Full
Text of Statements from Women Auditors
Ms.
Natalja FEDOROVA BOROVSKAJA, Professor at the State Humanistic University in
Russia
and at the Russian Academy of Fine Arts (RUSSIAN FEDERATION) I am a teacher of the History of art so my
intervention is connected with ¤22d of Instrumentum Laboris where art shows us
as an instrument of "a spiritual reading of the Bible". We have just
listened to the beautiful reflections of the ex. bishops from Roumania and
Germany about the role of art in our contacts with the Holy Scripture.
For me the Christian art, especially
Russian icons and Italian Renaissance painting became a route to the space of
God' s life. I was born in the USSR - the country of state atheism. I've never
thought about the God and nobody spoke with me about Him except the works of
art, music and literature.
Today
I teach the history of art. And the main question for me - what methods and
conception of the teaching can help my students to meet the love of God through
their studies. And it's evident: they will find their Father only if I'll be
able to remain in the space of His Word. But how to stay there in the situation
of lecture or seminar when it's necessary to decide the concrete professional
problems? In this case three moments are important:
1.
To receive the work of art in the heart like a prayer of painter. Giving a
lecture to understand that you are staying in the atmosphere of this prayer
like a priest for his liturgical celebration stays in the eternal prayer of
Christ.
2.
To look at the history of art with the spiritual attention trying to read its
deep religious symbolism. I think that the Church must pray constantly for all
the masters and art historians because the life of art in the world is the
sacred history of God's mercy.
3.
To look at the person of artist in the light of the God's love. We see that
often the painter's biography is the crossway, and the content of the cross
consists of his sins, mistakes and temptations, that unfortunately are too
well-known. Not every painter lived like fra Beato Angelico. Why in spite of
the dark circumstances of their life they could create their high- spiritual
works? The concept of these phenomena is not only scientific. This is a history
of art as a history of the Word of God, the history of Salvation for that the
Eternal Word - Jesus Christ - is ready to suffer, to be crucified and to die in
the soul of every painter for the rising in his talent that was created by the
Farther like a language of His Beloved Son. [00239-02.04] [UD016] [Original
text: English]
- Sr. M. Viviana BALLARIN, O.P., Superior General of the Dominican
Sisters of St.
Catherine of
Siena, President of the Union of Superiors Major of Italy (U.S.M.I.) (ITALY)
I refer to
numbers 25 and 52 of the Instrumentum Laboris. There is a mysterious and very
close bond between the Word and woman. It is the experience of a many
consecrated women who, called by name, have not resisted the attraction of the
Divine Word pronounced in their lives, women who with the concern of Mary run
along the paths of many human stories, carrying the Word in their bosom and
extending it to those who hunger and thirst for the truth, to all, even to
those who do not know how to seek it. Women, conscious and pleased to make
their energies available so that hope, love, dignity, tenderness, and even
beauty might live within every human heart.
In an orphaned
society, turned inward onto itself, consecrated women become a living exegesis
of the Word of God which continues to embody itself in the concreteness of
their lives which are consigned, itinerant, filled with good works, completely
dedicated, at times even to the point of martyrdom.
They are this
for all people, even for those who do not recognize them, for those whom it is
difficult or even dangerous to approach, those avoided. Reaching the most
hidden corners of human existence, spaces or situations where homilies cannot
be given, but only shouted with the power of silence which becomes presence and
following, action and service, caring caress..
Many
consecrated/religious women tireless witnesses, dispensers of the Word of God
which is Father and mother. They live amidst school desks and prisons, hospital
beds and on the streets, near the drug addicts, those suffering AIDS, women
exploited by prostitution, by the elderlyÕs side and by abused children, close
to destroyed families, or the homeless or the unemployed, close to all the sick
of any sort, the tender presence in every corner of the world.
This multitude
of untiring women dispensers of the Word are the face of the Mother Church with
their motherÕs hands and heart, they are her fruitful womb, they are the place
where God can meet man and man can meet his God.
That this
motherÕs face and heart, reflected by a passionate Love which seeks its
children, may be expressed with effectiveness in the final document of the
Synod of the Word of God and even more so in the daily word of the Church
Herself.
[00238-02.04]
[UD015] [Original text: Italian]
- Sr.
