“To do or not to do”

Homily closing the General Assembly
by Superior General, Most Rev. Gregory Gay CM
July 16, 2010

Missal Readings: Is. 52:7-10, Ps 95, 1Cor 1:26-31, 2:1, Mt 25:31-46

«download the homily in PDF»
«watch the closing Mass (with recorded homily)»

“To be or not to be, that is the question?” so wrote Shakespeare. And what is our question? From the perspective of this General Assembly, from the motivation of its theme Creative Fidelity to the Mission, I would dare to say that our question is to do or not to do? Yes, that is our question, my brothers, to do or not to do the mission that the Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to us as missionaries, priests and brothers, in the Congregation of the Mission.

“He went about doing good” (“Pertransiit benefaciendo.”) Our historians claim that this is the first motto that Saint Vincent de Paul chose for the Congregation of the Mission. In imitation of Jesus Christ, focused on the Word of God, Vincent de Paul was struck by this phrase from the Act of the Apostles. It was Peter who proclaimed how God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and “he went about doing good.”

My brothers, “doing good” is what we have focused on in this General Assembly: how we have done good, how we can be better at doing good, and in what ways we might be able to accomplish that good, being faithful to our heritage and yet ever creative in its expressions. In my report to the General Assembly on the state of the Congregation of the Mission in these past six years, I said simply but clearly that one of the most important developments, not only for the Congregation but also for the Vincentian Family that we had worked on with much intensity, was and is the question of systemic change. Systemic change, as I said, is a contemporary way that we live out that which motivates us to do good, the charity of Jesus Christ crucified.

Fears have been expressed, saying that such a focus on systemic change we might become like another NGO. Such is not the case when we have clear what it is, Who it is that motivates us to do what we do. The need is for us to make that connection, that integral relationship between contemplating the goodness of the Lord, deepening our knowledge of His love for us, and transforming that to loving action for the poor both by word and by deed, through evangelization and service of the poor.

Gentlemen, let me recall for you what Saint Vincent has said to the Congregation about the Common Rules Chapter 1, Art. 1. “If there are any among us who think they are in the Mission to evangelize poor people but not to alleviate their suffering, to take care of their spiritual needs but not their temporal ones, I reply that we have to help them and have them assisted in every way, by us and by others, if we want to hear those pleasing words of our sovereign judge of the living and the dead: ‘Come, beloved of my Father; possess the kingdom that has been prepared for you, because I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was naked and you clothed me; sick and you assisted me. ‘ To do that is to preach the gospel by words and by works. That is the most perfect way. It is also what our Lord did, and what those should do who represent Him on earth.”

The basis of our renewal, that is of our Creative Fidelity to the Mission is tied into: our love of God, being men of prayer: our love of the Congregation, being men who work at community life, that is participative and unifying: and men who draw close to the poor in order to listen to them, to be moved by their requests of us, being their servants: with a desire to be obedient to them as our lords and masters and therefore to open our hearts to that transforming experience of God’s love that takes place in our interaction with those who are poor. And we do so as a community. We do so motivated by God’s love.

As we are nourished by God’s word let us be nourished by God’s Body and Blood and go forth bearing the Good News. Let us do so as bearers of peace with a humble confidence that it is God who works in us, He who gives us the courage to break with our fears, being made afresh and moving forward, being only concerned to do what Jesus Christ did, “going about doing good” for these the least of our brothers and sisters. So be it for the Congregation of the Mission as it embarks upon a new era, a new period of six years of following Jesus Christ, evangelizer of the Poor.

Celestino Fernández: Tell us something about your life so that the readers might know you better

Javier Álvarez: I come from the Castilian region of Spain which is in the center of the country. I was ordained in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. One of the ministries that I have had pleasure to be involved in has been the
formation of our candidates during fifteen years of my ministerial life. The Daughters of Charity have been the other ministry that has occupied my attention, dedication and commitment. I was the first Director of Madrid – Saint Louise Province and next the Director General of Daughters of Charity. I am suffering and am greatly worried about the situation of the poverty in which are so many people live in the world. I raise many questions about the loss of faith and human and Christian values especially in our developed societies. These assumptions make it difficult to discuss actuality of our Vincentian charism.

Celestino Fernández: Tell me, how do you feel at this time?

