The
new General Council wholeheartedly thank each and everyone…
Very dear Sisters,
We have
been very touched by the many messages of congratulations
received from all of you, from our communities and provinces
on the occasion of our election. As we cannot answer everyone
as we would have liked to do, we pass through Sharing Trentraprile,
so that noone will be forgotten
A very big thank you. These messages are a great encouragement
for us, a testimony to your sisterly affection and to that
communion among us which we want to continue to build for
the Mission. Thank you for your trust.
You
were all very much present during the event of the Chapter,
which prompted us to reflect, questioned our attitudes,
opened fields of work, invited us to pray and threw up several
challenges to us, including this call to a greater communion
between the generations of MSOLA, as well as among our provinces
and the different cultures.
.
At the final Eucharist of the Chapter, each member of the
outgoing General Council presented those on the new Council
with an apron, singing, "Like Him, lay the table. Like
Him, put on the apron. Rise every day and serve in love,
like Him".The apron is the symbol of this service to
which we have committed ourselves for the next six years.
We are counting on your prayers.
During
the following week's liturgy, we listened to Matthew's Gospel
(14, 13-21), which narrated Jesus' amazing response to the
disciples when faced with the hungry crowd : "Give
them something to eat yourselves". It is the Word of
trust which reveals the disciples' responsibilities to them
(their abilities and capacity to respond), urges and encourages
them to agree to give the little they have, to lose it so
that the people can be satisfied. And, in Jesus, that little
becomes an abundance He commits Himself today to live through
us, so that the Good News of the Kingdom may be proclaimed..
This responsibility He has entrusted to us all and we bear
it together. We can certainly count on Mary, who has been
with us throughout our history and who "walks with
us along the roads of the Annunciation ". Let us ask
her to pray with and for us.
Affectionately,
M. del
Pilar Benavente
Hélène
Mbuyamba Mujinga; Marie-Alice Terrettaz; Chantal
Vankalck
The outgoing General Council thank you also
During the Chapter and after the election of the new General
Council many of you sent us messages of friendship and sisterly
affection. You sent us good wishes for the future and expressed
your gratitude for all that our service led us to become
for you.
Before we separate - and for three of us this means also
leaving Rome and the Generalate - we want to thank you in
our turn. Thank you for these messages which touched us
so much. Thank you for the joy of having known you in so
many different ways - meetings, letters - and for having
experienced your support during our mandate. We feel sure
that we can continue to count on this same support in the
future. Isn't this an expression of the communion between
us?
Once more we thank God for this time at your service, recognizing
that we have been the first to benefit from the enrichment
it has brought.
Marie
McDonald
Josi
Froitzheim; Bijundi Bashige
The new General Council? Let
us make their acquaintance!
Piluca
(Maria del Pilar) Benavente Serrano,
Age
57, Spanish, is our tenth Superior General since Mother
Marie-Salomé. When she entered the noviciate in Toulouse,
France, in 1974, she had just completed two years of the
apostolic stage in Burkina Faso, where she had applied her
newly acquired nursing skills. Before that, however, she
had also had a good general formation, not forgetting her
musical studies in guitar and piano - skills that were to
prove very useful for someone who was to spend a good part
of her life with young people. It was in Toulouse that she
made her first vows in March 1976. What languages does she
speak ? Spanish, French, English, Italian and literary Arabic,
which she learned during her two years of studies in the
PISAI in 1977-78.
When she arrived in Maghreb Province in 1978, Piluca first
spent four years in Mauritania, resuming her nursing career
in the clinic at Nouakchott. Then she returned to Toulouse
in 1983 to help in the formation of postulants. It was there
that she made her final commitment in October 1983. Then
it was back to Maghreb in 1987, to Algeria this time, where
the Archbishop of Algiers, Mgr Teissier, very quickly put
her in charge of the pastoral care of the African students
dispersed throughout the university residences in the Algiers
area. They came to Algeria to pursue higher studies at university
or equivalent.
She took part in the 1993 Chapter, where she was elected
an Assistant General, an appointment that was renewed at
the 1999 Chapter. At the Chapter that has just ended, she
was elected for a further six years, this time as Superior
General...
May God open' the doors of good' to you, Piluca. And may
you be rewarded for saying "Yes" for this further
period, which will be so important for the life of our religious
family.
Hélène Mbuyamba Mujinga,
Age
52, Congolese (eastern Kasai). A teacher already well trained
in that discipline, Hélène entered the Congregation
in September 1986, with a qualification to teach French
and applied African Linguistics.
Her initial formation began in Toulouse (France) with the
postulate and continued with the noviciate in Lyon.. In
between these two periods, there was the apostolic stage
in Burkina Faso, a country to which she returned after making
her first vows in Lyon in September 1990. She already spoke
several languages - French, Lingala, Ciluba and Swahili
- and added Bambara, which she learned in Burkina Faso.
