This morning the XXIV General Chapter of the Redemptorists opened with the celebration of the Eucharist. Father Joseph Tobin, Superior General, was the principal celebrant. Vicar General Serafino Fiore and Father Juan Lasso de la Vega, former Superior General, stood with Father Tobin in the Sanctuary as the other 104 Redemptorist delegates representing the 5300 Redemptorists around the world in 78 countries -- and others -- concelebrated the liturgy in the chapel of the Salesianum.
The General Chapter is the supreme organ of the internal government of the Congregation (Constitution 104). The first General Chapter was convened in 1743 after the death of Bishop Tommaso Falcoia who was guiding the Congregation in its infancy. Saint Alphonsus convoked the first General Chapter at Ciorani, Italy. That first chapter was composed of 9 priests and 6 brothers. One of the goals of that chapter was to elect the first Superior General. St. Alphonsus was elected after four ballots. The size and complexity of the General Chapter today is a reflection of the growth of the Congregation and its mission of offering plentiful redemption to the most abandoned.
In his homily this morning Father Tobin reminded the chapter members that it helps to remember to ask some questions. He proposed several questions, one of them being: “What are we to do, brothers?”
He went on to say “…that Redemptorists across the world, together with the myriad of lay men and women who accompany us in our mission, today turn to the members of the XXIV General Chapter with a question: ‘What are we to do, brothers?’ (Acts 2,37) For, our brothers and sisters are counting on us to help them to live faithfully the grandeur of our vocation without excuses or compromise. Of course, we cannot answer that question today, since we have just come together and are now evoking the help of the Spirit. In the days to come, we must listen to one another and ponder in silence, seeking to ‘glimpse his plan of salvation in its true light, and be able to distinguish between what is real and what is illusory.’” (Constitution 24)
The full text of Father General’s homily is posted in the documents section of the various languages of the General Chapter coverage.
After the liturgy the chapter members gathered in the Aula Magna to officially call the chapter to order. Among the activities were the welcoming of new units, a report by Father Jacek Dembek on the preparations for the Chapter by the Preparatory Comission and housekeeping details from Father Johanny Alvarez Castro. Four members of the four newest units were selected by the Moderators to be Tellers and the chapter members approved their selection.
The President of the Union of Superiors General, Father Pascual Chávez Villanueva, also Rector Major of the host Salesians, welcomed us to the Salesianum. Our Father General, Father Tobin, is finishing his second three year term as Vice President for of the Union of Superiors General.
In the afternoon, the electronic system of voting was explained and tested. Then Father Brehl introduced each member of the Chapter by Regions. After the Chapter members where introduced the teams of interpreters and translators were introduced, then the support staff, followed by the Communication and Audio/Visual personnel.
The Norms of Procedure were introduced and explained and an electronic vote was taken to approve them. The result of the ballot was 98 yes, 3 no, and 3 iuxta modum.
Father Brehl then announced the members of the various Chapter commissions that will be operating during the chapter.
To conclude the day, Father Brehl went through the Chapter agenda, week by week, to give an overall introduction to what to expect, reminding the chapter members that adjustments will be made along the way as the business of the Chapter proceeds.
The internet has played a part in relaying news about the previous three General Chapters. But the XXIV General Chapter is the first Redemptorist General Chapter to be video streamed and video recorded for its members using the constantly improving means of modern internet technology. For that purpose, below is a little help in finding the various resources to give you a full picture of events of the coming days.
The General Chapter is the supreme organ of the internal government of the Congregation (Constitution 104). The first General Chapter was convened in 1743 after the death of Bishop Tommaso Falcoia who was guiding the Congregation in its infancy. Saint Alphonsus convoked the first General Chapter at Ciorani, Italy. That first chapter was composed of 9 priests and 6 brothers. One of the goals of that chapter was to elect the first Superior General. St. Alphonsus was elected after four ballots. The size and complexity of the General Chapter today is a reflection of the growth of the Congregation and its mission of offering plentiful redemption to the most abandoned.
In his homily this morning Father Tobin reminded the chapter members that it helps to remember to ask some questions. He proposed several questions, one of them being: “What are we to do, brothers?”
He went on to say “…that Redemptorists across the world, together with the myriad of lay men and women who accompany us in our mission, today turn to the members of the XXIV General Chapter with a question: ‘What are we to do, brothers?’ (Acts 2,37) For, our brothers and sisters are counting on us to help them to live faithfully the grandeur of our vocation without excuses or compromise. Of course, we cannot answer that question today, since we have just come together and are now evoking the help of the Spirit. In the days to come, we must listen to one another and ponder in silence, seeking to ‘glimpse his plan of salvation in its true light, and be able to distinguish between what is real and what is illusory.’” (Constitution 24)
The full text of Father General’s homily is posted in the documents section of the various languages of the General Chapter coverage.
After the liturgy the chapter members gathered in the Aula Magna to officially call the chapter to order. Among the activities were the welcoming of new units, a report by Father Jacek Dembek on the preparations for the Chapter by the Preparatory Comission and housekeeping details from Father Johanny Alvarez Castro. Four members of the four newest units were selected by the Moderators to be Tellers and the chapter members approved their selection.
The President of the Union of Superiors General, Father Pascual Chávez Villanueva, also Rector Major of the host Salesians, welcomed us to the Salesianum. Our Father General, Father Tobin, is finishing his second three year term as Vice President for of the Union of Superiors General.
In the afternoon, the electronic system of voting was explained and tested. Then Father Brehl introduced each member of the Chapter by Regions. After the Chapter members where introduced the teams of interpreters and translators were introduced, then the support staff, followed by the Communication and Audio/Visual personnel.
The Norms of Procedure were introduced and explained and an electronic vote was taken to approve them. The result of the ballot was 98 yes, 3 no, and 3 iuxta modum.
Father Brehl then announced the members of the various Chapter commissions that will be operating during the chapter.
To conclude the day, Father Brehl went through the Chapter agenda, week by week, to give an overall introduction to what to expect, reminding the chapter members that adjustments will be made along the way as the business of the Chapter proceeds.
The internet has played a part in relaying news about the previous three General Chapters. But the XXIV General Chapter is the first Redemptorist General Chapter to be video streamed and video recorded for its members using the constantly improving means of modern internet technology. For that purpose, below is a little help in finding the various resources to give you a full picture of events of the coming days.