgr. Anthony Rayappa Arulappa ( ), the Archbishop of Madras- Mylapore, presided at a Solemn Mass. This marked the Servite official entry and service in Holy Family Parish in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. A long-time dream became a reality. Fra David Turoldo came to visit in 1974 and attempted to resolve the immediate problem of providing moral support to Fra Santhu in the new mission. In 1974, on the Feast of St. Philip Benizi, the Servite Sisters opened a Community near Holy Family Parish Church. Back in Italy, Fra Turoldo presented a report to the Provincial and his council. This report created more interest among young friars who were eager to work in this new mission. Fra Mariano M. Marinello joined Fra Santhu on 31 October He would help in the new mission and the formation of young Servites. From the very beginning, the Indian foundation faced many challenges. Friars from overseas had problems getting visas to India. Unfortunately, Fra Mariano had to return to Italy in He was refused a visa by the Indian government. Fra Martin M. Jenco, from Australia and Fra Lawrence M. Walling, from the United States, stayed with the young students in India for a couple of months to help Fra Santhu., By the grace of God, Fra Mariano managed to get visa and returned to India in In that same year, Fra Nicholas M. Martin, from the English province, joined the friars in Mamallapuram and helped in formation work for a couple of years. In 1977 Fra. Peregrine M. Graffius, the Prior General, made an official visit to the community. He was accompanied by Fra John M. Mullane and Fra Brian M. Fitzpatrick who encouraged the friars. The community was involved in promoting the welfare of the people entrusted to their care and the formation of young students and then bad news came. Fra Santhu left India to take part in the 1979 provincial chapter and to rest in Italy. Later he went to the United States for a prolonged rest. Later we were told that Fra Santhu would never return to India. Fra Mariano continued with the formation work and I.M. Joseph, a Jesuit priest and one of the best friends of the Servites since the beginning helped in the administration of the parish at Mamallapuram. In this time of trial and difficulty we put our faith in God s providence and made an important decision: we would move the formation community to Trichy. The friars and students in formation had been living in Kalaikaveri (Diocesan Institute of Fine Arts) and then later in St. Alexis Illam, Crawford for three years. They lived in a rented house. At this juncture, the Indian foundation was blessed with the arrival of two more friars form Italy: Giuseppe M. Bernardi (1979) and Giuseppe M. Zaupa (1980). At the same time the first Indian professed student, Fra Michaelraj completed his philosophical studies and was sent to St. Alexis International Formation Community in Rome for theology in Since that time there have always been Indian friars at St. Alexis College. A new house, Jegan Matha Priory, was blessed and established as a community in 1982 for students in formation. Next to the priory, a chapel dedicated to Jegan Matha (Mother of the Universe) was also blessed and later erected as a parish in In this parish, a Secular Servite fraternity (OSSM) was formed in 1996 and is very vibrant today. Jegan Matha Priory, Trichy (1982) 2

3 On December 8, 1981, Fra Renzo M. Marcon and Fra. Emilio M. Ferrari from the Venetian province came to India. As the mission of Servites in India began to bear more fruit, the friars once again faced the problem of visas from the Indian government. Friars Giuseppe M. Zaupa (January 24, 1984), Renzo M. Marcon (July 19, 1984) and Giuseppe M. Bernardi (January 31, 1986) were forced to leave India with a broken hearts and shattered dreams. At this point, there was a void that created desperation, confusion and bewilderment about the future of the Servite mission in India. The problem was resolved when young professed completed their studies in Rome and returned to India. In 1988, the novitiate house was moved from Jegan Matha Priory, Trichy to St. Philip s Servite Illam, Perungudi, Madras (Chennai) and was canonically erected as a community. The community of St. Philip s Servite Illam was moved to a new house in Okkiampet, Chennai in 1990 and was renamed as Jyothi Matha Alayam. Since 1993, there was also a Servite Secular fraternity guided by the Jyothi Matha Alayam community. It was also taking care of a Church in Sholinganallur (Infant Jesus Church) that later became a parish (1998). It was made part of the Jyothi Matha Alayam community in This facilitated pastoral ministry. Jyothi Matha Alayam, Chennai