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Capitolo English6th August 2010 - The New elected General CouncilThe 32nd General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception during the morning session has elected four assistants who, with the Superior General, part of the General Council. From left to right in photo, front row: Bro. Esteban Duarte (Argentina), Fr. Giuseppe Pusceddu (Italia), Bro. Ruggero Valentini (Italy, coming from Albania), Fr. Daniel Bertoldi (Italy, coming from Canada) and Fr. Lukose Kaitharathottiyil (India).
(In the picture: The new General Council, with all the delegates)
5th August 2010BRO. RUGGERO VALENTININEW SUPERIOR GENERAL
"In my authority, as the President of this 32nd General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, notify and public that Bro. RUGGERO VALENTINI was validly elected Superior General of the Congregation (Constitution No. 29)".
Bro. Peter Nicolai, the President of the Chapter
In pictures: The handover between Fr. Aurelio Mozzetta (right) and the new Superior General.
A LAY RELIGIOUS TO GUIDE THE CFIC FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE FOUNDER BLESSED LUIGI MONTI
Rome, 5th August 2010. Bro. Ruggero Valentini is the new superior general of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception (CFIC). He was elected this morning by the General Chapter on the second ballot. In over 150 years of the history of CFIC, it is the second time that a religious layman is elected to guide the Congregation. Before him, only the founder - Blessed Luigi Monti - had held the office without being a priest. He replaces Fr. Aurelio Mozzetta who was in office since 1992. Bro. Ruggero was born in Tuenno Valentini, in the Province of Trento in 1954. He was perpetually professed in the religious community of Fr. Monti in 1979. He made his studies in classical studies, with an orientation to the world of professional training for the young people taking responsibility in operational structures in Lombardia, participating in the Voluntary bodies of Catholic inspiration. He has stayed many years in the mother house of Saronno, the shrine dedicated to the Founder Fr. Monti. He was responsible for the Montian Press and the book shop, InChiostro. He started an integrated project in recent years in Arco (Trento) with a cooperative of families for the development of educational initiatives, from elementary to upper classes. Since a few years he is president of the Foundation of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tirana who runs the university founded by the CIFC in the capital city of Albania. This is an interesting academic experience based on collaboration with universities in Milan, Rome and Bari has always had a focus on the world of communications and associations, including the scouts.
4th August 2010 – To Comunicate Montian CharismAn increasingly international and missionary religious Congregation, must always learn to communicate. Today, it is necessary for anyone to cope up with the media world: it is, in fact, in this modern Areopagus that they publically expresses their thoughts, exchange ideas, news and information of all kinds. The encyclical, “Novo Millennio Ineunte” invites the Church to live in this context with a new dynamism, knowing that ecclesial communion and mission of evangelization in the media are privileged field of expression. In fact, the recent ones are crucial factor for the growth of individuals, society and the Church in its various association and the incarnation of the many charisms that characterize its presence in the world. The attention to the instruments of communication within the CFIC, has a prominent and influential forerunner: Blessed Luigi Monti. It is in fact, enough to remember what made the Founder to promote technical and vocational training in the graphic, later developed in the activity of the press and also in the publication today. At Saronno, there is a centre of excellence in digital printing, connected to the Institute of technical industry for the “Luigi Monti” graphic arts and “Padre Monti” Vocational Training Centre. Besides, there we have the book shop “InChiostro” and the printing Press “Monti”. The theme of communication these days is at the centre of debate in the General Chapter. Today in Italy, the Montian Charism is mainly disclosed through two magazines: “Vita con” and “Dokita”. The first is for a heterogeneous audience with particular attention to news and history. But the second has its priority goal to diffuse the voluntary initiatives and an international sensibility in the world. There are also other “minor” publications inside the Congregation, spiritual and pastoral. Besides, there are also magazines that give voice to initiative of the local Montian communities around the world. The use of online communication is rich not only in Italy but also in abroad. During the Chapter, the Congregation has been launched a new website www.padremoni.org, which will become the main channel of access to papers that refers to the Congregation. A first milestone has been achieved by giving all the well wishers of CFIC, the opportunity to follow “live” issues of the 32nd General Chapter.
