II. Under the Sign of Communion  

7. Our six-year program rests on SCJ SPIRITUALITY, theologically well-grounded and historically lived out by our religious; constant referral to this given ought to inspire our life and works. Only by the light of the Gospel, permeated with the grace of the charism and spirituality of Fr. Dehon, do we find the theological foundations that define and sustain our "current mission" in the church and world.

The core inspiration is "Sint Unum". Under the banner of communion, this inspiration has led us to restate the richness of our SCJ mission as "prophets of love and servants of reconciliation".

8. For this reason now set before us is the objective that each community reflect on its significance within its surroundings; that new communities and foundations integrate radical gospel values in both personal and community commitments in such a way that these become a manifestation of "prophetic communities" in the lands where we are called to live and work.

9. Furthermore, through an "international plan" of communication and collaboration, of solidarity and sharing, we want to express the unity of the congregation as a place where the pluralism consisting of many nations, cultures and persons, finds a home; a place where these can fulfill their call to be a sign and instrument of communion and reconciliation in the world through Christ.

10. Making use of the principle of subsidiarity, we intend to safeguard the identity and legitimate autonomy of every part of the congregation (province, region, territorial community), assisting their insertion into the local church and their inculturation into their own nation. However, by joining it to the principle of congregational communion, we invite every organism of the congregation to take on responsibility for our mission within the universal church by collaborating in its plans, by cooperating with personnel, by sharing goods. All are urged to give generously from their own poverty, keeping in mind that those who have more are asked to give more.

11. To achieve this objective, the highest degree of co-responsibility and involvement is required, where the primary function of the general government is that of encouragement and coordination in light of any decisions to be made.

12. For a number of years and with great success, the congregation has a praiseworthy experience of financial sharing. From the outset, it has also developed an international collaboration with personnel, particularly with missions ad gentes and beyond frontiers. The congregation is being asked today to extend that collaboration and interchange of personnel in other sectors as well. This is the great challenge set before each one of us, a challenge that requires that we open up our hearts and minds. A positive response will mean a new thrust for our congregation. The task for the general government will be to consider the situations and the needs so as not to weaken the smaller organisms of the congregation unless there be some proportionate resulting good.

Understood in this manner, COMMUNION becomes the HEART, the THREAD, and the FIRST FRUIT hoped for in the entire plan we set before you.

 

 
language page

overview

attentive to our real situation

under the sign of communion

the program

organization and services

conclusion