Father Joe, Welcome Home From the General Chapter
We welcome Father Joe home from the general chapter of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Every three years all the superiors of our men’s and women’s monasteries gather in Italy (at Assisi) to fulfill their service to their sisters and brothers by spending a month in sessions to see to the business of our order. First and foremost is the pastoral care for all the women and men in every one of the communities in Europe, North Central and South America, Asia, Scandinavia, etc. There are a number of other areas that require the attention of the whole body of men and women living the Cistercian life at this time. A primary responsibility is to provide pastoral care to the communities of the individual monasteries. Each monastery writes a ‘house repot’ which is like taking the temperature of the community – what’s good? – what needs attention? – are there any problems? Every two years the superior of the monastery from which your monastery was founded or an appointed delegate comes and visits, listening to each member of the community, and writes a ‘visitation card’ to be sent to the abbot general and his council so that the good order of the houses is being safeguarded. At the general chapter those present break into language groups and review these documents (house reports and visitation cards), conferring with the superior if necessary for clarifications. Some areas that are given special attention are vocations, formation of new members and care of the sick and elderly. At present first world countries have less inquiries about entering and fewer people in formation. Houses in third world countries seem to have more vocations. Discussions involve monasteries that may ask to close, monasteries that may ask to merge and monasteries that may ask to start a new monastery. In all these areas we must follow the canon law of the church. Pope Leo imparted his blessing on all the superiors and their work over these weeks, acknowledging the particular place contemplative monastic life has in the broader church.
Since the roots of our order are in France – the first of our monasteries was at Citeaux in the area of Dijon, Father Joe will return to Mepkin by way of France and is visiting Lourdes to offer prayers for the sick who entrust themselves and their medical teams to our prayers.
Join us in praying for the marvelous work accomplished by Father Joe and all who participated in this general chapter. Please continue to pray for the abbot general and his council as they enact these decisions made by the superiors, and pray for Mepkin and each of our houses, as we strive to live this beautiful vocation under the loving guidance of the Holy Spirit..