Then in 1996-97, there was a change of scene. After learning
English, she studied for a year in Ireland to equip herself
to become a "formatrice". That was why, very shortly
after her final commitment in Bobo Dioulasso in September
1997, she was appointed mistress of novices. It was wholly
appropriate that, after completing that commission and having
previously participated in the 1999 Chapter, she was elected
Assistant General at the Chapter just ended.
Chantal Vankalck,
Age
43, Belgian. Chantal was already a nurse and midwife when
she took the first steps in the Congregation in 1983. After
two years of the apostolic stage in Rwanda, where she was
in charge of a maternity unit, she entered the noviciate
in Lyon, France, in September 1987. She spoke Flemish, French
and English and, several years later, added spoken and literary
Arabic. The noviciate ended with her first vows in September
1988. Her final commitment was to take place in October
1995 in her home parish in Brussels, when it was the occasion
for some good missionary animation.
In between, Chantal spent two years in Uganda where, from
1989 to 1991, she was able to practise her profession as
nurse and midwife. In 1993, she changed countries as well
as professional orientation. This was when she arrived in
Maghreb, first in Algeria and then in Tunisia, after two
years studying Arabic at PISAI, (Rome). In Tunisia in 1991,
she became responsible for a library for secondary school
pupils, not to mention her active involvement with newly
arrived religious and priests, whom she helped to introduce
to the country. Then she was sent to the 2005 Chapter, where
she was elected an Assistant General.
Marie-Alice Terrettaz,
Age
42, Swiss. When she entered the Congregation in January
1987, Marie-Alice was equipped with a dual training in business
and secretarial work and in nursing. She had had a year's
nursing experience after gaining her nursing diploma. Her
formation began in Toulouse, France, then in Butare in Rwanda.
In between, she had the two-year apostolic stage in a clinic
and maternity unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After
making her first vows in September 1991 in Butare, Marie-Alice
was sent to Burundi to a new community concentrating on
social welfare and preventive medicine. After that, she
returned to Europe for a year of doctrinal studies in Paris,
followed by another year of "training for religious
formators". That is what enabled her to take responsibility
for initial formation, first in Bukavu and then in the postulate
in Goma. It was from there that she came to the 2005 Chapter
- having also attended the 1999 one - which elected her
an Assistant General.
Hélène, Chantal and Marie-Alice, we thank
all three of you for agreeing to commit yourselves, alongside
Piluca, as "new blood" for the great adventure
of this transitional period for the Congregation, which
has chosen to turn towards the future in taking the means
for it.
Lucie Pruvost
After her election, Piluca told us:
"
I would like to share with you all, something of the experience
I lived these past few days.
Before
the election
I really
believe I received the grace of indifference and inner freedom
these past few days. I felt great peace deep within me and
equally available to accept this service or any other nomination.
I called the Lord: "My preference" All the rest
was of secondary importance.
The election
Yesterday,
I was struck by the Homily of Father Georges Jacques : he
told us that the Sister we would choose is not "the
candidate of God" but the Sister of our own choice.
In the first place, he sent us back to our responsibility
as capitulants.
Hence, our choice this morning is first and foremost the
responsibility of those who elected me as well as my own
responsibility, since I accepted this election.
However, all does not stop there. If the election procedure
has taken place - and I believe it has - in a spirit of
faith and love, then the Lord confirms our choice, He makes
it His by assuming it with us, and He assures us of his
support all through the coming years.
It is in this way that the choice of a few becomes, in a
spirit of faith, the choice of the Chapter, the choice of
the Congregation.
And now?….
At
the last General Assembly, we chose as theme for the Chapter
"To celebrate and build our communion for the Mission".
Now, I realise that, at that moment, we were not able to
grasp the entire significance of such a theme. As the Chapter
progressed, I felt that this theme has been enriched by
new subtleties, and hence becoming deeper in meaning.
I feel that this Chapter is, for us all, a strong and urgent
call to more communion among us. Communion between the different
generations of MSOLA, between our diverse cultures, and
between the Provinces.
Our decision to live this communion as a Congregation and
to express it through very concrete actions and policies,
isn't perhaps the most functional, practical and easy choice
… Nevertheless, it is a choice in the name of the Gospel,
a prophetic sign in that it is a small achievement of God's
dream for humanity, of this project for which Jesus laid
down his life.
This communion does not only concern the internal life of
the Congregation but, on the contrary, it has an eminently
apostolic significance: it will be like the heart and soul
of all that we will live and do.
This is our "building site" for the years to come,
and I must say that this awakens my enthusiasm, urges me
to "go in haste" and gives me the taste to get
to work!
Now
it's time to think about the team for the General Council.
I hope that during the next few days, there will be, among
us, many conversations in an attitude of respect and discernment,
so as to choose, with the common good of the entire Congregation
in mind.
