12 April 2014 -- Just a word about this material
in particular - the translations of written material (the
kind of thing you have links to above) have largely been
done in bits and pieces as they came through. In some cases
(the Chapter Document, for example), they went through many
- and we many many - versions, revisions and the like, all
based on the 'official' 'editio tipica' which under current
custom is Italian. The Rector Major has introduced a new
factor into all of this - for the moment, at least, he uses
Spanish to ensure he gets his message through - from the
heart and mind that is best expressed for him, as it is for
all of us, in his native language. Good on yer mate! (Does
that need translation? I doubt it!).
All of the above means that
the documents (most of which have been translated under
understandable pressure) are in English, are in good English
by and large, but will need to be reviewed, 'harmonised'
between one and the other, and so on and so on. That is a
post-chapter event. Just bear that in mind. If you see
something that hits you in the face immediately as 'odd'
(I'm talking about translation of these documents, of
course!) could you pass that on please? Of course, these
then have to be checked back against the 'official'
originals, but comments of the kind will be taken kindly and
where possible, integrated.
The substance of the RM's final address 1. A BRIEF LOOK
AT THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF GC27
He looks at the seven weeks noting highlights. The visits to
the DB Places is 'our birthplace', he says. The gestation
period was the Becchi - we were born in Valdocco!
The study of the Report on the Congregation was crucial: "It
certainly was a great help in getting to know this report
better so we could be more aware of the reality of our
Congregation with its lights and shadows, and with the
certainty that we are all the Congregation and we all give it
life and light or limit it by our shortcomings."
He is honest in reflecting on the reflections at this stage:
"We felt a desire to fly higher through truth, authenticity,
and by being radical, and felt that at times we do not even
succeed in getting off the ground."
The Pope's words and especially the time he spent personally
with each Chapter member was a definite highlight. "Moreover,
we took away with us a message from Pope Francis that cannot
be reduced to a simple anecdote amongst us. In fact it must
form part of our Chapter conclusions, these final words of
mine and also of the planning and decision-making that will be
up to the Rector Major with his Council, and Chapter members
in their provinces, once they have returned."
2. KEYS FOR
INTERPRETING THE REFLECTIONS OF GC27
Below are just the sub-headings, but each of these contains a
challenge which usually starts with something like, "I dare to
ask each Province to.....". This is where the RM's final
words of the Chapter are stirring and yes, challenging.
2.1. LIKE DON BOSCO,
CAUGHT UP IN GOD’S STORYLINE
2.2. A FRATERNITY THAT IS
‘IRRESISTIBLY’ PROPHETIC
2.3. A VERY SALESIAN WAY
OF BEING RADICAL: “WORK AND TEMPERANCE”
2.4. SERVANTS OF THE YOUNG, owning
nothing and no one …
3. WHERE TO DIRECT OUR
FUTURE CHOICES FOLLOWING GC27
3.1. KNOWLEDGE, STUDY AND
ASSIMILATION OF GC27
3.2. DEPTH OF INTERIOR LIFE:
WITNESSES TO THE GOD OF LIFE
3.3. LOOKING AFTER
OURSELVES, LOOKING AFTER OUR CONFRERES, LOOKING AFTER OUR
COMMUNITIES
3.4. IT IS ENOUGH THAT
YOU ARE YOUNG FOR ME TO LOVE YOU
3.5. AS IT WAS FOR DON
BOSCO: OUR PRIOITY IS THE YOUNG WHO ARE POOREST, THE LEAST,
THE MOST EXCLUDED
3.6. EVANGELISERS OF THE
YOUNG, ‘COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY’, BOLDLY PUTTING CHALLENGES
BEFORE THEM
3.7. WITH LAY PEOPLE IN THE URGENCY OF A SHARED
MISSION
3.8. MISSION ‘AD GENTES’, PROJECT EUROPE AND THE
BICENTENARY
THANK YOU - FROM THE HEART
