Decree of the Superior General Convening the XXXIV General Chapter in Rome
Dear Brothers,
In fraternal communion with the members of the Extended General Council, in accordance with par. 11 of our General Directory of General Chapters, I formally convene
the XXXIV General Chapter of the Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
which will be held at the General House in Rome, from
June 20 (Tuesday) to July 6 (Thursday), 2023
In our Constitutions, in par. 86, we read that “the general chapter has the highest authority in the Congregation and exercises it collegially [...] The basic tasks of the chapter include: caring for the common good of the Congregation, promoting the unity of the Congregation, encouraging cooperation within the Congregation, and assessing its fidelity to the charism.”
According to the Code of Canon Law and par. 90 of our Constitutions, each part of the Congregation will be represented by elected provincial and regional superiors, ex officio members, and elected delegates. This makes the chapter “thus called to represent the entire institute, becoming a true sign of its unity in love” (CIC, 631.1).
On Tuesday, September 27, the first meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Chapter took place with representatives from each part of the Congregation and members of the General Council. Our hope and desire were for all members of the Congregation to engage in preparing for the General Chapter. In this spirit, each of the provincial/regional representatives to this Commission (depending on their possibilities), along with elected delegates and ex officio delegates, will ensure that individual religious houses have the opportunity to express their concerns, problems, and suggestions, which could ultimately become proposals for chapter resolutions or decrees. We strongly request that any proposals arising during joint meetings be submitted to the General Council of the Congregation in Rome before Easter Sunday, April 9. In this way, we will be able to deliver them on time to the delegates to the General Chapter. This material will serve for joint discussions and considerations in the five traditional areas we address during Chapters: Spirituality, Community and Governance, Formation, Apostolates, and Financial Management during the General Chapter.
The theme of our XXXIV General Chapter will be "Walking Together on the Path of Hope". Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we walk with the Lord Jesus, and He continues to bless us and grant us grace, allowing us to open our eyes and rekindle our hearts. In this way, we will be able to see the Risen Lord as He truly is and become more faithful witnesses of His resurrection. Together, in Community, and with our lay collaborators, we will work towards the resurrection of society, as desired by Bogdan Jański. Just as amidst the confusion, fear, and doubt experienced by the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, so too on our chapter journey, God will act so that we may recognize Him and share our charism and mission in the Church and for the Church.
As we live together the time of preparation for the XXXIV General Chapter, I ask you for fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit may guide and direct all those participating in the preparations for the Chapter, and especially that He may guide with His grace the Delegates to the General Chapter.
Our Lady of Mentorelska, Mother of Divine Graces, pray for us!
Paul S. Voisin C.R.
Superior General
Prot. N. 33/22/66
Rome, October 4, 2022
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
