Contents

• A word of the Superior General
• Fr Etchecopar wrote...
• Advent, Mystery of Love
• Elements of a Betharramite Spirituality for the Laity
• 5mn with Fr Shaju
• Centenary Celebrations at Droitwich
• 1959-2009: Betharram in Ivory Coast (the end)

PDF  file

A word from the Superior General

What’s new in the Rule of Life

Forty years ago in 1969, the Extraordinary General Chapter, requested by the Council Vatican II approved the Rule of Life. It had been preceded in 1968 by the Interprovincial Commission; meeting in Bel Sito it had produced a remarkable piece of work as a result of the Consultation of all the religious, put in motion by the then Superior General, Fr Joseph Mirande. The complete documentation concerning this is to be found in the NEF of that period.

The final synthesis, based on all the materiel of that time, was excellent. Betharramite identity was well defined as our way of being disciples of Jesus: Our specific mission is to reproduce and manifest the movement of the Incarnate Word saying to his Father: “Ecce Venio” submitting to his divine will for the redemption of mankind. (R.L. 1969, 2, 12). The reflection in the first chapters was focussed on three points:  spirituality, community and the apostolate. When it came to characterizing our identity, the contribution from Fr J. Mateo was decisive.

Taking advantage of the restructuring of the part concerning the Government, the commission for the revision of the Rule of Life, put in place by Fr Radaelli, judged that the work done in 1969 ought to be improved with several contributions: about the post-conciliar thinking on consecrated life and elements concerning our charismatic identity which were brought to light during the session in Betharram, organised by Fr Grech in 1985.

The changes in the chapter headings already witness to the vocabulary settled on in the course of the years. I. The Charism of the Betharram Family. II. The Mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. III Consecration through the vows. IV. The Betharramite life of prayer. V. Fraternal life in community. VI Our service in the Church.

The Manifesto has been reproduced in its entirety. This text which is considered to be fundamental is a good expression of our charismatic identity. The paragraph, omitted in the previous Rule, referred to Jesus Christ as an appeal, a modal and a means, but made explicit the real circumstances for the foundation of the Congregation: namely the de- Christianization of the masses and the disobedience of the clergy, two painful realities which struck St Michael.

The expression Sacred Heart is to be found with greater insistence, both to qualify the identity of Jesus as the generous surge of the Heart of Jesus, the Incarnate Word (art. 2,9) and to name the Congregation (112, 113, 114, 30). The three dimensions are added: spiritual, community and missionary as well as the dimension of consecration (art. 4,6)  The Betharramite mission is thus given the art of “procuring for others a similar happiness” (11), something on which much emphasis was placed these last years.

By using quotations there was an effort to include the theology of the religious Life after Vatican II, a reflection on the charism with new quotations from St Michael, Fr Etchecopar and even extracts from certain General Chapters, e.g. the 1999 chapter, article 18 and the letter from John-Paul II to the Superior General for the bi-centenary of the birth of St Michael Garicoits in 1997 (124). In this way they wanted to show how the identity of the Congregation was constructed down through the years.

Chapters I and II which express well our identity and mission have been left as they are, simply bringing the vocabulary up to date. Chapters IV and V have hardly been touched, for want of time. Little differences have been introduced by the use of some quotations. Evangelical charity is included through the use of a quotation from NMI 43: the spirituality of communion. (96)

The articles on the vows have been retained but the contents have been recast, after the remark according to which if they were touched it would have been lacking in depth. Therefore they tried to improve it with all the post-conciliar reflection, not forgetting the Trinitarian and community dimension of each vow. Furthermore there was particular emphasis on love motivating the three vows, as our Father St Michael taught us: For love’s sake rather than for any other motive.

The title of Chapter VI is: Our service in the Church.  Previously Chapter VII was entitled Apostolic Activities. The new version is improved by the statement that the witness of fidelity to our consecrated life forms the very essence of our mission. Another addition – the mention of the two priorities namely the service of the local church (114) and presence to any one caught up in the different types of poverty (115-116). New spheres of activity are also pointed out: the pastoral care of the youth (117) pastoral care of families (121) animation and spiritual accompaniment (124), the promotion of the individual (125). The end of this chapter is also new: criteria for discerning activities (130 – 135).

