Rome, March 19, 2002
Feast of St. Joseph

Dearest Confrères,

The canonical visitation of the Portuguese Region began officially on the Fifth Sunday of the Year. On that Sunday the Liturgy had us read a passage from the Sermon on the Mount that is especially significant for us missionaries. It could serve not just as an inspiration for our visitation but as a genuine program for the apostolate. We call it to your attention as we close this visitation to the Region.
"Jesus said to his disciples: You are salt for the earth. But if the salt loses its taste what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet." (Mt 5,13).
Jesus directs this challenge and this invitation to us as well. Put all your trust in God - the mission's strength comes from Him; the impulse to change comes from Him; salvation and the journey of liberation comes from Him as well. If we can learn to accept these things it will benefit our mission work and our life as well.
"You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven." (Mt 5, 14-16).
Only through permanent discipleship can we become the "light" which illumines and the fire that heats. The efficacy of our missionary and apostolic work is not just the result of planned and careful strategy - rather it is born of our very life with the strength of instinct. If we concentrate on being genuine disciples apostolic work will pour out of us like the water that shoots up from a crystal spring. Through our work projects we will collect this water so that it can quench thirst and not go wasted.
This is the fundamental value underlying the message and directives Father Jean André Benedetti and I offer you at the end of this visitation to your Region. The disciple who is the light of the world and the salt of the earth is a realization of Blessed Allamano's dream. He wanted all his sons to concentrate on holiness and be eager to live the best possible life.

PORTUGAL: A REGION IN TRANSITION

Six years have passed since the General Government carried out a canonical visitation to the Region of Portugal. Though the time may not have been very long it has witnessed events of a nature that have profoundly marked the life and face of the Region. Certain of these events are particularly significant and allow us to understand the situation in the Region and offer suggestions for the future.

a. Situation of Vocations

For a long time Portugal has been a solid source of vocations and hope in the critical context of Europe. Every year a significant number of young people entered the novitiate, the result of vocation promotion in adolescent groups. Without warning the vocation crisis prevalent in the other two European regions has reached Portugal.
For lack of students the philosophy seminary of Cacém was closed and the few remaining students went to Águas Santas - the pre-philosophy seminary - where there were already a limited number of students.
Since this turn of events was so sudden it upset our confrères in the Region - especially those who had worked on vocations for so many years.
This situation shows no sign of abating or changing. Other religious institutes and diocesan seminaries face the same crisis - undoubtedly it is evidence of a generalized phenomenon.

b. Ferment among youths and lay people

While the decrease in missionary vocations seems inexorable something else is occurring: many young people are eager to work in the missions as lay people. In recent years the communities of Cacém and Águas Santas have started youth groups that are producing lay vocations.
We can affirm that throughout the region there is a new ferment among the young, evident in a variety of solidarity and formation projects. There is as yet no indication that this will lead to the IMC consecration that communities and vocation workers were hoping for.

c. Restructuring

In the past six years further steps have been taken to complete restructuring of the buildings of he Region. Remodeling at the Fatima House to accommodate its large community has been completed. There is still work to be done to provide accommodation for elderly and sick confrères. Remodeling at the Águas Santas seminary is nearing completion.
The VIII Regional Conference decided to close the community at Figueira da Foz - this was done two years ago. A commission has just finished a detailed study on the possibility of opening a community on the outskirts of Lisbon. This would be a response to the last General Chapter's request to seek out missio ad gentes situations in Europe and at the same time provide support for vocation and mission work - especially among young people.
We believe that the number of persons working in the Region coupled with the closure of the Figueira da Foz community make this new missionary endeavor possible. With this new project we can enlarge the scope of our missionary activity and avoid the excessive concentration of personnel in the Fatima community.
d. Personnel in the Region

The number of young missionaries working in the Region continues to increase; this has led to the existence of two clearly defined groups - those over the age of sixty, and those engaged in their first mission experience (10). This situation was not intentional - it came about gradually through the transfer of personnel - but it has become crucial for the Region. With careful support and direction it can be something positive and enriching. If, however, preconceived ideas, close-mindedness and short-sightedness are not promptly rooted out it could threaten the peaceful progress of the Region.
The positive inclusion of our African confrères is worth noting. Inter-cultural coexistence requires attention and care - the good will of the individuals involved is not sufficient.

e. VIII Regional Conference

The Eighth Regional Conference celebrated in May 2000 was the result of a long process of study and implementation of chapter directives on the Regional level. It concentrated on areas it found congenial: vocation and mission promotion, permanent formation and regional organization. The appendix containing a detailed and candid description of the Region's status is of the utmost importance for understanding the Acts of the Conference.
During our canonical visitation it became apparent that the Conference has had a considerable impact on the Region. The high point of this impact was the preparation leading up to the Conference and its celebration. The Conference continues to be a frame of reference especially for reviewing or preparing Regional programs.
We recommend that the entire Regional community pay close attention to the Conference decisions when the Regional Government is changed this year. The loss of so much that was so carefully prepared could be avoided and plans for the next three years would benefit enormously.

