The second PGC of this mandate is being held in the Province of North America, at Assumption University in Worcester (USA). With all members present since yesterday, with the exception of the Provincial of Africa and the Vice-Provincial of East Africa, the PGC opened this morning, May 30, in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption University, with the Eucharist presided over by Father Chi Ai, Provincial of North America. The two absent members will participate in the morning sessions via videoconference. At the outset, the celebrant welcomed the PGC members and guests, reminding them that the Province was delighted to host this meeting at this mobilizing work, which realizes one of Venerable Father Emmanuel d’Alzon’s cherished dreams, that of a Catholic university animated by the spirit of the Assumption. Work then continued under the coordination of a team made up of Fathers Benoit Bigard, João Gomes and Marcos Antonio.
First on the agenda was the traditional report from the Superior General. In his report, Very Reverend Father Ngoa Ya Tshihemba described the first year of his mandate as a year of initiation, of discovery of the mission at all levels of the Congregation, and of implementation of the orientations of the Provincial and General chapters. The Superior General is happy to present a positive picture of the Congregation: the congregation is doing well, despite some concerns, he asserted. However, he drew the attention of the PGC members to certain aspects that require particular attention: the authenticity of religious life, which must be characterized by simplicity; initial or specialized formation, inspired primarily by the apostolic needs of the institute; the economic and material dimension of our life; the importance and place to be reserved for the Lay-Religious Alliance in the culture of care and accompaniment…
This positive assessment was followed up by the welcome extended to the two provincials taking part in the PGC for the first time: Marcos Antonio (Brazil) and Jean Paul Musangania (Africa). What they have in common is their youthful vitality, their involvement at various levels in the animation of Provinces, communities and apostolic works, their rich experience of interculturality, and so on. They are well received in their respective Provinces and today by their PGC peers. We can simply entrust them to the prayers of the entire Assumption body.
News from the provinces of Madagascar, Europe and East Africa is also encouraging. Everywhere our life is characterized by the in-depth work of the councils, which concentrate first and foremost on the Acts of the Chapters, combining this work with the daily life of the communities and of our apostolates. In these Provinces, Provincial Councils and other meetings of Provincial bodies have gone well. Also, visits to communities are gradually getting under way, as are Provincial animation Commissions.
The day ended with Vespers sung together with the Emmanuel House community. Tomorrow’s proceedings will continue with a round-up of news from the Provinces, echoes of our contribution to the second session of the Synod, and reports from the Secretary and the Procurator General.
Fr. Thierry KAHONGYA