Apollinaris SHIMURA YURIKO, C.S.M., Superior General of the Sisters of Charity
of
Miyazaki (JAPAN)My home land is Japan, where only 0,4% of the 120
million inhabitants are Catholic. However, Japan is also a country where the
Bible is one of the books most read and
appreciated also
by non Christians and especially among cultured people. For the children
Bible is
available in cartoons (MANGA) and for the lovers of sacred music a vast
repertory of
excellent music
is available.
Despite so much
admiration and sympathy for Christian culture and ethics, Japan remains a
ÒLand of
MissionÓ where many people have never heard the Gospel and are awaiting it to
be
proclaimed a
first time.Ó (instr. Lab. N. 43).
The first task
of religious persons who live and work in Japan, is to make the First Proclamation
of the Word of God. This is done through the witness of life, different works
of charity, among which teaching is particularly useful. For example, it always
moving to see the impact that Nursery School children have on their parents
when they tell the story of Jesus they have learned in school.
However, the
first evangelization implies walking slowly, waiting patiently awaiting and the
certainty that God makes His Kingdom grow in silence, without our knowledge and
despite
our limitations.
In these 60
years since World War II Japanese society has begun an un restrained rush
towards
economic
development. But this has also provoked grave harm, including the fact that
Japan has the tenth highest suicide rate in the world, especially among young people.
ÒIf we listen, we can hear from the families, and from the workplace, the cry
of people in continual pain, because they are crushed by the utilitarian
structure of a society that looks exclusively at economic well-being (Message
by Japanese Bishops 2001)
Face with the
challenges posed by such societies, we religious men and women feel weak and
inadequate, but we cannot close our ears to the cries of suffering or to GodÕs
call to proclaim to our people the Gospel of life and of universal brotherhood
to oppose the violence, which as well as destroying natural resources also
causes discrimination and death. As noted in Instrumentum laboris no. 43, there
are many obstacles to proclaiming the Gospel.
In Asia and
Japan, in order to follow Christ as true disciples, we feel the need to open
ourselves more and more to His Friendship through the interiorization of the
Word of God. On the 24th of next month (November) at Nagazaki in Japan 188
Japanese martyrs will be beatified. The Church in Japan, as in other Asian
nations, has as the foundation of its faith the testimony of many martyrs. By
following their example and with their intercession, we too will be able to
face the difficulties without discouragement and we will be able to complete
the mission of prophecy with which we have been entrusted. For this, I would
ask all of you to take part in a special prayer. .
[00281-02.08]
[UD032] [Original text: Italian] 10/17
- Ms. Teresa Maria WILSNAGH, Regional Director of the Bible
Foundation "Catholic Bible
Foundation"
(C.B.F.) of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg (SOUTH AFRICA)
Not many people
are aware of the Catholic Biblical Federation who, next year celebrate their
40th
anniversary. The CBF is involved in the biblical pastoral apostolate with
members all over
the world.
Within the CBF there is a strong network of support among the members
concerning the different means of bringing Scripture to all people.
Within South
Africa we have developed different programmes in a creative way on how to
bring the Bible
to all people in an exciting way. The word "formation" does not sit
well with me - I prefer the word "empower". We give the people of all ages - from the very
young to the not so young - an encounter of the living presence of God / Jesus
in the Bible. Many people are afraid to open their Bible and we show them you
come as you are; God speaks to us in our every day lives, God speaks to us
through others & God speaks to us in His word.
I find it
impossible to share Scripture with others if I had not made the word my own -
internalised it myself and listened! The following comment had been made within
the Synod - our lives are a witness to others, what we do is much stronger than
what we say! Our programmes incorporate simple methods of Bible study, sharing
& prayer. We show people you do not need to be a scholar to hear God
speaking. Within Lectio Divina, they see how they can come to text several
times; read, reflect and respond to the message that God has for them through a
specific text.
With the young
we invite them to share in a creative way eg. song, drama, protest march etc,
their understanding of a specific text. Even a simple Lectio Divina has been
developed for the youth. People are encouraged to use the coming Sunday' s
Gospel reading, so that when they come to Mass they have already spent some
time with the Word. God speaks to them again when the Word is proclaimed and
when the word is opened within the homily.