The 1991 Provincial Chapter adopted a resolution on the juridical structure of the Indian Foundation: it was elevated to the status of Provincial Delegation. Fra Mariano M. Martinello was the first Indian Delegate Provincial. Serious problems had arisen endangering religious life. Servites left Holy Family parish in Mamallapuram and gave it back to the diocese. On September 15, 1994, the Annai Ashram Community was canonically closed and on January 10, 1995 it was canonically suppressed. God blessed the delegation with new communities: Senario Servite Illam, Muppayur (1997); Jeeva Matha Illam, Thanjavur (2001); Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore (1998) later moved to Jettipalaya, Chennenahalli, Bangalore and named Jeya Matha Priory (2009); Annai Ashram, Permaleri, Mamallapuram (2005); Siluvaipuram parish, Thanjavur (2006) erected as Our Lady of Lourdes Servite House (2011); Arputhu Matha in Kilnathur, Thiruvannamalai (2007) established as a community in On June 30, 2003, the General Council approved the decree of the 2003 Venetian Provincial Chapter. And in 2004 the Indian Delegation became the Aikiya Annai Indian Vicariate; the first Vicarial Chapter was celebrated from May 31 June 5, 2004 at Jyothi Matha Alayam, Chennai. Fra Susaimani M. Arockiasamy was elected the first Vicar Provincial. God blessed abundantly the Vicariate with growth in all aspects and it was canonically erected as the Aikya Annai Province; the Prior General Fra The first Provincial Elective Chapter, 2012 Angel M. Ruiz Garnica issued the decree on September 22, The first elective Chapter was celebrated from April 23-27, 2012 at Jyothi Matha Alayam, Chennai and Fra Susaimani M. Arockiasamy was elected the first Prior Provincial. The new Indian Province extended its pastoral ministry to Padua, Italy (2014) and took possession of the Chiesa dei Servi; to Los Angeles, USA (2015) with an ad experimentum parish community at The Divine Saviour and St. Anne (twin parishes); to Amalorpava Matha Church, Poompozhil Nagar, Avadi, Chennai (2015). It is also cares for the Myanmar mission - Seven Founders Priory was canonically established in Kyaitinn, Payagon village, Thanlyin Township, Yangon division in Along with the Servite friars and the Indian Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows Servants of Mary, there are other Servite sisters Congregations (founded in Italy) in India as well as Secular Servite fraternities (OSSM): the Compassionist Sisters, Servants of Mary [1982 (Kalamassery, Kerala)]; the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows Servants of Mary (Pisa) [1989 (Vysambhagam, kerala)], the Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows (Minime dell'addolorata), [1996 (Chittissery, Trichur, Kerala)]; the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows Servants of Mary (Florence) [2000 Bangalore, Karnataka]. There are Secular Order Fraternities (OSSM) in Kumbalan, Kerala and Palluruthy, Kerala It its various expressions (friars, sisters and Secular Order) the Order s young and energetic members contribute much to the Church s mission in India in its ministry of pastoral care, education, health care and the empowerment of Dalits, women and tribes. The Servite Historical Institute 3

4 T G C 1. C 22 COUNCIL SESSION (October 3, 2017) 1. Approval of C.I.F. St. Alexis Planning The General Council discussed St. Alexis International Formation Community planning for with all the modifications and updates made to the plan. After making a few small changes the General Council unanimously approved the Planning. 2. The Order s Short Legal Handbook (Breve Prontuario Giuridico): final approval Continuing with the revisions to the Order s Short Legal Handbook (Breve Prontuario Giuridico) made in previous Council sessions (September 11-12, 2017; September 25, 2017) the General Council made some final observations and then brought the work of revision to a conclusion; the Council approved the Order s Short Legal Handbook. 3. Committee for the Constitutions: Report on the Second Work Meeting Fra Sergio M. Ziliani, President of the Committee for the Constitutions, was asked to report on what has happened since the Report from the last meeting (Mexico City, March 20-24, 2017) and to describe what of importance has occurred. The committee sent questionnaires to all the friars of the Order. Response came mainly from the elderly (those with more experience). Responses from younger friars and the younger jurisdictions were fewer. Fra Camille M. Jacques has been elected Prior Provincial of the Canadian Province. On behalf of the whole General Council the Prior General thanked Fra Camille for his service as Secretary of the Order for the last ten years a task he has performed with diligence and competence. At the same time, we wish him success in his new work serving our brothers in the Canadian Province. COUNCIL SESSION (November 27, 2017) 1. Report on the Canonical Visitation of the Study Community: Approval The Councilor responsible, Fra Sergio M. Ziliani, presented a report on the Canonical Visitation of the Study Community to the General Council. The Council approved the Report unanimously. 