Finally,
I would like to thank the team of the General Council of
these last six years. A special thank you to Marie, for
two traits that characterize her, and which have been a
source of inspiration for me:
The first is her capacity to "let be". As far
as I am concerned, this enabled me to grow and give the
best of myself …
The second, is her inner strength, especially in difficult
situations, as for example during the period when there
was a lot of agitation in the media, in 2001 ... Marie lived
all this in deep serenity, that I would like to have …
I still have a lot to do to acquire this quality …
Now,
I want to give Marie a hug and once again say a BIG THANK
YOU."
Piluca
The
tenth one... Our
Superiors General since 1882
1. Mother
Marie-Salomé, from 1882 to 1925, elected at the
age of 35, by the unanimous vote of capitulants and re-elected
by the seven succeeding Chapters (1886, 1889, 1895, 1901,
1907, 1913 and 1920). In 1924, citing her diminishing strength,
she obtained permission from the Holy See to anticipate
the General Chapter, which she announced to the sisters
by saying that it was for her "a grave obligation in
conscience to provide for her successor, because of the
impossibility, given her age and infirmity, of fulfilling
adequately the duties of her office". (Sr Marie Lorin,
Après l'Histoire des Origines, p.13).
The speech given by Mgr Leynaud, Archbishop of Algiers,
who presided at the elections at the 1925 Chapter, offered
a very touching account of the sisters' admiration for Mother
M. Salomé. "His Grace presided at all the elections,
after which he was at pains to assure us that the Reverend
Mother Marie-Salomé would always continue to live
among us and occupy the same accommodation and the same
place in chapel, in order to provide, as she had always
done, an example of all the religious virtues and deserve
everyone's respectful affection. So we were spared the painful
prospect of being deprived of the accustomed presence of
a dearly loved Mother.
In order to anticipate the little mix-ups which could create
a confusion of titles, Monsignor suggested that, in accordance
with the rules, Mother St Jean, the elected Superior General,
be called the Very Reverend Mother and Mother Marie-Salomé"
Notre Vénérée Mère". (Collected
Circular Letters. Mother Marie-Salomé. T.3, p. 242)
2. Mother
St Jean (France), from 1925 to 1936, elected at 58 (died
durant her second mandate)
3. Mother Claude Marie (France), from 1937 to 1947,
elected at 48
4. Mother Louise Marie (France), from 1947 to 1959,
elected at 51
5. Mother Mechtildis (Germany), from 1959 to 1969,
elected at 43
6. Marie Josée Dor (France), from 1969 to
1981, elected at 44
7. Marion Carabott (Malte), from 1981 to 1987, elected
at 46
8. Marie Heintz (United States), from 1987 to 1993,
elected at 55
9. Marie McDonald (Scotland), from 1993 to 2005,
elected at 54
10. Maria del Pilar (Piluca) Benavente Serrano (Spain),
elected in 2005, at 57.
Claire
Bélanger et L.P.
The
Rome Community and the Chapter
Elsewhere,
but not cut off !…
Ever
since the Generalate House was established in Rome, we have
lacked a place in which to hold the General Chapter. Consequently,
for the second time - 1999 being the first - the Chapter
gathered in a Reception Centre. This year, it was in the
"House of Welcome", Enrico de Ossó, run
by a Spanish Carmelite Congregation, the Compañía
de Santa Teresa de Jesús. A huge house situated in
a residential district in the west of the city, surrounded
by a shaded park, it was well appreciated as a place to
revive the spirits. All the sisters - the capitulants as
well as those from the Generalate House who had prepared
the premises - received the best of welcomes there.
"To
prepare the premises"
Yes, it was necessary, because we were not "at home".
The secretariat had already had to be made up all of a piece.
That involved arranging for the appropriate equipment, such
as computers, photocopiers, stationery and essential documents
and whatever else, for the duration of the Chapter. It was
a case of providing for all possibilities, although we weren't
actually leaving for the desert. Lucille Pilotte, from the
General Secretariat, worked at it many weeks beforehand,
thus helping Hildegunde Schmidt, the archivist, to achieve
her tasks to the best. Hildegunde who had been named coordinator
of the Chapter was also in charge of the Secretariat of
the Chapter.
The Chapter hall also had to be fitted up for simultaneous
translation. That was achieved, thanks to Pilar Navarro
and her contacts with a firm specialising in that kind of
installation. The same applied to the super-efficient photocopier
hired for the occasion, not to mention a vending machine
that provided tasty hot drinks in spite of the midsummer
heat.
The
welcome was expressed in attention to detail - for example,
in the final preparation of people's room with all the little
things we like to find in place when we arrive in our communities.
All that, too, had to be thought about in advance. Several
of the community from the Generalate House had been busy
during the last days before the Chapter and some had already
moved in, so as to receive the capitulants when they arrived.