We have
encountered people who can not read or write but have memorised texts; their
love for the Word is powerful. We have had the occasion where we were given
time within the Mass, at the time of the homily, to bring of our programme to
the parishioners. As we know, for most at Mass, it is their only encounter of
Scripture and many walk long distances for this opportunity to celebrate the
Eucharist and the Word.
We empower
people to take Scripture and make it their own; empower people to bring
Scripture to others by training them in our methods so that the Word can spread
even further! The word of God is powerful, able to achieve anything it has been
sent out to do. You just need to accept it in faith!
[00232-02.02]
[UD009] [Original text: English]
-
Ms. Maria VOCE, President of Focolari Movement (ITALY) From the dawn of the Focolari Movement, Chiara
Lubich, together with a small group of friends, took up a spiritual path
indicated by a profound rediscovery and life of the Gospel. The effect of this
life was the birth of a community formed by those, coming into contact with each
other, who began in turn to live the Gospel with commitment and enthusiasm,
sharing their many surprising experiences.
The
Word of God occupies a central position today as well. The Word is experienced
as a spring of God (cf. DV 7) from which to drink, with which to nourish oneÕs
soul, in the same way as with the Eucharist (cf. DV 21). The custom of mutually
sharing experiences resulting from a life of the Word leads to the rise of
evermore authentic evangelization.
Therefore,
we can understand ChiaraÕs yearning to leave the Gospel to those who would
follow her. She said: ÒThat which remains and will remain forever is the
Gospel, which is not subject to the erosion of timeÓ (...) Òthus the Work of
Mary will remain on earth truly as the other Mary: all Gospel, nothing but the
Gospel, and, because it is the Gospel, it will not dieÓ.
[00227-02.03]
[UD004] [Original text: Italian]
-
Ms. Michelle MORAN, President of International Catholic Council of Charismatic
Renewal
Services
(I.C.C.R.S.) (GREAT BRITAIN) Commenting
upon the essential relationship that exists between the Holy Spirit and the
Word of God( IL.3). The Charismatic Renewal helps to foster a new openness to
the graces and gifts and of the Holy Spirit. It is involved in producing
resources to help people not just to have access to the Scriptures, important
as this is, but also to have life changing experiences through encountering the
Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
When
people come alive in faith there is a hunger for the Word of God. Some people
fail to have this hunger satisfied due to poor homiletic preaching.
Undoubtedly, there is more to be done in the area of clergy training in
homiletics. However, if preaching is to come alive it requires an openness and
docility to the power of the Holy Spirit. I would like to suggest that all
those involved in the ministry of preaching and proclamation are also offered
opportunities to experience a renewal of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
In
IL, part III 'the Word of God in the Mission of the Church,' before beginning
his public ministry we are told that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and
led by the Spirit (LK 4:1). The Holy Spirit is therefore an essential
prerequisite for effective Evangelisation and Mission. Prayerful
attentiveness
to the Word of God guided by the Holy Spirit will protect us from over activism
and lead us into fruitful missionary engagement with the World. [00240-02.03] [UD017] [Original text:
English]
-
Sr. Evelyne FRANC, F.d.C., Superior General of the Daughters of Charity of
Saint Vincent
de'
Paoli (FRANCE)
1.
The Word of God at the heart of our lives (Instrumentum laboris no. 24, 38, 52)
The Word wakes us every morning and follows us throughout the day, in the
liturgy of Hours, the Eucharist, the times of prayer and the service. It is at
the same time sweet as honey and bitter as bile; it comforts and moves, makes
us go forth, and disorients us.
Sharing
the Word (Lectio divina) reanimates our apostolic commitment, it is the
unifying factor and the way to forgiveness, reconciliation and discernment. It
is even more necessary today when, in the five continents, the Sisters close to
the heart and the lives of the poor, are sometimes confronted by situations of
extreme difficulty. Sharing the Word then strengthens their feeling of
belonging to Christ, ties them once again to the community that sends them, to
the mission of the Church.
2.
Proclaiming the Word through our service for the poor. (Instrumentum laboris
no. 36, 39, 43, 44) The Word moves us to serve not only to fight material
hunger, poverty, it moves us to work for a world where all are respected, it
moves us to denounce injustice. A dual reading of the Word imposes: to live the
life of the poor in the light of Scriptures and to read Scriptures from the
viewpoint of the poor. They are sacrament of Christ among us, these poor who
evangelize us. In conclusion, two words on the proclamation of the Word in the
pastoral ministry of youth and popular piety.