The old chapter VI was entitled Formation. it is now part of Chapter VII under the title Betharramite Formation. This change in the order of the chapters seems logical; our missionary activities are part of our lives. Once our lives have been presented in their entirety, then we can tackle the formation necessary for that life. This chapter must be read with reference to the Ratio formationis. On this basis different stages have been added: vocational accompaniment-discernment and postulancy, concerning all the realities of the Congregation. Finally there is a review of the time of temporary vows, final profession and the different types of formation for the religious-priests and religious brothers.

The formula for vows has been improved by the introduction of certain expressions dear to our Founder, giving it a special cachet (152). Among the special devotions for the Congregation are: solemnity of the 14th September, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, St Michael Garicoits including the man who was  his disciple, the Servant of God, Fr Auguste Etchecopar, St Jeanne Elizabeth Bichier des Ages, Blessed Marie de Jesus Crucified who had a great affection for our family (92).

Gaspar Fernandez,SCJ

Fr Auguste Etchecopar wrote... in his personal notes, Christmas 1855

Jesus is asking the world for a little corner where he can come into the light. But his own received him not. (John 1, 11). Why? Because they are vain, pleasure seeking, and greedy. Even if the world had offered its palaces to Jesus, Jesus would not have wanted them because he is humble, mortified and poor...

Around the crib are the humble and simple folk, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. If we want to be admitted in such holy company we too will have had to practise these same virtues.

If we want Jesus to be born in our hearts they must have the same qualities as were to be found in the crib, to be stripped of all affections for creatures and dead to all wicked inclinations. What are we waiting for to offer our God a place worthy of him? What are we waiting for to imitate his example? Oh Jesus, make my heart like unto thine!

Advent, Mystery of Love

Elements of a Betharramite Spirituality for the Laity

One of the resolutions of the General Chapter concerning the laity was to define those points which would be acceptable to all the groups. After a questionnaire and the exchanges which it provoked, here is a precis of the contributions received. This text, greatly improved by a new collection of contributions in July 2008, is now brought to the attention of all.

2. To build and live the ecclesial communion
United with Christ from the day of the Baptism and fostering this union with prayer, with the Eucharist and by practising the human, Christian and betharramite virtues: humility (being simple and unassuming), obedience, gentleness, dedication, charity.
Live the values of the lay vocation. Live the joy of knowing and loving Jesus and of being his disciple and missionary.
Build the communion by living one’s vocation as complementary to the betharramites religious and to other vocations in the Church.
Live also the value of the ecclesial communion in one’s family, domestic Church, and with other families.Set up groups of families of people willing to live this communion starting from the spirituality of Saint Michael Garicoïts ready to transform the surroundings where one lives.

3. Sharing the mission of the Church
Through a fearless witness where one lives, this witness will stir up irresistible questions such as: Why are they like this? (E.N. 21)
Live in a mature way one’s faith by practicing the discernment of the will of God in different situations one comes across. Discernment in different fields: politics, job, education, trade union, mass media, ecology. Option for the poor.
Take to heart one’s integral education, Holy Scripture, writings of Saint Michael and of the Betharramite tradition, Social Doctrine of the Church (Cfr Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church). The Church in the heart of the world and the world in the heart of the Church (Puebla).
Have your answer ready for people who ask you for the reason of the hope you have, do not be ashamed of being a Christian and have the courage to proclaim Jesus Christ. There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed. (E.N. 22)
To cooperate as much as one can in the missionary activities of Betharram.

4. Proposal of minimum elements of the betharramite identity
Pray personally each day the following prayer and be aware that by praying it one expresses the communion with many other people scattered in the world:

O my God, You have so loved me! O God, You have done so much to obtain my love. You have so desired and do so desire that I love You! Here I am, O my God, here I am. My heart is ready. I will stop at nothing to prove to You my love. What do you want me to do? Here I am (D.S. 89). Our Lady of Betharram, pray for us. Our Father Saint Michael, pray for us. Blessed Miriam of Jesus Crucified, pray for us.

