#528

GC25 ROUNDUP

First, a note:  how on earth can someone who is not at GC25 attempt to 'roundup' events?  Simple - I am only rounding up, summarizing, what comes to me from channels that are established - in most cases from ANS.  It is less than likely that all recipients of 'austraLasia' receive the ANS GC25 bulletins.  It is perhaps even less than 'less than likely' that all who do receive said bulletins are able to read them all, since initially, at least they are documents and dossiers of moderate length.

So - you have below just a 'roundup', the briefest of summaries of where GC25 appears to be moving as it moves, based on whatever information I receive from there.

And there is always the 'delete' key!

Julian Fox sdb

#1:  THE OPENING MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The homilist, understandably, is Fr. Luc Van Looy, Vicar of the Rector Major.  And since it is the Mass of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Luc begins there - with C1. and the reminder that Don Bosco was 'raised up by the Holy Spirit...'.  He reminds us that daily we listen to the Word, where the Spirit gives us vision and discernment.  We claim a charism in the Church - the Spirit's gift.  Our calling/vocation is something we must communicate, and this communication is itself the Spirit at work.  We respond to the deep need and request of young people for a 'spirituality'.

In the end, our practical activity, our sense of realism has to be balanced against our deep attachment to this spirit-inspired Salesian project. This will ensure that we are happy to serve 'with the gift of ourselves to our dying breath'.

#2  A GREETING TO ALL AT THE OPENING CERMENONY

On 25th February, Fr. Luc Van Looy welcomed and greeted not only Capitluars but Cardinal Martinez-Somalo representing the Holy See, Salesian Cardinals present (Stickler, Javierre, Velasco), Mother General of the FMA, leaders of various branches of the Salesian Family (Cooperators, Past Pupils. VDB, Superiors of Congregations within the family, and representatives of Associations in the family.

Fr. Van Looy reminded all present of the fatherliness, wisdom and governing strength of our revered late Fr. Vecchi.  He then noted the extraordinary centrality of 'saintliness' in the Congregation marked so clearly in recent times by beatifications of family members.

Finally, Fr. Van Looy traced the path from recent General Chapters: GC23 and 24 in particular, which logically bring us to the theme og GC25.  In recapping some earlier thoughts on what GC25 aims to be, Fr. Van Looy outlined some of the practical challenges facing us:  culture itself and its ramifications for faith and family; the school situation in many countries; our increased global expansion and depth of involvement and its challenge of unity in diversity; the search for quality in our work, presence, community living.

This first General Chapter of the Millennium is a 'refounding' Chapter taking up the 'Duc in altum' of JP II - it means we look at our option for poverty, our witness to faith, ouur witness to communion, and to a deep spiritual life.  He urges us to passion and mysticism in these tasks and entrusts the Congregation and its General Chapter to Mary 'model of prayer and pastoral lovee, teacher of wisdom and guide of our family' (C.92).

#3  A MOVING GOOD NIGHT ON FR. VECCHI

Still from Fr. Van Looy - the first Good Night of the Chapter - wherein he spoke movingly of the experience of those last months of Fr. Vecchi's life, very often with its moments of lucid, lively and purposeful dialogue and even banter, all part of Fr. Vecchi's total dedication to the Congregation.

There were difficult moments, moments of great uncertainty, and Fr. Van Looy revealed something of his own sense of dilemma through these times - but in gratitude firstly to our ailing father, to Council members, to understanding provincials.

Fr. Vecchi had the Chapter in mind, offered the headings and some of the material for a report on the Congregation.  He spoke often enough of details - things he believed should be or should not be taken up by this Chapter: don't open up the 'Brother' question, for instance (as superiors of communities), don't add to the number of Regions, formulate the structure theme well....He had specific projects in mind in spirituality, qualifications for confreres (a 'degree' project); he became more involved in the sick confreres and what we can do for them.

It was a rich time to be with him.  We can only be grateful to God for this experience.

We prayed constantly (at his own request) for a miracle through Bro Zatti's intervention...the miracle of preserving Don Vecchi's life was not granted - there must be another miracle in preparation for us!