The
youth from the five continents enthusiastically answer the challenges mentioned
during the World Youth Day: ÒYou are salt for the earth... You are light for
the world.Ó (Mt 5:13-14) in Toronto, we Òhave come to do him homageÓ (Mt 2:2)
in Cologne, Òyou will receive the power
of
the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnessesÓ (Ac
1:8) in
Sydney.
The young persons await these challenges from us and are ready to pick them up
when
we
walk by their sides, living of this Word and knowing how to explain it to them.
Number 36 of the Instrumentum laboris mentions popular piety, let us give an
example: The miraculous medal offered to so many persons throughout the world
is a humble catechetical instrument, a summary of the history of salvation that
allows the proclamation of the Word of God. This Word, Mary, the Eucharistic
woman, our model of spiritual life, fully received and shares it with us
completely.
[00237-02.02]
[UD014] [Original text: French]
-
Ms. Ewa KUSZ, President of the World Conference of Secular Institutes (C.M.I.S.)
(ITALY)
In
this Synod, I represent the secular institutes, whose members wish to be a sign
of the unlimited belonging to Christ in the world. In my intervention I would
like to focus attention on man, who must embrace and live according to the Word
of God. To listen to the other - be it God or man - the person must first have
experienced being heard by someone. We are living in a world where too many
words are spoken without being listened to, because it is almost impossible to
find a silent place in which to hear them. It is a world where man listens to,
above all, his own needs and tries to satisfy them.
1.
Therefore, if we wish to have people listen to the Word of God, those that
proclaim it must first practice it in listening to the Word. They must learn to
listen to God and to men. I believe that formation in the major seminaries, but
also the permanent formation of priests, should not only transmit the
intellectual knowledge of Holy Scripture, but also find the time to encounter
God and practice the ability to listen to His Word. Apart from the ability to
communicate, above all, the availability and the ability to listen should be
developed.
2.
The Working Document encourages the laity to Òproclaim the Good News to men in
all situations of lifeÓ. I would like to underline that this ÒproclamationÓ of
the Word of God by the laity often occurs without a word being said. In fact,
it occurs through the simple daily witness at home, at work and in the
neighborhood. This ÒsilentÓ apostolate, comparable to leaven, is our main task.
Only secondarily, some of us are animators in the various Bible groups in the
parishes and elsewhere. Therefore, I ask that those responsible give the laity
more trust, because we truly practice in our daily lives the hidden Òservice of
the WordÓ. I think it is important that the experience of the laity committed
in the Church should be taken seriously and together we should find proper ways
of ÒproclamationÓ, since, in life we are closer to those to whom the Word is
proclaimed. [00229-02.02] [UD006] [Original text: German]
-
Sr. Jocelyne HUOT, S.F.A., General President of the "Les Brebis de
JŽsus" Movement,
QuŽbec
(CANADA) ÒI am the good shepherd; I
know my own and my own know me [...] ÒI have come so that they may have life
and have it to the full.Ó (Jn 10:14).
These
are the founding words of the evangelical movement ÒThe Flock of JesusÓ (born
in April 1985). Love unveils itself, Love thirsts for us. Who welcomes this
revelation of mildness and force at the same time? The child, because he
thirsts to be loved. ÒHere I am Jesus, I am your flock. Through your Holy
Spirit, lead me into the heart of the Father!Ó This Biblical image of the
shepherd and the flock is not attained by breaking the parent-child
relationship. Therefore, it offers a marvelous path of discovery of the love of
God for each of us. The entire pedagogy of the movement is based on the power
of the Word of God. It is presented as the seed of life, called upon to bear
fruit. It asks to be received in an open and attentive heart. Each encounter is
privileged by this listening and is placed in the presence of Love.
The
Word of God is also presented as the loving nourishment prepared by the
Shepherd for His
flock.
Each evangelical experience is comparable to a banquet where the nourishment is
offered to each child personally, shared and eaten in an atmosphere of joy and
communion. Finally, the Word of God is presented as a light of love. At the
same time that intelligence is enlightened, the heart is set ablaze by a new
flame which brings with it a missionary breath. The movement grows by the force
of its witness and in the mystery of the Cross. [00230-02.02] [UD007] [Original text: French]
-
Ms. Agnes Kam Leng LAM, President of Catholic Biblical Association of Hong
Kong
(CHINA)
1.