Javier Álvarez: Right now, two feelings coexist in me. On the one hand, I feel great sorrow for leaving the service I’ve fulfilled so far, as Director General of the Daughters of Charity, in which I was very focused and very excited. Never enough it will be to appreciate the warm welcome from the Sisters and the animation I have always received. The other feeling is hope. When I look at my new mission, I am excited and animated in the same way. I am determined to give more of myself and give myself fully to the work which the Assembly has asked me. I think the big international experience I have gained during past six years in Paris will help me, thanks to the Daughters of Charity, whom I love and deeply admire.

Celestino Fernández: Did the re-election surprise you?

Gregory Gay: No. Because I have tried to act in a very clear and simple manner during these past six years and I have given the confreres the opportunity to see if they want to walk in this direction or not. After listening to the different dialogues in the Assembly Hall I have seen that the things that I consider important continue to be important for the confreres. I am not going to mention here things that refer to the future of the Congregation but you can read about this in the report that I gave at the beginning of the Assembly.

C.F. : How are you feeling at this moment?

G.G.: At this time I am feeling good and I expressed this to everyone. The feeling now is not the same that I experienced six years ago when I did not know what it meant to be Superior General. Now I know that this is a tremendous work that demands much energy but I am willing to continue with my idea of redistributing the work among the members of the Council and the Curia. At the same time, as I said after the election, there are certain constants in my life and these have not changed. I refer here again to my love for the Congregation, my love for the Vincentian Family and my love for the poor. This has not changed and I feel encouraged to continue in this line.

C.F. : You are beginning a new stage. How are you encouraged?

G.G.: I do feel encouraged and I believe that it is very important for this General Assembly to choose a good team so that we can work together, distribute the work as is necessary and for the good of the Congregation and redistribute the other responsibilities that we all have with regard to the Vincentian Family.

C.F. : Have these past years presented you with many unpleasant things?

G.G.: I believe that it is normal within the context of a great responsibility, such as being Superior General, that one would experience unpleasant moments. Perhaps one of the things that I find most displeasing is when I observe the absence of zeal that one ought to have as a Vincentian. I am especially displeased when I see that we are not what Saint Vincent would desire, when we are not transparent in what we say and when we lack charity and do not speak directly to the person about what we are thinking. Many times we do not express what we are feeling to an individual but then express these feelings to others. I have experienced this and this is most unpleasant and displeasing to me: when we do not speak directly to the person because of some fear that we might not be accepted. The lack of simplicity is very upsetting.

C.F. : And joys?

G.G.: Many joys. Perhaps the opportunity, as I said in my report, to experience the charism as it is being lived in different places, whether in the Congregation, among the Daughters of Charity or in other branches of the Vincentian Family, especially when individuals are working together and working with much enthusiasm. For example, I felt great joy when Spain celebrated the Congress of the Vincentian Family; the level of enthusiasm and the desire to move forward as a Vincentian Family was very real. Another cause of great joy is when I travel from one country to another and I experience this same enthusiasm, many times in very difficult situations.

C.F. : How do you see the Congregation at this time?

G.G.: I have much optimism and much hope. Here in this Assembly we have listened to a presentation and in 2004 I listened to this same presentation and I believe it was the same person. I refer to the fact that our numbers are diminishing. This is only one side of the Congregation. What is interesting for me is the other side of the Congregation, that which the Superior General and the Assistants seen, namely that we are a young Congregation and that there are places where the Congregation is growing. I like to look at that reality because we ought to assure them of good leadership. I am not saying that we should not be concerned about the Congregation in other parts of the world but that perhaps we ought to refocus our energies that have been centered on one part of the world and that now need to be centered on a part of the world where there is growth.

C.F. : And what do you say to the pessimists?

G.G.: I believe that one of the difficulties arises from a lack of experience on the international level because then it is very easy to take on a pessimistic attitude. If we are only looking at our own reality and if that reality is not going well, if we are losing heart or if we are diminishing in number, we can then become overly concerned about maintenance instead of promoting creativity that will enable us to move forward. This can also occur when we experience certain difficulties with young confreres who might take on a lifestyle that is somewhat independent …. I believe that it is better to broaden our horizons and look at the Congregation on an international level. This can have a positive effect and can also encourage us in our present situation. I have listened to Sister Evelyne Franc speak about this when she said that we are all part of one eternal reality, in our case, the Congregation of the Mission. We ought to feel proud of those places where the charism is strong and having positive effects. We ought to feel proud about our service and evangelization. This can be a way to help us in the process of conversion and renewal in those places where we are weak and where, perhaps, we have diminished a little.

