Credible witnesses
to the compassion and joy
of the Gospel
Chapter Document 2014
Gathered at this General Chapter, we listened to voices from all over the world:
the cries of the poor, the victims of war, human trafficking and all types of enslavement;
the cries of “our sister mother earth”[1] – devastated, plundered and exploited.
We were also challenged by our vulnerability as persons and communities, our difficulty to recognize the presence of the One Crucified and Risen, “to listen, and to learn about what God is saying to us through our life experiences”[2] .
In the midst of these realities, when we break Bread with our suffering sisters and brothers, our hearts burn with joy as we recognize the Lord (Luke 24:30, 32). Like the disciples of Emmaus, we return to our communities to be together, “credible witnesses to the Gospel”[3].
Indeed, this is a moment of grace and communion.
OUR VISION
We once again discover with enthusiasm and thanksgiving, the renewed freshness of our FMM charism entrusted by God to Mary of the Passion.
Rooted in our Franciscan spirituality, we contemplate the mystery of Jesus Incarnate who brings us to the wider community with our sisters and brothers and with the whole of creation, and invites us to enter intoa movement of interdependence and collaboration, care and respect.
With an open heart, we receive the richness of each people, each culture, each faith expression, each searching of the human heart.
We are called today to be with the poorest, a presence of compassion, joy and hope.
Mary journeys with us and teaches us to how to be transformed into the One whom we contemplate[4].
1. THE PATH OF CONTEMPLATIVE COMMUNITY IN MISSION
1.1Priorities for Community in Mission
1.1.1Reinforce the sense of mission as a community. This reality challenges us throughout our life.
1.1.2Strengthen the quality of our relationships in community, living mutual accompaniment and building communities where we encourage each other to live the charism.
1.1.3Accept our differences in faith soas to live unity in diversity.
1.1.4Create an atmosphere of silence and contemplation in community, which opens us to transforming relationships in community and mission.
1.2Priorities for Evangelization
1.2.1Become a Franciscan contemplative missionary presence, welcoming interculturality and Internationality as a gift; acknowledging that mission is, first and foremost, a mutual relationship where we evangelize and are transformed and evangelized.
1.2.2“Walk as a living Gospel”: proclaim the Good News and live it in tenderness, compassion and minority, welcoming every person and being an instrument of healing and reconciliation.
1.2.3Give preference to mission in the peripheries, responding to the calls of the Church and to those who suffer most, discerning in each context “where we want to be and why”.
1.2.4Deepen the meaning of interdependence with “our sister mother earth” through the Franciscan attitude of reverence, respect and wonder.
1.2.5Commit ourselves to defend and care for life in all its forms.
2. THE PATH OF COLLABORATION
We continue the planning in each province and live the spirit of interdependence and collaboration in the Institute at all levels for a better quality of missionary presence.
Collaboration is the path leading to restructuring and formation.
2.1Restructuring
2.1.1Restructuring is at the service of life and universal mission. It calls us to a constant change of heart and mentality, opening us to dialogue and disponibility.
2.1.2Restructuring requires more flexible structures adapted to the signs of the times, so as to answer the cries of the poor today, the needs of our sisters, our provinces and regions.
2.1.3The General level will search for the best means to continue the animation of restructuring. They will discern the criteria for defining the houses that are part of the spiritual patrimony of the Institute and how to ensure the future of their mission.
2.1.4At the general level, evaluate and decide upon the future of the Mission (JPIC), Formation and History Offices.
2.1.5Improve networking and sharing between provinces, regions and continents, as well as between sisters who are in the same service or ministry.
2.1.6Discern at the provincial, continental and regional levels, in dialogue with the General level, how to move forward in the process of restructuring, respecting the pace of the sisters and provinces.
2.1.7Promote networking among FMMs and with our associates, lay people and organizations who share our vision.
2.2Formation
2.2.1Continue the process of integrated, inculturated and experiential formation with accompaniment at each stage of our lives.
2.2.2Continue to prepare sisters for diverse ministries and services: initial and on-going formation, bursars and leadership at all levels.
2.2.3 Continue reflection on “Sending and Receiving”, in discernment and dialogue between the different levels in the Institute.Accompany and help each sister to better respond to the missionary needs and priorities of each province and the Institute.
2.2.4Prepare sisters for formation on the FMM charism, founded on a personal encounter with Mary of the Passion.
2.2.5Intensify inter-province collaboration at continental level for all stages of formation.
2.2.6Provide formation for FMMs and collaborate with lay people in the accompaniment of our elderly and sick sisters.
2.2.7At the general level, foresee the preparation of common guidelines for the formation of our FMM associates.
“Challenges exist to be overcome!
Let us be realists but withoutlosing our joy,
our boldness and our hope-filled commitment.
Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of our missionary vigour!”
(EvangeliiGaudium 109)
1
[1]Canticle of Creatures
[2]Report of Sr. Suzanne Phillips to the General Chapter 2014, 2.2.6
[3]Pope Francis, General Audience, Oct. 15, 2014
[4]Cf. 3rd letter of St. Claire to Agnes of Prague
Place your mind before the mirror of eternity!
Place your soul in the brilliance of glory!
Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance!
And transform your whole being into the image of the Godhead itself
through contemplation!