To mark the opening of the 19th General Congregation, a solemn Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated in an atmosphere of deep communion and hope. Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus presided the Eucharistic celebration within the Easter Octave and accompanied the GC delegates for this sig significant moment of prayer and discernment.
A Symbolic Start
The ceremony began by inviting all those present to live this moment as “a crossroad of grace” where the Hijas de Jesus are called to “renew their commitment to the mission entrusted to them” and to “listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit” in order to discern the path for the next six years.
The Superior General, Graciela Franccovig entered carrying the Paschal candle which represented “the presence of Christ in our midst” and the commitment to “illuminate with the light of faith, joy and compassion” a world marked by darkness. Together with the Paschal candle are the historical memoirs collected in each province. Bringing to the altar the history lived during the last six years is honoring “those who preceded us” and strengthening the congregational “sense of belonging.”
A Celebration Filled with Signs
The simple but profound celebration was full of expressions which puts us in the important moment we are living. The universal dimension of the Congregation was manifested through the diversity of languages present in the liturgy.
The one hundred postulates from all over the Congregation and with the valuable contribution of the laity for this General Congregation were symbolically presented during the offertory. These were offerings conveyed “dreams and yearnings as well as struggles and hopes” and with the desire that the Lord may transform them “into new life for the good of our brothers and sisters.”
With the bread and wine that would become the Body and Blood of Christ, these postulates embody the commitment of the Hijas de Jesus to continue God’s Kingdom in collaboration with all those who share their charism.
The Homily: An Invitation to Easter Hope
To invite the GC delegates to an experience similar to that of Mary Magdalene before the empty tomb, Fr. Arturo Sosa started his profound homily with the question from the Eater Sequence, “What did you see on the way, Mary, in the morning?” “Let us ask from deep within our hearts for the grace of that vision, of that interior experience as an inspiration for this 19th General Congregation,” the Jesuit General Superior stated.
With words full of hope, Fr. Sosa elaborated several fundamental themes for this time of discernment:
- The grace of a new vision: “The grace not to go looking for the living among the dead… to experience the love of the one who gave his life for us on the Cross, is risen and renews our Hope”.
- The Hope as a transforming virtue: “Whoever has hope not only has faith that another world is possible, but also conducts himself from now on as if he were living in it.”
- The assurance of the divine presence: “The Lord, the Crucified-Risen One, does not abandon us in the hands of death that lurks in every situation in which we live during these times of human history”.
- The missionary sending: Like Mary Magdalene, the Hijas de Jesus freed from paralyzing fears are sent to announce the joy of the resurrection.
Finally, addressing the assembled delegates directly, he exhorted them:
“As Hijas de Jesus, gathered in the General Congregation, you have decided to go to meet him. Let yourselves be surprised by the initiatives that the Holy Spirit has in store for you.”
Pope Francis’ Easter moved us to profound silence
Before concluding the celebration and after the thanksgiving prayer, Fr. Sosa received the news which had just been made public and shared: Pope Francis is already enjoying the embrace of the eternal God, our Father God.
The unexpected Easter of Pope Francis left all the assembled sisters deeply moved: with a profound silence, they expressed their gratitude for his life and for his pontificate.
The Mass concluded by entrusting the road begun to Mary, asking for the prayerful accompaniment of all the Sisters and lay people present at the Eucharist, thus strengthening the bonds of communion which sustain the shared mission.
You can re-live this memorable celebration in the video of the live broadcast on our YouTube channel.
