Via Latina 22 News From the General Administration - Society of Mary Issue # 217 November 2012 REGION OF SWITZERLAND BECOMES AN AREA COMMUNITY ast year, in his report to the XXXIV General Chapter, Superior General Manuel Cortés, SM, announced that the General Council had entered into a dialog with the Region L of Switzerland aimed at addressing their particular situation as we look ahead to the future. The aging of its members and the reduction of Marianist works made clear that their continuation as a Region would not be sustainable. This dialog took place for more than a year. Article 7.129 of our Rule of Life provides for the establishment of an Area Community which The document is signed by the Superior General and the Secretary General consists of a single canonical community living in several residential locations. Both the Swiss Marianists and the members of the General Council saw this as the best structure for their future. So, on September 5, 2012, the Superior General, along with some members of the General Council gathered with the Swiss Marianists in Sion, Switzerland, to mark their transition from a Region to an Area Community. It was a grateful celebration of the Marianist presence in Switzerland for more than 170 years. Beginning with the Eucharist, presided by Bishop Paul Volllmar, SM, and continuing with a short violin Installation of Fr. Leo Müller, SM, as director recital and a festive meal, the celebration gave clear evidence that the Swiss Marianists remain firm in their commitment to Marianist life. The director of the new community is Fr. Leo Müller, SM. The community will fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Superior General, who serves as their major superior. Fr. Bernard Truffer celebrated 60 years of ordination. given to the Church through our Swiss Marianists. Bishop Paul Vollmar, SM, gives the blessing during Mass. Jean-Paul Federneder, SM, along with Fr. Manuel Cortés, SM, celebrated 50 years of religious profession. Taking advantage the presence of the General Administration and almost all of their membership, the members of the Swiss Community renewed their perpetual vows. It was a special joy to celebrate the 50 th jubilee of Bro. Jean-Paul Federneder, SM and Fr. Manuel Cortés, SM, as well as the 60 th anniversary of the sacerdotal ordination of Fr. Bernard Truffer, SM. Congratulations to these brothers. We offer prayers of thanksgiving for all of the many graces
Page 2 LIVING THE FRUIT OF THE XXXIV GENERALG CHAPTER: TO ENLIVEN THE FIRE THAT ENKINDLES OTHER FIRES Blessed Chaminade desired a community of saints and described the members of the Society of Mary as "all missionaries." Through obedience to the Word of God, growth in holiness and zeal within a Marianist community, a deepening love for our charism, and a global perspective fostered by vibrant life within the Marianist Family, we can "catch fire," becoming together that "fire that enkindles other fires," attracting new vocations and revitalizing our religious consecration. To Enliven the Fire that Enkindles Other Fires, #19 During the months leading up to the XXXIV General Chapter, for even more than a year before its opening session, the celebration of this important event was part of my daily concern. No, I was not a delegate. Still, as the one charged with organizing the work of the Chapter and hosting the delegates here at the General Administration, I wanted it all to go well. I wanted our guests to feel welcome as they carried out their important task. I wanted all the technical systems to work, and the liturgies to be prayerful... Thanks to the generous collaboration of many people, the Chapter truly was a moment of fraternal union and intense dedication to the shaping of our future as a Society. The capitulants worked hard, seizing this opportunity to address our challenges and energize our mission. Despite all these graces, the real success of the Chapter, the true measure of its significance, will be the degree to which its work is embraced by each and every one of the members of the Society of Mary. The document quoted above remains the voice of the Chapter. It is a clear, direct and prophetic voice. The capitulants wished to create a practical and concrete document that would come alive in its implementation, not just another ornament for our library shelves. So, now that capitulants have gone home, and life at Via Latina 22 has returned to normal, the real work of the Chapter begins! How do we (how do I, as a Marianist religious) enter into the call to become the fire that enkindles other fires? This quote from #19 of the Chapter document summarizes the four sources of energy which produce the fire of our Marianist life: obedience to the Word of God; growth in holiness and zeal within a Marianist community; a deepening love for our charism; and a global perspective of what it means to be a Marianist. The Chapter offers practical ways for each of these elements to channel and sustain their energy so that we may draw life from them and spread their life-giving energy in the future. For this issue of VL22, I will reflect upon the first of these four elements: obedience to the Word of God. Mary received the Word at the moment of the Annunciation when she consented to her participation in God s plan of salvation, conceiving the Word in both a physical and spiritual way. All throughout life and ministry of her Son, and again, in a very tangible way, in her arms at the foot of the Cross, she continued to receive the Word. At each moment, the Word was not only heard, but it enkindled in her a spirit of obedience that continues to give energy to her saving mission. We profess, each day in our Act of Consecration, to co-operate with Mary in that saving mis-
