‘Called to be Servants of Hope’ How to implement that Beautiful Slogan from the Last General Chapter (March 2024) in the St. Francis Xavier District? What does it mean here in Asia? It was to respond to that Challenge that Twelve Brothers met in Yogyakarta on the Eve of All Saints’ Day: Bro Gildas Prigent, Brother Visitor, Three District Councilor Brothers, as well as 7 Delegates from San Jose, Kupang and Larantuka with Bro Jean Paul as representative of the Superior General.
From left to right: Bro Gildas Prigent, Visitor Brother, Brother Franciscus of Larantuka, Bro Jean-Paul Peuzé, and Assistant General.
Both in the Commissions and at the General Assembly, the Debates took place in a very Fraternal Atmosphere. All the Guidelines were adopted Unanimously. Those Guidelines concerned Vocational Promotion, Initial Formation, Young Brothers in Studies, the Community, the Apostolic Mission, and the Mennaisian Family.
May the Spirit not keep us at mere Words during these Next Six Years, but may He push us to also take Actions that would make us Truly Useful in Hope!
Brother Michel Gougeon, Assistant Master of the Novitiate of San José (Philippines
From left to right, Brothers Israel de Ocampo, Daniel Lefrère, Andrianus Andi, Mamerto Gaugano
The Chapter Members worked from Feedback submitted by the Communities in response to the various proposed Themes. That Active Participation of all the Brothers enriched the Discussions and largely prepared the ground for the Chapter’s Deliberations. Ultimately, 24 Guidelines, divided into 6 Themes, were adopted by the Chapter Members. In addition, the Practical Guide and the Statutes were updated. The Title chosen by the Council for the Chapter’s Final Document was: “Passion for Serving – All Together, On the Journey.” The District thus has Plenty of Material to work on for the Next 5 years!
A WhatsApp Video contact with the Community of Postulants and Novices in San Jose and the only Brother Ewald as Animator during that Chapter Time!
Brother Gildas Prigent, Brother Visitor of the District