2. Report on the Canonical Visitation of Santa Maria de los Andes Province: Approval The responsible Councilor, Fra Jorge Luis M. Jiménez Delgadillo read a report on the Canonical Visitation of the Santa Maria de los Andes Province (October 15 November 18, 2017) to the General Council. The Council took note of the report and approved it unanimously. 3. OSSM Saint Peregrine Secular Community (Gosnells, Australia) and OSSM Virgen de Cana (Lima, Peru) established The General Secretary for the Secular Order and Lay Groups, Fra Souriraj M. Arulananda Samy, presented requests to the General Council that it establish two Secular Order communities: Saint Peregrine Secular Community in Gosnells, Australia and Virgen de Cana in Lima, Peru. The Prior General took note of the documentation and approved the establishment of these two Secular Order fraternities. 4. Confessor for the Monastery (cloistered convent) in Rome The Servite Nuns of Rome in their chapter requested the appointment of Fra Jorge Luis M. Jiménez Delgadillo as their ordinary confessor. This request was necessary after Fra Camille M. Jacques was elected Canadian Prior Provincial and had to return to Canada. The Prior General spoke with the General Council and Fra Jorge Luis and then appointed him to this position. 2. G C A P Every year Fra Gottfried M. Wolff and the General Council spend a week outside Rome to plan their commitments and activities for the coming year. This year we held our planning meeting at Santa Maria di Monte Berico in Vicenza (December 10-15). Along with the Prior General, the following friars were present: Rhett M. Sarabia, Vicar General and Councilor, Sergio M. Ziliani, Councilor and Secretary of the Order, Jorge Luis M. Jiménez Delgadillo, Councilor, Recording Minutes and Souriraj M. Arulananda Samy, Councilor. The work proceeded with serenity and dedication as we discussed various aspects the Order s life. 4

5 G O S 1. G S E P J P : The First World Day of the Poor The World Day of the Poor was celebrated for the first time on November 19. It was established by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy. The Pope writes During the Jubilee for Socially Excluded People, as the Holy Doors of Mercy were being closed in all the cathedrals and shrines of the world, I had the idea that, as yet another tangible sign of this Extraordinary Holy Year, the entire Church might celebrate, on the Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, the World Day of the Poor. The Pope himself tells us how this idea came to him on one of the most moving occasions of the Jubilee: Thousands of homeless, poor and outcast people filled Piazza San Pietro on the Year of Mercy day devoted to them. This World Day of the Poor is added to the list of World Days that popes have established to honor particular themes: peace, immigration and other social concerns. This day is different it does not call attention to a special theme but rather to real living individuals. At the very center of this day is a call to reality: My children we must not love only in words and speech but with deeds and truth (1 John 3,18). It is not the World Day of Poverty but the World Day of the Poor real people. It is a day calling us to encounter the poor, to share with them our time, hospitality, attention and food. We must meet their needs. Pope Francis gave us an example: he shared dinner, that day, with 1,500 poor people in the Paul VI auditorium. Who are the poor? At the center of the Message for the World Day of the Poor we find the thousand faces of poverty: suffering, marginalization, oppression, violence, torture, prison and war, deprivation of freedom and dignity, ignorance and illiteracy, lack of health care, lack of work, human traffic, slavery, exile and destitution. We, the well off, build walls and fences around the poor so that we need not see or make contact with them. They are those who were in Piazza San Pietro, those we are called to share with, those we are called to love with actions and not just words like St. Francis with the leper. In his message the Pope tells us that the poor are not just the recipients of our charity. We cannot remain indifferent to a poverty that stifles the spirit of initiative of so many young people by keeping them from finding work...to a poverty that dulls the sense of personal responsibility and leaves others to do the work while we go looking for favours... to a poverty that poisons the wells of participation and allows little room for professionalism... and demeans the merit of those who do work and are productive. To all these forms of poverty we must respond with a new vision of life and society. The Pope s call for a world day of the poor is addressed to all mankind regardless of their religious belief. 