Together around the Lord’s Altar!
Rome, September 3. That was the day scheduled for the election of the General Minister, and so it happened, as reported yesterday. Br. Roberto Genuin was elected the new General Minister. Yesterday evening, the capitulars gathered in the Collegio church for the Eucharist, which happened to be the memorial of Pope St. Gregory the Great. The readings seemed to be chosen for the occasion at hand: the first, from St. Paul (1 Cor 2:1-5), summed up the message of Christ crucified, while the gospel (Lk 4:16-30) told of Jesus’ visit to Nazareth and the announcement of his mission – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” The General Minister based his reflection on both readings, but the gospel especially, which he commented on clearly and effectively:
“The frankness with which Jesus presents himself is striking: Today this scripture is fulfilled. As if to say, here I am, the one truly sent from God, the one who brings salvation, the Savior. The reaction of the people of Nazareth is understandable in a way; we know him, he’s the son of Joseph. How can salvation come from him? He is one of us. It occurs to me to think that sometimes we too find it difficult to really and truly accept that God made himself one of us, took on our flesh, our human situation. …”
The celebration continued with a group of African brothers who presented the gifts for the Eucharist with their characteristic cadences. For communion, the Indonesian brothers enriched the procession with their evocative song.
Today, September 4, the capitulars began to examine the Ratio formationis document which will be the topic for the next few days. It is an important text because it will guide the formation of friars in the coming years. The text is the fruit of much study and many meetings of friars at the local, national, and continental levels. The draft document was presented today by a Salesian, Fr. Giuseppe Roggia, an expert in formation documents, who explained both the importance of the Ratio and the complexity of the issues connected with its development.
Photos:
• Eucharist with the new General Minister
• Presentation of the Ratio formationis by Fr. Giuseppe Roggia, SDB
Video:
• Homily of the General Minister OFM Cap., Br. Roberto Genuin
