Morning Session
At 9.00 a.m., the Chapter members were convened to begin the morning of spiritual retreat, which inaugurates the days of prayer, dialogue and discernment that we are about to undertake. We do so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, whom we implore to accompany and enlighten us, so that in all things we may act in accordance with the will of God.
This time is guided by Fr. Pedro Belderráin, General Prefect of Apostolate, who presides over the Chapter by delegation of the Superior General.
Fr. Pedro begins by a Deep gratitude to the Lord for the day that lies before us. Through the intercession of the Heart of Mary, we place before Him our concerns, and we invoke our mother with the praying of a Hail Mary.
The Provincial then addresses us with words of welcome, inviting us to be mindful of the time we are about to enter: the Lord calls us to listen together and to discern His will. At the close of the Jubilee Year, we gather with a clear awareness of the One who convokes us. Grateful for the journey we have made thus far, the Provincial invites us to renew our thanksgiving to God, who continually sustains us. Let us place ourselves in attentive listening to the Spirit, in communion with the Congregation and with the synodal Church.
Fr. Pedro then draws attention to the presence of the Word, physically placed in a prominent position in the meeting hall, as an outward sign of our inner desire to allow ourselves to be challenged by it. We read the text of the first reading of today’s Eucharist: 1 John 1:1–4.
Following the reading, he offers words of greeting and encouragement, expressing the hope that what God offers us this Christmas may become a living reality within us, within the province, and in the lives of those whom we carry in our hearts.
He then invites Fr. Peter Paul, Superior of the community of Ruwa, Zimbabwe, to read in English the message addressed to the Chapter by the Superior General.
After the message has been read, Fr. Pedro encourages us to deepen our reflection by opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit, who directs and guides us throughout the Chapter. We gather on a Saturday, in Fátima—signs of Mary’s presence in our midst. Let us prepare our hearts to receive the grace of God and to be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
He reminds us that each of us has attitudes that need to be improved and changed; our ideas too must be purified and renewed. Listening is therefore a fundamental exercise. Those who do not listen to their brother do not know how to listen to God. Over the past six years there has been much life and many generous efforts. There may have been decisions that some of us do not share, yet they were taken with the best of intentions, always seeking the common good.
It is necessary to purify our way of seeing, in order to walk together. With frankness and sincerity, let us speak about whatever needs to be addressed, with clarity and with constant concern for the good of all.
Finally, he offers the Chapter members a brief document for a time of personal prayer and silence, and invites us to gather in the chapel at midday for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Afternoon Session – 3.00 p.m.
Constitutive and organizational session of the Chapter.
We begin with a moment of prayer.
The President announces the death of Fr. Amândio da Cunha Esteves Antunez, of the Carvalhos Seminary community.
Following the invocation of the Holy Spirit with the hymn Veni Creator, the President reads several articles from the Constitutions and the Directory referring to the Chapter.
The legitimacy of the appointment of all the Chapter members and their presence in the Chapter Hall is then verified. Some practical observations regarding procedures follow. The participation of a student in temporary vows is put to the vote and approved by a large majority.
The Chapter regulations, timetable and daily schedule are unanimously approved.
The election of the Chapter Secretary then takes place, resulting in the election of Fr Gabriel Ponce. Subsequently, the Central Commission is elected, composed of Frs. Manuel Ogalla, Carlos Ângelo Ferreira and Antonio Ávila.
The principal responsibility of the Chapter Secretary is to record faithfully all that takes place during the Chapter. The Central Commission, for its part, has as its main mandate the task of synthesizing the fruits of the discernment carried out over the various days, so that these may eventually take shape in a final document to be approved by the Chapter.
Finally, a consultation is held in order to propose to the Chapter Board—who will make the appointments—the names of two moderators for the sessions to be held in the coming days.
At 6.15 p.m., the Provincial Secretary presents the Report on Governance, which will be studied the following day.
The praying of Vespers brings this intense day to a close.
