The Superior General and his Council gathered in Consulta

P. Torquato Paolucci.

This March Consulta of the GC started on March 5 with a day of recollection. According a statement of the secretary general, Fr. Umberto Pescantini, this Consulta “beside topics of ordinary administration, will deal with topics related with the grouping of circumscriptions and continentality, to prepare the way for the meeting with the superiors of circumscription during the intercapitular assembly that will take place this coming September.”

Still on these topics, Fr. Umberto adds that it will also be “a time for a goodly number of transfers, especially for the confreres who have taken part in the Comboni Year of Ongoing Formation in Rome.”

As usual, the GC will listen to the general secretaries of the different sectors of evangelization, formation, mission promotion and the economy, and some people in charge of general offices. The Council, Says Fr. Umberto, “will also evaluate the requests for admission to perpetual vows and holy orders of a number of confreres who have ended this year the journey of basic formation.”

The day of recollection, held on March 5, was a reflection over the spirit of Lent, guided by Fr. Torquato Paolucci, responsible for mission promotion in the community of the Curia in Rome. “Lent is not a time of sadness, but of great joy, because it is a journey towards life and happiness: Easter” underlined Fr. Torquato. Remembering Pope John Paul II who used to say that Lent is a gift of God and God’s gifts generate only joy, are signs of love and of his presence, Fr. Torquato also added that “this experience that turns into mission – with the catechumens and the penitents – helps us to live through Lent along the lines of life and of joy.”

The missionary begins from the book of Exodus as the word that accompanies the journey. “The rediscovery of the name of God at the burning bush “I am” – stated Fr. Torquato – confirms our certainty that God is always present. The past with its failures and signs of remorse, the future with its fears make no sense to God, who lives in the commonality of each of our days. Thus we arrive at another important rediscovery which is the theme of the alliance. God has chosen each one of us as his people. God remains always faithful, despite the unfaithfulness of Israel. This makes us understand how much he loves us. The thought of this alliance gives us serenity. He calls us to the desert to rebuild the love we have interrupted, to wed us again. Thus we experience the mercy of God. As missionaries, we are called to become witnesses of this mercy of God for all human beings. And Mary, Mother of mercy, is the model over which to build this journey of joy.”

From left to right: Bro. Daniele Giovanni Giusti, Fr. Alberto Pelucchi, Fr.. Enrique Sánchez González,
Fr. Antonio Villarino Rodríguez, Fr. Jorge García (Secretary-general of Mission Promotion),
Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, e Fr. Umberto Pescantini (Secretary-general).