General Congregation XIX

It is normally held every six years, for the election of the Superior General and Councilors and to deal with matters of great importance, which require the opinion of more sisters than those in the ordinary government.

To see to it that the spiritual strength of the Congregation is not only not weakened but deepened, adapting itself to what new circumstances require and electing a general government.

These are issues of great importance and universal interest, which do not affect only one country, or one zone or Province. Previously the sisters of the whole Congregation have expressed what they think – have prayed – should be considered in the GC. In previous GCs, determinations have been made about our prophetic vocation, the experience of God in our lives, young people, women, how to transmit the charism, the planning of our apostolic presences, how to live authority-obedience or how to seek more the good of our neighbors by collaborating in the evangelizing action of the Church.

Thirty-five sisters will participate: 13 in their own right (1SG, 4 Cons, 1 Echo, 1Secr., 5 Prov. and 1ex-SG) and 22 by choice of the Provincial Congregations. The number of the latter group will not exceed twice the number of those who go by right.

The General Congregation does not have an established duration. It ends once it has done what it has been convoked to do. The participants will determine the end of the congregation by an absolute majority of votes, by secret ballot.

The preliminary phase begins once it has been convoked: the sisters participate by praying what they think the GC should address and the Provincial Congregations (PC) are held.

The proximate preparation consists, on the one hand, in the work carried out by the Official Preparatory Commission (CPO) and, on the other hand, it has to do with the “preparation of the heart” of those who are summoned: it is about people being ready to “listen to what God wants” and for this reason they make the Spiritual Exercises.

Once the GC is constituted, we first look at the state of the Congregation – which will guide the topics to be dealt with and the election of the government – then we enter the phase of elections and finally we deal with the very important issues to be faced.

The election of the Superior General and her councilors should be guided by considering what our Constitutions ask in this regard, as well as what has been seen in the report on the state of the Congregation. To dedicate the previous days more time to pray and discern – with the greatest rectitude of intention – what God may want for the good of the Body and its mission. To ask for and give information as indicated in the Rules of Procedure – correctness and not to allow oneself to be carried away by disordered human affections, preferences or prejudices, or to provoke them.

After having been informed, all should reflect and ponder the information received and, above all, pray to God for the necessary light to make a good choice, without making any decision until the time comes to cast the vote.

Following the Regulations of the General Congregation, these are the offices and organisms to be constituted during these days of GC:

• President: will be the General Superior. She is responsible for:
  • Declare the GC open and closed.
  • To preside over the PCO, the Commission for the report on the state of the Congregation, the Commission for the treatment of affairs and the plenary assemblies.
  • Proclaim the names of the persons elected and the matters approved.
  • Sign the minutes.
  • Propose whether it is appropriate to invite an expert to advise on a particular issue.
• Secretary: assumes responsibility for the entire secretarial office (consisting of herself, the vice-secretaries and any assistants), for the preparation of the minutes of the plenary sessions and for all documents relating to the GC to be filed.
• Tellers: they are responsible for counting the votes.
• Moderators: will be responsible for moderating the plenary sessions. They will ensure that the spirit of discernment is maintained.
• Information team: in charge of reporting on the tasks performed by the GC.
• Commission for the report on the state of the Congregation: Its task is to prepare a report on the state of the Congregation, pointing out in it the positive and negative aspects that it deems important and that should be promoted or improved in the life of the Congregation.this Commission will be composed of the Superior General and the General Councilors and three members belonging to the different territories, elected by the GC. The election of these members will be made at the proposal of the Sisters belonging to the different territories. The value of this proposal will be merely indicative.
• Team for prayer and liturgy animation: they will prepare the Eucharist and moments of prayer, making sure that they are moments of help for reflection and discernment.
• Reflection groups: spaces to enhance the co-responsibility and participation of the members in the dialogue, reflection and discernment required in each phase or issue.

GC – General Congregation

GC XIX – The General Congregation we are attending

CP – Provincial Congregation

CPO – Official Preparatory Commission

IFC – Constitutions of the Daughters of Jesus

DNC – Guidelines and Supplementary Standards

Det. GC XIX – Determination

RCG – Rules of Procedure of the General Congregation

CPR – Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Congregation