21st GENERAL CHAPTER

OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF THE APPARITION

Monday 2^nd July

Joy radiated on the faces of each one of us as we arrived from the four corners of the world. Together with Sr Bernadette Galea, our Superior General and her Council, we enjoyed an aperitive in a very relaxed atmosphere in our convent garden to mark the occasion.

Sr Bernadette addressed a word of welcome to all the Capitulants as she also expressed her joy in meeting us. With great emotion she reminded us of the meetings and the speeches which took place on the same balcony on the day of the Canonisation of St Emilie de Vialar on the 24^th of June 1951. she added with great conviction: I am sure that St Emilie is with us this evening. As a great surprise for all, we have brought here the relic of the heart of our Holy Mother from the Generalate, in that way her heart will accompany us in our work.

This evening’s celebration united us to our Holy Mother. We went in procession to the chapel singing in her honour: Receive O Lord our songs of joy. The Heart of St Emilie was carried by two Sisters. The Sisters gathered in the Chapel in a spirit of recollection. Sr Bernadette confided the Chapter and all our missions around the world to St Emilie.

Tuesday 3^rd July

To mark the opening of the General Chapter the day began with the Celebration of the Eucharist. Fr Gerard Chabanon, Superior General of the White Fathers, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit. In his homily he stressed the role of the Holy Spirit in the Chapter: it is He who inspires, strengthens, consoles, renews ... therefore let us allow Him to work in us.

After Mass we went to the Chapter room and Sr Bernadette informed us that friendly, encouraging and prayerful messages reached us from Sisters and friends in different countries. Sr Bernadette then read the text for the opening of the General Chapter. She expressed the joy of our coming together to discover what the Lord wants to say to the Congregation during this special time. She reminded the Capitulants that: The charism of the Institute makes of the Congregation an apostolic body, a unique missionary Community. Const.100 In effect the mission is the pivot of our consecrated life.

Sr Bernadette proposed to this Chapter that we weave a new cloth with the following threads: a deepening of our spirituality, the inculturation of our charism, priority of inter-religious dialogue, mission among the poor, proposals of structures to give a fresh impetus of formation for mission, the laity (without leaving out other possibilities!) She also underlined the importance of the Word of God (the theme of the next synod of Bishops)

Sr Bernadette Galea, Superior General

then declared open

the 21^st General Chapter of the Congregation

On the way to the audience hall, Paul VI

in union with the Church, to welcome

His Holiness Benedict XVI and receive his blessing

The SPIRITUALITY

urges us on to the MISSION

‘the love of Christ impels us’

and the mission leads us

to our relationship with God.

At the centre, the thread of wool,

which, little by little,

forms the multicolour textile

of our commitment

to the Congregation

with the Lord

with those to whom

we are sent

and with all the Sisters

of the Congregation.

Around the threads of wool

are the different themes

studied at the Chapter

Thursday 5^th July

As required by the Constitutions, Sr Bernadette Galea, Superior General, delivered to the Capitulants a detailed report on the situation of the Congregation

This report underlines:

- the important events which have marked these last six years

- through a comprehensive overview, the diverse characteristics of each community and reveals

  the shoots, the flowers and the shrubs which bloom and grow in the midst of these communities

- the same audacity which was at the heart of the Foundress, Saint Emilie de Vialar,

  when she dared open new foundations during those troubled times

- the importance of fidelity to the Constitutions and the spirit of Emilie

Sr Helendina Licari, General Bursar gave her financial report.

This report was technical, objective and clear.

It presented to the Chapter members:

- the way to Euro for our European Provinces

- for all the members of the Congregation, the overall financial situation with its subdivisions:

   - the exceptional revenues obtained from the sale of property in the provinces,

     were directed to meeting the needs of the senior Sisters

   - the sharing of finance among provinces to support the life of the Sisters and their apostolate.

   - the importance of setting aside sufficient funds for initial and continued formation.

During the past six years, all of this was carried out in a spirit of service by “a good and faithful servant”.

RETREAT and SESSION

With Fr Roland MEYNET SJ, Professor of Biblical Theology at Gregorian University, Rome, we spent five days, like the disciples of Emmaus walking for 60 miles with Jesus,  and rediscovered in the Our Father the privileged place of the demand:

           “Give us this day our daily bread”

the bread that is given, the bread that is eaten, in a filial relationship.

We also found out from Matthew 1,18... the name given by Joseph according to the prophecy: “God is with us”  is accomplished at the time when from Galilee, after the Resurrection, Jesus sends his disciples:

“Go .... I am with you always”

The  mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God finds its accomplishment in the Paschal Mystery: the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.

These five days of reading through the Gospel, and with the background of our Charism have surfaced in us this saving love of the Father who sends his Son, source of the intuition of St. Emilie
 

Some photos from the retreat and session groups

MASS AT SAINT PETER'S TOMB

Once more to the Vatican, but this time to St Peter’s, where the Capitulants met around the altar at the tomb of St Peter for a Eucharistic Celebration by Fr Philippe Shilling. There we confided to the Lord the work of the Chapter.

Friday 13th July

Fr Bernard ARDURA, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, referred us to paragraph No53 of Gaudium et Spes:

“Man comes to a true and full humanity only through culture”

and highlighted the importance of the cultures in which we move.

He reminded us that:

“Only the Gospel is an absolute because it is the revelation of the love of God for us,

while culture is not an absolute.”

He also insisted on the necessity of listening, as Joseph did,  and stressed  his closeness  to the humble.

Saturday,14^th July

Faced with important monotheistic religions, which have become world wide, Fr CHABANON, General Superior of the White Fathers, from his lived experience,  reminded us of the importance of interreligious dialogue.

