A word from the Superior General

The new Rule of Life underlines an important service in the Congregation, namely that of community superiors. Prior to the Council every religious wanted to be superior because it represented a certain kind of power in big communities; today it is difficult to find a brother willing to accept this service in the small communities where it is easier to have a discussion beyond what is necessary. And yet it is even more necessary, even fundamental that a brother accepts this service of animation, coordination and communion respectful of each brother.

Article 105 thus defines this role: The Superior holds an important role in this communion of persons, which should be built up unceasingly. He is the first leader and animator of the life in the community: “superiors will employ themselves in the first place with the greatest zeal by uniting all hearts. Articles 278, 279 and 280 state precisely what are the specific functions of the community superior.

His authority is above all else moral. It is from the witness of his life that he will be recognised: fidelity to his vocation, the practice of Christian virtues, obedience to the Rule of Life and to the traditions of the Congregation.

A brother with his brothers, he accompanies them, loves them and listens to them. He will bring out their finest qualities as human beings. He takes care of the sick members of the community and visits them. Bearing in mind the talents of each one he encourages the brothers to put them at the service of all. He is interested in the spiritual life of the community. He will develop the collaboration of each one in the life of the community and encourages obedience through dialogue as well as in the demands of our vocation. He checks rebellion in the same way as he confirms weakness, and he is patient with everyone. (C.I.C. 619)

He is a builder of communion and unity in the respect of differences by favouring the spirituality of fraternal communion in Christ founded on personal and community prayer, and on mature and respectful relations such as we see in the Gospels (Rule of Life 96). He encourages good communication as each one takes part in community affairs. He gives encouragement to the brothers helping them to be faithful to their commitments to the end. He favours dialogue and possibility of meetings. When things are difficult he looks for pardon and reconciliation. With the help of all concerned he draws up and reviews the community project. (Rule of Life 278b).

He knows how to instil courage and hope when times are difficult. He also knows how to be creative by opening up new horizons for the mission. It is his wish to keep the balance between prayer and work, the apostolate and formation, apostolic works and rest. He sees to it that all the members of the community are faithful to the vow of poverty by depending on the community, by pooling whatever they own, by rendering exact personal accounts, an uncomplicated life style and the collective witness to poverty.

It is also he who encourages and accompanies each member in discovering God’s will for him. He can be aware of what his brothers are going through, life in society and in the Church. In this way it is a help for the community in discerning the signs of the times. He encourages his brothers in commitments which can strengthen their vocation and their mission. Finally he can take the necessary decisions and stick to them.

He makes a point of verifying that the mission of the community is in harmony with the charism, the orientations of the Congregation and the pastoral of the local and universal Church (Rule of Life 19).

He encourages the on-going formation of each religious. This is something which requires a community atmosphere which is responsible, evangelical, fraternal, prayerful, open and missionary. This is how each religious can work at his own on-going formation and how the important orientations can become a reality thanks to the patience and faithful mediation of each day. The religious community is a place of growth for each religious where each one feels responsible for the development of his fellow religious. Day by day the community becomes a place where as religious we are helped to respond to the calls of the poor and the challenges of the world of today. The passage from “me” to “us”, from the personal commitment to the collective one, from personal projects to missionary projects, can be verified.

The Rule of Life reminds us that the religious appointed superior have as their first mission one of service to their brothers according to the Rule and the orientations of the Congregation and the Church . It is a mandate of three years, renewable once. It is good to avoid having the same person hold this mandate too long in the same community.

Gaspar Fernández Pérez, scj