A Day of Grace

Coming back from the weekend break, the ninth day of the XXV General Chapter began with Mass of the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist celebrated in Spanish. The main celebrant was Fr. Juan José Arnaiz Ecker, provincial superior of Spain. In the chapter hall, Fr. Juan reflected on the Word of God; he mentioned that the life of both John the Baptist and the prophet Isaiah reveals mystery of call and formation, a mystery of sending out and reparation. John the Baptist is a saint of the Sacred Heart; he comes before Christ with the task of preparing hearts to welcome him. We too participate in this mission of reparation. As today our chapter will dedicate time for the election of councilors, we ask God to give us a prompted spirit. All we need is a simple and joyful “here, I am”. And then, to glorify the Lord echoing the words of the psalmist, “I praise you, Lord, for I am wonderfully made.” (Psalm 138)

After Fr. Juan’s reflection, the chapter proceeded with the discernment and vote for general  councilors. These are the names of those elected:

Fr. Levi dos Anjos Ferreira (52), born in Brazil on May 8, 1972, professed first vows on February 25, 1994, final vows on February 23, 2002, and was ordained to the Priesthood on December 14, 2002. Fr. Levi worked as a missionary in Germany in school chaplaincy, and lately he has been serving the Congregation as a General Councilor from 2018 to 2024;

Fr. Charles Aime Koudjou (48), born in Cameroun on July 5, 1975, professed first vows on August 12, 2000, final vows on August 12, 2005, and was ordained to the Priesthood on March 29, 2008. In his home country, Fr. Charles worked as a formator, before being called to Rome to serve as General Councilor in the last four years;

Fr. Renzo Brena (67) born in Italy on September 28, 1956; professed first vows on September 29, 1976, final vows on November 24, 1979, and was ordained to the Priesthood on September 19, 1981. Fr. Renzo is the current provincial superior of the North Italian Province (ITS).

Fr. Agustinus Guntoro (50), born in Indonesia on August 28, 1973, professed first vows on August 1, 1996, final vows on August 1, 2001, and was ordained to the Priesthood on October 2, 2003. In the last years, Fr. Augustinus has been a member of the SCJ mission in Asia and the coordinator of ICA (International Community of Asia).

Fr. Willyans Prado Rapozo (41), born in Brazil on July 19, 1982, professed first vows on February 2, 2002, final vows on January 31, 2009, and was ordained to the Priesthood on December 5, 2009. Fr. Willyans has been pastor of St. Helen’s Parish in Toronto, and a Regional Councilor in Canada.

The Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Cordoniú, thanked the availability of our confreres in the service of the Congregation. He said that the question regarding John the Baptist in today’s Gospel, “Who, then, will this child be?”, could be applied to the members of the General Administration. In fact, we don’t know the answer, but we believe in what the Gospel assures us, “Surely, the hand of the Lord was with him.” (Lk 1:66)

Let us praise the Lord for this gift and ask the Sacred Heart to guide the new General Council.