5 The General Council interrupted its work on the afternoon of December 13, 2017 and paid a fraternal visit to the cloistered Servite nuns (Priestly Oblates) in Verona to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of their convent. The event was commemorated with a solemn celebration on September 14, 2017 in which the convent church was dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and the altar was consecrated. At the end of the planning sessions the Prior General and the Council visited the Istituto Missioni community near Monte Berico Sanctuary. The elderly and infirm members of the Venetian Province (along with other provinces) live in the Istituto. The Council met and greeted everyone with special attention to Fra Germano Contardo who is ninety years old and had suffered four broken ribs in a mugging and robbery on November 25, Fra Germano had just parked his three-wheeled vehicle and was about to enter Santa Maria del Cengio priory in Isola Vicentina when the aggression occurred. The General Council expressed its concern for Fra Germano and wished him a speedy recovery. Once the Council meeting was concluded the Prior General expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the Monte Berico community for it fraternal hospitality and warm welcome.

6 Evangelical poverty and Servites What inspired our Seven First Fathers to sell everything they had, leave their earthly possessions and devote their lives to the contemplation of God? The Legenda de Origine Ordinis tells us what happened in the lives of these men that led them to found our Order. The pearl of great price the Gospel spoke about was the main reason for their radical choice of a life that was indifferent to poverty a life entirely dedicated to the contemplation of God. Their flight from the world, their choice of a small house outside the city walls, their move to Monte Senario and their practice of charity towards those who were less fortunate - all this describes the life of those men at the origin of our Order. The Legenda goes on to tell us about the exemplary life these men led; in their own poverty they were able to embrace and welcome the poverty of others they were ever ready to help and assist those who were needy. At the heart of our vocation is this call to serve the people of God especially society s outcasts. This is our basic choice. The poor are always the subjects and protagonists of our rule of service. We are instruments and the poor are our mentors. In our effort to serve the very poorest we must see, judge and act with their eyes. This is the teaching of Christ. By becoming poor he understood his own mission. Solidarity: the new name of poverty Pope Francis reminds us that we are called to extend our hand to the poor, to meet them and look them in the eye, to embrace them and make them feel the warmth of our affection; this shatters loneliness. The hand they extend to us is an invitation to move out of our comfort zone and to recognize the value of poverty in itself. Many friars believe that the new name of poverty is solidarity. Poverty calls us to identify with the poor and be spokesmen for them. Poverty liberates us from false assumptions and makes us a word of prophecy vis-à-vis so many contemporary economic realities: consumerism, neo-liberalism, exploitation, globalization, impoverishment of the planet, mass consumption. Poverty liberates us from the illusion that we can live apart it gives rise to our social consciousness and sensitivity to the problems of justice and peace in the world. Poverty calls us to persevere in our effort to understand reality, to direct and prepare our response to the needs of people. (Cf. Const. 