Chapter 2008

July 28 – Week 3
The Theme of Spirituality

The central theme of General Chapter 2008, RSCJ Spirituality: Dialogue around the Fire, Candle, Well, Meal… emerged at the November 2006 Assembly of Provincials in Uganda.

In her opening address of the Chapter, Clare Pratt, Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart, made reference to the theme of spirituality in the following way:

Over and over again during these past years RSCJs have expressed the desire to plumb the depths of our Spirituality as it has taken root progressively in each culture. Although sometimes that search has been in terms of "contemporary expression", finding words and other ways of communicating our spirituality today, one can express only what one has grasped, lived, and loved. Otherwise the words are shallow and will not be helpful in the end. Responding to the challenge expressed in the short section on Spirituality from the 2000 Chapter "to rethink and re-express our spirituality in the years ahead" by attempting to integrate the calls of the Chapter into our lives, has brought us to a new moment, as the provincials in Uganda recognized. These five weeks in Lima are not "the end of the road" as if everything will be clarified once and for all! We, like our world, are in continual evolution. But this is a moment of pause, a kind of oasis where, if we are open to the Spirit speaking through each one, we will drink fresh water together, be refreshed and given the strength and enthusiasm to set out on the next part of our common journey.

Since the Uganda Assembly, each province, district and area, has reflected on its lived experience, exploring, expressing, and dialoguing amongst ourselves and with others:

• How our context shapes our spirituality which is expressed in all aspects of our life
• How the contemplative dimension of our spirituality leads us to discern and respond to our prophetic call today
• How justice, peace and integrity of creation are at the heart of our spirituality and our educative mission and
• How our spirituality shapes the way we organize ourselves.

For many years we have been in conversation searching for ways to articulate and dialogue about our Sacred Heart Spirituality. Listed below are a few selections from various Society documents that address both specific aspects of our spirituality and how the conversation on spirituality continues to evolve.


The Fate of the Society is in our Hands (1992):

 There is a need in the Society to articulate our spirituality as an expression of our lived experience of present day situations where pain and suffering cry out for the healing power of love. It is important that in living out our choices, faithful to the Spirit, we recognize in the differences and expressions a faithful response to the intuitions and inspiration of St Madeleine Sophie.

It is our conviction also that any expression of our spirituality today is incomplete without reference to the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist we enter into the mystery of the open side of Jesus – into his death and resurrection. The reality of the mystery is central to our lives. The differences in understanding arising from culture, theology, practice challenge us to renew the meaning of Eucharist as an integral part of the expression of our spirituality.

 
 The Eucharistic Dimension of our Spirituality (General Chapter 1994):

We discover the pierced Heart of Jesus when we contemplate this reality. His desire to communicate and share life draws us to give our lives in following him. It unites us and awakens in us the eucharistic dimension of our spirituality…

We have the deep conviction that our spirituality does not belong only to us. It is a gift to be shared, a treasure others help us to discover. With them, we want to continue to search how to live and express it for today,…

General Chapter 2000:

We are convinced as a Chapter that our lives, given in love, are the strongest expression of our spirituality.
We have also found that the calls of this Chapter have challenged us profoundly to rethink and re-express our spirituality in the years ahead.