It has to be said, with due modesty, that the Generalate
House's "transportation" system worked very well,
thanks to the availability and professionalism of our resident
driver, Odette Boillat, assisted by Angela Kewes, who came
specially from Trier for this purpose, and to a taxi company
who handled the arrivals and, later, the departures. The
people leaving were sometimes regrouped to make things easier.
As for our two drivers, every day during the Chapter - sometimes
several times a day - they had to maintain the link between
the Generalate House and Enrico de Ossó, carrying
people, mail and a variety of messages and sometimes medicines
and other supplies. As for the travelling time between the
two places, everything depended on the timing. By car, it
could vary between fifteen and forty-five minutes, depending
on the time of day, whether it was during a quiet period
or at the rush hour : by bus, it took up to an hour and
a half.
We mustn't forget to mention Flora Ridder, who also came
from Trèves to join our community and make her nursing
skills available to the capitulants - skills which, happily,
she didn't have to put into practice - and also provided
other kinds of help in the Generalate House.
Even
although the Chapter was taking place elsewhere, we were
not excluded. There were various opportunities to meet the
capitulants, who had come from all the provinces and regions
of the Congregation. What an opportunity it was to catch
up with the news and sometimes to get to know people.
Initially, those who came in advance and, later, those who
extended their stay afterwards, the Generalate House was
delighted to welcome them. All the capitulants who wished
came - of necessity in groups, because of the numbers -
on one of the three Sundays in July, to have a meal and
relax for a few hours with the community. On 24 July, in
accordance with tradition, they came to celebrate Piluca's
election as our new Superior General : she found herself
surrounded by nearly twenty capitulants. We gathered in
the garden, around Our Lady of the Vow for the Sancta Maria
and around the carillon for the joyful ringing out of its
four bells, which were set in motion by the younger sisters.
The statue and the carillon are mementos which were brought
back to Frascati - the statue from St Charles and the bells
from the chapel of Notre Dame du Chélif near Les
Attafs - and were then taken to Viale Trenta Aprile in 1993.
They form part of a spiritual heritage which is very dear
to us.
The
physical separation was set aside at the beginning and end
of the Chapter. At the opening, we were directly involved,
joining the capitulants in the Chapter hall to sing the
invocation to the Holy Spirit, listening to Marie McDonald's
address, praying at the Eucharist at which Fr Gérard
Chabanon, Superior General of the M.Afr., presided, and
then joining them for supper. The same applied at the closure
of the Chapter. There was a very festive Eucharist presided
over by Mgr Michael Fitzgerald M.Afr., accompanied by a
dozen of his colleagues from Via Aurelia, and then a celebration
meal, followed by some tidying up and preparations for departure.
Let's
not forget that, throughout the period of the Chapter, the
community was able to follow the information provided day
by day by Gisela Schreyer on the Internet website created
for the event, not to mention the interview with several
capitulants on Vatican Radio. These links helped to promote
the communion among us all.
Our
community has a mission of service and welcome in relation
to all you MSOLA, who are dispersed over several continents.
The little support services which fell to us to provide
for the Chapter enabled us to give effect to that essential
aspect of our community project. And for that we give thanks.
The
Community of Rome
Under
the sign of "communion"
A day
by day communication of the Chapter through the Internet
One
of the most important new approaches of the Chapter which
has just finished was the attention given by the General
Council to passing on information as rapid and as complete
as possible to all those interested by our activities. This
means to us MSOLA first of all, but also to our families
and our friends, lay, religious and of other institutes.
There was a special electronic address, opened for the time
of the Chapter and widely circulated, giving a possibility
of daily consultation to anyone having access to the Internet.
We understand that this is not the case of all our communities.
However, the many messages received through the 'Site' showed
that, in spite of distances, or the power cuts, all those
who desired it and had the possibility really profited from
this information.
In certain communities the Sisters gathered around the computer
to look at the site together. In other places, the page
of the day was printed out and displayed so that as many
as possible could benefit. And so... data processing at
the service of communication and of communion. As one message
put it: "Super news, first class photos, how delightful...
You are at the peak of progress..." What was perhaps
the most appreciated, was to be in communion with the daily
progression of the Capitulants, of their prayer. Added to
that were the messages expressing a real joy, and the assurance
of prayers of the correspondents.
"Communion",
"proximity".. This kept coming back in one way
or another. "Many thanks for associating us so intimately
to your work and experience, we have the impression that
we are with you...". "You have made us feel united
to the Capitulants working, praying, trusting the Holy Spirit...".
Some communities even took the habit of "taking inspiration
each evening from you (the Capitulants) for their prayer".
One message expresses very well the moment of the elections:
"The prayers of this week and the election process...
Very inspiring... You help us to feel at one with the Capitulants
in prayer and trust to the Spirit". Another message
sums up very well that which was expressed by so many others:
"We are in admiration faced with this Chapter. We have
really felt that you were imploring the Holy Spirit with
the humility of those who do not see the way clearly, even
while accepting to navigate just feeling their way, trusting
in the Spirit which blows gently on the sails."
