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Pentecost 1998: Encuentro de los Movimientos y Nuevas Comunidades con Juan Pablo II, en San Pedro Pentecost 1998: Encounter of the Movements and New Communities with John Paul II, at St. Peter’s Pfingsten 1998: Begegnung der Bewegungen und Neuen Gemeinschaften mit Johannes Paul II auf dem Petersplatz Foto: Fokolar-Bewegung © 2004-2005 |
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Msgr. Stanislav Rylko (Vigilia, 7 de septimbere de 2004) Archbishop Stanislav Rylko (Vigil, Sept. 7, 2004) Erzbischof Stanislav Rylko (Vigilfeier, 7. September) |
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Nos vemos en Belmonte? See you in Belmonte? Sehen wir uns Belmonte? Fotos: POS Fischer © 2005 |
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ROMA, Father Alberto Eronti.The last meeting for the period 2004/2005 held with the presidency of Monsignor Stanislaw and 29 representatives of the Movements and New Communities. This time the subject for discussion was of special importance, therefore; several Founders and International Representatives, as well as the usual Delegates attended. Schoenstatt was represented by Sister Mary Lisianne Braunbeck and Father Alberto Eronti. The subject that was discussed was the World Congress for Movements and New Communities and the encounter with Pope Benedict XVI which will take place in a vigil for Pentecost in the year 2006.
Monsignor Rylko, President of the Council, was in charge of the Introduction.
"We are here to decide about the subject which should be fundamental for all the Church," said Monsignor Rylko. "It is about a challenge and a task that we should fulfill jointly. The Holy Father told me on the first encounter, on the 19th of May, that he wanted to repeat what was done with the Movements and New Communities during Pentecost of 1998. In this context we should recall his magisterial intervention in the Congress of that year, where he presented an excellent and solid theology about this new initiative of the Spirit, as well as his thoughts and empathy. This decision is providential and it denotes a continuity of the Petrine ministry for the Movements and New Communities, which also indicates the continuity of a truly pastoral option of the Church."
The Pope calls us jointly to fulfill an important eclesial event
In the history of the Church, all contributions and spiritual change born as a response to the eclesial or social reality has been a point of reference for the Hierarchy. It is clear to the Pope that the Shepherds as well as the New Spiritual Movements, should allow themselves to be purified and taught by the Spirit which works in all the new charismas. That is why he has expressed his renewed confidence in the "creative minorities" which are the bearers of news of the Church of today. Therefore, we are here to show our gratitude for his confidence and we tell him that we want to collaborate with him. The Pope calls us to jointly fulfill an important eclesial event. It is about an initiative that should have great importance for the Church and its mission in the present world. We should be conscious of our responsibility, because the mission of the Church belongs to us. Pentecost of 1998 was a historic event, now we want to re-take it and carry to a greater fulness in which each one of the Movements and New Communities can manifest their charisma more abundantly and clearly. It should truly be an experience of communion in the mission. We hope that the Square will be constituted into a great Cenacle. The Church always returns to the Cenacle in order to again go forth with new zeal and renewed creativity. Pentecost is the feast of the Mission! We are called to first live and then teach the beauty and what the Church has to offer, so that its light of hope will illumine the nations. Pentecost is the hour of Mother Church, of the Family Church identified with its mission. An expression of Catholicity.
Boldness of creativity
"The encounter of Pentecost '98 was a powerful voice that the Holy Spirit wanted to utter for all the Church. We should clearly notice what all of that means. That is why we want to recall Pope John Paul II, who had the courage to open a path for us in all the Church: the charasmatic way of the Movements. At the beginning of the new millenium the Church should submerge itself in the pentecostal spirit, it is areality that asks us to develop the boldness of creativity. We are part of the response of the Spirit for the Church of today and we should not miss the opportunity.