The Word of God for the Church to shepherd todayÕs people in todayÕs world. The
Church
should
respond to the daily behavioral pattern of today's people, by adjusting her
mode of showing forth the Word of God, so that today's people may come to know
Jesus Christ, follow him, finding in him the destiny of their lives.
-
Simple method for the complex world. Examples of simple method: recitation,
Lectio Divina
-
Reading bible is like eating, a home-made soup prepared with love and time is
delicious,
while
fast food is tasteless.
-
Strive for living out the Word of God today and invite for taking part in the
life and mission
of
the Word of God.
-
Invite the Holy Father to open a multi-language blog to shepherd today's world:
dailyscriptural verse with simple reflection, brief text and plentiful images.
2.
The Word of God for the Church to shepherd todayÕs faithful Bible formation for
the laity
-
Drill on close listening to the Word of God: 'Reading the Bible, entering the
heart of the
Lord.'
(Sr. Maria Ko, FMA, cf. Jn 14:20; Ph12:5)
-
Basic drill on opening the Book of the Bible including formation on the
attitude of Bible reading: attend to what the bible says, more than exegesis
-
Survival kit on basic bible knowledge.
-
In view of the demand for speed, return, variety and touch of life, try to
stimulate a stable interest in Bible reading for the laity, through a basic
bible program of sufficient length, so that the faithful may accustom to settle
themselves at the feet of the Word of God.
Encourage
Bible reading groups
-
Laity needs community experience or partner support in bible reading and
sharing
-
Reminder on the skills and attitude of bible sharing
-
Bible Pastoral Ministry Formation for the facilitators for Bible reading or
sharing groups,
including
the development of methods for Bible sharing, should be tailor-made from or in
response
to local situation. I propose to adopt Òsimple method for a complex worldÓ.
[00231-02.02] [UD008]
[Original text: English]
Sr.
M. Clare MILLEA, A.S.C.J., Superior General of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart
of
Jesus
(UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) The Instrumentum laboris, with its seven specific
references to consecrated life, as well as three references to community life
clearly challenges our congregations and each of us personally to contribute to
this ecclesial event. As religious, the following of Christ set forth in the
Gospels is our supreme rule, and union with God through the profession of the
evangelical counsels is our purpose for being. (Perfectae Caritatis, 2a, e).
The
founders and foundresses of religious congregations were enlightened by a spark
of the Word of God which the Holy Spirit ignited in their hearts, causing each
charism and Rule to spring from that Word and be an expression of it. (cf.
CIVCSVA, Starting Afresh from Christ, no. 24).
The
charism of the Servant of God Clelia Merloni, Foundress of the Apostles of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, has its origin in the Heart of Christ pierced on the
Cross for the redemption of the world (cf. Jn. 19,34). She calls her daughters
to bring to all people the Word that illuminates, the faith that saves, the
example that convinces, the self-sacrifice that redeems, and the infinite and
merciful love that bursts forth from the very Heart of Jesus.
In
occasion of the preparation and celebration of this Synod, many of our local
communities have recommitted themselves to personal and community lectio divina
and are seeking ways to promote prayerful reading of the Scriptures among the
people with whom they serve, particularly young people.
We
have also begun a Congregation-wide campaign of solidarity to provide Bibles
for youth and families who cannot afford one and who are willing to learn to
read and pray Scripture along with our Sisters.
Apostles
from 13 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America have been
sharing with me their experiences of personal transformation through the power
of the Word, even in the lives of non-Christians.
We
are grateful for the Synod's encouragement and prayer for all of us who have
chosen to follow Christ in the way of the evangelical counsels. We promise you
our faithful and loving obedience and our joyful collaboration in the great
evangelizing mission of the Church.
[00236-02.02] [UD013]
[Original text: English]
-
Ms. Silvia SANCHINI, National Woman's President of the Italian Catholic
University
Federation
(F.U.C.I.) (ITALY) Two fundamental
considerations: the importance of the Word in the lives of young people and the
link between Word and life and therefore also between Word and study.
The
Word can and must be a real beacon, lighting the path for young people, helping
them understand, helping them to discover their vocation, especially in this
difficult phase distinguished by what the Pope has defined a real Òeducational
emergencyÓcharacterized by new forms of malaise and violence.
