3. Meetings and General Assemblies

    A very efficient instrument, which has distinguished the USG from the beginning, is its meetings and General Assemblies. Various meetings before, during and after the Second Vatican Council demonstrated the importance of exchanging experiences, of joint reflection and study. That is why, in 1967, the USG decided to organize regular meetings to study themes of common interest. In 1969, it was decided to hold two meetings a year, something we continue to do. In these Bi-annual Assemblies, the USG has always been brave enough to face the problems of the consecrated life by taking inspiration from the Gospel message, reading and interpreting the signs of the times in a spirit that looks to the future: one need only think that as early as 1952 they were discussing the subject of television...

    The General Assembly is the highest authority of the USG. It meets once a year and whenever an election is needed or there is an important question to be discussed. If a Superior General cannot attend personally he/she can send a member of his/her Council or his/her Procurator General. For several years now the Annual General Assembly has taken place on the last morning of the November bi-annual meeting.

    As already mentioned, since 1969 the bi-annual meetings have consisted of two three-day sessions, one each in the last full week of May and November. For almost 22 years, these meetings took place in the Jesuit Fathers’ House at Villa Cavalletti. There have been only two exceptions: in 1973, they were held at the General Curia of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and in 1976 at Domus Mariae. Since May 1991 the location for the meetings has been Arricia, at the Society of Saint Paul’s "Casa Divin Maestro".

    We cannot fail to mention the courage and initiative shown by the USG in practical service to the consecrated life: let me recall only the foundation of the "Regina Mundi" Institute and even of Raptim, the travel agency which, at the time, catered for religious…