Third Reconciliation Week

SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO  The third International Reconciliation Week in the fiftieth year of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council will take place from March 11 to 15, 2013, and will have the theme: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins”. This time of reflection and formation for priests, in this year dedicated to a greater deepening of our faith, seeks to spur consideration of this article of the Creed and the Tradition of the Church as it speaks to the regenerating and saving Mercy of God. The initiative, which is by now a tradition, is carried out in a fraternal collaboration between the General Secretariat of Formation and the shrine of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. This year it will see the special participation of major representatives of the Apostolic Penitentiary and the Congregation for the Clergy, as well as the voice of a lay theologian and a roundtable of journalists and laity who will speak to us on the reception of this article of faith in the culture of today. For information and to invite your participation, together with everyone with whom you will share the invitation, you may consult the program of the week and download the brochure and registration form here: program. To browse prior events, click here: I Week (2011)  II Week (2012)

Bibliography news

• Luciano Manicardi, La vita religiosa radici e futuro. (Problemi di vita religiosa), EDB 2012 

Quale futuro per la vita consacrata? Come rinnovarla? «La crisi non impedisce il futuro, ma ne è spesso la condizione, spesso è la fucina che lo prepara affinando, bruciando, purificando, eliminando...» (dall'Introduzione). Le pagine proposte dall'autore intendono cogliere l'attuale crisi della vita consacrata come appello e come possibilità. Sull'esempio e sul fondamento della vita e della pratica di umanità di Gesù, di cui testimoniano i Vangeli, la vita religiosa è chiamata a essere anzitutto una vita umana e umanizzata all'interno delle strutture antropologiche del celibato e della vita comune. Emerge qui l'importanza delle dinamiche relazionali, della comunicazione e dell'autorità nella vita comunitaria per caratterizzare la qualità umana ed evangelica della vita religiosa. Questi alcuni dei nodi affrontati dall'autore disegnando un percorso di semplificazione e di essenzializzazione che la vita religiosa è chiamata a intraprendere.

• Lécrivain, Philippe, Vita religiosa in tempo di crisi: un rischio e un'opportunità, EDB 2012 

La vita consacrata è un modo di vivere il Vangelo sulla scia di un fondatore. Partendo da questi due riferimenti - Vangelo e mandato del fondatore - l'autore ricostruisce come e con quali intenti sono emersi, lungo la storia del cristianesimo, i tratti tipici che caratterizzano la vita monastica e religiosa. Individua le ragioni teologiche e storiche che hanno prodotto i grandi modelli, spirituali e giuridici, che così fortemente hanno caratterizzato il cattolicesimo occidentale. Colloca, infine, questi modelli nella crisi presente, per individuare motivi di attenzione, ragioni di speranza, prospettive su cui costruire. Egli giunge quindi a concludere che la vita religiosa, così come lo stesso cristianesimo, non è in crisi a motivo della nequizia dei tempi, ma perché, chiamata a superare se stessa per ritrovare le grandi intuizioni fondatrici, fatica a conformarsi a Cristo in modo nuovo nella forza dello Spirito. Vera e propria teologia fondamentale della vita consacrata, il volume costituisce un punto di riferimento nel ripensamento di quest'ultima per l'oggi e guardando al futuro.

• Cozza, Rino, Voglia di vita evangelica. Nuovi modelli di vita religiosa, EDB 2012 

La vita consacrata fatica a pensarsi e proporsi in modo nuovo, soprattutto in Occidente. Ma essa rimarrà viva solo se saprà non farsi paralizzare da un'identità predefinita, se saprà rispondere alle aspettative dell'attuale società, che dai consacrati si attende di vedere il riflesso concreto dell'amore di Cristo per ogni persona e della sua attitudine guarente, attraverso forme che portino anche pienezza di umanità. Il volume non si ferma all'analisi e alla denuncia, ma aiuta ad aprire il cuore alla speranza, indicando nuovi cammini possibili, segnalando in particolare alcune scelte: vera e profonda attenzione ai segni dei tempi, condivisione carismatica con i laici e fraternità che si fanno carico di una nuova uguaglianza e di una nuova libertà, fuoriuscita dalle solite prassi istituzionali di governo e di amministrazione.

