FOURTH DAY OF THE PROVINCIAL CHAPTER

• The fourth day of the Provincial Chapter began with the meditation animated by Fr. Loyola and the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr. S. Francis, SdC, the Provincial Councilor. In his homily he highlighted the three mission aspects of Jesus namely proclamation, reformation and revolution. In the footsteps of our Lord and our Holy Founder, Fr. Francis wished the members that the outcome of this provincial chapter may be revolution, if not at least reformation and that it does not remain only at the level of proclamation. 

• At the start of the office hours of the chapter, invited by Fr. Benson, the moderator of the day Fr. Shantham led the forum with a prayer song after which the members recited the prayer for the 5th Provincial Chapter. Then Fr. Moderator invited Fr. M. Periyanayagam the secretary to read out the minutes of the previous day and it was approved with few clarifications and additions. 

• Then Fr. Moderator let the members know the wishes they have received from the Guanellian family all around the world, reading out their names, after which he introduced Mr. Domnic Tilak, the World Council member for the Guanellian Co- operators and the president of the GC in Bangalore saying that he is of humble and approachable character in spite of being highly professional.

• Mr. Dominic began his talk by thanking the fathers for the opportunity and for their exemplary life he explained the reality of GC, GLM and GYM in India with clear statistical data and narrated the way the lay cooperation has developed gradually over the years. He also clarified the doubts of the members and gave enough explanations too. Fr. Moderator thanked Mr. Tilak for his valuable presence and for having clarified about the functioning of GC and GLM here in India, and invited Rev.Fr. Kulandai Samy and Rev. Fr. Gnanaraj to honour Mr. Dominic with a shawl and a present. 

• Then Rev. Fr. Provincial Superior invited by the Moderator, introduced the theme and the points of reflection for the day to the members. Portraying the exodus Journey of Israel as a model, He said that it is better to walk in wilderness for a better future than to remain tied up in the past and wished the members to come out with concrete proposals to create means to carry out the mission. 

• After the group discussions the secretaries of the groups Frs. Loyola, John Paul, Adaikalam and Samson presented the reports along with the proposals to the floor. The members intervened and clarified over the presented reports.

• Subsequently Fr. Provincial invited by the Moderator announced the proceeding for the next day, the last day of the 5th Provincial Chapter. He proposed a change of schedule with a session from 10.30 am– 12.00 pm for the miscellaneous hours followed by the meditation and the Holy mass and the proceedings of the office hours at 3 pm as usual and added that the members will vote on the proposals and manuals on the last day. 

• Rev. Fr. A. Satheesh Caniton SdC, the Provincial Councilor and the secretary on his part thanked all the members for their sacrifice and accommodating the overseas confreres in the forum. Finally the day concluded with the concluding prayer said by Rev. Fr. A. Adaikalam.

 - Secretaries

LET US WALK WITH THE HOLY FOUNDER TODAY AND TOMORROW!

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

First of all, I send you my personal greeting and best wishes, together with the wishes of the General Council, to all the chapter Fathers, gathered in the name of Spirit to discern a new path in the light of the witness of our holy Founder Father Luigi Guanella. The chosen theme of your chapter is very evident: Marching with the holy Founder today and tomorrow.

The Church reminds us very often: We are the bearers of the Charism, not of an ancient or obsolete charism, which is out of time. But we have received a charism which is born of the Spirit and alive in every time and place and it is applied to history, involving and promoting people of every time, nation and culture. Today, the Guanellian charism is very active unlike the other centuries and it is necessary for today’s Church and the world. Thus, we have received this gift from those who have preceded us on the journey of life.

This is the question in front of us; How will be the Guanellian charism tomorrow? Will it also be the same for the future? I would immediately answer ‘yes’, if it all and only depended on the Spirit. At the same time, it also depends on us, the privileged guanellians, but not only unique custodians of this charismatic gift. The happy and prosperous future of Guanellian charism will also depend on our way of life today, the way how we live the Guanellian style in first person. The charism will also depend on how we pass it on to the next generation in its integrity, but also in its actualization and conformity to the time and place where we live, which easily and quickly evolves and changes. Then, I would say, we are certainly traveling with don Guanella, but we are not going to do like him!

The Founder lived up to the task entrusted to him by the Spirit, Yes, he was a man of his time, with his skills and his personal intuition. He sanctified himself by living the responsibility of the charism that the Spirit had inspired in him. Our Constitutions number 1 affirms, "The Holy Spirit called the Founder, made him fervent in the charity and sent him to relieve the human suffering and don Guanella responded with the offering of his lifetime" (Decretum Laudis). 

