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Gustavo India
You are here:Home / Family News / NEF 2017 / Family News - July 14th, 2017 / A word from the Superior General
Jul 14, 2017

A word from the Superior General

While we await our new Servants

A word from the Superior General

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FVD

Without doubt the art of government is difficult, but not only is His grace with you, but the Lord himself is with you. 
Be filled with His spirit and His ways, act in Him and like Him; surrender and have boundless trust. 
May you know Our Saviour’s plan and try to follow it.
(Corresp. SMG Letter 97)

On May 18, the General Chapter of San Bernardino elected new leaders to govern, animate and accompany the mission of the Congregation for the next six years. Following on from this, those who form the General Council have the task of naming the three religious who will be the main servants of the Regions and their Regional Vicars. The members of the outgoing administrations govern the Regions and the Vicariates until the appointment of their respective successors (Rule of Life 233b), which can happen within three months or beyond this period, if necessary (Rule of Life 198).

In order to help identify the most suitable persons, a consultation is organised where it is possible to indicate three names (Rule of Life 234 & 248). The great majority of the brothers responded to this invitation and, although this consultation is not binding, it allows us to observe and to discern calmly, to perceive the tendencies which dominate in each place and to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit with the necessary indifference (a well-known Ignatian term, meaning that one discerns clearly the basis and the ultimate goal of a decision, without leaning, a priori, “either to right or to left”).

We are well aware that this service, (especially that of the Regional and the Vicar), is not an honorific or prestigious office. Consequently, brothers who misguidedly aspire to power, to money, or to the vanity of the office, are excluded!
We are convinced that the duties that we delegate will fall on those who have manifested a disinterested disposition to serve “from the limits of their position”.

We are all aware of the “surprise” vocations that are presented to us in the Holy Scriptures. The Lord demonstrates his total freedom. He “looks at the heart and not appearances” (cf. I Sam. 16: 7), neither titles nor human powers (cf. I Cor 1,25-29); We see him in David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Amos. We see him among the apostles Peter and Paul themselves - the rough fisherman and the converted persecutor - to name but a few. Saint Michael Garicoits, who was already a spiritual master in his day, had admirable intuitions. He sometimes surprised people by appointing certain of his brothers. We know that in 1856 he sent his best religious to America (leaving Betharram without many leaders). He appointed Father Larrouy as spiritual support for the missionaries to guarantee the knowledge of the Charism. As for Fr. Guimon, he “liberated” him for the mission to the Indians..., But soon cautioned him not to fall into an indiscreet individualism: non preire, sed sequi (not to lead but to follow). Didace Barbé, the accomplished headmaster of Betharram, was sent as Superior of the group, but also as founder of what was to become the college of San José of Buenos Aires. Each time, the Lord of History confirmed his choices. Though not perfect, these elder brothers worked tirelessly and devoted their lives to the mission. Thus obedience out of love is fruitful, even if we feel weak!

I have a special admiration for this pearl of wisdom that St Michael received from the Father and which he developed through a life totally devoted to what God wanted. Moreover, he possessed the gift of the discernment of spirits, so necessary to one who exercises authority. Indispensable not to lose the orientation, to seek and find the Will of God, and to follow it.

Today, Pope Francis reminds us that the superior is not there simply to command, or just to remind us of the rules, lest we grow lax; He is there rather to invite us, without ceasing, to live the gospel according to our style of life; he is there to exhort us to be open to our brothers in community, to those who knock on our doorstep, to the ‘special ones’ of the Kingdom who gravitate around our homes, to all men and women in the richness of their diversity. The superior is above all a Christian with a big heart, a Father who invites us to meet and give the best of ourselves. It helps us create the conditions for this “encounter”. It is someone who puts into practice what he asks of others ... Without rushing, with gentleness and without aiming for personal advantages.

If this is the case, he will be able to receive, by opening his door, those who wish to share in community with us that happiness which has brought us together and overwhelmed us. He will witness to the Love of God and the “God of Love”. He will inspire us with confidence, by exchanging on what he thinks and decides in the name of all, with frankness and not by means of a roundabout way. It will be the best antidote against the slanders that are sure to wash around us when there is a lack of sincere dialogue and communication. If he does so, the “heavy, stagnant air” of pessimism, bitterness, and the knee-jerk response of “every man for himself” will be transformed into the “sweet perfume of brotherhood in Christ”, for we will be led to accept The poverty of the brothers and to forgive (2 Cor 2: 14-17).

How often have I heard young religious ask for a life flavoured with a little more fraternal love? Our young generations need these open horizons, these glimpses of the heavens, these free moments that encourage their passion for Christ and for humanity! I do not want to believe that we are not ready to dream!

If we share the desire for a better integration between the different cultures and generations that make up Betharram today, we need superiors who do not allow themselves to be overcome by routine, fatigue or the weight of the management of structures, or harmful internal divisions. They will avoid the quest for power, or a misguided authority that either says ‘anything goes’ or veer towards authoritarianism. I hope that the Regional as well as the Vicars, and each Betharramite, will help to recreate our life in the light of the Gospel.

Today more than ever we need servants close to the heart of God: we need Brothers who pray, meditate, celebrate together, can forgive one another, dialogue and fraternally correct, celebrate, and show mercy to him who sins, without judging him as evil. Those who act in this way, sharing life and faith, express true authority, even if they are not invested with any office. That is why I think that today, more than “superiors”, we need communities of servants who in turn, will wash the feet of others.

It is in this spirit that we will try to respond to the expectations of the greatest number, knowing full well that we will not always all agree ... Blessed is the one who will have to carry on his shoulders the weight of this service. And Blessed is he who will understand his task in this way! We will ask him to do it with humility without departing from his joy. Will we be able to help each other so that it is so?

I embrace you all fraternally In Corde Iesu.

Gustavo Agín scj
Superior General

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