Dear Superior General,
These few lines bring you my fraternal greetings and best wishes to you and your Council. I pray that the Lord of Life will shower his gifts upon you in the important ministry of animation that he has entrusted to you.
In this, my first communication as President of the Union of Superiors General, I am aware, on the one hand, that it is a combination of circumstances rather than any personal merits that has brought me to this position and, on the other, that I can count on your support and friendship, as demonstrated by the members of the Executive Council and by many more of you in your fraternal messages. I would like to put myself entirely at your disposition: it is my desire to be open and available to serve each Congregation and the different charisms and missions that, through their diversity, add to the quality of our Consecrated Life.
At this early stage, I am already convinced that I have your valuable co-operation - and I thank you for it. Together we are called to picture our future and to open up new paths to ensure that we maintain our vitality within the Church and in serving the world.
It is in this spirit that I invite you to take part in our next Bi-annual Assembly, which will take place in Ariccia from 23 to 26 May. The chosen theme relates to that of the next Synod and we might summarize it as follows: The Bishop: servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the hope of the world. Our meeting will certainly give rise to important aspects that will enrich the synodal assembly. Furthermore, in accordance with the established rules, we will elect those Superiors who will take part in the Synod itself. Our forthcoming Assembly will also elect the new Vice President of the USG.
I am sure that I can count on your co-operation and hope that you will be able to join our Assembly in May.
Yours sincerely in Christ

Br. Alvaro Rodríguez Echeverría
USG President