Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The 22nd General Chapter of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians), being held in this Year of St. Paul, from May 18 to June 11, bears the title of: “The love of Christ impels us” (2 Cor. 5:14). Paul's experience of Christ's love is the same that impelled Fr. Dehon to found the Congregation. On Tuesday, June 2, the members of the General Chapter will go on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, to show that “passionate for Christ, united in fraternity for Him,” they want to preach the Gospel like Saint Paul. The members of the chapter will then travel to the Abbey of Tre Fontane, for a Mass at 10am.
On May 27, the 77 chapter members confirmed Fr. Jose Ornelas Carvalho as Superior General for another 6 years. Fr. Jose was born 55 years ago in Madeira (an island of Portugal) and entered to form part of the Congregation with his profession in 1972 and was ordained a priest in 1981. He has a Doctorate in Biblical Theology and has served as Professor at the Catholic University of Lisbon, as well as Secretary of the Theology Department and Formator at the Dehonian Seminary of Alfragide. In the past 6 years, he has taken numerous trips to encourage the communities of Dehonians throughout the world. He is also coordinating the project begun for digitalizing the large archive of the founder's (Fr. Leon Dehon) writings. He has also been working on Fr. Dehon's cause for beatification, which still lacks the public act of proclamation.
The Dehonians are currently 2,300, including priests and brothers, and are present in 39 countries throughout the world. Their service to the Church is mainly in pastoral ministry, priestly and religious formation, and the area of culture. Missionary activity is a priority in their apostolate. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/06/2009)