But today’s guanellians must imitate Don Guanella by discerning and applying. The gift we have received today from the Spirit should be applied to our personal mission and that of the Congregation. In fact, today also, as our Founder did yesterday, the Spirit asks for a personal and community response appropriate to the time in which we live, in the human, cultural and religious context in which we are immersed and of which we are an integral part.

Here lies the fidelity, the newness, the beauty, the importance and applying the Guanellian charism in the Church and in the world today! And a Provincial Chapter, like yours, is called to make this reading, to discern the meaning, the charismatic value in the light of the geographical reality in which it lives and testifies to its charism of charity. So, You are capable, in these days, to find some lines of action and paths of life for a creative fidelity, not obsolete, repetitive!

Yes, we have so many references at our hand: first one is the Gospel and then the Constitutions and Regulations, the Magisterium of the Church and even the urgencies that the world around us invoke from us. We may be available to the Call of the Lord with dedication, but without this historical-cultural reading and above all, without personal involvement, like Guanella being faithful to all the trials without criticism and gossip, we would risk to carry on a fidelity to the charism and a mission that says little to the people who live next to us; We would risk to speak a different language to the men and women of our time and then they may not understand our language. So what shall we hand over to the next generation that is true and foundational? 

Remember that the Founder was clear in wishing us with his prophetic words, “It is necessary to give hand, mind and heart, to the point of becoming a victim for the poor of Jesus Christ, because it is written that the Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep" (R .1905).

This style which needs to be adapted should involve the whole reality of our life: from the moment of Call of God received in our life to share his project of life and to the formative journey towards the great stages of our life. This journey continues until the daily personal update and adaptation that history, the Church, the charism will ask from us.

I wish all the chapter confreres to have a strong experience of communion among you and a discernment that will bring a new creative charismatic prophecy to the whole Divine Providence Province and to the entire Congregation.

I give you my final words quoting number 2 of our Constitutions, "The Spirit also shares with us the grace and the evangelical inspiration of the Founder to carry on his ministry of charity in the Church"(C.2). Therefore, Be responsible for it!

Thanks for listening to me and have a good Provincial Chapter! 

Don Umberto Brugnoni, Superior General

Rome, September 28, 2021

THIRD DAY OF THE CHAPTER (Sep 29)

Proceedings of the Day 3

• The third day of the Provincial Chapter commenced with the meditation animated by Fr. Achariyam and the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr. Gnanaraj, SdC, the Provincial Councilor. In his reflection he highlighted the significant presence of the Archangels in our lives. He mentioned about three aspects of the angelic nature that all of us have: self, others and the circumstances. 

• At the start of the office hours of the chapter the members reciting the prayer for the 5th provincial chapter, Rev. Fr. Provincial requested Fr. Bernandes and Fr. Peter Joseph to sing a Holy Spirit hymn in Telugu. Rev. Fr. Gnanaraj, the moderator of the day, invited Fr. Shantham the secretary to read out the minutes of the previous day. It was approved with few clarifications and additions. 

• Then the forum welcomed Rev.Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam SdC, the former Provincial Superior and the present General Councilor who was honoured with a shawl by Rev. Fr. Peter Sebastian and a present by Rev.Fr. Provincial. In his address Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam said that the provincial chapter is nothing but of redefining the religious identity, refreshing the rules and constitutions. Showing our Founder as a model he said that action should come first then the words and invited us to become testimony of origins and said that amidst the storms of life in order to keep alive the Charism we have to help each other by praying, by giving mutual edification and by tolerating one another patiently in the defects. Wishing the best of luck for the fruitful chapter he concluded his address.
•  
• Then Fr. Moderator invited Fr. Provincial Superior to introduce the theme of the day to the forum. Fr. Provincial, reminding of the essence of community life and mission he exhorted the forum to come out with clear cut creative proposals and suggestions for the mission to the poorest on the presented questionnaire. The moderator presented the themes of the day (Recipients & Inclusion; Infrastructure, Programs and Educational projects; Consolidation and expansion; and study of formation manual) for the group discussion and requested the tellers to distribute the questionnaire to each group.

• After the group discussions the secretaries of the groups Frs. John Paul, Loyola Diraviyam, Adaikalam and Samson Rajasegaran presented the reports along with the proposals to the floor. The members intervened and clarified over the presented reports.

• Fr. Moderator announced the themes for reflection and the topics for the next day asking for the suggestions from the floor and all consented to the proposal. 