76c). The choice of poverty frees us to undertake new forms of service to those most needy in today s world. The World Day of the Poor goes beyond religion; it is a genuine ethical challenge for our society, our families, our policies and our consciences consciences too often dulled by a false security, consumerism or fear. Tell us about your projects! Enough empty words let us talk about concrete facts. This involves a genuine encounter with the poor, a sharing that becomes a way of life. Poverty is an attitude of the heart that is born of genuine prayer. As Servants of Mary, what are the concrete actions of our communities, provinces and jurisdictions to respond to Pope Francis s call? Fra Rhett M. Sarabia, OSM Servite General Secretary for the Evangelization of People and Justice and Peace 2. G S S O L G : Workshop for Servite lay assistants The General Secretariat for the Secular Order and Lay Groups is organizing formation workshop for Secular Order Assistants and Lay Groups scheduled for May 26-29, 2018 in the Philippines immediately after the UNIFAS convention. It will be held at the Carmelite Missionaries Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City. It will have as its theme: Jesus in person came up to and walked with them (Lk 24.15). THE ROLE OF ASSISTANTS IN DIRECTING LAY MEMBERS OF THE SERVITE FAMILY. The purpose of the workshop is to help assistants better understand their role in directing lay members of the Servite Family, so they can help them embody our charism. We would invite Servite Laity assistants to take part in this workshop. Documents to prepare for the workshop can be found on the Order s website: Letter of Convocation: Agenda: Sign-up sheet: Fra Souriraj M. Arulananda Samy, OSM General Secretary for the Secular Order and Lay Groups 6

7 J P 1. G C : Annual Meeting On December 1 and 2 the General Communities (the Prior General s province ) held their annual meeting at Viale Trenta Aprile in Rome. As usual it was a special time for sharing and fraternity. Each community reported on its life, its status, its plans and its intentions. We shared prayer and discussions. After Friday dinner the St. Alexis professed provided some entertainment and discussed their own hopes for the future. A subject that was discussed at length was sending friars from other jurisdictions to work in the western world. Our friars there are aging and there are few new vocations. We must consider the need to reduce the number of and restructure our communities. We spoke about the potential and the difficulties that arise from sending friars from other jurisdictions to these communities. We held a round table discussion where we could hear about the experiences of friars from abroad who have come to work in other countries: Fra Charles M. Mateega is a Ugandan friar who is a member of the Verona community; Fra Roger M. Cabillo is a Filipino who is Prior of our community in Forlì; Fra Giuseppe M. Xotta is an Italian with vast experience of South Africa and Uganda. We listened to what they had to say and asked many questions. Then Father Aldo Skoda, a Scalabrinian, spoke to us about inculturation and our need to embrace it. Our discussions made us all aware of the need to continue this discussion in the General Chapter. We must provide clear and common guidelines that reflect what we have experienced up to now. Our meeting concluded with a Mass and dinner on Saturday, December : Meeting On November 23, 2017 CASA held a meeting at Servite Priory in Tuart Hill, Perth, Australia. The following friars were present at the meeting: Susaimani M. Arokiasamy, Coordinator and Prior Provincial of Aikiya Annai Province India; Deogracias M. Alejandria Jr., Vicar Provincial of St. Peregrine Vicariate, Philippines; Peter M. Porteous, Provincial Delegate of the Australian Delegation and Ruben Bello M. Enriquez representing the Indonesian foundation. 3. M S : Restoring the roof of St. Alexis Cell Thanks to the donations of benefactors, volunteers and friends of the Priory and the coordination of Fra Maurizio M. Gabellini, restoration of the roof of St. Alexis Cell on Monte Senario has been completed. 7

8 P, O, A Congratulations to friars Stelio M. Pellegrinelli ( ), [January 15, 1993], Ponsiano M. Musoke ( / ) and Raphael Thulani M. Ntsele ( / ) [January 26, 1993] on the 25th anniversary of their first profession. U 1. - : First Meeting of the ISSN in India The ISSN held an international meeting at San Marcello, Rome, (September 25-27, 2017). Participants from India made an effort to include other Servite friars and sisters who work in Servite schools in India. For the first-time members discussed the ISSN guideline to achieve or perhaps create local versions of the ISSN within a territory or congregation and promote ISSN s international dimension. This two-day meeting bore results: eventual collaboration between Servite schools in India and mutual recognition between friars and sisters working in those schools. Fra Suresh organized this meeting and reported on his experience at the ISSN