II International Reconciliation Week

On this occasion too, despite the snowy weather, people came from all over the world (Italy, Germany, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Lebanon, Tanzania, Eritrea, Argentine, Perù, Puerto Rico and Mexico) to attend the Second International Week of Reconciliation. 

The initiative was jointly organised by the Capuchin General Secretariat for Formation and the Shrine of St Pio of Pietralcina at San Giovanni Rotondo. It was held between February 13 and 17 on the theme of The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the New Evangelization. 

The fi rst talk was given by Mgr Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifi cal Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. He presented the two basic elements of the meeting, highlighting the relationship between them: “Without the preaching of conversion one cannot have and awareness of his own sin, and without the sacrament of reconciliation, no effective work of evanglisation is possible, whereby a person perceives the depth of God’s love and reaches out to His mercy. Our commitment to the new evangelization should bring about a renewal of pastoral ministry and bring the sacrament of penance back to its central place”. Following that Prof Gerhard Hotze dealt with the biblical basis of the theme, Fr. Marko Rupnik SJ offered the theological perspective, while Mgr Thomas Menamparampil (India) expounded the pastoral aspect. 

In the Round Table, chaired by Dr. Aldo Maria Valli, a Vaticanist of the national Italian TV channel (TG 1), the following took part: Br Carlos Novoa, General Defi nitor, Br David Songy, formator and coordinator of Formators in North America, Br Francisco Neri, provincial Minister of Apulia. Dr. Stefano Campanella, director of TeleRadio Padre Pio, spoke about St Pio’s witness to Evangelization through the confessional. In conclusion, Br Valerio Mauro of the Tuscan Province asserted: “The sacrament of reconciliation has often been interpreted not only as a specifi c sacramental rite, but as sealing a wider evangelizing action carried out in the Church and by the Church”. Besides the academic moments, the meeting devoted ample space to the celebration of the liturgy and in a special way to the sacrament of reconciliation itself. Thus the participants were able to experience the effects of discussions held in the hall. 

The penitential liturgy was presided over by Mgr Piero Marini, President of the Pontifi cal Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses and former Papal Master of Ceremonies. We also had the important and encouraging presence of the General Minister of the Order, Br Mauro Jöhri, who presided over the solemn opening with Vespers. Present too wer the Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Mgr Gianfranco Girotti, and Archbishop Mgr Michele Castoro who presided over the Eucharistic liturgy. Br Felice Cangelosi, Vicar General of the Order, led the concluding celebration of the meeting.

Second International Reconciliation Week

“International Reconciliation Week” – second edition – will be held from 13th to 17th February 2012 in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. The theme of the year is: The Sacrament of Reconciliation and New Evangelization. It is an opportunity for reflection and formation to all priests. We offer this opportunity to all Capuchins and all religious and secular priests who speak Italian, English or Spanish. The leaflet containing the information and program can be downloaded here or from the site of the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina at San Giovanni Rotondo www.santuariopadrepio.it  For more information on this initiative of the Friar Minor Capuchins: visit.

Formation for Contemplation Workshop

   The North America and Pacific Capuchin Conference (NAPCC) held a three-day meeting at Capuchin Retreat in Washington, Michigan (USA) on "Formation for Contemplation." The workshop ran 11-13 October 2011. All formators and vocation directors from the conference were invited. Thus, participants came from Australia, Guam, English and French-speaking Canada, and the USA. Brothers from the General Secretariat for Formation also attended.

   Christopher Popravak from the Mid-America Province offered a fascinating review of the history of contemplation, beginning with the attitudes of the Ancient Greeks and moving through the desert fathers, early monks and Franciscans in general. He concluded with an examination of the theme among notable Capuchins. Robert Barbato from the Western America Province and a member of the collaborative NAPCC novitiate team in Santa Ynez, California offered a candid reflection on the modern experience of contemplation in our jurisdictions. David Songy from the Mid-America Province and facilitator of the workshop offered observations concerning how formation for contemplation can occur within the external and internal forums. 

