2023-05-23 23:15:00
May 23, 2023 / 4:15 p.m
On Wednesday, June 7, Pope Francis will meet with the Congregation of the Consolata Missionaries on the occasion of the celebration of its XIV General Chapter in Rome.
The Superior General of the Congregation, Fr. Stefano Camerlengo, officially inaugurated the XIV General Chapter on Tuesday, May 22, which will run until June 25. The central theme of the meeting is: “You will be my witnesses, to the ends of the earth” (Hch 1,8).
“The Chapter is a prophetic and visionary moment to face the challenges of today’s world, where together we can be more faithful to our charism, marking our common commitment to the mission to nations“, affirmed the superior general to the participants.
Father Camerlengo invited everyone to let themselves be “guided by the Spirit of the Risen One”, symbolized by the light of the paschal candle, which “illuminates the path of missionary disciples” so that we may be “a Church on the way out”.
In the XIV General Chapter, 41 missionaries participate: 24 Africans, 9 Europeans, 6 Latin Americans and 2 Asians, representing 13 circumscriptions.
The diversity of nationalities in this Chapter, according to the organizers, shows the multicultural face of the Congregation and the intercultural dynamics that have intensified in recent years.
Listening and synodality
The preparation process has followed a path inspired by the practice of synodality that began more than a year ago with the preparatory document sent to all the missionaries and communities.
The biblical inspiration taken from the book of Revelation invited us to listen to “what the Spirit says to the Institute”.
In this sense, with the contributions of the study of the Features, the Working Instrument for the XIV General Chapter was elaborated. The main themes are: the missionary in the community (identity and charism); an Institute on the way out (our mission to nations); organization and economy for the mission.
moment of grace
Celebrated every six years, the General Chapter is a moment of grace, defined in this way by the missionaries, in which the Congregation stops to reflect on life and mission to nations.
In addition to electing the Superior General and his Council, it is an opportunity to evaluate the path taken, make decisions about the organization and project the future with creativity and renewed missionary enthusiasm.
The Consolata Missions Institute (IMC) is a multicultural and international clerical Congregation with 906 missionaries from 30 countries, who live in 231 communities in 29 countries in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. It was founded in 1901 by Blessed José Allamano next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolata in Turin (Italy).
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