Study
too can help in the discovery of the importance of hearing and living the Word.
The Gospel and culture, faith and intelligence are not opposites. On the
contrary, they can provide mutual nourishment and foster the growth of a mature
and believing conscience. I would suggest that serious and well-defined
proposals are made to help promote the encounter between young people and the Word.
Above all the experience of the Lectio divina, for personal and communal
prayer, but also days and weeks devoted to youth Bible study - preferably in
collaboration with monastic communities. My hope is that more and more young
people rediscover the primacy and centrality of the Word in their life.
[00241-02.03] [UD018] [Original text: Italian]
-
Sr. Janice SOLUK, S.A.M.I., Superior General of the Handmaids of the Blessed
Virgin Mary the Immaculate, Rome (ITALY) Our congregation founded in Ukraine in 1892 is of Pontifical rite, the
first Apostolic Congregation in the Eastern Byzantine Tradition, the Ukrainian
Greek Catholic Church. Being a Ukrainian Catholic congregation we are very
close to the heart of our people. Even during the Communist era the sisters
never abandoned our people. As an underground church and at great risk to
themselves, the sisters continued to catechize, encourage and strengthen
believers as well as to arrange for priests to visit the sick and dying in the
hospitals.
The
Eastern mentality is one of the heart rather than of intellect and as such the
5 senses are very much involved and are central to our celebrations. The
reading of Holy Scripture in all services is
very
important. Before Vatican II, we did not have any Bibles available in the
vernacular, -Ukrainian, they were only in old Slavonic which most did not
understand. If one did have a Bible, it was placed in a special place, kissed
and shown great reverence, but not read for daily nourishment. In Ukraine under
Communism the Bibles taken away and prohibited. Only since 1990 have Bibles and
spiritual books began to appear, to be hungered for and to have an impact.
Today Sacred Scripture is the Sisters most important rule of life.
Three
traditions show the importance and value the people have placed on the reading
of the Bible
from
earlier times until today.
1
)Individuals kneel under the Gospel Book as the scripture is being read. They
then kiss the book and return to their
places.
2)
During the Gospel reading adults, families or children are called to the front,
and hold candles -a great
privilege. All kiss the Scriptures at the end.
3)
Local women beautify the altar, icons, and pulpit from which the Gospel is read
by intricately embroidering
linens on which the Bible rests. In Ukraine our sisters are again teaching children,
youth and adults how to use scripture, to read and pray them so as to meet
Jesus the living
word.
We
as women religious, a Congregation dedicated to Mary the Mother of God take her
as our model. We try to incarnate the Word of God in ourselves, in order to
continue to transmit the Jesus life within us to others in our ministry, so
that Christ may ever be the light of the world to all.
[00273-02.02] [UD031]
[Original text: English]1-/17
-
Sr. Marija Ana KUSTURA, S.M.I., Superior General of the Handmaidens of Baby
Jesus,
President
of the Union of Superiors Mjor of Croatia (CROATIA)
From
the Instrumentum laboris (III, chapter 7), I will only refer to apostolic
consecrated life.
Too
often in the lives of our communities and congregations, the Word of God is not
sufficiently the Word of Life, which must be translated into a commitment in
the concrete life of the Church. Often, we first think about the communities,
constitutions, congregations, without keeping in mind the concrete needs and
problems of the local Churches. The general tendency is turning in on oneself,
blocking us from hearing the needs of the Church. Sectarian drifting can come
from this, blocking us from hearing the Word of God and different calls from
the Magisterium of the Church. The Word of God should lead us to keep in mind
the teachings of the Holy Father in his different interventions, of the
Magisterium as well as the pastors of our local Churches who for us, religious
persons, should be a guide and a reference in our life as consecrated persons.
It is up to the Superiors who are responsible to watch over this, so that this
dimension of the tie is lived correctly in a spirit of charity. In this month
of October, Saint Theresa of Avila can introduce us into this mystic life of
communication with Jesus and his teaching through the Word and his love towards
the Church.
And
the Little Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face teaches us how we,
the consecrated persons, can be missionary at the same time as being his
example, the love in the heart of the Church our Mother.
