Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - This morning, Monday 7 January, a solemn concelebration of the Eucharist in the Church of Gesù in Rome, presided by Cardinal Franc Rodé, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, marked the opening of the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. A total 225 members of the congregation coming from all over the world will elect a new Superior General (Preposito General) and discuss apostolic challenges facing the Society. At the end of the Mass there was an act of veneration of the earthly remains of St Ignatius of Loyola, preserved in the church of Gesu, with the lighting of a lamp which will burn for the entire duration of the congregation. Similar lamps will be lit in Jesuit churches all over the world as symbols of communion in prayer. The first stage of the congregation (about 10 days) will be private. The election of the new Superior General will mark the beginning of the second stage.
“This is the second time in its history that our Society gathers for a General Congregation to elect a new Preposito General, while his predecessor is still alive -Cardinal Rodè said in his homily -. This congregation is also meeting to treat important and difficult matters concerning the Society, as well as the way in which it proceeds. You will certainly discuss the identity of the Jesuit today, the significance and value of the vow of obedience to the Holy Father which has always distinguished your religious Family, the mission of the Society on the context of evangelisation, marginalisation, community life, apostolic obedience, vocations pastoral and other important themes.”
Cardinal Rodè continued: “in your charisma and your traditions you will find effective points of reference to illuminate the decisions facing the Society today… your activity must be eminently apostolic, of universal, human, ecclesial and evangelical scope. It must always be undertaken in the light of your charisma, so that growing participation of lay people in your activity rather than obscure your identity, on the contrary enriches it with the collaboration of people from many different cultures who share your life style and objectives. Maintain and develop, despite urgent apostolic necessities, your charisma, in order to be and to show yourselves to the world, as «contemplatives in action», who communicate to all men and women and to creation love received from God and lead them to the love of God. Everyone understands the language of love.” On 1 January 2007 the total number of Jesuits in the world was 19,216: 13,491 priests, 3,049 scholastics, 1,810 brothers and 866 novices. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2008; righe 30, parole 427)
