Yesterday, Sunday 5th September, was a day with few commitments for the confreres. The morning was free to allow a certain relaxation, but also to meet up informally. The Eucharist was celebrated at midday by Mgr. Joao de Aviz, the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Then we came together for lunch. We asked the chef at the Generalate to prepare a dessert fitting for the celebration of our new General. It was a feast of taste and colour. In the middle of the afternoon the chapter members met for a while to work in groups.
The eucharist today was presided by Fr. Paul de Bois, from the Semi-Province of Flanders. In his homily he recalled how Saint Teresa invited us to remain close to Christ so that the dispositions of his Heart become ours and we become in truth friends of Christ.
Today was dedicated entirely to the Charismatic Declaration. This morning in the first session we listened to reports from the various linguistic groups. This was followed by an open exchange among the friars of the Chapter. The debates looked seriously at the challenges we confront.
In the afternoon, the friars met again in their working groups. Our Father General visited each group to meet them and dialogue with them. Then, at 5.30, we met again in the Chapter meeting room for another time of exchange. Given the importance of the text we have decided to not to vote on it today.
