Blessed Antonio Rosmini

Rosminian Family

Gentili Province Assembly

In Dublin

Emmaus House, Swords, Dublin was the location of the Assembly

on October 19th to 22nd

Our Assembly at Emmaus House began on October 19th in the evening.

 

The Irish Provincial, Father Joe O’Reilly welcomed all to the gathering.

 

On Tuesday 21st, after morning- prayer and breakfast, we processed into the Aula singing the hymn Come Holy Ghost Creator come. We listened to the Word of God from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 2:12-2;    Brother Paul Gillham (novice) and Fr. Bill Jacksn led the singing of the Litany of the Saints in which we included  the intercession of Blessed Antonio Rosmini, Fr. Luigi Gentili and Fr.Giuseppe Costa (the first Rosminian to work in America).

 

Father David Myers, the UK Provincial gave an opening address  After a time of silence for reflection on David’s words, Father General gave us his blessing and we sung another hymn to the Holy Spirit.  Father David Myers then introduced our facilitator for this gathering, Mr. Michael Reilly.  Michael simply and briefly invited us to spend time listening to the journey, the story of the four Provinces and Region,  and without comment,  to allow these stories to seep into us as we discuss in the days ahead the direction and plans for the new Gentili Province.

Email:  chrisfuse@mac.com

The Gentili Tomb at St. Michael’s Omeath.  The brethren made a pilgrimage here to rededicate ourselves as a new united province under the protection of Father Luigi Gentili

Fr. General, James Flynn, leads the group in prayer before the tomb of Luigi Gentili.

 

Each member then entered for private prayer and a dedication of ourselves to the new united province which bears the name of Gentili.

The simple interior with the coffin of  Luigi Gentili.

Nigel Cave, with the help of a power-point presentation,  gave the story of the first Province of the Institute established by Father Founder, the English Province.  

Joe O’Reilly gave the presentation of the story of the Irish Province, Bill Millar gave that of the American Province and John Buckner the story of the New Zealand Region.   

 

The rest of to-day,  we spent some time in ten small groups considering what are the issues we should be mindful of as we prepare for the beginning of the Gentili Province  and what are we learning in this. Broadly it seems to me, they can be put into four categories: Structure and leadership issues, urgent need to discuss the novitiate of the new Province and vocations, the healthy and practical care of our ageing and sick brethren, and our apostolates and mission including any possible help from abroad. These categories are very general and just to give you an idea, but do not do justice to the full submissions.   

 

Some felt there is need for more discussion on these issues, others asked whether we were the right body to make decisions in these matters and others again want to get on with some clear direction to enable those responsible to make decisions soon, and not wait until the setting up of the Province sometime next year.  

 

Surely we have had a good day’s work, with, good listening and some honest plain, and encouraging speaking.  At Underlining it all is the realization that we are getting  to know one another in a way which will help the growth of the new Province, tonight we are now 53 in number. Just before we went for the evening Adoration and prayer, we had a visit from Fr. Enhart Mpete of the East African Province who is returning home early next week after about eighteen months studying in All Hallows, Drumcondra while staying in our community.

 

Fr. Anthony Meredith’s Diary.