“God is showing the Church the path of communion, of walking together,” an invitation to “overcome the parallel paths that never meet.” The Pope said this to the presidents and representatives of the Commissions for the laity of the Episcopal Conferences. In doing so, Francis recalled that “the need to value the laity does not depend on some theological novelty,” but is based on “a correct vision of the Church,” that of “the Church as the People of God, of which the laity are a full part.” He invited us to “recover an integral ecclesiology,” which places emphasis on unity and not separation, where “the layman is not the non-religious, but the baptized,” and the term “disciple, brother” is applied to him.
With this feeling, yesterday and for the first time in the history of our Institute, the participation of 29 lay people from the different apostolic realities (Parish, educational, MAR Movement) took place in a General Chapter. We had the opportunity to share with them concerns, desires, challenges... Prior to this meeting, they had already met with the General Government on two occasions electronically, in which they worked around these five blocks:
- Shared mission
- Training
- Presence and charisma
- Apostolic commitment
- Project work
Of this group of lay people who represented the presence of our Institute in America, Africa and Europe, five of them were spokespersons, sharing their reflection on the shared mission and charism. After listening to their contribution, the capitular sisters shared, through the listening circles, the echoes that their contributions had left, also promoting a rich sharing through questions that we would later ask them.
We concluded the meeting with an assembly, with an open microphone in which thanks, lights and perspectives for the future were exchanged that unite our journey as a charismatic family.
We thank all the lay people of this family for their dedication and generosity for making José Gras' dream come true: “TO MAKE CHRIST REIGN, BEING APOSTLES OF HIS SOVEREIGNTY”
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