austraLasia 937
The Rector Major amongst the Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki - and at Miyazaki
MIYAZAKI: 1st November '04 -- Over two separate days the Rector Major has spent important hours with the second largest of the female Congregations in the Salesian Family, the Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki. In Tokyo, a short walk from the erstwhile (nearly) campus of Ikuei Salesian Polytechnic, he spent two hours at the General House, one of those hours given entirely to the Mother General, Sr Apollinaris Shimura. Then his first port of call in Miyazaki was to the Mother House of the Congregation since 1936, founded by Fr Antonio Cavoli under direction from Mons. Vincent Cimatti.
What have been the RM's messages to the Sisters? In the first instance a reflection on the rapid expansion of this Congregation, 'because', he reflects, 'of the inculturation of the Charism here in East Asia'. New Wine, New Wineskins was the slogan of the Chapter that elected the new Congregational leadership - it means Jesus, the Gospel, and a strong identity rooted in Christ. 'In Don Bosco's school, to be totally consecrated to God and totally dedicated to the salvation of youth is the right way'.
The CSM Mother House in Miyazaki is a huge complex: 9 communities around a chapel; 70 Sisters involved in social work - 120 children, 90 elderly citizens. The aspirants are also there. Speaking to the Sisters here, Fr. Chávez said:
Be faithful to your charism - like Moses, 'take off your shoes, for this is a holy place'. 'Be faithful to the charism of your Founders' (yes, 's').
Be faithful to the Constitutions as the Founders' charter: for there is the mind, the specific traits, the originality, and the dynamics of their faith.
Be holy, the best guarantee of evangelical life. Congregations suffer when their founders are not yet on the path to The Altars. Don Rua said that the holiness of the children (sons) is the best witness of the founder's (father's) holiness. In this case the holiness of the daughters is the issue. 'God is good. Follow your Heavenly Father. Your holiness should mirror the goodness of God'.
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'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com 'Rendiconto' has two distinct meanings in Salesian discourse, but then, so does 'colloquio'. For further comment cf. Lexisdb
