6. Some options for investing in quality

In my closing address to the GC24 I specified what preferential investment in formation meant in practical terms. "Investing means laying down and maintaining priorities, ensuring conditions, working according to a program which gives pride of place to persons, communities and mission. Investing in time, personnel, initiatives and financial resources for formation is a task which is of importance to all of us".

I now propose some commitments which should be given preference, and I refer successively to the area of persons and to that of structures (works), starting from some facts which are already common knowledge and accepted.

The first is that the main resource of the Congregation is the confreres, and hence their preparation is an indispensable condition for the effectiveness of the mission. "In our life some aspects are more exposed to wear and tear or to sclerosis and need particular attention. Culture evolves rapidly, knowledge becomes more extensive, new information is continually fed in, while the mentality on the values and concepts of life presents ever new questions. The cultural dimension is one that calls for patient and unceasing effort".

A second fact: exceptional initiatives will serve little purpose unless at the same time we attend to the quality of daily life and the continuity of our efforts. Opportunities offered to individuals would have little effect if we did not foster the style of community life and the way we carry out apostolic work.

Consequently we must look at both individuals and structures; the invitation to become responsible for quality is addressed simultaneously to every confrere, to every community and to every Province.