28 September, 2009

CIR/NO.04/JV/GEN/SEPT-OCT-2009

Dear Brothers,

01. It gives me great joy to write to you again at the conclusion of the second session of our 13^th General Chapter. The feast of our Seraphic Father St. Francis is nearing and preparations for the Perpetual Professions and Jubilees have already begun. It is apt at this juncture to reflect on St. Francis our Father, and draw inspirations from him to strengthen our charism, mission and commitment.

02. St.Francis was a person with complete trust in God and in others; he saw the divine in all beings. Trust is a seminal quality that governs our relationship with God, life, others and ourselves. Without it we are virtually paralysed. Francis of Assisi was a man totally enraptured with all things Divine, who lived trusting in God after his conversion. When trust breaks down, relationships break down. Whether it is at the level of individuals, between families, or within our fraternity, trust is the inevitable glue that binds all forms of relationships.

03. Our call to penance and conversion following the footsteps of Saint Francis calls us to an intimate conversion to God, a metanoia, as a vital attitude, as a continuous state of being. This attitude is a reply to the call to salvation because it is the Lord who takes the initiative and saves “by His own mercy exclusively” (Rule 1221, 23, 25). But, although God calls constantly, all penitential life becomes a constant endeavour to cling to God in complete trust through our Lord Jesus Christ. Penance, then, is not seen as a simple purification from sin. It is an ever more profound insertion into the paschal mystery of Christ, dead and risen, so as to be able to offer an increasing response to God’s love, who wants to make us co-sharers in his beatifying perfection. It involves a commitment to love which is responsible and carried forward with unflinching trust and generosity.

04. Our Franciscan Fraternity, in which is reflected God’s love for creation and especially redeemed mankind, and which is at the same time the prophetic sign of that joyous and heavenly assembly to which we are all invited. Among us pilgrims, it is the means of a deep friendship in the name of Christ our Brother. He helps us to break through our enclosed selfishness to fill with joy loneliness and to free us from all that would quench the dynamism of Love.

05. The necessity of a serious engagement to love in the penitential life emerges continuously from the writings of St. Francis and from the sources.  “Since we have renounced the world, there is nothing left for us to do but be solicitous in carrying out the will of God and pleasing Him” (Rule 1221, 22, 9). Therefore, Francis echoing the gospel (Mk 1, 15) exhorts: “Do penance for you will see the Kingdom of Heaven.” (146). He, who having an eschatological attitude, does not decide to do penance is like a blind man who ignores spiritual knowledge. (1 Faithful 2, 7 and 8). The anticipation of our final encounter with the Lord should illumine the internal development of the penitential life. (147).

06. We, “brothers of penance” have a special duty to follow the way of holiness through unceasing and continuous conversion. Moreover, we must announce to the world penance and the need for God by word and by lived witness in such a way as to lead all people to love God who saves and makes holy.

07. Of course, we will not be content with easy words, but must show concretely a true interior conversion by our external woks of penance. Francis has left a clear testimony inspired by the Gospel. The “penitents” have followed him with enthusiasm. Let us make ourselves responsible for the works. “We ought to be ashamed of ourselves that the saints endured all that, but we who are servants of God try to win honour and glory by recounting and making known what they have done. (Cf. Admonitions, 6, 4).

08. My dear Brothers, let us pray that God will dispose our heart to penance and help us to persevere in penance till the end (Rule 1221, 23,22;1 Faithful, 1,6,-2 Faithful 9, 48).Here it might be noted that this difficult task is for the Formation Directors and those in Formation, in other words, for all the  Brothers and it is right to melt our heart in prayer with the same words of Francis: “All powerful, all holy and highest God-You are the highest good, all good, every good, who alone are good; make us render You every praise, every glory, every honour, every blessing, all good” (Praises for every Hour, 10).

09. Our Seraphic Father got a new lease of life with a radical conversion in his life. It did not matter how he lived his past life. What mattered was his genuine desire to reform himself and the Church. Reform, he does, but acceptance in the society that brought him up, does not come instantly. His penitence is tested severely but slowly and surely, he does gain the trust of the entire society and the world. It is important to remember that all of us are growing, evolving human beings and that we cannot be judged by our past actions. It is true; our past always haunts us to a certain extent. Therefore we need to build our own competence in understanding and evaluating others, without arrogance, or the buttress of ego. If required, it pays to go the extra mile. When all fails, we have to understand, accept and move on. As Saint Francis affirmed so humbly during the last days of his life; “Let us begin, brothers, because up to now we have done little or nothing”. (1 Celano, 103) Would that we truly succeed in deepening our conviction that God is the Supreme Good and every good of our transient earthly existence!

10. Highlights of the XIII General Chapter:

10.1. It was indeed a serious affair with lots of discussions, reporting and other paper works. The studies and findings of various committees have been very profound and enriching with lots of theological and Franciscan sources; of course all in view of our animation and administration for the next six years. The Chapter itself was well organized with the full participation of all the capitulars present and active. A few Brothers could not be present due to serious reasons. The Franciscan spirit and openness was although visible. We have made many important decisions for the onward dynamic march of our Congregation. We will circulate those in the nearest future for our perusal and application. Constitutions and Regulations also need to be updated in the light of contemporary changes.

10.2. The issue of priesthood was thoroughly discussed; almost all were unanimous in rejecting this idea. We as Brothers should keep up our Franciscan charism and fraternal spirit than go for holy orders which has been the original undiluted intention of our founders and the Church authorities of the time. We do not find any solid reason to change the basic nature of our congregation at this juncture. Nevertheless, some Brothers from some quarters have been clamouring for introduction of   priesthood, which we feel is a mistaken notion.

