(ANS - Rome) - The 85th half-yearly Assembly of the Union of Superior Generals ends today, 29 May, at the Salesianum in Rome. The members were invited to reflect on the theme: "Sent in joy: the mission of Consecrated Life in the Church of Pope Francis."

On Wednesday morning, after the initial greeting by the USG President, Fr Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, a reflection by Fr Secondin, O. Carm., was read.  He outlined the "new horizons" of the ecclesial project of Pope Francis, "the first Pope who did not participate directly in the Council", but who represents its "most mature fruit", having acquired the method, the spirit and the charismatic breath of the Council. Fr Secondin mentioned three resolutions that Consecrated Life can take from the Pope’s approach, based on what the then Bishop Bergoglio said at the Synod on Consecrated Life in 1994: "Stay among the people of God"; "Have a clear and responsible charismatic identity"; and "Be immersed in the historical situation."

The second day of work of the USG began with the report of the Master General of the Dominicans, Fr Bruno Cadoré. He made it clear that while Consecrated Life is rooted in the monastic tradition of renunciation of worldly things, Pope Francis called on consecrated persons to "go out" and reach the "marginalized areas", hoping for a decidedly more "missionary" exodus.  The basic steps are: the primacy of God, the following of Christ, the celebration of life as a gift dedicated to others, solidarity with the contemporary world and, most recently, the dynamics of encounter and dialogue.

After a brief report by Fr Mario Aldegani, CSJ, work continued in the afternoon in language groups. The participants were encouraged to reflect on the role of leadership of general councils and their impact on the life of the provinces. In a situation where provincials and their councils have greater autonomy in organization and management, “our ability and our commitment to be ‘authoritative’ becomes really essential” said Fr Aldegani.

Today, Friday 29 May, the third and final working day, will begin with the presentation of the summary of the different language groups in which approximately 100 major superiors had a wide-ranging dialogue with Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA), and the Secretary Msgr. José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M.

Published 29/05/2015