[00233-02.02]
[UD010] [Original text: French] 1-/17
-
Ms. Elvira GO, Assistent of the Bible Pastoral (PHILIPPINES) My involvement with the National Catholic Family
Bible Quiz in the Philippines has been an
experience of choice, change and challenge inspired by the Holy Spirit.
An
experience of choice. It was in 1997 that I experienced the Lord' s presence
with his message "I exist". The Holy Spirit, "the Lord, the
giver of life" reawakened my faith in the living God. This religious
experience led me to many surprises beyond my personal choices like my
involvement with the National Catholic Family Bible Quiz.
An
experience of change. The participants in the Family Bible Quiz experienced the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This experience of change
reflects no. 41 of Instrumentum Laboris: "The Word questions, exhorts and
incites the believer on the road of discipleship and in the
following
of Christ; prepares a person to accept the transforming action of the Spirit;
greatly promotes communion and the creation of deep bonds of fellowship; and
inspires commitment
to
spreading the Word."
An
experience of challenge. The Family Bible Quiz in the Philippines is a
collaboration of families with the support of our lay volunteers, religious,
priests, bishops and the media. How to continue this project is a challenge for
all of us but we trust in the Holy Spirit who inspires and gives life to each
of one of us. It is the Word of God that "nourish the life of the
believer, there by creating a biblical spirituality: a deep interiorizing of
the Word; persevering in trials with the Word's inspiration ... " (no. 41,
Instrumentum Laboris). To persevere is to face the challenges of this work.
[00267-02.02]
[UD025] [Original text: English]
-
Sr. Euphrasie BEYA, President of the Union of Superiors Major in the Democratic
Republic
of
Congo (U.SU.MA.) (CONGO R.) My
intervention refers to no. 51 of the Instrumentum laboris on the duties of the
laity. ÒAs members of the Church through Baptism and sharers in ChristÕs
priestly, prophetic and royal office, the lay faithful participate in the
salvific mission which the Father entrusted to his Son for the salvation of all
peoples (LG 34-36)... They are also called to allow the newness and the power
of the Gospel to shine out everyday in their family and social lifeÓ.
I
think about the role that the women in Africa play in the proclamation of the
Word of God, the catechists who are mothers, the readers, the teachers, the
educators, the professors. I think about the action of the mother, in a special
way, in the initiation of children to Holy Scriptures in the family. She lives
with the child more than anyone else, she knows how, to raise her hearing for
the Word of God and to help enter this personal relationship with God. Often it
is the mother who communicates to the child Christian values, such as
forgiveness,sharing...
To
better fill this educating mission, the African woman needs, not only the Word
of God but
also
Biblical formation. She is in search of the knowledge of her faith: to know not
only the
traditional
values of the culture but also the roots of faith in the tradition of the
universal Church so that she may Ògrow firm in power with regard to your inner
selfÓ (Eph 3:16) in the
love
of Christ and through her life and her words that she may Òalways have [her]
answer
ready
for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you haveÓ (1 Pet 3).
From
here the importance of Biblical formation to better enter within the Scriptures
because
knowledge
is the source of Love, the gift of the Holy Spirit who leads to the gift of our
being of God in charity. This is the example of the Blessed Annuarite, a
religious woman who died a martyr for the radicalism of her evangelical
counsels.
This
Biblical formation is even necessary for the mothers in the villages who are
often the
victims
of sectsÕ manipulations. For the woman who cannot read or write, it is
important to promote the oral transmission of Bible passages because, being of
an oral tradition, they are very capable of memorizing and internalizing. For
mass media, to organize Biblical formations according to their level.
[00268-02.02] [UD026] [Original text: French]
-
Prof. Rigoberto ANGARITA, Professor at the Institute of St. Joseph of the
Salesian Fathers
at
St. Cristobal (VENEZUELA) I wish to
glorify God, One and Triune for his infinite goodness and mercy, which allows
me to participate with all of you in this assembly.
My
joy is even greater in listening to the speeches presented in these days, which
underline the concerns that, as shepherds of our Church, emerge with regard to
the splendid theme chosen
by
His Holiness for this Synod.
As
a lay person, I share many of these concerns, as our people are needy on
economic, political and socio-cultural levels; but, without a doubt, the
greatest need consists in the thirst and hunger for God and His Word; the Word
that gives life, the Word that transforms, frees, heals and redeems.