C.F. : What are your hopes for this Assembly?

G.G.: First of all I hope that we continue with the process of dialogue. It is very clear that there are different mentalities with regard to the Assembly. There are two groups here: one with the idea of the Assembly as a legal body that is concerned about good order and themes such as the Statutes and the Postulata and all the arguments for their approval or rejection. Another attitude that I see and that is more relevant now is that of an Assembly that is more concerned about dialogue, concerned that we speak about those matters that are important to us, for example, what are the poor telling us? It is there that we must go during the next six years. We had to cancel a part of the Assembly which for me would have been most interesting: different workshops on various important themes, on present situations that are of interest to the Congregation in different parts of the world. I am going to propose that this be treated in the meetings with the news Visitors and also in the meeting of all the Visitors which will take place in three years, themes of importance such as sexual abuse, the question of aging of the confreres and of the provinces … What can we do to confront these situations, what do we do with our property and how can we manage our goods in a more just manner. We still have to discuss a matter that is going to be very difficult but it is important for me to listen to the dialogue so that I can get some guidance in this area and here I am referring to the question of reconfiguration and greater collaboration among the provinces. I believe that we ought to delve deeper into some of the Statutes which in my understanding contain interesting material that the confreres want to speak about. What upsets me is that we begin to fight over words and forget that which is most important, the theme. Today I have learned much and it is good to see that there are some people who like to see things done according to the law and others who prefer to be more flexible with the law … we have to allow space so that the Spirit might guide us along those paths that we ought to travel.

C.F. : The Assembly is now preparing to elect a Vicar General and Assistants General, explain to me your criteria on this matter.

G.G. : It is very important to choose a good team, a good General Council so that we can carry out the work that the General Assembly places before us as a task to accomplish during the six year years. Therefore I have several criteria: that we be attentive to what the Constitutions say with regard to an Assistant General: they “assist” the General in fulfilling what is requested by the General Assembly and that they work together. Even though we are decreasing in some places we are increasing in other places and we have to be sure that we choose leaders who understand this situation and who can help by being mindful of this situation of growth of the Congregation. We also need Counselors who are not afraid to work. I have spoken about a redistribution of work among the Curia and the Council because things are too centralized in the person of the Superior General. This demands that the person be in good health. No, he does not have to be young, but he has to be a constant worker. Obviously it is also important that this person loves God, loves the Community, and also loves the poor and that this is manifested by his actions, for example, when he is in the Curia or traveling that he prays with the community, participates in community activities, and demonstrates a closeness to and a sensitivity for the poor. Finally one has to be a Vincentian who lives the characteristic virtues, especially, simplicity.

C.F. : What was your first thought when the Assembly manifested their warmth with a thunderous applause?

G.G.: Something that I tried to repeat there and that was: thank you for your love and your support. I feel that a great number of confreres respect me, love me and are willing to support me. This made me feel good and gave me the courage to continue.

« you may get the printable version of the interview from HERE »

Loud and heartful ovations followed and as it is in the tradition of elections participants lined up to congratulate and hug Fr. Gregory one by one. This was interrupted by Mother General, Sr. Evelyne Franc and her Associates.

On the twelfth day of Assembly

Watch glimpses from election of Vicar General
and General Assistants

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Members of new elected General Council present at the Assembly

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Rev. Francisco Javier ÁLVAREZ MUNGUÍA CM
Vicar General, First Assistant General

Director General of Daughters of Charity, Spanish Province of Madrid. Born 20 March 1954, 36 years of vocation, ordained 8 November 1982

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Rev. Yosief Woldemichael ZERACRISTOS CM

2001 – 2010 Visitor of  Province of Saint Justin de Jacobis (Eritrea). Translator during present General Assembly. Born 29 January 1961 in Hebo, Eritrea, 27 years of vocation (since 16 May 1983), ordained 4 August 1991

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Rev. Varghese THOTTAMKARA CM

Since 2006 Visitor of  Province of India South. Born in Cheranallour, Kerala, India,  23 May 1960. 28 years of vocation (since May 11, 1982), ordained 6 January 1987. He studied Moral Thology at St. Thomas University, Rome. Missionary in Ethiopia for twelve years where he worked as Vincentian and diocesan seminarians formator. He did so in India, too. Provincial Councilor in Ethipia and in India. Also Provincial Assitant in India. Between 2005 and 2006 he served as CM Procurator General at the Holy See.