international meeting. He proposed immediate local collaboration between Servite schools in India and international collaboration with the ISSN. fra Suresh Michael Arockiaraj M. Selvaraj, 2. U : Extraordinary Council The UNIFAS Extraordinary Council met at San Marcello in Rome (December 4-7, 2017) to prepare the agenda for the UNIFAS Convention in Attending the meeting were: Fra Gottfried M. Wolff, President of U - ; Mother Marie Thérèse Connor ( ), Vicepresident of U, Mother Maria Zingaro ( ); Margherita Palazzi ( ); Martin McNicoll ( / ); F Souriraj M. Arulananda Samy; Sister Maria Giuseppa Mosca,, Secretary of U, Celine Selvi Antony ( ), Treasurer of U. Mother Elizabeth M. Torres Martínez, the former UNIFAS Secretary was also invited. We finished work on the agenda, useful information and the sign-up sheet for the VIII UNIFAS Convention to be held in the Philippines (May 20-26, 2018). The theme of the convention will be: Servants of Mary on the outskirts: a new call for solidarity and collaboration. Each will use the gift he has received to serve others (I Peter 4, 10). The preparation documents can all be found on the Order s website: unifas/viii-unifas.html Letter of Convocation: unifas/unifas8con.pdf Agenda: Useful Information Sign-up sheet: 8

9 3. U : Assembly and election of the presidency of the UNICISS Council The UNICISS Assembly met (December 1-2, 2017) at the Pistoia Mantellate Sisters Mater Dolorosa Institute in Via Mentore Maggini 51 (Rome). All the Mothers General were present along with Margherita Palazzi the Sister Major of the Regnum Mariae and for the first time Mother Marie Thérèse Connor of London. The absent Generals were represented by delegates: Mother Paola Romoli was represented by Sister Bertha Luigia Builes, Mother Umberta Salvadori s representative was Sister Chira Lazzarin and Sister Agostina Piazza represented Sister Barbara Pavan. We were pleased to welcome Professor Rosanna Marchionni of the Regnum Mariae Secular Institute, the former President of UNIFAS and a pioneer of UNICISS and Sister Celine Mary Selvi, the current President of UNIFASI. We were pleased to welcome Fra Lino M. Pacchin, the Venetian Prior Provincial and Fra Souriraj M. Arulananda Samy (General Councilor) who acted as a simultaneous translator for Mother Marie Thérèse s report and moderator of the voting session. The Assembly had two goals: making plans for the three coming years ( ) and electing a President for the Council. After a brief prayer Mother Nadia Padovan greeted and thanked those in attendance. She thanked Mother Marie Thérèse Connor for accepting the invitation and Mother Vittoria de Salvatore for the hospitality. The moderator, Margherita Palazzi, gave the floor to Rosanna Marchionni who presented a paper: UNICISS the history of a journey in communion. She spoke not just about our journey but recalled with much affection the Servite Sisters and friars who helped create this Union on October 14, She spoke about Father Luigi Maria Pertini who was the Delegate for Sisters and Secular Institutes at that time. Our journey together, knowing each other and sharing our experiences has shown us the beauty of communion. Since that time, we have undertaken many projects: vocation communities, inter-congregation communities of women, retreats, Servite history updates for juniors, fraternity days, the many occasions of praying together and our common effort to understand Marian-Servite spirituality. We began the next day (December 2) with Lauds and Mass. At 9:30 AM Mother Marie Thérèse Connor of London read a paper: Our experience of revising the Constitutions and reorganizing the Congregation. From noon until 1 PM we broke into three groups to discuss articles 2, 3 and 6 of the Statutes on initial, ongoing and missionary formation. In the aula in the afternoon each group presented the conclusions it had reached. These included what the Statutes say about the tasks of the Council, the importance of training formation personnel, the need for dialogue and communion among those involved in formation, the importance of spiritual direction, participation in youth work and the possibility of changing times and place for meeting young women. The results of the election were as follows: President: Mother Sherly Chiullykai (PIS) Councilors: Margherita Palazzi (REM), Mother Elisabetta Torres (NAP) and Mother Maria Zingaro (SMN) Sr. Maria Giuseppa Mosca, COM UNICISS Secretary F W G N J 2018 M C H N Y 2018 Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo 2018 Feliz Natal e Próspero Ano Novo Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année 2018 Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo 2018