From 23-24 April, the Italian Provincial Governments of the SSP, FSP, PDDM, SGBP and AP met in Rome for a time of formation, prayer, information and an exchange of ideas concerning issues pertaining to the various Institutes. In his welcome address, Fr. Eustacchio Imperato, Provincial Superior of the SSP, sketched out the objectives of the meeting: to get to know one another, share ideas, and program several projects to be carried out in common.
After a brief presentation by each participant, the provincial superiors informed the group about the situations of their respective Institutes, highlighting their joys and labors and describing significant initiatives currently underway or due to be implemented in the near future. This was followed by a lively discussion, peppered with many questions for clarification and also a comparison of ideas.
On the afternoon of 23 April, Fr. Giuseppe Forlai, a member of the Jesus the Priest Institute, spoke on the subject: Cor poenitens tenete: True Repentance, according to the “dream” of our Father and Founder, Blessed James Alberione, and in the light of the Jubilee of Mercy. Drawing on the Word of God, the Fathers of the Church and various spiritual masters, he sketched out the journey of a penitent heart and the ascetical means that foster the gift of “sorrow for sin,” which springs from gratitude to God and is the height of perfection.
On Sunday, 24 April, after a moving Eucharistic Celebration in which everyone participated enthusiastically in the subcrypt of the Queen of Apostles Sanctuary, the group gathered to program some projects for the Pauline Family in Italy to carry out together. Various suggestions were made and several were chosen to enact in the coming months. Information concerning these projects will be furnished in due time.
In his farewell address at the end of the meeting, Fr. Eustacchio expressed his joy that this encounter had taken place, along with his hope that the Pauline Family will continue to strive to carry out a communal journey, above all in the area of discernment, an element that can foster each Institute’s growth and search for the will of God.