3rdAugust 2010 – Authority and Obedience: two terms to be rediscoveredAuthority and obedience: two nouns that are not so attractive today, especially among the new generations. Yet, within each religious Congregation, still they rule the life of every religious who have freely chosen to lead a consecrated life. The General Chapter began yesterday to reflect the third and final part of the Working Document, that carries the title: “Responsibility in our Consecrated Life”. A theme that takes into consideration various aspects of the community. The Document says “Religious authority is exercised by the legitimate Superiors, who act for the good of the Brothers, drawing inspiration from the fatherhood of God. They are not perfect and can make mistakes. The love and respect due to them is neither humiliation or delegation of responsibility, but adhesion to God’s will and imitation of Jesus’ response to His Father, with whom He is one”. Throughout its history, CFIC has gradually perfected how they regulate the delicate relationship between authority and obedience. Constant concern was to remain faithful to the teaching of Blessed Mountains in this area. Today the General House in Rome, is the heartbeat of the congregation, "the place of identification and acceptance, the center that oversees the activities of the government." And here, the Superior General and his collaborators work and live. One of the newness introduced by the last General Chapter is the Conference of Major Superiors (CMS), which has proved a valuable instrument to support and help. During the 2004-2010 term of mandate, it has met six times in various parts of the world: Rome (2005, 2007 and 2009), Cordoba / Argentina (2006), Kottayam / India (2007) and Saronno (2008). The CMS has worked on important issues to deepen the life of the Congregation, such as Formation and International Study Houses, Blessed Founder and Montian holiness, the Mission and the international movement of brothers, the lay vocation and the priesthood in the CFIC, the identity and role of provinces and delegations, the economy and the economic viability of apostolic projects, the 150th anniversary of the CFIC, the General Assembly of 2007, the General Chapter of 2010. The judgment is definitely positive. The achievement of the CSM, in fact, was something new for the Congregation and for each of its members. It has proved an excellent instrument of unity and strength of leadership within the Congregation, as well as very rewarding on a personal level. (In the photo: San Pietro Square, 9/11/2003, Father Monti's Beatification Day).
3nd August 2010 - Greetings from the President of the ChapterAfter the Sunday break of yesterday, we have resumed the work. The” rhythm” of the Chapter, last week, has seen the commitment of everyone and has respected the planning in the agenda. We make sure that the “Working Document” is analyzed so that we can seriously tackle the future with courage and pride. I feel the “discussion” in the classroom has its seriousness, respect, clarity and courage. Not least the “prayer” that helps very well the rhythm of our days, thanks to the commitment of the liturgical animator. And we must not forget to say thanks to those who are working for the Chapter: - Interpreters who assist us in all our sessions; - The staff Secretaries who calmly perform an intense and fundamental work; - Logistic Commissioner who hardly forget anything; - All the staff who is working for our well-being. Finally, we thank all who are outside, for various reasons, their participation, their memory, their closeness. We extend a cordial greeting to all our brothers and employees who are pursuing all “our” work in their daily life. Finally, we extend a warm greeting to those who are on vacation. May Blessed Luigi Maria Monti bless us all. Bro. Pietro Nicolai, President of the General Chapter
2nd August 2010 – All statistics about the Chapter There are 35 members in the ongoing General Chapter. It is a meeting point of North and South, members from 10 countries representing about 400 Sons of the Immaculate Conception, inspired by the charism of Blessed Luigi Monti. The CFIC, founded over 150 years ago, is now spread out in 20 countries. The Congregation over the past years has seen a fast increase in its vocation, especially flowering in some places where there its works are in progress. But we see some numbers on the provenance. The Chapter has of its most representatives from Italy (11), followed by those from India (6) and Cameroon (4). Then, with three delegates each, Philippines and Argentina. 2 representatives came from Canada, Congo and Albania. South Corea and °Bolivia has one representative each. Form the statistics we obtain other interesting data regarding the average age of the Chapter members (51 years), which is significantly decreased compared to the past. It is distributed as follows: 8 are aged between 30 and 39 years, 8 between 40 and 49, 11 between 50 and 59, 6 between 60 and 69, only 2 have exceeded 70 years. If we analyze the element of the representatives from Province or Delegation, that Italy (with an average of 60 years) refers the eldest, followed by Africa (50); North America and other countries (49); Philippines (47); Latin America (45) and India (42). And yet another confirmation of West that is confronted with so-called emerging countries capable of expressing fresh energies and youth. And finally a statistics of the presence of priests and lay delegates: 23 delegates among the Brothers are religious priests and 12 lay religious. (In the photo: view of the Chapter hall).
