Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The Combonian Missionaries' 17th General Chapter will officially begin with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration this coming Sunday, September 6. Already, since August 31, the 72 chapter members and 11 observers who will take part have been arriving in Rome from all over the world for this week of gathering and praying together. This 17th General Chapter will be attended by 72 chapter members. There are 23 Provincial or Delegation Superiors and 5 members of the General Council, along with 44 other delegates, 35 priests, and 9 brothers.
He talks will include Rector Major of the Salesian Order, Fr. Pascial Chavez Villanueva, on “Spirituality and Mission”; Jesuit Superior General Fr. Adolfo Nicolas; Archbishop Agostino Gardin, Secretary of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; and Mother Adele Brambilla, Superior General of the Combonian Missionaries. The week of preparation will conclude with encounters with the last three Superior Generals of the Combonian Missionaries (Fr. Francesco Pierli, Fr. David Glenday, Fr. Augusto Ferriera), and with two experts (Bolivian Fr. Marcos Recolons de Arguer and Fr. Jean Roger Ndomi of Chad, members of the General Council of the Jesuits and coordinators for Latin America and Africa, respectively).
Founded in 1867 by St. Daniel Comboni (1831-1881), canonized by John Paul II on October 5, 2003, at the close of the previous General Chapter, the Combonian Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCI) are today a total of 1,702 (18 Bishops, 1,252 priests, 266 religious brothers, and 173 students in the last phase of formation) and are present in 182 dioceses in 42 nations of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America. They work on a varied number of missions: primary evangelization, inner-city slums, formation of pastoral workers, promotion of Indians and African Americans, vocational work, as well as a strong presence in the area of the mass media.
The present Superior General, Fr. Teresino Serra, concluded the official letter for the Chapter with these words: “The General Chapter will be a grace if it is a 'pentecostal' event. We should, therefore, give the Spirit full reign so He can illumine us, speak to us, and guide us.” The themes and questions that the Chapter Members will address are, in fact, centered on two main questions: What does it mean to be a missionary today? What contribution does the Missionary Church expect from the Comboniana and their specific charism? Society today is not only religiously pluralistic, indecisive, and confused, but it also lives out its religion amidst war, violence, migration, and social, economic, and political tensions. “Our preparatory prayer before the Chapter will open the door to the Spirit of God, which first inspired, illumined, and confirmed the mission of Daniel Comboni,” the letter from Fr. Teresino concluded. “Filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4), just like the Apostles at Pentecost, may we always place God and the mission first.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2009)
