On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, we went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome where we celebrated Mass for the official opening of the XXXV General Chapter.
Salus populi romani the Byzantine icon depicting the Madonna and Child found in the Borghese Chapel of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome
Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DIVCSVA), celebrated. Among other things, he reminded us that although we come from many cultures – we have only one charism – and that charism is not from only one culture. Our needs and gifts may be different, but they are not better or worse.
Extending our tent means finding God, going back to our roots and following Jesus. There is only one way to do this: love.
We must learn to be small, children of God – as Jesus did: small, poor, one who suffered, one who loved and was love!
