News
Conclusion of the CGP, December 2022
Father Benoît GRIÈRE a.a, Superior General
Rome
Dear Brothers,
There was a morning and there was an evening. This is how the days of the creation week are recounted in the book of Genesis. Since 2011, we have had many CGPs; they have contributed in some way to the creation of a new face of the Assumption. A more international face, a face more open to diversity and a face more collegial in the exercise of responsibilities. We have been actors in this renewal of our congregation. Of course, we must not be too quick to place the crown of laurels on our heads, but we can be sincerely grateful for all the progress we have made over the past twelve years. First of all, I want to mention a greater co-responsibility. The Assumption is a family united and in solidarity with its members. The provinces, large or small, are not indifferent to the life of the whole body. The Provincial Superiors have a greater awareness of belonging to an international family. It also seems to me that we have contributed to a greater interculturality. Solidarity has probably been another key word of the period that ends next June. The scrupulous and methodical work of the General Treasurer allows us today to have a more realistic panorama, more in line with the economic reality of the whole body of the congregation. We thus have a dashboard that allows us to better steer our ship to avoid the pitfalls on our way and to make the right decisions.
I am well aware that the CGP is a demanding reality. Twice a year, we meet for 10 days. It's a job that requires preparation and that shakes up your already busy schedules in your respective provinces. But I sincerely believe that it is worth the effort, as we say in French, that is to say that the effort made is rewarded by the results obtained.
The Assumption is changing its face and will continue to evolve profoundly in the years to come because the mutation is far from over. Born in France, progressively internationalized, our religious family has the ambition of becoming ever more diversified by assuming the riches of the world's diverse cultures. This enriches our understanding of Christ's message and allows us to be better apostles of the Good News.
Our December CGP confirmed our apostolic ambition. We are lucid and the fragilities exist everywhere, but hope is there. The Lord is always calling young people to join us. Even if some provinces have a strong shortage of vocations, the international situation is rather good. Other territories will soon contribute to the cultural expansion of our family: Angola, Ghana, Indonesia, etc. Even the old provinces have not said their last word.
Our last session of the mandate had a rather full agenda. Perhaps we would have liked more time to discuss the apostolic orientations in view of the 34th General Chapter? Perhaps we would have liked to have more clarity in the models to be proposed for the reform of "community organization"? All of this is legitimate but let us trust that the work will be done.
We have been able to conclude the issue of interprovincial solidarity. Decide on the creation of the old age solidarity fund. To make the first apostolic appointments; to approve a formator; to open communities.
I would like to thank the coordination team. In Kizito’s regrettable absence, Miguel, Lucien, Georges and Pierre Khue took charge of the animation. This exercise is a good preparation for responsibilities at various levels, provincial, vicarial or general. Warm thanks to Michel Kubler who took care of writing the report. It is not an easy exercise. Thank you also for the corrections he made to the animation guide for the next general chapter.
I thank our translators. First, Mikaël Tsongo who came specially from Spain and Marcelo who completes the device with the episodic support of Miguel and Didier. Thanks to Thierry for the follow-up of the liturgical animation. The fil rouge was assumed by Marcelo and myself. I thank the translators Marcelo for Spanish and Romel for English for their efficiency.
The CGP is also a logistics for the reception: the preparation of the rooms, the reception at the airport, etc. Thank you to all those who took on these various services. I am thinking of Gilles in particular, but he had the support of several religious from the house. Thank you to the sisters for having sacrificed their day of rest for several weeks to be able to welcome our brothers from the CEC and the CGP.
Thanks to you, provincials and vicars of West Africa and Asia/Oceania. You have seriously prepared the various files and you participate in the animation of our debates.
I would like to say that I am grateful for all that I have received during the 12 years of my service to the congregation. Certainly, the exercise of responsibilities is not always easy. There are great moments of solitude. But God is present and fraternal charity is a useful support. Thank you to the brothers of the CGP, thank you to all of you for having helped me to accomplish my task. I have done my best, but I know that not everything has been perfect. I ask for forgiveness for the weaknesses I may have had in my ministry. God is merciful, I count on your mercy too.
Soon we will celebrate the feast of the Nativity. It will be, as the Gospel says, a great joy. I pray that this joy will be solid and that you will obtain many satisfactions in the exercise of your provincial and vicarial responsibility.
So, see you at the beginning of June 2023 for the 34th General Chapter. It will be another exercise: 25 days to give a new impulse to the congregation, to choose brothers to assume the animation and the government for 6 years, but above all to orient our Assumption so that it may have a greater apostolic relevance. For this, we must enter into a logic of conversion. That is to say, to be attentive to the Spirit and to accept the unforeseen events of God. We have all chosen to be religious, that is, to give ourselves totally to following the Lord Jesus. May we learn to be ever more available! Emmanuel d'Alzon used to say: "I must let the Holy Trinity act in me to form the kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is a new order of contemplation. I will let the Holy Trinity form Jesus Christ in me, as it formed Jesus Christ in Mary. And the more flexible, obedient and abandoned I am, the more perfect this image of Jesus Christ will be" (E.S p909)
There will be no final word because, as St. Augustine says, "when a man thinks he has finished, he is mistaken, for it is then that everything begins. With Gregory of Nyssa, we know that in the Christian life, we go "from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end" (Homily on the Song of Songs)
Have a good return back home, and merry Christmas!
Photo: The Creation of Light on the 1st day, stained glass window made by Malgorzata RANCON in 2008-2010, church. Saint François de Sales, Paris (75), France.
Père Benoît Grière, Supérieur Général