The General Chapters
By Sr. Catherine de la Présentation, France
The “General Chapter” is something that often we hear in our conversations these months, small or big, familiar or more solemn, serious or more relaxed: memories to evoke, anecdotes to tell. The month of July is approaching: the capitulars are studying their files... the Province of Bucaramanga is preparing and getting ready to welcome the participants and make arrangements for their stay: the sisters must be offered the best for this very important work: the 55th GENERAL CHAPTER begins in July...
What is a chapter? Constitution 97 gives us the definition: “An ASSEMBLY of sisters whom WE have elected to represent us in the government of the Congregation.” The general chapter, “supreme authority, is intended to promote the spiritual vitality of the Congregation, the quality of its communal testimony and of its apostolic commitments. In view of a renewal according to the Gospel, it gives … directives … modifies laws and renews, by election, the members of the general government". (cf. 97)
The specific objective of this chapter 2019 was specified in the circular of Sr. Maria Escayola, our Superior General. Certainly, according to the work and the inspirations of the Spirit, the decisions will be adapted to the reality of today: that of the Congregation, which is present in the world in different expressions within the Church and its mission in our 21st century which has already begun. Pope Francis always invites us to "go to the peripheries”, how can we go even further? How can we readjust the situation of the Congregation today to the needs of the mission? Good work to the Capitulars... They can count on our prayers...
In the history of our Congregation, 54 General Chapters have been held, each has its own particularity: famous or forgotten... vital or classical, agitated or... calm. This one: the 55th, will certainly also have its own characteristics.
As a result of the mission entrusted to me, as General Councilor and then as General Secretary, I was given the opportunity to participate in 9 General Chapters. What an experience of Congregation and universal mission!
The first one: April 29, 1969 - July (25) 1969: impossible to forget! One of its specificities: the starting date was well-defined, but the ending date was not. "We will leave” (from Rome where Chapter was held), Mother Thérèse des Anges had warned, “when the work is finished...".
In the spirit of the renewal of the Second Vatican Council, its mission was to rewrite our Constitutions in the light of the "Rules" of Marie Poussepin and the "Rule of St Augustine", in fidelity to the desire of Marie Poussepin: "to establish a Community of the Third Order of St. Dominic". Most part of the actual text is from this work. Since then, there have been some changes due to Canon Law or the very life of the Congregation, but the main thing remains from this Chapter of renewal.
The following two chapters: 1971 and 1975: (in which I did not participate) continued the study of the proposal of these Constitutions, always lived "ad experimentum". The 1979 one was also celebrated in Rome. The atmosphere of this Chapter at the beginning, had a different tone from that of the previous ones... Whispers were heard all around: we are an international Congregation... the Superior General does not always have to be French... and the proposals for the voting were... international... The chapter reflects and prays.
Sr Inés Mercedes Mejía T. was elected Superior General. Joy to all... except the Sisters of her Province, they had to re-elect their Provincial...
It was during this Chapter that the text of our Constitutions, rewritten and experimented, was finally voted upon for the next ten years. The modifications that will come in later years will often be practical adaptations or agreements with Canon Law which will also be subject to some readjustments...
Other decisions: the period of mandate of a government was set at five years after a short period of experiment of four years. Several proposals for the restructuring of Provinces were launched and also the structure of the "Mother House" was established comprising the communities of La Bretèche, Foyer St. Thomas, Dourdan and Sainville, England.
During her Generalate three chapters will be celebrated: 1984; 1989; 1994.
1984 Chapter: great excitement: it will be held in Colombia, in Bucaramanga. It is the first that it is celebrated outside Europe... and this brought joy on the other side of the ocean... And the use of modern technique: we vote by "electronic mode": we must not make mistakes with buttons...
Two important facts: = decision to begin, a kind of evaluation of the missionary activities and its results in each province = choice of "our distinctive Sign": our cross, carried when we are not in Dominican habit.
The 1989 Chapter is celebrated at the La Bretèche. For 10 years, by now the Congregation had been living with its new Constitutions... We will therefore specify and modify certain points (of details) so that our Constitutions are always better adapted to the mission. This 1989 Chapter began with a concern: Sr. Inés Mercedes finished the two mandates of her generalate... and according to the opinions of many: the majority wished that she could be elected for a third term... What steps, what votes to be considered for this decision, to obtain exemption? We consult: ... canon law has provided for exemptions: we must vote differently, according to a different method to the votes cast. And... The Chapter gives a third mandate to Sr. Inés Mercedes... The Chapter is happy... the Congregation rejoices. Sr. Inés Mercedes accepts this request of the Lord, expressed by the Sisters. From memories: this Chapter provides the final process for the drafting of: the Ratio Formationis, which will be promulgated in 1992.
The 1994 chapter follows...... During the generalate of Sr. Inés Mercedes, the work for the cause of beatification of Marie Poussepin progressed. Thanks to the hard, incessant, precise and documented work of Sr. Madeleine St. Jean and the Chaplain Abbey Prêteseille, the Positio was accepted... The Beatification should therefore... be granted quickly... Finally, on a certain day at the beginning of 1994, in Valdieri: telephone of Father Vencchi O.P., Postulator... Marie Poussepin is declared Blessed... "in Dominican community", with the R.P. Cormier and Sr. Agnès de Langeac... And the date is fixed: Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 1994... Impossible to celebrate the Chapter... and the capitulars go away two months before this event. So, it doesn't matter... changes the date of the chapter and... place. It will be held in Rome... one month before the Beatification...
Thus, the 1994 Chapter remains linked to the Beatification. Sr. Maria Fabiola Velásquez, newly elected Superior General, with Sr. Inés Mercedes had the joy of presiding together over the festivities of this long-awaited event... The joy increased the energy... the work was serious... Among other proposals was the project: MARIE POUSSEPIN AND HER COMMUNITY: practical explanation for orientation and formation for the service of Government at all levels. The latest advances and clarifications are included... It will be promulgated in 1996.
1999: This chapter is celebrated at the Mother House, very traditionally... It is the continuity of the evaluations of the mission... The chapter is delighted and gives thanks in particular for two new missions "to the peripheries": South Korea and CUBA. The latter is the subject of a special thanksgiving: the visa was almost five years long...
2004: Chapter at the Bretèche, election of Sr Monique Colrat. In previous years, the Code of Canon Law had been revised. The Constitutions must comply with the new decrees of law. So new edition, with modifications of presentation and new period "ad experimentum" until 2009. The last paragraph of the text on "fidelity" is also written. Despite the "multiple revisions" of previous years... The constitutions ended with the text on: the modalities for the departure of Sisters...
The composition of the text is also modified. The Government, the Temporal Goods, Absence and departure of Sisters constitutes the second part of the text. The CONTENTS TABLE is at the end of the text.
2009: Chapter at the Bretèche. This year marks an important event for the Congregation. Fifty years ago, after so many years of research and work, the AGREGATION of the Congregation to the DOMINICAN ORDER was signed. It is obvious that this event is being highlighted... And that is what the Chapter will be celebrating on August 8, 2009. Many Sisters and Friends are with us. Brother Carlos Aspiroz Costa, Master of the Order, presides over this family celebration.
Another new feature: a few days of clear weather for a pilgrimage to Lourdes. This pilgrimage was often taken by the Sisters during the chapter at the days of rest... at the expense of health and work. It was also decided that these days of prayer Lourdes would be an integral part of the program.
"And the rhythm continues... the 55th General Chapter is at the door...
...For yesterday, today...and for tomorrow...
We thank you, O God..."
Initial photo by Sor Gemma Morató (General Chapter 2004 - La Grande Bretèche).