The
Word of God allows us to know true hope, filling us with strength and
enthusiasm to face any kind of problem. It is the Holy Spirit Himself who
speaks to us and calls upon us, for this, I believe that the content of this
Synod should be widely spread, studied and applied in all dioceses and parishes
that constitute the Universal Church.
In
our diocese, the Bishop His Excellency Monsignor Mario Del Valle Moronta
Rodr’guez, in answer to the Plenary Council of Venezuela, called a Synod that
was attended by all the priests, the
representatives
of the religious communities and the laity of the apostolic movements and of
all parishes. It was a marvelous experience which truly allowed us to Òwalk
togetherÓ as a Church, animating us and planning the different pastoral
activities for the next three years. This experience allowed the planning of
pastoral program called ÒParticipated Parish, community in the communityÓ,
where the subdivision of the parishes into small communities to foster the life
of faith among neighbors is proposed.
The
goal of this is to create authentic Christian communities, reproducing the
beginnings of our beloved Church presented in the book of the Acts of the
Apostles 2:42. We are convinced that in the small communities one can
contemplate, meditate and live the Holy Scripture, therefore in virtue of the
fruits of this diocesan Synod produced, may I be allowed to suggest, with due
respect, that the realization of a Diocesan Assembly or Diocesan Synods should
be motivated with the specific theme that we are facing here and which, in the
light of this Holy Synod, may study the strong and weak points of every parish
to plan pastoral strategies that are pertinent and in step with diocesan
reality today.
We,
the laity, also wish to commit ourselves and offer our lives to the service of
the Word of God, with a missionary spirit, in our work places, places of study,
residences and above all in our families, the crib of the life and love of the
Lord.
Dear
shepherds, count on us so that ÒWalking togetherÓ we may reach the blessed
goal.
Thank
you. [00271-02.03] [UD029] [Original text: Spanish]
-
Sr. Maria Antonieta BRUSCATO, F.S.P., Superior General of the Society of the
Pious
Daughters
of Saint Paul (ITALY) I thank the
Lord who, in his mysterious and providential design, led me here, in your
midst, to reflect upon the role of the Word of God in the life and the mission
of the Church, of every Christian; a reflection which becomes more stimulating
and courageous every day . And I am profoundly grateful to the Holy Father for
this joyous opportunity. I feel that all the
Daughters
of Saint Paul are present with me, who have always been committed to the
Òpreaching of the Divine WordÓ, according to the example of the Apostle to the
Gentiles, as our Founder, the blessed Giacomo Alberione, loved to repeat to us,
who in every part of the world urged us to the most abundant spreading of the
Bible and the Gospel.
My
intervention refers to that which is affirmed in Number 52 of the Instrumentum
Laboris
(IL)
regarding the service to the Word of God carried out by consecrated persons.
Through the centuries, consecrated life, in both men and women, contemplative
and apostolic, has always nourished its life and its mission at the table of
the Word. It could be no different. Religious life is, in fact, called to be
prophecy, and prophecy is born with its ear Òat the mouth of GodÓ, sustaining
itself on hearing: ÒMorning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like
discipleÓ (Is 50:4). It is the experience of the same Word of God, directed
constantly toward the Father (Jn 1:1), reaching out to Him, to His Word, to His
will. I am convinced that we consecrated persons become disciples of the Master
to the extent that we welcome the Word with attentive, docile, and praying
heart, allowing ourselves to be evangelized by the Òsupreme advantage of
knowing ChristÓ (Ph 3:8).
In
the last decades, thanks to the repeated invitations of the Magisterium, the
table of the Word occupies a place of importance in our personal and community
life. It is food for the spirit, light and strength for persevering along the
ways of the Lord, source of creativity and apostolic audacity.
How
much the Word runs through our day! We should be ÒkneadedÓ into it so that we
speak of it with our life, to be ourselves the Word. In reality, we are well
aware that we have not yet attained that spiritual quality and apostolic fruit
of the abundance of the Seed continually planted in our life. We risk being
suffocated by the thorns of the present moment: advancing age, the lack of
vocations, works to support, inadequacy when facing the challenges of the world
and apostolic emergencies...We would like to do more, to have more: personally,
economically, in professional preparation. [00272-02.02] [UD030] [Original
text: Italian]