Celebrate with some groups of laypeople or with a betharramite community the Feasts: 19 March (Saint Joseph); 25 March (The Annunciation of the Lord); 14 May (Our Founder Saint Michael); 2nd Friday after Pentecost (Sacred Heart of Jesus); 28 July (Our Lady of Betharram); 25 August (Blessed Miriam of Jesus Crucified); 14 September (Exaltation of the Cross); 22 December (day of the Here I am during the Christmas Novena).
To plan and carry out in the family a moment of betharramite prayer (daily, on Sundays, twice a week, etc.) consisting of a prayer to Our Lady of Betharram, the reading of a passage from St Michael’s writings or from the Betharramite tradition, and sharing with the family members the content of the text and one’s own experience, then winding up with the prayer: O my God, You have so loved me!
To create groups of lay people or families around a religious or a betharramite community in which the members plan and implement a project of formation starting from the Holy Scripture, the writings of St Michael or of the Betharramite Tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, for example.
In each Vicariate and Region it would be good to have meetings at least once a year in order to favour the encounter of people, of families and groups concerned. The structure of these meetings can be different according to the project proper to each Vicariate and according to the culture of each country.

Our Lady of Betharram,
Mother of the beautiful Branch,
You offer us the Infant Jesus: 
We come to you, seeking protection and affection.

We ask you to be a living and maternal presence in our families.
Watch over the growth of our children.
Free us from unemployment, So that we can live with dignity.
May we always have something to share.

In you, Joseph found The tenderness and strength
Of the New Woman of the Gospel.
From you, Jesus learnt how to be faithful to the Father
And how to love men and women, his brothers and sisters.

Mother, we too want to live according to your example
And practise, in our daily life, your virtues.
Bless our ideals and all our efforts 
to build a fairer and more united society.

Help us to create new situations
where love has the pride of place.
Help us to find time to be in touch with the Lord,
Time for family and friends, time for relaxing.
In time of temptation, solitude and trial, give us your strength, 
Stretch out your saving branch.
Amen.

England : Centenary celebrations at Droitwich

On the feast of the Sacred Heart the members of the English vicariate, priests and brothers, members of our parishes, Old Boys of the College, and lay associates converged on the church of the Sacred Heart in Droitwich. This very special celebration to commemorate the coming of the Fathers of Betharram, the first priests of the Sacred Heart to Droitwich. The whole celebration was meticulously organised by the parish.

The first priest to arrive at Droitwich was Fr Joseph Dospital in 1909. Although the Congregation had been in England since 1903 when Father Abel Costedoat was invited to the Birmingham diocese by Archbishop Illsley, the uncle of our late Fr Philip Illsley SCJ.  From that time Droitwich was to become the centre of the congregation in this country for over 80 years. The beautiful mosaic church was built in the time of Fr Dospital who carefully watched over its construction and the mosaic work depicting the all  embracing arms of the Sacred Heart above the sanctuary and the glittering lives of saints and martyrs of England portrayed by myriads of dazzling mosaics.

The beautiful liturgy celebrating this occasion and enhanced by the choirs of the parish was led by Bishop Pargeter who replaced Archbishop Vincent Nichols who had, a few weeks earlier, been appointed to Westminster. On the sanctuary were all members of the English Vicariate, local clergy, and former pupils of the college who were priests. Fr Colin Fortune, superior of the Vicariate, preached on our devotion to the Sacred Heart and God's love which had been manifest over the years in the lives of those priests and Brothers who worked in the Parish and College and even those who work now in the parishes of those present at the Mass. He emphasised that the good works of students of the college in all walks of life were a reflection of God's love as they experienced it in the college. All who had been inspired to live by that spirit of the Sacred Heart when living amongst us were carrying on the same witness as the priests who taught and nurtured them. On this day it was as though there were a cloud of silent witnesses, priests and brothers of our Congregation gone before us in the sign of Faith, whose lives and works had been spent in the service of the Sacred Heart in the Midlands.  Among them would be Fr William Lythe who founded the College of the Sacred Heart, Father John Waddoups whose influence and endeavours had built up the Province to what it is today.

After an uplifting and inspiring Mass people flocked out to meet friends they had not seen for years. Everyone spilled out into a marquee and the Parish Centre. This was the opportunity of meeting past pupils and renewing friendships. This occasion was an opportunity to look back and hear from the people the good that had been done over the years and an encouragement to go forward with love and trust in the Sacred Heart into the future. 

