The members of the Preparatory Commission for the next General Chapter (Oct. 6 – 27, 2018) met in Rome for the second time, February 7-9, 2018. The membership consists of Frs. Mark-Robin Hoogland (SPE-CHC), Anthony Sikhalele Mdhluli (MATAF-CPA), Dario Di Giosia (MAPRAES), Valentinus Saeng (REPAC-PASPAC), Germán Méndez Cortés (SCOR), and Alex Steinmiller (CRUC-CJC). All were in attendance!

The theme of the General Chapter is “Renewing Our Mission: gratitude, prophecy, and hope.” This theme was inspired by the words of Fr. Joachim Rego, in a circular letter of October 19, 2017, “Let us live our charism as prophets of hope, sincerely believing what we preach because God is at the very heart and center of our lives. As Passionists in these present times, our mission must reflect a hopeful spirituality – one of surrender and trust into the hands of the One who calls us to proclaim the Gospel of the Passion of Jesus as a manifestation of the unlimited and boundless love of God.”

Both the General Council and the 6 Presidents of the Configurations stressed that the Chapter be “an opportunity to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying through the religious that are present. Further that it is important that the capitulars feel free and creative.”

The first order of business was to identify over 15 tasks that the Commission has taken on to assure a General Chapter that will launch the Congregation and its six Configurations into the next 6 years and beyond. The thrust of the Chapter should center on our mission within the Charism of the Passion and within the context of a changing, and challenging world.

The second order of business was to take time with the Planning Commission for the Tri-centennial of the Congregation, in order for the Chapter planners to integrate the 300 year Commemoration of the founding of the Passionists into the theme of the Chapter. The general objective of the Commemorative Planning Commission can be described through the words of Pope Francis, that is, to help the Passionist Family to “Look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and embrace the future with hope.” (Letter of Pope Francis to Religious, 28 Nov. 2014)

The General Curia has acquired the services of Fr. Paul Francis Spencer (PATR), as moderator of the Chapter. Fr. Mirek Lesiecki (ASSUM) will be the Secretary for the proceedings. Additionally, a Liturgical Committee for the Chapter was named.
A Liturgical Commission has been appointed representing the cultural diversity. Liturgies will be assigned to different Configurations or language groups, and the cultures contained with them. Each group will have sole responsibility for the manner and style of prayer throughout the Chapter. All of the Configuration reports have been read and the general trends which have been identified will be published.
In addition, the Commission has put together a brief survey, to be distributed throughout the Congregation in order to capture the lived experiences of many whose views have not otherwise been acknowledged.
All in the Congregation are strongly encouraged to submit their views in this survey. The Commission meets again, April 8th to 14th, 2018.