• Then Fr. Provincial requested Rev. Bro Franco Lain if he wished to suggest something having visited our mission centres and he responded in appreciating the developments of our structures in the mission centers. He suggested for the professional preparation of the confreres and the staff in the Guanellian way. He asked us to be vigilant in changing the Boys Home into paid hostel, giving preference for the poor ones. With regard to expansion in China, Korea, Indonesia, and Burma he reminded us of the presence of another Asian Delegation. He appreciated the group discussions which bring out the proposals.

• Succeeding Rev. Bro. Franco, Fr. Provincial Superior mentioned the proceedings of the previous days where we have discussed on fraternity, community life, formation and mission and now we have to work on looking into the needed development in resources, infrastructures for the better, qualitative and dignified service to the poorest. He urged the members for the regular annual planning and its execution ahead of time. He also mentioned about the challenges that we face in taking up the new missions temporarily. He congratulated all for their active participation in the group discussion. 

• The day concluded with the final prayer animated by the Moderator.

- Secretaries

SECOND DAY OF THE CHAPTER

Proceedings of the Day 2

• The second day of the chapter began with the meditation animated by Fr. Shantham and the Holy Eucharist presided over by Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy, SdC, the Vicar Provincial who invited the members to pray for the repose of the souls of Fr. Stephen Fernando and Fr. Lucas who were the instrumentals in sowing the seed of Guanellian vocations in India. In his preaching he highlighted the determined journey of Jesus towards Jerusalem and made an appeal to the members to be courageous to learn to grow in spite of the few struggles that we face, to be witnesses to the love of God and to be imitators of our Founder in holiness of self and the world. At the end of the Holy Mass Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam SdC, our General Councilor shared some of his fond memories with Fr. Stephen and expressed his heartfelt condolences to Rev.Fr. Ronald on behalf of the whole congregation and the chapter fathers.

• Fr. Mahesh Benson the moderator for the day began the official hours at 3:00 pm with the prayer and a hymn to the Holy Spirit was sung by the members. Then Fr. Provincial addressed the forum about the demise of Fr. Stephen Fernando, remembering also Fr. Lucas, Fr. John Duraisamy, Archbishop Antony Anandarayar who ordained most of our confreres and Fr. S.J. Antony Samy who helped for our beginnings here in India. 

• Then Fr. M. Periyanayagam, the secretary presented the recap of the previous day which was approved with few additions and clarifications.

• Then Rev. Fr. Umberto Brugnoni the Superior General was invited by the moderator to address the chapter fathers and he began saying that he was happy about the presence of Rev. Fr. Rathinam, representing the general council. He then gave his personal wish and blessing to all the chapter fathers. He said that our Charism is not outdated but need of the time and it will be the same in the future too. But the happy future and the prosperity of our Charism also depends on the way how we live it today personally and in the community and pass it on to the future generation. Finally he wished all the chapter fathers a strong experience of communion and a new prophetic creative charismatic renewal. 

• Thereafter Fr. Provincial Superior was invited by the moderator to guide and orient the session towards the group discussion on the proposed themes of the day: Vocation Promotion, Fraternal Life, Formation and Consecrated Life to be done in four groups: one for the confreres overseas in online and the other three for those offline.

• Fr. Provincial Superior then explained the works of the groups and committees: which has the duty to select the moderator and a secretary in order to formulate the motions and proposals and submit to the chapter secretaries to consolidate them; has to discuss the issues present making use of the documents prepared by the pre-chapter commission and on the report of the Provincial superior and the Treasurer.

• After the group works and discussions the reports were presented by the secretaries of the group along with few proposals. The members also intervened, shared, clarified and added their opinions as and when needed in regard to the four major themes concerning the day. 

• At the end Fr. Provincial Superior clarified about the proceedings of the day and thanked the group members. He made a request to be concise in their presentation of the group works and recommended to come out at least with few motions and proposals for the better editing and voting on the final day for the approval. He recommended and proposed for the study of the three manuals presented and suggested for the modification and rearrangements if needed. After thanking all for the wonderful participation concluded the day with an intercessory prayer to Mother Mary by reciting the Hail Mary.   

- Secretaries

FIRST DAY OF THE CHAPTER

Approved Minutes of the first day

• The fifth Provincial Chapter of Divine Providence Province began on 27th September, 2021 at 9:30 am with the Recollection in view of the preparation for the Chapter.