An
information which was able to achieve one of the goals of
the site, that of missionary and vocational animation. As
one message tells us, this time from a lay person: "What
a treasury of information, I go from one discovery to another
since the site covers your many activities on three continents.
It is a wonderful tool to make yourselves known and to continue
to radiate and spread the Good News in all the countries
where you are present. I see that the Holy Spirit inspires
you in your work which is far from being easy..."
Also,
let us not forget the many messages of congratulations and
encouragement addressed directly on the site to the new
General Council, "the new blood" as one among
us said rejoicing. Plus the many expressions of affection,
so warm, from everywhere, individually and communitarian.
"May the God of wisdom, of strength and of boldness
accompany you in the accomplishment of this service accepted
in faith:.." Always of course with the promise of prayer.
Messages
to the <assistant webmaster> expressed admiration
and awe. Well earned congratulations for sure! It must be
noted that nurturing the site was marvellously assured by
Gisela Schreyer, coming especially for that from Arusha
(Tanzania), who exercised her talents not only of know-how
but also to take and chose the photos giving life to the
site, as well as for organising the information in a manner
both attractive and "very inspiring". We note
also the collaboration of Begoña Iñarra and
Michel Groiselle, M. Afr., responsible, in France, for the
site of the Missionaries of Africa and for ours. Of this
expertise of Gisela, we find an illustration in a last message:
"The Chapter reports on the web are fantastic. Germaine
has produced a lovely booklet"...
L.P.
Let us remember… A walk through the
archives
The
beginnings of the "governance" of the Congregation
:
the Chapters of 1879 and 1882
Before
Mother Marie-Salomé was elected Superior General
by the 1882 Chapter, the Congregation had for three years
a first Superior appointed in March 1979 by Mgr Lavigerie.
She was Mother Marie du Sacré Coeur, a former Assumptionist.
At that time, Mother Marie Salomé was Superior at
Les Attafs.
In
October 1879, as the Histoire des Origines (p.241ff) records,
the Founder brought all the sisters together in a Chapter.
They had just made a retreat preached by a White Father.
Mgr Lavigerie, doubtful of the viability of the foundation,
reserved to himself the right to give "clear instructions
on the essential virtues of missionaries". He insisted
on "obedience, charity, and strict, intimate and fraternal
unity (…..), as the indispensable conditions for the
development (of a religious society) and even for its life…".
But, in a frightening decision, he asked the sisters to
"examine seriously where they were in relation to this"
and announced that "after the retreat, they would all
have to vote on each of their colleagues" He imposed
on them a duty "under pain of mortal sin, to exclude
from the Congregation those who were not practising these
virtues". The vote duly took place and twelve sisters
were excluded, with no possibility of restoration. No more
than forty remained. Recollections written some twenty years
later record that "Monsignor was so struck by the large
number of sisters excluded that he said he would never again
impose such a test". It was a little like Yahweh after
the Flood. (Gen. 8.21)
The
first "Chapter" in our history was presided over
by the Founder. That was how, on 21 October, Mother Marie
du Sacré Coeur was elected (rather than appointed)
Superior General, with four Councillors, of whom Mother
Marie-Salomé was chosen as Assistant. But Mgr Lavigerie
forbade them to accept any more postulants. In the ten years
since 1869, of the 140 or 150 postulants who had passed
through the noviciate, there remained around twenty "fervent,
zealous and courageous" Geronimites, and some fifteen
young professed sisters admitted by the sisters of the Assumption
as coadjutors.
Another
Chapter was held in September 1882 at the end of the retreat.
Mgr Lavigerie, who had become a Cardinal in March of the
previous year, was ill and instructed Fr Charbonnier, Superior
General of the White Fathers, to preside, at the same time
appointing him as Superior of the "Sisters of the Mission".
The elections were held on 12 September, with the Cardinal
reserving the right to approve the results. After two days'
prayer and reflection, he summoned Mother Marie du Sacré
Coeur and the sisters indicated by the vote to confirm his
approval. That was how Mother Marie-Salomé, who was
elected unanimously by the capitulants, began her long,
43-year mandate, confirmed by votes that were almost always
unanimous at each of the succeeding seven Chapters. In 1882,
the Council was composed entirely of former Geronimites.
As for Mother Marie du Sacré Coeur, she joined the
founding group of La Marsa, near Tunis (Tunisia), where
she was appointed Superior. By 1886, she was no longer a
member of the Congregation. (Origines p.400).
The
Council, however, had no autonomy. The Cardinal appointed
Fr Charbonnier Superior of the Congregation. He had to preside
in person at all meetings of the Council which were held
every fortnight. When he was prevented from attending, he
was replaced by Fr Bridoux, who was also appointed by the
Cardinal. The Congregation and its superiors were thus kept
under strict supervision, in view of the youthfulness of
the Council members, starting with Mother Marie-Salomé,
who was then 35, and their lack of experience of governance
or business matters. The oldest Council member was hardly
40 and the others not much over 30.That kind of supervision
was ruled out by a decree of the Holy See in 1893.