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Rev. Eli CHAVES DOS SANTOS CM

Brazilian Province of  Rio de Janeiro.  Since 2007 Director of Daughters of Charity in Mozambique. Born 4 October 1953 in Brazil, 38 years of vocation (since 1 July 1972), ordained 25 July 1979.  Until 2004 Visitor of Province of  Rio de Janeiro. Thus he participated in the XL General Assembly in 2004.

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Rev.  Stanislav ZONTÁK CM

Province of  Slovakia. Currently Visitor of Province of Congo. Born 25 September 1961 in Brezovicka, Slovakia. 29 years of vocation (since 27 September 1982), ordained 15 June 1986. He  worked as  assistant pastor and pastor  in Slovakia and missionary in  Ukraine. In his province he superior of the house, provincial councilor, formator  of both the Internal Seminary and the Major  Seminary.  Visitor of Slovakia between 2002 and 2008 and from 2008 to 2009, Director of the Daughters of Charity there between 2008 and 2009.

Watch Fr. Javier’s reaction to election

Presently he is Director General of  Daughters of  Charity. He holds this position since 2004.  Today’s election Fr. Javier accpeted with  gratitute for Confreres who put their confidence on him. He expressed this in his first words after election: “I have asked the Lord, that this moment has not come. But it has come and I humbly  accept this mission, which General Assembly entrusted to me.”

Fr. Francsco Javier Álvarez Munguía CM was born on March 20, 1954 in Spain.  He entered Congregation of the Mission in the Spanish Province of Madrid on September 11, 1973.   Ordained priest on November 8, 1982.  Since 2004 he holds the function of  Director General of Daughters of Charity.

]]> http://cmnewengland.org/2010/07/fr-javier-alvarez-cm-elected-new-vicar-general/feed/ 0 http://cmnewengland.org/2010/07/fr-gregory-gay-cm-re-elected-superior-general/ http://cmnewengland.org/2010/07/fr-gregory-gay-cm-re-elected-superior-general/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:51:12 +0000 Toma http://cmnewengland.org/?p=699 On Thursday, July 8, 2010 in the morning delegates for The General Assembly proceeded the election of new Superior General.  Almost at 11:00 a.m. in Paris (5:00 a.m. EST)  results from the third ballot held in Aula Magna of Daughters of Charity Motherhouse brought the winner.  For another six year term of office delegates [...]]]> On Thursday, July 8, 2010 in the morning delegates for The General Assembly proceeded the election of new Superior General.  Almost at 11:00 a.m. in Paris (5:00 a.m. EST)  results from the third ballot held in Aula Magna of Daughters of Charity Motherhouse brought the winner.  For another six year term of office delegates have re-elected  current, 23rd Successor of St. Vincent de Paul, Most Reverend George Gregory Gay CM.

Watch proclamation of  election results

Look at he Election Decree proclaiming the election lawful

watch how the Decree was read by Fr. Delgado

Election results were proclaimed  by Fr. Gabriel Naranjo, moderator of  today. The runner up in the ballots was Fr. Javier Alvarez CM, delegate of  Spanish Province of Madrid, Director General of Daughters of Charity.  The second runner up was Fr. Corpus Delgado CM of  Spanish Province of Zaragoza. After Fr. Gregory accepted the election, Secretary of the Assembly, Fr. Delgado read in clear Latin the Election Decree. Next, all participants gave him a standing ovation.  Afterwards, they came one by one and greeted the reelected Superior General with cordial and fraternal hugs.

Daughters of Charity lead by Superioress General Sister Evelyne Franc, who  interrupted  Confrere’s joy for a while when she came whith her greetings and best wishes, quickly joined the common joy and happiness This festival of hugs and greetings moved to the gardens and courtyard of Motherhouse at Rue du Bac.

Watch also picture gallery from the Superior General election

Fr. Gregory Gay CM was born in 1953 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.   Few weeks ago he celebrated 30th anniveersary of priesthood ordinations.  Originally, he is member of Eastern Province (USA).  When he was the Visitor of  Province of Central America he was elected Superior General during the 40th General Assembly  in 2004. During his tenure  practically, he visited all provinces of the Congregation of the Mission and most the provinces of Daughters of Charity and travelled to 72 countries of 87 where Vincentina Family is present.  His second term as 24th Superior General will end up in 2016.   Biography in “Vincentian Encyclopedia” .

[pictures: Province of New England,  films: Province of Chile]

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