1st August 2010 – A day of break before the final rush After a week of hard work in the General House of CFIC, today is a day of rest for the 35 Capitulates. Sunday will be completely dedicated to leisure. A well-earned “gap” before the final rush. Tomorrow, in fact, they will continue to discuss the Working Document which is followed from the beginning of the 32nd General Chapter. The third section of the theme selected for the meeting (“Choose Life”) provides a reflection on the responsibility in our consecrated life. In particular, the fundamental issues such as obedience, authority and apostolate will be discussed. Wednesday is scheduled to the report of the Administrative Commission that has been elected at the beginning of the Chapter. The following two days of the Chapter will be involved with two fundamental obligations in the life of every Congregation, the election of the Superior General (Thursday morning) and General Council (Friday afternoon), who have the serious task of guiding CFIC in its entire journey for the next six years. Both election will be preceded by moments of prayer and invocation to the Holy Spirit. A significant moment is the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Divine Love, expected after the election of the Superior General, where a Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated. The 32nd General Chapter will conclude its work between Saturday and Sunday with the final formal obligations and a solemn Eucharistic Celebration.
31st July 2010 - A Chapter that wants to speak to the youth “The Congregation must embrace the option for youth that to recover dynamics and the commitment of all forms of education […]. Needed are the ability to convince and communicate, attention to social changes […]. It is necessary to invest and spend energies for communication among generations”. The General Chapter has dedicated a space for youth and to help their projects. The average age of the 35 Capitulates is 51, an age capable of expressing sensibility to the condition of young people. The theme “vocation” has occupied an important place in the agenda of the ongoing General Chapter these days. A term to be read and to be interpreted with its wide meaning which is closely related to the so-called “educational emergency” that affects the sense of the life of the future generations. “Today’s benchmark culture, speaks the Working Document, fails to trigger the traditional response of religious vocation. Cultural and spiritual parameters are radically different and there is no sense thinking in terms of vocation promotion based on past practices and approaches. Today’s culture of consumerism and hedonism has become the ordinary life style: “forever” seems to have abolished as something to be looked for and as response”. In front of such a complex situation, the CFIC religious are today asked for a stronger sense of belongingness and a comprehensive view of consecration and mission. Are “itineraries of prophecy”, as a response to a spiritual crisis experienced between the ideals and application, between doctrine and life. The Document repeats “the absence of vacations in the world of wellbeing is an accusation of our inability to speak about God, faith, prayer and community. The vacuum thus produced generates deafness, incredulity and a lack of attention to the Church, all of which are attitudes endorsed by a culture extraneous to the Gospel and often the carrier of anti-religious feelings, which exercise a strong grip on young people”. The Congregation wants to put at the centre of its activities the theme vocation, starting from the conviction that “each religious is a vocation promoter”. Now we have to involve issues that are not sufficiently appreciated in this direction. Schools, hospitals and other places have to innovate experiences related to the practice of charity. Another step is the review of “general education program” which after more than twenty years has lost much of its response to the needs and of the present situation.A rethinking which can certainly draw from experiences, already taking place within the Congregation. (In the picture of Giuseppe Cordiano, Luigi Monti with the youth in his carpentry workshop: the first “Society of friars”).
30th July 2010 – The Mother House of Saronno at the Heart of the CFICSaronno occupies a particular place in the heart of all those who make reference to the Montian Charism. It is here, in this city of North of Milan, that the Founder wanted to start some of his most important activities. As Fr. Aleandro Paritanti, writes in the book titled, In company of Father Monti, published in the Montian Press: “The man of charity realizes his masterpiece at Saronno, by bringing to maturity the charism of the Congregation, to assist the sick and the orphans with a family spirit”. It was in 1886 and it was a love for a first moment, that the “man for the others”, well responded to its sensibility of giving a house to the orphans and to the friars who will be their fathers and mothers. Thus, it is so significant that the general Chapter has put in its agenda an appreciation of the Mother House of Saronno (in the picture), through the foundation of a religious Community with an international character. An environment where the North and the South of the world can meet, where people coming from different realities can live the Montian charism. An international Community, that lively practices the charism of the Founder, as posted in one of the stained glasses (in the picture) in the Sanctuary of the Blessed Monti: “The union of charity among all should tightly be twined in a unique spirit of brotherhood that, be they of different nation and of province, of country and of blood, nothing should be there that indicate division”. But it is not everything. Beginning from the conviction that the Montian charism is a necessary condition, with which one can realize any objective inside the Congregation, the General Chapter asks the religious that they themselves take initiatives in order to make an adequate knowledge of the Founder, of his history and his charism. In this case also the intention is to appreciate the Mother House, realizing the opening of a Centre for Montian Studies that is formed in a stable shape and coordinated for historical studies, publications and other related initiatives. In order to realize such objectives it makes use of cultural operators and contributors and friends of the immense world. The objective is ambitious and charming: To create around the sanctuary, where remains the mortals of the Blessed, at the heart beating, a spiritual and cultural centre of the whole Montian family. |