It is the Church and her mission that calls us, welcomes us, and sends us forth. Movements and New Communities mean, Mission! The desire of the Pope to meet with us in Pentecost of 2006, is a sign of his confidence and recognition of eclesial maturity. Each one of our groupings should know where it stands in its eclesial maturity. Eclesial maturity is a dynamic concept, that implies continued movement and growth. The preparation of the Congress and the Vigil of Pentecost should be an examination of eclesial maturity for each of us. Together let us build an eclesial work! What will our methodology be? How will we prepare for the encounter? It should truly be a l school of eclesial maturity. We are here because we decided it was worthwhile to invest time and creativity to serve the Church and to actively participate in its mission. For this reason we want to make a generous offer: each charisma has something to give, each contribution is valuable. The Pontifical Council is a point of reference, but the Movements and the New Communities are the ones who have to show themselves and manfest themselves. It about giving testimony of what we are in the Church of today, and to show our point of development in missionary strength. In this context of preparation we should recall what Pope John Paul II called the primate of grace. Missionaries are made by contemplating on the face of Chirst! The mission begins with the encounter with Christ that sends us forth. It is with and from Christ, Gospel of the Father, that we want to respond to the challenges of the world. That is why in order to define the theme and the accents of the Congress and the Vigil, we want to allow ourselves to be "provoked by the Spirit".
Move away from the state of auto-reference
During the discussion in the plenary session, it was noted that the challenge of the Movements and the New Communities is to move away from the "state of auto-reference", in order to live and contribute to a more eclesial, more Catholic vision. the "eclesial maturity" asks us to give what is ours to the Church and in this way what is ours becomes eclesial. The Movements and New Communities reflect a real springtime for the Church and we do not want to do anything to make us old. The theme of the Congress and the Vigil should be: From the present to the future of the Church and the world. Movements and New Communities constitute a providential response to the challenge of the era which faces a part and the soul of the Church and the world.
Since '98 we were "recognized" and "confirmed" by John Paul II, but this did not mean we had overcome the relationship with the hierarchy and charismas. What we want is for the hierarchy to see us as an action of the Spirit for all the Church and not as a strange body.
Discipleship
The question was asked, What do we accent in the encounter of 2006? It was said, we could single out Jesus Christ, or a theological virtue..., but shouldn't it be the time to accent discipleship? Christ knows who is baptized for him, but does the baptized one who Christ is for him? The text of Matthew 16, 13-15, continues to be pedagogically enlightening: "And you, who do you say I am? What is important to Jesus is not what is "said", but what "I say" about Him. In this sense the theme for the Congress of Movements and New Communities organized by CELAM for March 2006 is interesting. Discipleship!
The disciple who has matured in his belonging to Christ and to the Church is he who can transmit joy, the joy of being a Christian.
The desire of the Pope for 2006 is a new sign that: the time for service by the laity, has arrived and become established in the Church. Laity who are committed, laity who are disciples, laity with an apostolic heart. Hence, the motto should be: form the disciple. We cannot ask nor expect that the layman be a disciple just because he is baptized, he must go through the path of growth about the basics of a pedagogy which will take him to a more abundant life in Christ.
"...there are ways to live the faith, which give vitality and joy"
In his closing words, Monsignor Rylko stressed: "The Council will make a list of all the contributions seeking the most noticeable ones that coincide and then it will call for an encounter as soon as summer is over. Let us not forget the kind of description that Benedict XVI makes about the Movements and the New Communities: "...there are ways to live the faith which give vitality and joy. Pope John Paul II would tell me, referring to the Church in the new millennium, that it would be more clearly Marian, for the simple reason that it should be a Church that is more open to the Spirit, simpler and simply committed with the world". We will meet after summer, we will keep working... Thanks to all!
The blessing of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine
I believe that what was started in this meeting, as well as what is already in progress for March 2006: The Congress of Movements and New Communities co-organized by CELAM and the Council, is something that should be assumed by the National Movement Centers. If in 1998 our presence in Rome was weak, it should not be that way next year. The blessing of the Matri Ecclesiase Shrine is a sign that is indicating what Providence is showing us and it is an appropriate time to live the "dilext ecclesiam", that the Father of the Family lived and left us as a task.
Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA