This issue of “Dehoniana 2000” is dedicated to preparations for the International Congress of the “Dehonian Family” planned for next October. There are two main itineraries: the first, “to revisit” some important aspects of Dehonian spirituality, while the second part sketches a profile of the “Dehonian Laity”.

The First part is introduced by a till now unpublished text by Fr. Dehon on the “Liturgy of the Hours”. It is only an outline but, in spite of this, it is particularly interesting because it views the Liturgy of the Hours as the “prayer of the Church” and as a specific ministry of the priest: a ministry of intercession and praise in the name of the Church and “for all the Church”.

In the following contribution this theme is picked up again and explained according to its theological bases, above all in the perspective of “Dehonian spirituality” but also of the “Laity”, since this spirituality is one of their characteristics as a consequence of their “baptismal priesthood”. Being a profoundly mystical and ardently apostolic soul Fr. Dehon invites everyone to receive the very presence of Christ in the mystery of the Liturgy, for it is with the Liturgy that we are united to Him, both in His oblative love for the Father and in His total dedication for the life of the world.

Dehonian spirituality is undeniably a “religious” theme, but it is about a “religion” which also sees the history of the world as “the history of salvation”. Thus, in his article one of our brethren, P.J. McGuire, invites us to view with the eyes of faith the century which goes from 1864 to 1965, that is, from the “Syllabus” of Pius IX to Vatican II with its pastoral constitution “Gaudium et Spes”. He aims to explain the “reason why” for the very differing perspectives within the Church itself. And above all he wants to show how Fr. Dehon was not uninvolved in this “evolution”.

The two following articles are by young brethren who wish to express certain values of Dehonian spirituality in new and different perspectives, in order to make them “up to date” and to present them in a language which is more evocative also for contemporary man. The first speaks of the aspect of intercession, understood intensely as it becomes visible in certain texts of the Scriptures. The second insists on the need to go beyond the procedures of sentimentalism and instead go deeply into the theme of love and above all theological charity.

The Second path developed in the preparation of this issue is that of “historical memory”; it could very well be entitled “Dehonian Laity, Yesterday and Today”.

“Yesterday” as when Fr. Dehon, able to count on the collaboration of a good group of lay people, started his pastoral work in the parish of Saint Quentin. He himself remembers them with great gratitude in his “Memoirs”. They were lay people of the parish who spontaneously offered their precious collaboration with constancy though with no official status.

“Another way” of living in unity with the Congregation, sharing its spirituality and its mission, was advanced by Fr. Dehon himself with his “Reparatory Association”. This involved the commitment, proposed also for lay people, to live the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus in communion with the Congregation as “Associates”. In the past this Association has often been spoken of. Here Fr. Chiarello summarizes those characteristics and juridical structures which the Association has had from its origins until approximately 1990.

In a second contribution Fr. Chiarello himself suggests the theological and juridical principles to be kept in mind for an effective participation of the laity in our spirituality and in the life of the Congregation. An indispensable reference point for this is the ecclesiology of Vatican II and, in particular, “Lumen Gentium” and John Paul II's apostolic Exhortation, “Cristifideles Laici”. Thus one is led to the proposal for a “Dehonian Family”: one in which the Dehonian religious, consecrated people and lay faithful, in full autonomy, share the same charism but still retain their own, individual identity. In this way one can achieve a plurality of vocations all in communion with one charism: the sharing of spirituality and of mission.

In the section “Life of the Congregation” we find an article telling us about the presence and the apostolic plan of our Polish brethren in Byelorussia. This is followed by some information about the new S.C.J. community in La Capelle, established in the house where our venerable Father Founder was born. We can read about the July 1999 meeting that was held in this house by about 20 young brethren, in preparation for their perpetual vows; and about the March 14, 2000 celebration, held on the occasion of the canonical institution of this new Dehonian community.

The entire second part of this issue pays a predominate amount of attention to the historical development of not only the Congregation but also, and mainly, of the “Dehonian Laity”.

It is important to remember that history serves a purpose only if it is looked upon as being a “teacher of life”.