L.P.
The beginnings of "governance"
in the congregation
and the number of provinces existing in 1905
A hundred
years ago, in 1905, the congregation numbered six provinces,
as a result of a development of which the following were
the principal features.
Following
the first chapter held in 1879, the Congregation was governed,
under the authority of the Archbishop of Algiers, Mgr Lavigerie,
and the Superior General of the White Fathers, by a Superior
General assisted by four Councillors, all of whom were elected
by the General Chapter.
The
different houses of the Congregation remained directly connected
to the Mother House, as a single family, dispersed externally
for the service of God but strictly united by the bonds
of fraternal charity in shared work, prayer and action.
The
union with the society of the White Fathers became effective
when, at the 1889 Chapter, the Cardinal linked the Society
of Sisters to that of the Missionary Fathers. According
to l'Histoire des Origines (p.696), he wanted also to situate
the Congregation in a way which seemed to him appropriate
for promoting the spiritual welfare of its members and the
spiritual good of the enterprise. This was greatly appreciated
by the sisters and in the first place by Mother Marie-Salomé,
who was afraid to assume what she regarded as an overwhelming
responsibility. A decision in favour of autonomy was, however,
taken in 1893, through a decree from the Holy See, which
no longer accepted that women's congregations should be
subordinate in their governance to men's congregations.
As a result of this decree, authority to govern the Congregation
was, from then on, vested solely in the Superior General
of the Sisters and her Council. (Histoire de Origines, pp.710-702)
As
for the division into provinces, the Rules in the Founder's
time envisaged that they would be created from 1882. "When
the Society is dispersed in distant lands, it will be divided
into distinct provinces and a Provincial will be at the
head of each province". In 1895, the Chapter delegated
to the General Council responsibility for creating provinces
if it felt the need to do so. That duly came about six years
later in 1901. At that time, the Congregation had 250 professed
sisters divided among 32 mission stations, of which seven
were in Equatorial Africa, and three in Sudan. Six provinces
were then created - the Mother House, Kabylie, Sahara-Tunisia,
Sudan, Nyanza and Tanganyika-Congo.
In 1909, at the request of the Holy See, the terminology
changed, since our "provinces" did not correspond
to current canon law norms (the first Code of Canon Law
was promulgated in 1917). Their organisation was, however,
adopted by Rome and those "provinces" became "regions".
The organisation into provinces as we know them today dates
from 1937, with the creation of the two provinces of Germany
and Belgium. Over the years, the others followed. The creation
of the first African provinces resumed in 1961.
Claire
Bélanger
100
years ago, on 24 August 1905, came the death of Mother Claver,
on
whom everyone had relied as a pillar of the Congregation.
Here is how this unexpected demise, which shocked everyone,
was reported in diaries at the time and in l'Histoire des
Origines :
After
a long journey through Equatorial Africa, to which her vocation
had called her from the outset, Mother Claver arrived in
Mpala (Congo) on 13 August 1905, "tired out",
according to the Mpala diary, not so much by the journey
on foot which she had made but by a fever which she had
endured for some time. She spent 15 August in bed. The fever
eased off in the morning but worsened again in the evening,
with her temperature rising to 42 degrees. On 19 August,
Mother Claver asked for the Last Sacraments. The fever continued
but in the evening of 23 August, her temperature fell to
34 degrees.
The next morning, in good conscience and having followed
the Mass from her bed, Mother Claver died at the age of
39.
From 25 August, the news began to spread, firstly to Baudouinville
(Congo). It did not reach the Mother House until 9 September,
passed on by the White Fathers in Anvers (Belgium), who
had received a message while, as in all the Congregation's
mission stations, people were joyfully celebrating St Peter
Claver, while praying for the beloved Mother and the happy
continuation of her journey. The death was felt very deeply
by Mother Salomé and all the sisters - a real body
blow. Everywhere, in all the communities, the sisters prayed
both for the deceased and for Mother Salomé, whose
grief was beyond expression.
It was clearly apparent in the affectionate letter that
Fr Voillard, the former Superior of our Congregation (1890-1892),
wrote to her : "My poor, dear Mother (…….)
It is with a broken heart that I send you this telegram
(….) ; it is broken by a double blow - the loss which
your society has suffered and the wound inflicted at the
same time on my own heart. You yourself, poor Mother, what
sadness it is for you ! Thinking of your pain doubles my
own and my eyes are filled with tears (…) This is surely
the greatest misfortune you could have suffered". (Histoire
des Origines, pp.742-743)
It
took almost two months, from 9 September to 2 October, for
all the communities to be informed. North Africa as well
as Europe, between 9 and 17 September, and then, in October,
West Africa, Canada and, finally, Kenya.
