Monday, June 8, 2026
One of the key themes of the 34th General Chapter is the affirmation of the congregation’s missionary character. This is what drives the apostolic commitment of the communities and of each brother and sister. The members of the PGC therefore had to honor this dimension by re-examining our foundations in new countries. How do we assess interprovincial collaboration throughout the history of our establishments in Ecuador, West Africa, and more recently in Angola? The provincials involved report mainly positive experiences that reflect a sense of belonging to the same body, a sense that has been strengthened since 2011 through the exercise of collegiality within the PGC.
The PGC also reviewed the somewhat precarious state of our presence in certain regions, due to the isolation of communities or other factors related to the socio-ecclesial context. The conviction is that we must support these communities and encourage the brothers through visits and stays of varying lengths by superiors, religious, and lay members of the Alliance. The PGC therefore calls on the brothers and sisters to make themselves available to spend time with our brothers in isolated communities. Thank you to those who are already doing so.
The PGC has not lost sight of opportunities for new missions either. There continue to be numerous calls from both within and outside the Congregation. While emphasizing the need to first strengthen our fragile missions, we must also remain attentive to all these calls from the Spirit. The vitality of an Institute depends on working toward its missionary expansion.
Our effectiveness in the mission also requires that we ensure the renewal of our teams and the transfer of responsibilities and skills. The readiness of the heirs of Venerable Emmanuel d’Alzon will be further demonstrated by our ability to hand over the reins to our successors. The advancement of the Kingdom depends on this. This readiness also applies to the youngest among us when they embrace any mission with faith. This is the purpose of the first apostolic appointments, which were finalized in the evening hours of the day.
Fr. Thierry KAHONGYA
More photos from Sunday’s outing:
