1. The journey shared by the USG Our joint achievements:

      a. The USG Council's unity and commitment , under the attentive and hardworking leadership of       the President, Fr. Camillo Maccise, who was elected for two successive periods of three years, has been continuous.

The Council's availability and commitment to hearing about situations, listening to requests and problems, has not always been easy.

Certainly, ways and means have been sought, attempts and efforts made, to enable the USG to care for all the newly emerging aspects of the CL, without ever ignoring its prophetic/evangelical commitment.

The USG has examined what it believed to be useful and necessary for the authenticity of the Consecrated Life, calmly and totally independently from any other institution.

The USG has watched over problems and implications not always known to everyone - and it continues to do so, carrying out indispensible studies and in-depth investigations….

Let's look at just a few outstanding points:
1995:

The USG takes into serious consideration the questions arising out of the 1994 Synod on the CL:

a.       Having put everything into its commitment to the 1994 Synod, does its utmost to collaborate on the Post-Synodal Document on the CL.

b.       Takes all possible steps to create a climate that will welcome the document without undervaluing its positive aspects, or what could be "best" for the CL.

c.       Perceives the appropriateness of, proposes and formulates the possibility of a Post-synodal World Congress on the CL and takes on the task of bringing it about, in spite of the hard work involved.

d.       Decides that the subsequent six-monthly Assemblies in Ariccia should be dedicated to further examination of the 1994 Synod. Is aware that the subjects to be dealt with can no longer be treated in a general manner, but that a new method is needed to approach the problems, stimuli and demands that are continuously being perceived and that closely affect the very essence of the CL.

o        Revives the Theological Commission so that it can pay careful attention to the fundamental problems of the Consecrated Life and aid the Superiors General in their search for the paths to be taken. We see the fruit of the Commission's long and scrupulous work at this six-monthly Assembly here, in November 2000.

o        Maintains contacts with the Secretariat of State to obtain a joint meeting with the Holy Father for the Executive Councils of the USG and UISG. Our desire for this remains constant, as do our approaches. Indeed, the idea has been put forward that it would be beneficial if the Holy Father could meet all the Superiors General in turn, by groups, in a way similar to the ad limina visits.

o        In preparation for the year of the Great Jubilee, two Superiors General (Abbot Jerome Theisen and Fr. Juan Lasso De La Vega) take on the task of collecting suggestions and proposals for celebrating the event. It is decided that the preparations should be made in collaboration with the UISG.

o        The Secretariat of State, in the person of Mgr. Périsset, makes the Superiors General aware of the problems in Eastern Europe and the USG agrees to study the matter. A special Commission is formed, headed by Abbot Marcello VANDE VEN, O. Praem. An open attitude towards the East has been a constant concern of the USG… as has been shown in the various group meetings.

o        The USG makes an importunate and active contribution to the document "Collaboration between Institutes of Formation".

o        At the meeting between the USG and the UISG in May, the USG suggests a Congress of Young Religious, to be held in October 1996. It in fact takes place in the week of 29 September-4 October 1997.

o        In view of our excellent experiences at the 1983 Congress of Superiors General, another such Congress is suggested and approved for 1998.

o        In June, Br. José Pablo Basterrechea, FSC, concludes his mandate as Secretary of the USG. Br. José Pablo was a large and important figure in the USG, first as a member of the Executive Council, during his period as a Superior General, then as a hardworking and far-seeing Secretary. He loved and believed in the USG. Along with those of other Superiors General, his contributions to the 1994 Synod were decisive in clarifying the view of "religious Brothers in Congregations of Brothers". He passed away whilst traveling to the community to which he had been assigned.

o        In September, Br. Lino Da Campo FSF took up the post of Secretary.

1996:

o        Initial preparations for the Congress of Young Religious are careful and intense. The first stirrings are felt in the six-monthly Assembly of Superiors General in November, with the theme: young people question the consecrated life.

o        Attentive to the emerging problems of the CL in the world, the USG points out that the "speech to the Brazilian Bishops", which appeared in the Osservatore Romano in July 1996, does not seem to have understood properly the situation of the consecrated life and responds with articles to clarify and throw light on the matter.

o        All the Superiors General are to asked to collaborate in the preparation of the new MARTYROLOGY, which the Holy Father wishes to be published for the Great Jubilee.

o        The wish is expressed that SEDOS continue to be an information center for all Consecrated.

o        New methods of preparing and conducting the six-monthly Assemblies are finalized, entailing increasing involvement and participation on the part of the Superiors General. For the first time, a General Councilor also takes part.

o        The Superiors General are asked for suggestions, proposals and amendments to the USG Constitution, which must be approved by the CIVCSVA.

o        Co-operation and communion with the CIVCSVA takes place without sacrificing what is considered "best" for the consecrated life, seen and desired as "prophesy" of the Spirit.

o        A publisher is chosen for the papers of the six-monthly Assemblies, so that all can benefit from the proceedings.

1997:

Agrimissio: is no longer supported by the USG.

o        CONGRESS OF YOUNG RELIGIOUS: 29/IX - 4/X/1997. This special event gives new hope for a new future.
The Assembly in November examines the results and considers a new point of view is necessary in studying the problems of the CL; the European Congress on Vocations: Towards the future with the young religious - Challenges, proposals and hopes also takes place.

o        Our experience in broadcasting the Congress of Young Religious world wide on the Internet and the enormous international repercussions made the USG consider maintaining the website that was begun for the Congress: "Vidimusdominum.org". They take on the commitment, checking progress and possibilities.

1998:

o        The consecrated life's situation in the world continually present new dimensions, new stimuli and new difficulties; the Executive Council studies their implications and takes various initiatives with a sense of responsibility and commitment.

o        New ways are sought to implement more practical relations with the Roman dicasteries, in particular the CIVCSVA, CEP, Catholic Education, Doctrine of the Faith, Secretariat of State.

o        The path so carefully followed in recent years leads the USG to study problems and themes capable of revitalizing the CL from within. In this way, following on from the path taken by the young people, a start is made on "REFOUNDATION", a route which will be pursued in subsequent six-monthly Assemblies: For a creative fidelity: REFOUNDING: re-situation charisms, redesigning presence in a mounting progression of themes which, after the Congress of Young Religious, have raised the awareness of the CL and provided it with incentives to be "prophetic" at this moment in history.

o        New ways of revitalizing the Council of "16" are proposed to the CIVCSVA: to hold only two meetings a year, but meetings which would last a whole day, with reliable and open working methods and interchange of dialog. Documentation on the theme would be sent to participants prior to the meeting so that preparations and the meeting itself would lead to effective agreements. The suggestion remains outstanding but the questions discussed have involved the CL in open and clear dialog.

o        With the election of Fr. Marcello Zago, OMI as secretary of the CEP, the Council of "18" is ever more competent and effective. Mgr. Marcello Zago's appointment has profoundly revitalized the Council of "18"s methods and helped to resolve associated problems. The "18" continues to operate systematically and efficiently.

o        In reviewing its activities, the USG Council thinks it appropriate for the Executive Council also to have two plenary meetings, each of a full day, preceding the May and November Assemblies, in order to have more time available and to make it easier for those Superiors General who are members of the USG Council to attend. The experience has been positive.

o        Committed to the Celebrations for the Great Jubilee of the Consecrated Life to take place on 2 February 2000, the USG puts Fr. SEAMUS FREEMAN, Superior General of the Pallottines, in charge of preparations. The Via Paschatis, which we have brought to your attention, is one of the fruits of all that preparation, which the CIVCSVA then chose not to implement.

o        The Justitia et Pax Commission continued its awareness and operations through the secretary and the President, Fr. David Fleming, Superior General of the Marianists. In May, the six-monthly Assembly of Superiors General signs a request for remission of the international debt.

1999:

o        The USG Executive Council, always aware of the needs and interests of the Superiors General, decides to set up a JURIDICAL COMMISSION on programmed, systematic, efficient and practical lines, which will be at the service of the USG (for the purposes of consultation, interpretation, advice…). We are seeking competent people to become members...

o        The Council takes a continuing interest in the organization and expertise of the existing THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION and asks all the Superiors General for names of people in the individual communities who would be particularly suited and available for involvement and consultation. We now repeat that request, both for this Commission and for the Juridical Commission…

o        The subjects of the Assemblies in May and November continue the theme of an authentic "refoundation": Vocations to the Consecrated Life in the context of modern and post-modern society. Charism and Spirituality. A consecrated life open to the laity.

2000:

o        The USG looks back at its past in order to have a "reminder", on which to base an examination of its present and to engage itself more deeply in planning for the future: The USG on the road to the Third Millennium, A look at our past, our present commitment, future creativity.

o        The USG watched and continues to watch over the problems of our brothers, independence in the election of Superiors General, etc.

o        At the present Assembly in November 2000, the USG is dealing with one of the most current and serious affecting both the Church and society today, one which it sees as most urgent for its repercussions on the CL: Inside Globalisation: Towards a multi-centered and inter-cultural communion: ecclesiological implications for the administration of our Institutes.
It is our wish that the Superiors General participate directly in this discussion and that the results should be the fruit of joint efforts and shared exploration of the subject.

What I have recalled are only a few small incidents from a whole journey made up of trials, efforts, stratagems, decisions and actions and the "reminder" that has been made of them should lead each Superior General to feel his membership of the USG as a sign, not only of communion, but of promoting the whole of the Consecrated Life.