Cor Vitae. The Cor Vitae Program is one of the portfolios assigned to me as a member of the MSC General Leadership Team. Cor Vitae is the program established by the Tri-Generalate Leadership Team in a meeting held in the Philippines in 2013, attended by the superiors of different entities in Asia-Pacific Islands and Australia. It aims to provide formation courses and other initial and ongoing formation programs emphasising the formation of the Spirituality of the Heart. Last July 6-19, 2024, I was in Manila to visit the team running the nine-month program for formators. I had the chance to talk to them individually. I also spoke individually with the Execom Members (the Superiors of the three Congregations in Manila). The formation team generally finds meaning and joy in what they do; however, some concerns are raised during individual consultations, particularly on the program’s future, personnel, and finances.
Chevalier Lay Associate. Another portfolio I am assigned is the liaison between the MSC General Leadership Team and the Chevalier Lay Associate. In the last International Council online meeting that I attended, it was made clear to us liaisons to connect with the Chevalier Lay groups in any MSC territorial entities that we will be visiting, to listen to their stories, inspire them, and give them updates with what’s going on in the General Administration. My first encounter with the Chevalier Lay group was in the Netherlands last June 2024. Seven of them gathered, sharing their stories and concerns about their group. On my trip to Manila, Philippines, last July, I met with two Chevalier Lay groups, one in Manila and one in Cebu. It allowed me to introduce myself as the liaison between them and the General Administration and listen to their concerns as a lay group.
From Manila, I proceeded to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. On July 21, 2024, I spent the whole morning with the fledgling group of Chevalier Lay Associates. Despite the language barrier, they could convey their concerns as a young group, considering the political milieu and the situation of the MSC presence in Vietnam regarding pastoral engagements. During my trip to Bangalore, India, I also sat down in the meeting of Chevalier Lay Associates on the evening of August 24, 2024. It was again an opportunity for me to introduce myself and listen to their plan of activities.
Reflecting on my initial encounter with the different lay groups in the MSC territorial entities that I have visited, I have seen the following observations: First, the experience of participating in the International Assembly held in Cebu, Philippines, last January this year (2024) has created a positive impact for most of those who were sent as representatives to the said gathering. It has inspired them to discern ways to express and live the Spirituality of the Heart in their respective countries. Some are in the planning stage, but some are already taking concrete actions according to their capability as a group. Second, there still needs to be some clarification among the three distinct groups established by the three Congregations (MSC, FDNSC, and MSC Sisters). Should they retain their identity with the congregation that helped them establish as a lay group? Although the common identity of a one Chevalier Lay Associate is already understood, the close relationship with their original affiliations is understandable and cannot be taken away.
Lastly, there are still grey areas in understanding the role of the Spiritual Companion, the shift of terminology coming from the Spiritual Director, and their difference. There is also the role of MSC Priests in the lay identity, especially in places where the sense of “Clericalism” is relatively strong.
Vietnam MSC Community. Last July 23-29, 2024, I participated in the Community gathering and discernment held in a Retreat House owned by the Salesian Congregation. We observed the process conducted in Vietnamese with Bob Irwin and Thoi Tran of the Australian Province. The discernment was facilitated by Khoi Nguyen, MSC, the chair of the Commission on Initial Formation of the Australian Province, and assisted by Hein Vu, a Vietnamese Diocesan Priest based in Australia. As observers, we were given a daily summary of what transpired during the day. Focus on the following areas given priority: a) Potentials as Community b) Community Life c) Initial Formation d) Vocation e) Ministry/Mission. (Pls. see the report submitted by Hoang Nguyen, MSC)
First Provincial Chapter of the MSC Indian Province. On August 12-31, 2024, I traveled to India for my first visit to the newly erected MSC Province. They are preparing for their first Provincial Chapter, which was scheduled for August 19-23, 2024. I was asked to facilitate the chapter. The main agenda of the chapter was to finalize the Province statutes and approve the following documents: the Formation Handbook, the Finance Handbook, the Policy on Mission and Ministry Handbook, and the Safeguarding Handbook. The documents were approved in principle and are still to be finalized for completion. After the chapter, I also had the chance to visit some formation houses and school communities in the young Province.
Gene Pejo, MSC