Dominic Innamorati,SCJ

Nef: Can you tell us about the why’s and how’s of your new ministry?
- I am doing the ministries in the arch diocese of Guwahaty, in Assam. At present I am in a place called Nagrijuly, the last mission of the north East part of this diocese and the nearest mission to the county of Bhutan. The bishop has given me this place to have a deep experience with various tribal groups.  It is interesting and demanding. I am really enjoying the mission activities here so far. Though the languages, cultures and atmosphere are different and difficult,  I feel everything is going on well.

What did you find on your arrival there? What is the framework of your activity? Is it different from your usual one?
- I arrived in Assam with lots of hope and commitment.  I am keeping it up by the grace of god.  The frame works of my activities are similar like most of the mission centers are having in their respective places.  Most of the centers are having schools, boarding and catechetical programmes (similar like in the mountains of our missionaries in Chiang Mai). The interior ones, like my present one, are having many villages with various tribal people. In my mission centers we are having three main  tribal groups (Adivasis, Santhalis and Boros) and smaller groups from Bengalis, Nepalese and Assamese.
We are doing ministries like conducting masses in the villages, administering sacraments (most of the times baptizing people), teaching catechisms, boarding children, running schools and other out reach programmes.
Of course the place where I am living is slowly coming back from the troubles. It is beyond writing and narrations.  Sometimes each day of our life is a long story of trusting in God’s providence. In a week, there are bhand (local strikes) two or three days. Last couple of months, the militants and naxalites are making more problems.
The ministry here is different from my usual one. The Village chapels made up of bamboo woods, furnished with cow den paste, etc. People are mostly not well dressed from our city understanding.  But  these things are not bothered us. We are worried about how to useful and effective for them. I really enjoy and feel happy and comfortable in spite of the difficulties.

You are at the service of the local church in a very particular environment; how do you cooperate with the diocesan clergy?
- I am doing the ministry of the Arch Diocese of Guwahaty. What my bishop and diocesan administration has asked me to do is carried out without any reservation. It is wonderful to work with them. They love me and extend their support towards me always.

You have been sent by the congregation: how do you take this project on yourself?
- I am doing the congregation mission through diocesan projects. Though I am exclusively with the diocese of Guwahaty, I am keeping in mind of the direction from the superior general and the generalate mission directions. Being in an appointed place, I am slowly exploring our congregation mission that is vested on me by authorities.

Are there any links with the brothers doing their regency in the region?
- Our brothers are doing their regency with the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales (MSFS) fathers. Though two of them are in the state of Assam, they are far from me. I hope to visit them before they complete the regency. I do communicate with them through various means.

Are your identity as a religious and the spirituality of Saint Michael supporting and inspiring you in your experience?  Are they giving you a special trait?
- The basis of my mission activities are on the foundation of  the spirituality of St. Michael. I understand the true meaning of religious life and the relevance of “Here I come to do your will”. I am privileged to be here in the North East India or else where, like St. Michael envisaged with the earlier missionaries. As I walk forward always, my identity as religious and the spirituality based on St. Michael,  gives me enough strength to continue my commitments.

Based on what you live here, how do you envisage the future of Betharram in India?
- The future of Betharram in India depends on true commitments and openness of one’s attitude towards the congregation and mission. I feel that if everyone gives themselves like I give to the congregation, there is a bright future for us in India. I always give my best to the congregation, may be in different way, which I am  not able to convince others by words or narrations! I remember the first meeting that I had with Fr. Gaspar, Fr. Mirande and Fr. Xavier soon after my ordination, the dreams and hopes they shared with me. It is possible to enter into the country of China or any places. I have shared with my bishop about our plan and my special interest from congregation. As part of his love and response to me, especially reward for my short time ministry in the present place, he has appointed me in a new mission in the same diocese from the middle of December onwards. It is a great sign of appreciation to us. Being in this new center, bishop has asked to look for a new our mission  that is our own in this diocese or other dioceses. I humbly ask you (to the congregation) to support me as long as possible  and anyone who are sincere to commit themselves in fulfilling the hopes of St. Michael.

11. Maturity