• 
  Fr. R. Jayapalan Sdb, the former provincial of Chennai Salesian province, highlighted the 14 habits of highly effective Guanellian, who has to be holy, a lover of the Eucharistic Jesus, committed to the Catholic faith and the Church Magisterium, obedient to the catholic hierarchy and religious superiors, to embody the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Promotes sacraments specially among the youth, constant and vigilant vocation hunter, fearless servant of God in the public square, prudent and transparent person in the community, builder of a spirituality of communion in community, A lover of Mother Mary, Our Lady of Providence, always promotes family values and helps build the catholic families, ready to emulate Christ’s suffering, never takes his eye from his life’s mission, puts his heart and soul to work for the church and the congregation, reaching out to the unreached, thus being a model priest. Followed by the talk at 11 am we had the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of reconciliation.

• Then, we began the Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam, SdC, the General Councilor and in his homily he highlighted four elements to be inherited and inculcated from our Holy Founder: to internalize the paternal inheritance of the Father, to take up the responsibility, to reconstruct the unfinished works and to provide the mother, means to serve the congregation.
• At 3 pm with the prayer service organized by Fr. A. Adaikalam, SdC along with the DGMS brothers who invoked the presence of God in the midst of the delegates of the Chapter both in online and offline. The members remembered and paid homage in silence for the two deceased confreres of our province namely Rev. Fr. A. John Bosco and Rev. Fr. Maria Balayesu.

• The fathers invoked the Holy Spirit by singing Veni Creator Spiritu, followed by the lighting of the lamp by Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam, the General Councilor, Rev. Fr. J. Ronald, the Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. A. Kulandai Samy, the Vicar Provincial, Rev. Fr. Peter Joseph, the first priest representing our presence in Andhra, and Bro. Carlos, the first confrere from Odisa.

• Then Fr. Provincial asked Fr. Periyanayagam to be the temporary secretary and Frs. Loyola and Vincent to be the temporary tellers for the preliminary acts of the chapter and invited Fr. Loyola to read out the convocation letter to the forum and the delegates of the chapter who were present assured their presence and Fr. Provincial declared the chapter to be officially open.

• Then Fr. Provincial after welcoming everyone present for the chapter invited Rev. Bro. Franco Lain, the link councilor for DPP to address the chapter fathers. In his address he appreciated and acknowledged the presence and contribution of our DPP confreres in being missionaries in all continents. But he also advised that it should not become a motive for pride instead should remind of the responsibility that awaits. He wished the fathers for the successful proceedings of the chapter.

• Then the forum proceeded for the election of the officers: Fr. R. Gnanaraj and Fr. K. Mahesh Benson were elected as Moderators; Fr. M. Periyanayagam and Fr. R. Shantham were elected as secretaries; and Fr. M. Loyola and Fr. M. Vincent were elected as tellers for the 5th Provincial Chapter and each one of them consented.

• 

  Subsequently, Rev. Fr. J. Ronald, Provincial Superior presented his elaborate and comprehensive report of the province in two sessions in the following categories: 1. Theme of the Fifth Provincial Chapter, 2. Confreres, 3. Houses and Mission, 4. Province. In the first session he presented the first two categories and after the break and the vespers animated by Fr. Benson, he continued with the presentation of the rest of categories. It was almost like a photograph of the reality of the entire province with the challenges we face and the proposals for the better future. Asked by Fr. Moderator, the chapter members gave a standing ovation to Fr. Provincial for his precise and elaborate report. The chapter fathers appreciated the report and clarified their doubts with Fr. Provincial.

• Then Fr. Dennis M. Weber, the Provincial Treasurer presented the financial report of the province with the statistical data of the assets, which was followed by the presentation of the elaborate report from Rev. Fr. S. Francis, the in charge of the Indian societies and Trust, who highlighted the present difficulties in dealing with the new rules of the Indian Government and the restrictions over the foreign contributions and the maintenance of the accounts with various banks. Both of them gave clarity over the doubts raised by the members.

• Then Fr. R. Gnanaraj, the moderator in consult with Fr. Provincial informed that the composition of the groups and the work explanations are cancelled due to the exceeding of the time which will be organized the next day before the session with the presidency council team and working team. Finally the first day came to an end with the prayer said by Rev. Fr. Francis.

- Secretaries

GREETINGS FROM THE CONFRERS

• Fr. Luigi de Giambattista, Manila: Dear Confreres, as you are gathered to celebrate the 5Th DPP provincial Chapter, let me express on behalf of our Stella Maris Delegation's confreres our fraternal and heartfelt wishes for a fruitful work guided by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the felt presence of Don Guanella. 

  I still cherish the memories of the First Two Chapter of the DPP that by grace of God i had the opportunity to attend in your midst. I rejoice with all of you for what Divine Providence has made grow and expand in the past ten years. Be trustful and courageous to aim high at holiness while exploring new paths and ways to further spread and enculturate the beautiful Charism that we have received.

