A word from the Superior General

Adiapodoumé, on the 14th of September, 2016
Final profession of
Armel, Valentin, Hermann and Marie-Paulin

Today we are celebrating the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross chosen by Jesus, our Master and Lord as an instrument of death has been changed into an instrument of life. Through his death on the cross Jesus has shown the utmost love by giving up his life which his Father accepted and raising him from the dead. Love is stronger than death. Thanks to the gift of Jesus’ life on the Cross, our sins have been forgiven and we share in God’s life. On Good Friday this was not entirely evident. It was hidden but what was really happening. The glorious Cross is the place where God’s mercy is manifested as God’s great gift. “For the redemption of the slave you sacrificed the Son.” (Exultet, Easter Vigil)

It is precisely the way of the glorious Cross that Jesus is offering us all today. “He who does not take up his cross daily cannot be my disciple”. (Luke 14, 27). It is the path of poverty, humility, of kindness, service, responsibility, forgiveness, and self sacrifice. It is the way chosen freely by Jesus and which in the eyes of the world ended in failure on the Cross. For God the Father it was no failure but a huge success: the Cross is the instrument of triumph for Jesus and his Kingdom. The Father who could see the intentions of the Heart of Jesus, rewarded him not for the willing and suffering sacrifice but for the love shown by the offering of his life.

There is another path, the path which aims at personal success in all things. The path which means drawing attention to our selves, making mountains of diplomas, our ability in making relationships in search of benefactors who, thanks to their gifts, will help me to develop my personal projects, which will attract attention to me, thanks to the power resulting from all that. That’s the path leading to personal success. On such a path there is nothing more to come from God. “”They have received their reward “ (Matt. 6,16) so said Jesus.

Armel, Valentin, Hermann and Marie-Paulin, it is before God and in the presence of this Christian community of St Bernard, presided over by Mgr Salomon, bishop of Yopougon, that you have chosen to live in the following of the glorious Cross.

Your poverty , like that of Jesus who had nowhere to rest his head, (Luke 9,58) is your commitment to own nothing yourselves but to rely on Divine providence who will never let you down.

Your chastity, like that of Jesus is your commitment to live love, not just in a family but to be “universal brothers” in community and in the mission. But to rely on Divine providence who will never let you down. Your chastity, like that of Jesus is your commitment to live love, not just in a family but to be “universal brothers” in community and in the mission.

Your obedience, like that of Jesus to his Father, is your commitment not to have great personal projects, but to work for those of the Congregation in the service of the Church. These projects will become evident only when our Creator and Lord of all will have glorified your Crosses.“Watch and pray so as not to be tempted; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”. Today, more than ever before, it is difficult to be faithful to the projects of the Cross, for we are living in a society which attaches importance only to outward show, to comfort and power to which only a chosen few have access. You will be confronted with subtle temptations which will seem reasonable compared with those suggested by Jesus on the way of the Cross. Seek advice, pray, discern. See the Word of God and consult your superiors; never decide according to your own pleasure but what will make you more like Jesus in the Gospel. Today the community at St Bernard’s is praying for your fidelity.

Today, like every other day, be united with Christ as he offers himself to the Father in the Eucharist. Offer him all that you are doing in the Mission. Thank him for all the graces with which he has showered you. Ask forgiveness for your failings. Ask him to grant you the gift of humility; offer yourselves as a gift to God in prayer, to your brothers in community and finally for the Mission. Never forget that Jesus walks by your side on the way of the glorious Cross which he knows so well.

Forward march on the way to heaven! So says St Michael Garicoits. In heaven our cross will be glorious. Let us bless the Lord because he is good to us and because his Mercy extends to all generations! Amen.”

Gaspar Fernández Pérez scj
Superior General