The
Internet had not yet made its appearance !
L.P.
Religious - men and
women- in Africa - The Birth of COSMAM
At the beginning of May 2005, I had the opportunity to take
part, on behalf of USMDA (the Union of Major Superiors and
Delegates of Algeria) in the preparations for the birth
of COSMAM. COSMAM is the Confederation of Major Superiors'
Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The
genesis of COSMAM dates from a long time ago. In 1974, the
Meeting for African Collaboration (MAC) was created, comprising
three female and three male Superiors General, all of them
based in Rome and having members of their institutes in
Africa. MAC was conceived as a forum for exchange between
the Episcopate and the Consecrated Life in Africa and Madagascar.
That structure has enabled the Bishops of SECAM (the Symposium
of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) and the
Superiors General to meet, consult each other and reflect
together on all matters related to the life of the Church
in Africa, and that for thirty years.
In
2002, on the occasion of the meeting of the Permanent Committee
of SECAM with MAC, a reflection took place from which the
important points to emerge were :
o the indisputable growth of the Consecrated Life on the
continent ;
o the need for mutual help among the institutes at the level
of formation, for shared reflection on their common commitments
and the challenges of the mission ;
o the need for consultation and co-ordination among the
religious and between the institutes and the bishops ;
o the need for a continent-wide structure to represent the
Consecrated Life in Africa and Madagascar.
In
July 2003 in Nairobi, MAC brought together the presidents
of the Conferences of Major Superiors. At that consultative
assembly, a decision was taken to collaborate in creating
a continental conference for the Consecrated Life in Africa.
The preparation of a project of statutes for the new structure
and of a Constituent Assembly for 2005 was entrusted to
the Union of Religious in West Africa and to the representatives
from Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. The project was to create
a simple, practical and flexible structure, with the aim
of giving a major say to Africans in strengthening the Consecrated
Life on the continent.
The
Constituent Assembly.of COSMAM was held between 3 and 8
May 2005 at Cotonou in Bénin. Its theme was : "The
Consecrated Life in Africa today. That they may have life
and have it abundantly". Twenty African countries were
represented. It should be noted that not all countries in
Africa yet have national conferences of major superiors.
During
the Assembly, several bishops, as well as representatives
from Rome (CIVCSVA and UISG) and the Secretary-General of
SECAM encouraged us to combine our efforts. The latter told
us that "Ants say that if they co-operate with one
another, they can carry an elephant".
Accordingly,
the new confederation (COSMAM), always with the growth of
the Kingdom of God in Africa in mind, defined its objectives
as being :
o to develop communion and collaboration among the institutes
;
o to co-ordinate initiatives and common services of national
conferences ;
o to engage in reflection and propose action which would
help us to bear witness to the Gospel in different contexts
;
o to encourage good relations, collaboration and co-ordination
of national conferences with episcopal conferences, especially
SECAM, and with the bishops.
Once
they had been voted on, the statutes were sent to the Congregation
for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of
Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA) for approval. Only after that will
COSMAM actually come into being.
Two lectures (among others)described to us the strengths
and weaknesses of Consecrated Life in Africa and the challenges
facing it. These lectures were given by Fr Sidbe Semporé
o.p. and Sr Marie Claude Soba o.c.p.s.p. The contribution
of Consecrated Life in Africa was summarised in the form
of a triple diaconate - the diaconate of Charity, the diaconate
of Faith, and the diaconate of Hope. The demands of the
vows and the influence of the surrounding culture on the
lived experience of Consecrated Life were presented to give
us quite a realistic image of the challenges to be faced
together.
I was
the only representative from North Africa at this assembly
and I noticed the attention and interest shown by many people
in our form of presence. In the workshop I led on being
present in a Muslim environment, one could see that situations
differ a great deal from one place to another. In no country,
however, can we ignore the presence of the other person
who is different from us and not try to encounter him/her.
How best to do this was the concern of most of the people
I met.
At
the end of the meeting, two wishes were addressed to us
:
T that every brother and sister should strive to witness
more clearly through his/her life, since, when one points
to a value, the person to whom the value is shown looks
not at what is pointed at but at the person who is pointing
;
T that the Lord will increase our love for Him in our hearts.
Before entrusting his flock to Peter, Christ asked him two
questions, not about the flock but about his own person
: "Who do you say I am ?" and "Do you love
me ?"
We
paid a poignant visit to the slaves road. On the beach is
a memorial, "The gate of no return", with representations
of the slaves on the way to the slaveships or shown in humiliating
postures. Not far away on the same beach is "The gate
where the Good News arrived", commemorating the arrival
in 1861 of the Fathers of the African Missions (SMA) and
the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles.
I don't have to tell you that I encountered a dynamic Church,
with hundreds of seminarians, postulants and novices. Let
us hope that the Spirit of openness can send them forth.