  May the missionary zeal of our Founder keep you always open to go and serve in the front lines of the guanellian mission wherever the cry of the poor is louder and their needs are more urgent. Thank you for helping our new Delegation sprout from the tree of the DPP and start offering God's fruits to the poor living in these Islands of the Pacific. God bless you all. Rest assured of our prayerful accompaniment.

• 

  Prayers of Vatluru children

  Fr. Praveen, SdC: Dear confreres hearty congratulations. May the spirit of the Lord fall upon each one of the chapter participants to come up with constructive ideas, suggestions and proposals for the growth of the congregation in India and see through the eyes of Christ to attend the emerging assistance of today's world. Charity never dies as long as there are poor to be assisted to the best of our ability. All the very best. May God bless you dear fathers!

• Guanella Karunalaya Community, Vatluru: Rev. Fr.  Ronald, Provincial Superior of Divine Providence Province We, the Guanella Karunalaya community confreres along with boys of our orphanage Wishing you all the Best for the 5th provincial chapter. We are praying for you and all participates of the chapter. 

• Fr. Anil Merugu, Cuddalore: Marching with our Holy Founder today and tomorrow. On the spirit filled moments of Our Divine Providence Province, I wish to express and assure that God bless the special moment accompanying everyone to make a good evaluation that would enhance our Founder's vision and mission in our Province. May God closely lead you all with good health and mind during the chapter. My sincere appreciation and prayers in advance for the success of the chapter.  May our Holy Founder assist everyone to march with him today and tomorrow. 

• Fr.Anandhan SdC: Prayers and wishes to all the confreres those who are participating in the fifth Provincial Chapter. May Almighty God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit may guide you all to plan for the welfare of our Divine Providence Province and Congregation. Mother of Divine Providence and Our Founder St. Louis Guanella may intercede for all of you. I assure my sincere prayers to All.... 

FIFTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER of DPP

The Fifth Provincial Chapter of the Divine Providence Province was announced by Fr. Provincial Superior already and its theme was: “Marching with the Holy Founder: Today and Tomorrow (10th Anniversary of Canonization)” Here are some guidelines and recommendations of the Provincial Chapter. 

 

Venue of the Chapter

Don Guanella Major Seminary

23, Old Police Station Road,

Karayanchavadi, Poonamallee,

Chennai – 600056

Tamil Nadu – India

Time and Duration of the Chapter

The Chapter will begin on Monday, September 27, 2021. It is foreseen that the chapter will end on Friday, October 1, 2021.

The time schedule for the chapter will be as follows:

• India: 3pm to 9 pm
• Italy: 11.30 am to 5.30 pm
• USA: 5.30 am to 11.30 am

“Instrumentum Laboris”

The Provincial Council has formed a Pre-Chapter Committee composed of Fr. Ronald, Fr. Dennis M. Weber, Fr. Adaikalam, Fr. John Paul and Fr. Periyanayagam. These confreres are tasked to consolidate the local chapter contributions of reflection sent by the Communities/Residence in view of formulating “Instrumentum Laboris”, a working document. This helped in the immediate preparation for the Chapter. 

Some Reminders and Recommendations

• All the Chapter Delegate Confreres are encouraged to intensify the personal and spiritual preparation and to be aware of the responsibility of representing and giving voice to their communities and to the wide number of our poor.

• There were opportunities for the weekly community hour of Eucharistic Adoration spent to implore for the grace of the Lord for a fruitful Provincial Chapter.

• All the delegates for the Provincial Chapter are encouraged to continue to study, discuss and reflect on all the available documents related to the Provincial Chapter, in order to come to a better understanding of the concerns and challenges, so that the Provincial Chapter will be able to make sound and wise decisions in order to respond to the signs of the times and the needs of the society, the Church and the Congregation. 

• A review of the Fourth DPP Chapter Acts and other related documents such as the 20th General Chapter materials, DPP Statutes, Instrumentum Laboris, Constitutions and Regulations, PEG and other essential documents will be an effective preparation to the upcoming Chapter event.

• The suggestions, requests and proposals were also submitted by individual Confreres directly to the Provincial Superior or to the Chapter Assembly.

• The Guanellian Sisters, Co-operators, GLM, GYM, Staff, Benefactors, Parishioners and the poor who are entrusted to our care join us in praying for God’s blessings for the effective Provincial Chapter invoking St. Louis Guanella’s intercessions.