Hereafter, we should put aside such notions and work harder to strengthen our Brotherhood and Franciscan Spirit in simplicity and humility. Our intention should be undiluted in this regard and those in authority and formation should openly declare this, so that Brothers with missed motives get strengthened. Those who still cherish the idea of holy orders have all the facilities outside our congregation. Ours is a Congregation of Consecrated Franciscan Missionary Brothers in the mission of the Church, I would like to emphasise once again.

11. Transfers & Appointments:

11.1.Bro.Praful Kullu (SPP) is appointed in our community at Duedingen, Switzerland.

11.2.Bro.Sanoj Mathew (SJP) is relieved from his responsibilities from the community at Duedingen and will return to his province.

11.3.Bro.Bartholomius Kandulna (SJP) is appointed as Director of St.Francis Boys Home, Mt.Poinsur.

11.4.Bro.Mathew Pereira (SFXP) is relieved from his responsibilities as Director of St.Francis Boys Home and he will return to his province.

11.5.Bro.Robert D’ Souza (SFXP) is appointed as Asstt. Director of St.Francis Boys Home, Mt.Poinsur. He will also be the House Minister of St.Francis Monastery, Mother House.

11.6.Bro.Nutan Kumar (SJP) is appointed as Assistant In-charge of St.Francis Prem Sangh, Mt.Poinsur.

11.7.Bro.Prabudas Gomez (SFXP) is appointed as In-Charge of Turner & Fitter Sections of St.Francis ITI, Mt.Poinsur. He will also be the In-charge of  St.Francis Prem Sangh.

11.8.Bro.Anthony Francis is relieved from his responsibilities as In-charge of St.Francis Prem Sangh, Mt.Poinsur and he will return to his province.

11.9.Bro.Joachim Dias (SFXP) has been relieved from his responsibilities at the Mother House as House Minister. He will return to his province.

11.10.Bro.K.T.Mathew (STP) is appointed as In Charge of the Motor Mechanic section of St.Francis ITI,, Mt.Poinsur.

11.11.Bro.Joseph Kumar (SFXP) is relieved from his responsibilities as In charge of the Motor Mechanic section of St.Francis ITI, Mt.Poinsur and he will return to his province.

11.12.Bro.Joseph Mikkili(SFXP) is appointed as Teacher at St.Francis ICSE School, Mt.Poinsur.

11.13.Bro.Joby P. Baby (STP) who is serving as resident staff at Jyothi Sadan Scholasticate Bangalore is transferred to St.Francis Institute, Guwahati.  

I thank you sincerely dear Brothers, for your valuable services rendered to various institutions and communities and wish you every best, success and God’s blessings in your new assignments.

12. Moritz Nivas Community: The General Council has decided to bring back all the Brothers from Moritz Nivas to the Mother House community. Hence they will join the Monastery community by 01^st November 2009.

13. The Sower: The General Council has decided to publish The Sower, the communication organ of the Congregation from the Generalate with effect from January 2010. 

14. Core Committee for the administration of Mt. Poinsur Complex:  As per the recommendation of the XIII General Chapter the General council has constituted a CORE COMMITTEE which would look into the overall administration of the institutions of Mt.Poinsur Complex. The members of this committee are: Bros.Melchior Tom-(Chairman) Xavier Alexander (Secretary), Abraham MJ, Bruno Malayil, Julius George, Wilson Kallungal, Shanthilal Kujur, Stany Mittathanickal, Dominic Polaprayil and a few lay persons as members and collaborators.

15. Provincial Chapters-2010:

The General Council has decided to conduct elections in all the Provinces and the region. It is also decided to send the ballot paper for the election of the Regional Superior from the Generalate and collect back.

15.1. Provincial Chapters-2010 dates as follows:

1. SPP                                      : January              11-18, 2010

2. SJP                                      : March                 01-08, 2010

3. SFXP                                   : March                 10-18, 2010

4. STP                                      : March                 18- 25, 2010

5. SJBR                                   : April                              06-11, 2010

6. IHMP                                   : April                              14-21, 2010

15.2. The following members will attend the Provincial Chapters / Regional Assembly from the Generalate:

The Superior General, Asstt.General, Bros.Wolfgang and Abraham MJ, will be attending all the Chapters;   Bro. Savarimuthu Amburose will attend the Chapters of SJP, SFXP, STP, SJBR, IHMP; Bro.Bruno Malayil: STP, IHMP and  Bro. Bartholomius. Kandulna: SPP, SJP & IHMP.

Let us pray that all of us may be inspired by the Spirit of God to share everything we have for the good of each member, our communities, provinces and the Congregation.  May the enthusiasm for the mission initiated by the Founder for the cause of evangelization pervade all through our apostolic activities; be it education, social activities, village programs, and everything that we do as Franciscan Missionary Brothers.

Let the coming Provincial Chapters convey and affirm the message of the XIII General Chapter that the Congregation desires to remain united at all fronts and work for the integral development of humanity as it is the mission of Christ and the mandate of the Church today.   

HAPPY FEAST OF OUR SERAPHIC FATHER ST.FRANCIS

&

His Blessing:

“God bless you and keep you.

May God smile on you, and be merciful to you;

May God turn his regard towards you,

and give you Peace”!

Yours fraternally,

Bro. Jose Valliara, CMSF                                                               

     Superior General