Called to be, today,Called to be, today,

The General Chapter: “An exceptionally important time of reflection, assessment and guidance in a common search for God’s will”. The aim: “ To study the problems relative to the various social and common cultural situations. Together they will make decisions designed to increase the vitality of the Institute, in fidelity to the spirit of its origins and to the Church at that particular moment in history” (C 135).

All are personally involved: the GC belongs to every Salesian Sister!

General Chapter XXII begins on September 18th, 2008 in Rome,

at Casa Generalizia.It will be preceded by a period of getting to know each

other and by the Retreat in Mornese (8th-15th September 2008).

Mother General and the General Council formulated the chapter theme and offer a reflection to deepen its

significance. The process of discernment focused on the reality we live in, today.

•Significant ecclesial events that mark the time we live in.- The witness of John Paul II. - The passing on of the papacy to Benedict XVI. - The Pope’s encyclical, Deus caritas est.

•The time of special grace experienced in consecrated life, in the preparation and celebration of the first

international congress:

•Passion for Christ - Passion for humanity (2004).

•Significant events in our Institute: o the process of inculturation regarding the Formation Project.o the process of drawing up Guidelines for the educative mission of the FMA and publication of Guidelines for Co-operation for Development. o the 125th anniversary of the death of Maria Domenica Mazzarello. o The 150th anniversary of the death of Margherita Occhiena, declared Venerable in 2006. o The 25th anniversary of the approval of our current Constitutions (2007)o The centenary of the death of Sr Teresa Valsé Pantellini (2007) and of M.Maddalena Morano (2008)

•The Inter-Chapter Evaluations marked a very significant time for the Institute. There emerged some proposals for the GC, namely:° educating community ° preventive system ° passion for Christ and passion for young people ° formation of the laity° Mary’s presence.

The first formulation of the chapter theme was sent to the Provincial and Leaders of Pre-Provinces, who provided a precious contribution focusing on the unifying element of love, the heart of the Gospel and of the preventive system.

Called to be, today,sign and expression of the foreseeing love of God.

An obvious reference to the first article of the Constitutions: “In an attitude of faith and gratitude to God and in imitation of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello we, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, give our life to God, becoming for young girls the sign and expression of his foreseeing love”…

… as well as in other articles: C 8 C18 C63 C68

CONTINUES