Day 13 – “Now, get yourselves ready”

On Tuesday, a new stage of the Chapter’s process began. A meditation on young Samuel’s call in the Temple (1Sam. 3,4-11) was the focus of the morning prayer. This reading marked the intention of this new stage: to listen to God’s calling and rely on His almighty power.

The capitulants now focused on how to embrace a common vision, values and guidelines that will guide the Society and the provinces in their way of living the new organisation, and to set the necessary landmarks for the next eight years. The reports of the different committees served as a starting point for their work.

One fundamental issue for the future is how to weave together the various services of the Society all over the world to revitalise its mission. In the preparation process for the Chapter, four directions were identified: education, JPIC (justice, peace and integration of creation), formation, and spirituality. The capitulants had many lively discussions on this issue.