DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE SUPERIOR GENERALS
AND THE YOUNG RELIGIOUS

At the end of all these interventions, Br Benito Arbues, Marist, moderator, invited the hundred or so Superior Generals (or their delegates) to exchange in small groups and to react and ask for some questions. Their numerous interventions were most relevant, many of the participants spoke; it was not possible to mention the names of all the contributors but following is a summary of what was said. 

I appreciated the content and more the style; the invitation to be particularly attentive to the community reality is evident. I personally lived experiences of two communities. In one of them, the insertion of some young brought new vitality even for old people; in the other, it was the contrary, living together seemed to engender complaints; these facts confirm that any community expectation is realized only through the commitment of all. I would like to know how liturgy has been lived; as an USG observer at VIDIMUS DOMINUM, I noticed, at the beginning that discretion seemed to prevail; then more room afforded for the warmth and creativity of the liturgies animated by Africans and Latin Americans; they were inviting us all to be more active and inventive. It seems opportune to speak of inter community help, between rich and poor countries, giving rise to informal but real exchanges.
It was asked whether there were pleas for more dynamism and incentive for change.
I would hear clearly something about the negative aspects of VIDIMUS DOMINUM preparation and celebration.
If it was not possible to prepare a single closing message, we should not forget there were seven partial ones, fruit of the individual language groups. I go back on the community theme, pointing out that there is, in one hand, possible hardening of hearts or a certain moral weakness among young people, on the other, they are often enthusiastic but it does not last, with painful desertion as consequence. I want to speak of how a small community in Burundi was constituted of native religious; three young people expressed their disappointment for the lack of dialogue and pluralism of their animator; he was about forty years old just a bit older than these young who were in their thirties. May I ask for some practical indication as how to structure religious ideal community for its daily life, schedule, meeting frequency, religious exercises... Jesu Pudumai Doss said that the liturgy booklets were available for all to participate actively; true there was bigger emphasis on African and Latin American inculturation, and this furthered higher initiative for the use of languages; we cannot overlook the contribution of women. But though we are rather positive on many things, there was, too, the negative aspect. It is always better to be constructive. The feast day (meeting with the Pope) was not a fully happy moment, because of the gap between what had planned and what actually took place in the Paul VI Audience Hall, and what was spontaneously expressed in the afternoon at the Urbaniana. In the first case, young people could not express creativity through their participation, there was no true dialogue with the Pope; even more, many were not pleased of the decision to cut short Sister Nirmala very interesting personal testimony, showing instead a rather mediocre video of religious meeting the Pope. The feast at Urbaniana gave opportunity to spontaneously express joy and brotherhood through singing and folk dances in all simplicity, contrary to any sexual innuendoes which some sectors of the press might have tried to evoke. Ottorino Vanzaghi accepted the invitation to speak on community; he said it is necessary to adopt a new style that does not exclude necessary sacrifices; it is a question of making life holy together, and proclaiming through example that this is possible. Community can make us free, and freedom necessarily implies sacrifices. This does not mean accepting to perpetuate old and formation styles on the grounds that they are irrevocable. Rather, formation ought to be a means for growth among young people who are intent upon lives of self-sacrifice. We must love and respect superiors and elders, but should not overvalue the contrast between generations.

On the other hand, we must not be afraid of tensions and contrast; though young people are enthusiastic and aggressive they believe there should be older people among them to confront and challenge them. Formality and falsity must be avoided, encounter is always preferable to merely parallel but tolerant existence, and engenders the precious fruits of mutual pardon and recognition of one’s respective errors. At one point in the Congress a rather provocative pun was made: do you - old people - want we - young people - be formed or conformed ? True we are very fragile, but we have clear ideas. The fundamental element which is being focused on now, is cultural varieties; real problems do not arise from time table or other practical matter. One should finally recognize each community may have its specific style which may be a monastic or apostolic one.

Dalcides Biscalquin added it is not possible to give one unique definition for all young religious, they are not all the same, and they may have different and even conflicting opinions. Comparatively young people and old people are not necessarily very different or totally opposed to each other; they have also striking similarity.

Anyway we feel there is a lack of role models nowadays. We are not looking for outstandingly great heroes: do not help. We only need ordinary practical models. It seems also that today we are dealing with a generation that does not shout and tends to be rather quiet; this may be a form of protest. There is probably greater dialogue facility; young people are less overbearing. They tend to be more human, more conscious of self weakness and of others. Dialogue, openness is then very important, true dialogue ready to acknowledge and to accept other alternatives, to nurture the serenity of discovering new ways.

We can be and we have to be prophetic witnesses both in large groups and through small groups; this way, we may discover the real problems of our own particular culture.

The matter of the final message. The big tension which arose in the constellations was the main obstacle to reaching a consensus message. But it was also noted that the diversity may be a source of richness. The objectives of the Congress would be better met with seven messages rather than with one; besides, there was a question that remained unanswered: to whom it was it to be addressed? And, this statement of one of the observers proved to be encouraging: "Doing rather than speaking, because what you are is stronger than what you say".

Many other Superior generals or delegates wished to speak, but only some of them could do so; it was said that other real meetings of young religious should be held at the local level (Van Loy).

Another reminded us all of the dramatic situation of the lack of vocations that causes a real breaking down of our communities. At this point, the dialogue intertvined so much so it was not possible to distinguish Superior generals’ interventions from those of the seven young religious. Dario Tokic, a young religious, thanked the Superior Generals who did not spare their young listeners some sarcastic remarks; that also is a part of growth. The Congress has been realized with a real collaboration of the young religious: this is a declaration of confidence in contrast to distrust which is always destructive. Young religious actually need help from those whose experience ought to help them to avoid errors and traps. When one member spoke ironically of a "Congress of old people for old people" it surely was a reference to those marked by formalism but certainly not to those who dare express themselves with sincerity and generosity.

A question was raised about the participation of women at all levels.

Another spoke again of dance saying, that at very particular and appropriate moments, it can be an expression of joy and inner liberty, worth experimenting with and sharing in community.

About the follow up of VIDIMUS DOMINUM Congress at the local level, someone informed that it is not a mere hypothesis, initiatives are already implemented or planned in Rome and elsewhere at Congregation and General Council meeting level.

As for the possibility for young and old people living together, the real question is not whether it is possible but whether it exists the necessary desire to be in communion.

The vocation problem, so dramatic in the first world should be faced with clarity, avoiding the tendency to blame the world or ourselves; the real responsibility certainly lies somewhere, the proportion might be rather from 5% to 95% respectively .

Finally, there was the impassioned interventions of a young religious who said that there should be places reserved for young religious, without prejudice. I have to share what I am, my poverty and my incapacity also. One should not hesitate to make radical requests of young people; if we sometimes hesitates to do so, it is because we are afraid of not being able to put it in practice these challenge ourselves. It is not we who are requiring it from one other, it is the Lord who is requiring it from us.

We must present strong and radical proposals to the young as Jesus did to his disciples, even they were not fully aware of the implications of the Lord’s invitation; but he could see their potential. A conclusion, we are not better than the others, but we have gift to share; gift that increases if shared.

Fr Marcello Zago, finally, thanked all the seven young religious who brought new inspiration to the assembly; he appreciated the Congress global presentation, and found interventions and answers relevant. This was to be expected as six of those seven young religious were active members of the Congress preparation ( Superior generals with their respective Councils, USG and UISG secretaries were involved also).

There was a large commitment for the Congress at all levels. This fact proclaims that religious life -with the young people who are a part of it- remains perpetually young and hopeful.