Page 3 TO ENLIVEN (CONTINUED) sion. Before we can do that, we surely must hear the Word (obedire) and respond with our own fiat. With this in mind, the Chapter calls us to a renewed devotion to prayer and study, particularly with regard to the Word of God. The ancient practice of Lectio Divina is singled out as a particular way we Marianists can draw energy from the fire of God s Word. While many of us have individual experience with Lectio Divina, the Chapter calls us to incorporate this practice into our common life as a shared experience of grace and inspiration. As our Rule of Life states: Our communities aim to be continually attentive to the Word of God. Christ, the fulfillment of the whole of the Scriptures, speaks to us everywhere in the sacred text. We should welcome this word in faith and be eager to ponder and share it. (54) your community can set aside to contemplate the Word of God and allow it to enkindle in you the fire of love and obedience? Blessed Chaminade, in his Letter to Pope Gregory XVI (September 16, 1838) wrote that our vocation was to enliven and rekindle on all sides the divine torch of faith. In this Year of Faith, let us welcome the Word of God, as Mary did, so that we may be energized by it in our vocation and in our mission. If Lectio Divina is already a fruitful part of your personal prayer life, why not share that experience with the other members of your community? If you have not tried this practice in quite a while, would you consider devoting some time to try it again? There are many resources to help you, including articles and videos easily available on the Internet. Is there a time that you and the members of Michael J. McAward, SM RESPONDING to the General Chapter Share your reflections on how your community is responding to the Chapter document: To Enliven the Fire that Enkindles Other Fires. Send responses to: gensecsm@smcuria.it
Page 4 EUROPEAN MARIANIST EDUCATORSDUCATORS MEET IN ROME nitiated by the Zonal Conference of European Marianists and the General Assistant for Education, nearly 120 administrators of Marianist I schools in Europe have gathered in Rome for a 3 ½ day conference from October 31-November 3. The event, currently in progress, is being hosted by the Province of Italy. The event includes presentations, group discussion, visits to the General Administration and the Marianist school in Rome, Istituto Santa Maria, and time for informal interaction and prayer together. The overall theme of the meeting is Teaching to Educate: The Marianist Pedagogical Method. WORLD DAY OF MARIANIST PRAYER rom Togo to Tokyo, Marianists throughout the world gathered on October 14 to join in prayer for F the Marianist Family and its intentions. This year s theme was the Shrine of Our Lady of Lake Togo, Mother of Mercy. All four branches of the Marianist Family are present and active in Togo, so it made a wonderful focus for our prayer as a global family. You may read more about the shrine in Togo on our website. Here are some photos of events around the world marking this year s Day of Prayer: Austria Switzerland Canada
Page 5 CONGRATULATIONS! W e offer our prayers and congratulations to the following brothers: The Regional Superior of Togo, Ignace Pagnan, SM, received the profession of perpetual vows from three brothers. Baloukiyèm Essohanam F. Farara, Koffi Joachim Agbetogon and Abora Jérôme Balakiyema made their profession on September 20, 2012 in Kara, Togo. Brother Thomas O Neill Farnsworth, SM, made his perpetual profession in Dayton on October 27, 2012. He continues his ministry at the University of Dayton. Provincial Martin Solma, SM, presided and received the vows. On Saturday, October 13, 2012, Palakiyem Casimir Tcheou, SM, was ordained to the priesthood in Kara, Togo. He is currently a member of the Marianist Community at Natitingou in Benin. Fr. Casimir recently completed seminary studies at the Chaminade International Seminary in Rome. One week later, on October 20, 2012, Jair Romero, SM, of the Region of Colombia-Ecuador was ordained in Bogotá. He also completed his studies at the Chaminade International Seminary last June. Fr. Jair is serving in parish ministry at the Parroquía Nuestra Señora de la Caridad in Bogotá. Fr. Luis Melo, SM, of the Region of Canada was recently appointed an official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. A short while ago, Fr. Luis transferred from his residence in Winnipeg, Canada to the community of the General Administration at Via Latina 22. He will be involved with the Holy See s ecumenical work and dialog with other Christian Churches and the World Council of Churches.
Page 6 RECENT PUBLICATIONS FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION The Advent Meditations booklet for this year was distributed some time ago. All communities of the SM should receive these in time for the beginning of Advent. We encourage your use of these booklets, both individually and as a community. The 2012-2013 edition of the International Personnel is due to be shipped in a few days. As usual, copies will be sent to Unit Administrations for distribution to the communities. ADDRESS CHANGES Note: The 2012-2013 edition of the Society of Mary International Personnel is being sent to all Units at this time. G.A. COMMUNICATIONSC RECENTLY SENT... ENT... Death Notices: # 24-26 Oct 11: Letter from the Superior General to all members of the SM (sent through Unit Superiors). G. A. CALENDARC Oct 31 - Nov 3: MAX attends meeting of Marianist European Educators in Rome. Nov 7-12: EV attends St. Mary s University Board Meeting and Inauguration of its new President. Nov 10-13: MC and AF attend meetings in Spain. Nov 14-16: Meeting of the World Council of the Marianist Family at VL22 in Rome. Nov 18-Dec 15: MAX attends language study in Assisi. Nov 24-25: General Council meetings in Rome Nov 28-30: MC attends USG meetings in Rome