austraLasia #2081

'Charismatic explosion'?

ROME: 3rd March 2008 --  If you have been following the very active GC26 cartoonist, with his own special 'take' on events, you will have noted the most recent reference to a 'charismatic explosion'.  It was the term used by the Retreat preacher to describe the encounter with Bartholomew Garelli - in fact it was in reference to the power of that single 'Hail Mary' that was reputedly prayed on that occasion.
    There is every indication that 3rd March is repeating that explosion, hence the cartoonist's choice for today, it seems.  In his morning homily, prior to the official opening of the Chapter, the Rector Major referred to the 'immense power of the Word of God which is able to create from nothing and re-create from death'. You can read that homily, already available in the homily section of the GC26 website.
    From the hundreds of recent registrations to sdb.org it is clear that confrères around the world are keenly following this Chapter, in itself a very good sign. As documents are made available, a number of them 'reserved' to Salesian registered members, they will be placed on the GC26 site available through sdb.org. The reserved documents are actually being kept in sdb.org. Those with long-term significance will eventually be transferred to SDL.
    Today's opening ceremonies with Cardinals and Bishops (especially Salesian, mainly from Europe), the Mother General FMA, the ASC World Coordinator are a morning affair.  The actual Chapter work session begins in the late afternoon with the Report from the RM.  Since these events are yet to take place, we cannot report their content, obviously. The Pope is widely expected to encourage the Congregation along lines already familiar to us (language wise, that is), but will no doubt introduce a theme or two dear to his Pontificate.
    Expect, then, a fuller overview of the day's events later in the day (Rome time).
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 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2008 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2081
Subject and key words: SDb General GC26 opening
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2081