Carmen
Sammut.- May 2005
Did you know that ?
The
Peace Nobel Prize for Lea Ackermann ?
The
Women's Rights activist Lea Ackermann from Boppard-Hirzenach,
is one out of 1000 women from all over the world nominated
for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
The Founder and Director of the organisation "Solwodi",
Solidarity with Women in Distress, has been fighting for
20 years against the traffic of women and against forcing
women into prostitution. The organisation has antennas all
over Germany.
Lea Ackermann has received several rewards for her commitment
in favour of a life in dignity, justice and peace. She is
one of the 15 German candidates and the only one of the
Rheinland-Pfalz Land. She was nominated by the international
initiative "1000 women for the Peace Nobel Prize 2005.
(Source : Rheinland-Pfalz Kurier, 30 June 2005)
The
Cologne WYD (World Youth Day)
The
idea of gathering young Christians from all over the world
together dates back to 1980. In June of that year, Pope
John Paul II was applauded by around 50,000 young people
in the Parc des Princes in Paris. At the end of December
in the same year, 30,000 young people gathered in Rome at
the request of the Taizé community to pray for peace.
The part played by Taizé in launching these gatherings
is worthy of note. It was that community who had the idea
in 1970 of launching a "Council of young people".
After four years' preparation, it was inaugurated on 30
August 1974 with 50,000 young people present. Each year
from 1978 onwards, between Christmas and 1 January, Taizé
organised international meetings which attracted more and
more young people of all faiths and from all parts of the
world.
They were, in a certain sense, the testing ground for the
WYDs
In
1985, which was declared by the UN the International Year
of Young People, 300,000 of them came to Rome for Palm Sunday,
in answer to the invitation of Pope John Paul 11. The following
are the WYDs held throughout the world : Buenos Aires (Argentina),
St James of Compostela (Spain), Czestochowa (Poland), Denver
(USA), Manilla (Philippines) - with a record 4 million participants
- Paris (France), Rome, Toronto (Canada) and finally Cologne
(Germany) this year. These days have become a real festival
of youth from all over the world, and are sometimes called
a "Catholic Woodstock". Three types of participants
can be identified. The first group comprises young Catholics
actively involved in a sacramental and prayerful life in
their parishes and movements, some of them with a religious
or priestly vocation. The second group are less involved
: for them, the days present an opportunity to deepen their
faith and to meet young Catholics from other parts of the
world. The third group brings together some young people,
not all of them Catholics, who, without any particular Church
involvement, see in WYDs an opportunity for overseas travel.
Elisabeth Biela from Tamale came with a group from Ghana
and Véronique Hégron from Gumo participated
with the young people of her native diocese : Nantes.
Our
sisters in Cologne were in the frontline, as Piluca, who
was staying with them, reports : "I had the chance
to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the WYDs, in the
first instance at home, through the people who were lodging
in our house - two young priests from Latvia (a new world
to discover !), Elisabeth Biela and one of the leaders of
a group of young people from Ghana, two nieces of Gisela
Schreyer, Gisela herself, who was working as a volunteer
in the press centre, a religious sister from Burkina Faso..
Yesterday (22 August), I took part in a Mass of Thanksgiving
for the 20,000 or so volunteers, who included Gisela. I
was particularly struck by the fervour of the young people.
There were impressive moments of meditation. These are undoubtedly
signs of hope for the Church".
L.P.
We are all concerned
To
preprare the next issue of STA
To prepare the December 2005 issue on the theme of Incarnation
/ Acculturation, Sharing Trentaprile is launching an "inquiry"
among its readers about our MSOLA specificity concerning
acculturation into the countries and peoples to whom we
are sent or have been sent in Africa. We know the importance
which our Founder attached to this acculturation for direct
communication with people, that is to say without passing
through interpreters. Almost everywhere, there were language
centres opened by us or the Missionaries of Africa, or with
them, which helped this acculturation or made it possible.
Here
are a few QUESTIONS which, without being exhaustive or limiting,
may help you to respond:
o How did you and the Sisters of your region or province
, acculturate into the language, the customs and the history
of your area?
o What role did language centres play in this acculturation
for you MSOLA or for others (lay, religious...), or for
the Church (local or universal)?
o How did these Centres contribute to the development of
the cultural heritage of the country, the promotion of persons
of the country, of the region, and of those who shared their
knowledge with us?
The
editor of Sharing will be grateful to have your responses
before 1st November, 2005. Receive our thanks in anticipation.
SHARING
TRENTAPRILE IS PUBLISHED 5 TIMES A YEAR BY THE MISSIONARY
SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA
AT 15 VIALE TRENTA APRILE, 00153 ROME, ITALY
Editor: Lucille Pruvost- Translations: Claire Bélanger
- Doris Gastonguay
Computer layout, printing: Marie-Vincente Brouca and Sr.
Madeleine Bédard