   The final day of the workshop utilized small group work and discussion to flush out how modern culture affects contemplation for new and young members of our jurisdictions. Finally, the group began work toward a better description of the fundamental dynamics of contemplation in a Franciscan context: the integration of communal and individual outcomes; how formation can lead to a desired outcome; and what it means "to fall in love with God."

Bibliography news

• Silvano Fausti, Sztuka rozeznawania i podejmowania decyzji. Okazja czy pokusa?, Wyd. Bratni Zew 2011

Książka ta jest podręcznikiem dla wewnętrznego rozwoju. Uczy sztuki rozeznania i podejmowania decyzji. Odwołuje się ona do najstarszych i chwalebnych, chociaż nieznanych tradycji. Proponuje podjęcie ćwiczeń, które umożliwiają życie w pełni wolnością, do jakiej zostaliśmy przeznaczeni. Pomaga dostrzec różnicę między przyjemnością pozorną i radością i jej podróbkami. Radość i smutek serca stanowią istniejące w naszym wnętrzu kryterium dobra i zła. Takie jest nowe prawo: „prawo wolności", do którego zostaliśmy powołani od wieków.

• Josu Mirena Alday, Nuovi media e vita consacrata, Ancora 2011

L’«era digitale» sfida i consacrati a entrare in questo nuovo ambito culturale con atteggiamento positivo ed evangelico. Il Messaggio di Benedetto XVI per la Giornata delle comunicazioni sociali, intitolato I nuovi media al servizio dell’evangelizzazione, ha suggerito il tema del XXXVI Convegno del «Claretianum», Cultura della comunicazione mediatica e vita consacrata. Si tratta di approfondire la coscienza dei nuovi media come una straordinaria opportunità anche per i consacrati grazie alla quale essi possano compiere la loro missione. Le diverse relazioni raccolte in questo volume tracciano una panoramica delle grandi possibilità offerte dalla nuova cultura digitale alla dimensione missionaria della vocazione dei consacrati, i quali è necessario che «mettano anima» nel mondo virtuale con grande e responsabile libertà.

• Gerharg Lohfink, Modlitwa moją ojczyzną. Teologia i praktyka modlitwy chrześcijańskiej, W Drodze 2011

Książka Modlitwa moją ojczyzną pokazuje, jak bardzo Msza Święta i Biblia tworzą wspólny wszystkim katolikom „krajobraz modlitwy”. Lohfink podkreśla, że modlić się to znaczy żyć w modlitwie. Jeśli modlitwa ma zagarnąć nas całych, powinna być różnorodna, czerpać inspiracje od najlepszych, skłaniać do działania – albo więcej: być działaniem. Musi, "walczyć” z Bogiem, ale też paradować przed Nim, gdy odnosimy zwycięstwa, albo płakać, gdy przegrywamy. Nie stanie się jednak ojczyzną, nie zadomowimy się w niej, jeśli lepiej nie poznamy, o co tak naprawdę w niej chodzi.

Course for formators in Indonesia

20 formators from three provinces of Indonesia (Medan, Sibolga and Pontianak) gathered together at Pemantangsiantar for the formation course from 11 to 15 July 2011. It was organized by the SGF in collaboration with the International Formation Council member for PACC – Br. Tano Simamora and with the precious help of Br. Benitius Brevoort, the translator. Three essential themes of the formative journey were dealt with during the course: The Role of Fraternity in Formation (Br. Prince Valiyakunnel), The Role of Spiritual Accompaniment in Formation (Br. Patric Crasta) and The Role of Prayer in Formation (Br. Marek Miszczyński). The participants listened to the presentations on each theme, read some texts that deepened the awareness on the particular theme and at the end shared the personal experiences regarding the theme in the small groups as well as in the full assembly. Thus the great value and usefulness of dealing on the fundamental problems of Formation and the richness of mutual sharing was re-affirmed. The presence of Br. Bonifasius Simanullang, representative of the Indonesian Provincial Ministers, was highly appreciated by everyone.