Dialogue is the basis of real encounters and goes beyond words. It respects the other in his difference, and deals with a positive approch towards his religious traditions. Dialogue presupposes knowledge and information.

Today interreligious dialogue has become a significant  dimension of our Church.

MEETING OUR LAY ASSOCIATES

Sunday 15th July was reserved for us to get acquainted with the reality of the Lay Associates or Friends of our Congregation.

Coming from Australia, England, Greece, Malta and Tunisia they participated in our sessions, since their arrival.

With the help of Power Point presentations, we visited the different places where they share their activities, and, above all, live the spirit of St. Emilie.

In the second session, during group work, we revised the draft of the booklet “Way of life” which is addressed to all those who wish to follow the spirituality of St Emilie.

These few days spent together have created and reinforced our close friendly relationships May the friendship, and the prayer shared during these days be a link which unites us to the spirit of St Emilie.

Tuesday,17^th July

THE MISSION

“In view of the challenges of society

let us have a fresh impetus in the congregation”

Consecrated life is meaningless without a mission

Saint Emilie felt truly possessed by the Mystery of a God who loved the world so much that He gave his only Son.

The mission of the Congregation expresses itself by:

·         a deepening our spirituality

·         a frequent meditation on the word of God

·         living fraternally

In the works:

·         through the option for the poor, one of the directives given by St Emilie. In all the Provinces this option leads the Sisters towards those who are marginalised in society.

·         in collaboration with others, for better social justice, for more humane relationships.

·         a renewal of the missionary spirit “ad gentes”, not forgetting those who are spiritually poor

·         Giving and receiving while remaining humble

·         A special attention to new challenges such as: displaced people, immigrants from all countries ....

and through this closeness with the people of our times, reveal the presence of the Saving Love of the Father through his Son, who desires fullness of LIFE for all his children.

Tuesday,17^th July

Day of  relaxation

On the 11^th of July we feast St Benedict, founder of Mount Cassin, the cradle of Benedictines, and proclaimed Patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI.

We started our day with a pilgrimage. After driving through a winding road, on the slope of the mountain, we discovered in this grandiose landscape, the abbey which was reconstructed in all its splendour after the destruction caused by the last war.

A succession of cloisters lead to the Basilica, with its central portal which dates from the XI century. The Basilica identically built with decorative lines of the XVIII century is a beautiful palace of marble and gold.

The crypt, just as richly decorated, welcomed us for the celebration of the Eucharist which we offered for the needs of our Chapter.

This place of pilgrimage, where a serene atmosphere reigns, overlooks and watches over some towns situated at its feet.

On our way back home we stopped at the house of Saint Maria Goretti, this young girl killed at the age of 12 when she did not want to give in to the demands of her neighbour, Alexander. By God’s grace she pardoned her aggressor Alexander. Her murderer was then converted.

In this place, which is a real harbour of peace, and intense recollection, we confided to Saint Maria Goretti the future of the youths we know as well as others in search for truth. From this holy place we then moved to the Church dedicated to our Lady of Grace where the remains of Maria  Goretti are kept for veneration.

We bore the heat of the day very bravely, interiorly refreshed by what we lived throughout the pilgrimage.

How else can we conclude if not by a very heartfelt thanks to all those who planned this day, lived in fraternal joy.

Sunday, 22^nd July

Election of the Superior General

The singing of the Veni Veni creator brought the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to an end, and the capitulants returned once more to the Chapter Hall.

It’s a moment of intense recollection, once Sister Bernadette Galea deposits the seal of the Congregation which had been confided to her for the past six years.

........ the time for elections has arrived ...... the faces turned solemn  ......

at about 12.15pm, the assembly welcomes the new Superior General

Sister Dorothy Vella-Zarb

In a spirit of praise and thanksgiving, the assembly chanted the Magnificat.

As Sister Dorothy entered the Chapter Hall, the assembly burst out into applause. Sister Bernadette then handed over to her the seal of the Congregation and expressions of affection were exchanged  between Sister Bernadette and Sister Dorothy, followed by each one of the Capitulants, the  community and all the Sisters in the house. The members of the staff presented Sr Dorothy with a beautiful spray of flowers.

      Sr Dorothy holding the seal

           of the congregation

Tuesday, 24^th July

Election of the General Councillors

The time for discrete inquiries has come to an end, the names came up, one after the other:

• Sister Fausta Prosperi

• Sister Renée Quadros,

• Sister Angela Basile

• Sister Ofelia Reyes.

After some moments of deep emotion, there was applause after each election. In the evening, during the celebration

                                Sister Bernadette and her councillors

passed on their lighted candles to

• Sister Dorothy

• Sisters Fausta

• Sister Renée

• Sister Angela

• Sister Ofelia

• Sister Helendina.

To one and all a fraternal thank you!!

Saturday, 28th July

Soon after the reading and approval of the last report by the  secretary,

Sr Dorothy Vella-Zarb, Superior General,

declared the Chapter closed.

The Secretary then invited the Capitulants to sign the Acts of the Chapter.

At 5.50pm all the capitulants met in the Chapel for the Eucharist.

It’s a time of deep prayer, and at the end of which Sr. Dorothy marked the sending of the Capitulants to the respective Provinces

“Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations...

I am with you always, yes to the end of time.” Mtth 28,19

The Hymn:«Il nous précède en Galilée.

                 Christ au milieu du monde...»

Concluded this last Celebration, as the assembly came out of the chapel, singing, and at the same time forming, a long chain of friendship and fraternity.