This, the 100th issue of our Bulletin, contains material from the recent Consulta in which all the Regional Superiors and General Government took part (October 7 to 26).
The meeting began in Turin at the tomb of our Blessed Founder on October 7 - a day that marked two events: the conclusion of the centenary of the founding of our Institute and the anniversary of the beatification of our Founder. It was an opportunity to express thanks to the Lord for our Missionary Family and for its century of apostolic work.
Work then moved to Rome where we had the presentation and discussion of the Report of the General Government and the reports from the individual Regions. We decided to dedicate the whole first week to this discussion. This gave participants the opportunity to examine the complex situation through which the Institute is currently living, with its lights, shadows and multiple challenges. Beginning with this overview of the Institute we articulated those specific subjects participants wanted to discuss at greater length during the whole second week. The purpose of our discussion was to provide valid, operating guidelines for the Institute during the time remaining until the next General Chapter. Finally, during the third week the assembly was primarily engaged in the study of various documents that will soon be made public to the whole Institute: the Circular Letter "Poverty, Economics and the Missions," and the ad experimentum statutes for the Consolata Lay Missionaries.
This issue of the Bulletin contains the "Report of the General Government" and "Issues of the Consulta 2002". To avoid putting too much material into one issue we will publish the Circular Letter "Poverty, Economics and the Missions," in the next Bulletin which will appear shortly.
In the name of the General Council I wish you well and hope you will enjoy reading this material.

Father Darci Vilarinho