Italy – GC28: the silent work of discernment

28 February 2020

(ANS - Turin) - "In silence, God does not remain silent." Yesterday, Thursday 27 February, with this wonderful phrase from a synodal father, Fr Rossano Sala concluded the presentation of various important communiqués and several suggestions to guarantee a good journey and proceedings for all participants. The Chapter definitely enters the work phase.

There is a tangible good and positive focus and everyone's commitment is clearly visible.

The commissions must study the theme in its various parts, starting with the Work Tool prepared by the Pre-Chapter Commission; then formulate in writing the proposals to be presented to the Assembly; and finally vote them.

The four commissions on the topic will work on all three nuclei, in succession. This means that they will start from the first nucleus - "Priority of the Salesian mission among young people today" - by working on the three moments of discernment (recognizing, interpreting, choosing). Then they will move on to the second core, and finally to the third.

Silence must punctuate reflection and give it the necessary spiritual inspiration.

The nature of spiritual discernment implies discipline. There is no true discipleship if there is no discipline. It requires entering personally and as a group in the various moments of the ongoing process, which had a "preview" (the choice of the theme by the Rector Major, the celebration of the Provincial Chapters and the work of the Pre-Chapter Commission) and will have an after (implementation and reception in the various realities of the Congregation: General Council, Regions, Provinces, communities). This does not condition freedom of expression, rather it favors it and makes it more profound and fruitful.

The commissions may organize themselves into subcommittees, so as to encourage exchanges and sharing. Each subcommittee should be involved in all three stages of discernment (recognize, interpret, choose).

Since the second step (interpreting) is broader and more demanding, as it implies answering three groups of questions, each commission must evaluate the appropriateness of preferentially assigning one of these groups of questions to each subcommittee.

The Central Commission also dictates the calendar of working times.

The Commissions will have to deliver their contribution on the first nucleus by 15:00 on Monday 2 March. The organization of the calendar takes into account the opportunity to carry out a first study of the three nuclei before election week (therefore by Saturday 14 March). If this objective is achieved, the editorial team will have the time necessary to prepare the first draft of the Final Document.

In this way, the capitulars will have a full week after the elections for discussion in view of the second draft.

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