Basing himself on the official Acts of the Chapter and on the Memoires of Mariusz Suzanne, Rey describes the events:<\/p>\n
On Monday 26 October was held a second session of the First General Chapter of the Society of Missionaries of Provence.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHaving gathered the priests of the community, the Founder suggested they proceed with the election of office bearers in the manner prescribed by the Statutes approved by them and to admit to this end the three in formation who had already taken part in their deliberations and who wished to engage themselves in that which they had been a part of drawing up. This was agreed upon and, after invoking the illumination of the Holy Spirit and calling on the protection of the Blessed Virgin, all the members present proceeded to vote for the appointment of those who were to be in charge of the Society.<\/em><\/p>\n There were seven priests present: the V. Rev. Fr. de Mazenod, Founder and Superior; Rev. Fr. Tempier, the first disciple and companion of Father de Mazenod, the Fathers Deblieu, Mie, Maunier, Marius Aubert and Moreau; plus the three novice students, Brothers Court\u00e8s, Suzanne and Dupuy.<\/em><\/p>\n All the members making up this assembly unanimously begged Father de Mazenod to kindly continue to hold office as Superior General of the Society. Then to manifest to Fr. Deblieu the affection that all had for him, despite his refusal to commit themselves by the vows, he was appointed, almost unanimously, as First Assistant and Admonitor to the Superior General. Fr. Maunier was appointed Second Assistant and Secretary General, Fr. Tempier, Third Assistant, Fr. Mie, Fourth Assistant and Fr. Court\u00e8s, Procurator General of the Society.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Rey 1, p. 233<\/p>\n Our Rule of Life today reflects these beginnings:<\/p>\n United as brothers in one apostolic community, we are all equal before God our Father who distributes charisms and ministries so that we can serve his Church and its mission. Our organizational structures, accordingly, are set up in function of that mission.<\/em><\/p>\n Following the guidelines of the Constitutions and Rules, those in authority will make sure that the structures are flexible enough to evolve with our lived experience.<\/em><\/p>\n CC&RR Constitution 72<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Basing himself on the official Acts of the Chapter and on the Memoires of Mariusz Suzanne, Rey describes the events: On Monday 26 October was held a second session of the First General Chapter of the Society of Missionaries of … Continue reading