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Sr. Diana's Opening Remarks at Meeting of Provincials, February 4, 2008

Printed here below are the opening remarks of Sr. Diana, Superior General, at the CGP being held at the Motherhouse in Paris this month.

Introduction to the Plenary General Council
Sr. Diana
Auteuil, 4 February 2008

A Jesuit who worked with us in preparation for this CGP recommended a book entitled "A Body for the Spirit." The title caught my imagination and I’d like to use the expression as a way of thinking about our gathering. It’s a good description for a community, a Province and a Congregation :  "A Body for the Spirit."

The book is about the experience of communion in the Society of Jesus. The author asks a question about diversity and cohesion in the Society. Should diversity and a variety of works for the Kingdom be sacrificed for group cohesion? Or should they abandon the ideal of group unity? Ignatius and his companions chose both - diversity and unity. They went so far as to think that by strengthening unity they would reinforce fruitful diversity. And by that choice -- “unity in diversity” -- the “group” became Body.

This can also be said of us. The more we spread out, the stronger our unity needs to be....like a wheel which moves easily in the measure that the outer rim is connected to the center. And therein lays the whole purpose and challenge of a CGP.  It aims at strengthening the bonds which unite hearts and minds within the Congregation (RL 101). The CGP gives us time to strengthen unity in many ways - through a shared experience of liturgy, meals, leisure time, conversations, and work.

I would like to highlight one important aspect of this meeting: discussion and conversation. In the bibliography of Benedict XVI’s book "Jesus of Nazareth" appears a book entitled "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus." It’s an easy book to read - not too thick - good for a plane trip from Paris to Ho Chi Minh City! The author, Jacob Neusner, places himself within the context of the Gospel of Matthew and imagines himself in a dialogue with Jesus of Nazareth. The rabbi pays Jesus the supreme Judaic gesture of respect: making a connection with him through an honest debate. The first chapter is entitled “Come, Let Us Reason Together.”

At the opening of this CGP these words have often come to my mind, "Come, let us reason together.” Let us discuss the numerous questions facing us in light of a changing “panorama” both inside and outside the Congregation. Why was “discussion” so highly regarded in the Jewish tradition? Jacob Neusner gives this answer: because we regard the use of the mind, the interchange of thought, proposition, reason, evidence, and analysis - as an exercise in the use of what we share with God, what makes us like God, which is our mind. In the book, the Rabbi argues with Jesus and says, “How better pay respect to that religion and that figure (Jesus) than offer my best in response to his best?” Each of us here has her “best” to offer in response to the others’ best. Our best is the fruit of our prayer, our experience, our reflection, our cultural sensitivity, etc. Searching together, we will find together, and the group of women that we are will become a Body for the Spirit that is needed for mission in the Church and world.

And to conclude...on a more personal note.

In a “lectio” during my annual retreat, I took the passage in John 21 : 15-19. At the end of the day I gave it this title: "On the heels of love: responsibility!" In Jesus’ conversation with Peter, the dialogue leads to an imperative: feed my sheep, be a shepherd, feed my lambs.  What is true in my life, I’m sure is also true in yours - our profession of love through vows has led to a call to MISSION within the Congregation. In assuming the responsibilities that we have, we have all experimented what Jesus foretold for Peter.... “You will stretch out your hands and another will gird you.”

Our mission of governance and animation teaches us a truth about love. Love isn’t only about taking initiative and reaching out but it’s also about a certain “passivity” and acceptance of responsibility, as well as acceptance of the courage and strength that we need as leaders and that God gives.  (Grace of state)

I’d like to end this introduction with a brief moment of contemplation of the Icon of Friendship. Deep friendship existed between Jesus and Peter. It was in the name of love that Jesus invited Peter to take on authority in His Church. It was in the name of love that Peter accepted, “Lord you know all things you know that I love you.” Echo of Marie Eugénie, our new saint and foundress !

Open our ears, Lord that we may walk forward! Make us feel our need for silence and contemplation so that Jesus who so wants to speak with us can be heard when He asks “Do you love me ?” and can be responded to when He says, “Feed my sheep.”

We walk with Jesus at work in the Congregation. We walk with our sisters and each other. And very importantly our sisters scattered over the four continents walk with us.

May the Spirit guide our decisions, words and actions so that they be concrete expressions of the Spirit of Jesus as well as of the Spirit of Marie Eugenie and the Assumption. She is surely very present to guide our steps in our days here together and the months and years to come.

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