A SPIRITUALITY FOR THE CONSOLATA MISSIONARY IN PORTUGAL

To be a Consolata missionary in Portugal does not simply mean being involved in certain activities, assigned tasks, or organizing and carrying out specific projects. The quality of our presence is the soul of our missionary work and must take precedence over any project or activity.
Certain aspects of our spirituality came up during the visitation and we would like to focus on these aspects.
Duc in altum!

The missionary is essentially a man of optimism and hope - and therefore a man of the future. In every work situation and period of life it is his daily duty to appeal to these Christian attitudes: optimism and hope. In this present day we must each of us be firmly rooted in these values. We are living in a period of profound changes; human existence is changing so rapidly that it gives rise to instinctive fear and trepidation. Questions that appear to have no answers are multiplying beyond control. There are numerous challenges to us as missionaries and to our specific role in society. We might well ask ourselves: what is going on with the society in which we live? in its fevered rush after wealth it seems to be losing its values! What is the man of today looking for? Why does his religious search stray outside the traditional framework of the Christian faith? What does this rush to globalization hold for us in the future?
Because of this constant ferment we must examine closely the society and ecclesial world in which we live - the Tenth General Chapter asked us to do this. We should do this annually in our regional assembly meetings and should not be reluctant to seek the aid of experts.
The words of Pope John Paul II are directed specifically to each of us: "Let us go forward in hope! A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ. The Son of God, who became incarnate two thousand years ago out of love for humanity, is at work even today: we need discerning eyes to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments of his work" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 58).

The quality of our life

Our Founder returned to this subject so many times - in trepidation and in prayer. For him faithfulness to this commitment was the secret of a fulfilled missionary vocation. He wanted every Consolata missionary to be happy and fully successful in his vocation. Here are two elements that can help improve the life of a missionary:
- Prayer: the special moment of encounter with the Lord. This is the moment that galvanizes strength, nourishes ideals and motivates us. Personal and community life projects point out concrete paths to follow in the midst of those specific tasks we carry out. Prayer is an effective way to promote the mission - missionary work is more about "being" than "doing." Besides encouraging prayer groups we should invite those visiting our communities to take part in our common prayer.
- Rest: demands for assistance and pastoral service multiply. We seem to have too little time available. This is when the stress of overworking occurs in individuals and communities. That stress is not an expression of apostolic zeal - rather it is a self-destructive surrender to activity. The individual is harmed and his work profits little. Some useful advice: submit new requests for work to the discernment of the community; limit oneself to specific tasks; get into the habit of establishing priorities; look on rest as a duty; do not neglect to allow specific time for study in our schedules.
By rest we mean time free from work in which we can think about ourselves, renew our energy, study and become involved in community life. A weekly community day is becoming a custom in the Region. Let it be fostered and supported in those communities where it already exists and may it be introduced into those communities where it does not exist. Let us not neglect the many resources we can find outside the Institute for professional training and improving our ongoing formation.

A word to the younger missionaries

You are relatively numerous, come from a variety of countries and this is your first missionary experience. Keep alive your characteristic enthusiasm, love the Region and the work entrusted to your care. Keep alive your spirit of unity and take maximum advantage of those occasional meetings dedicated to your interests. These are precious opportunities for communion, fraternal growth and mutual support. Be determined to establish communion with everyone - especially with the members of your own community. Take care to develop relations with your confrères - even those of a different age, culture or background. Cultivate a deep spirituality with much prayer - this is the secret of success and fulfillment in your vocation. Be attentive to your formation and draw up a Personal Life Project every year. This Personal Life Project should include elements of personal renewal such as spiritual direction, dialogue with the Regional Superior, time set aside for study and reading.

To the older missionaries

Maturity and old age are a gift from God to be welcomed with gratitude and serenity. We must accept these things realistically - every age has its own peculiar characteristics and timetable. Let us not make useless efforts to carry the work schedule of a young man - something that no longer matches our reduced capacity. As our energy for work decreases we should increase the time we spend in prayer. We must accept the limitations of this time of life with faith and they will make suffering and forced inactivity precious. We must be ready to accept from superiors with serenity and in a spirit of obedience one work rather than another, one assignment rather than another. This is a precious sacrifice involving a certain amount of suffering that we can still make for the missionary cause.
The Region is contemplating the possibility of a building to accommodate the aged and infirm. We should be grateful to our confrères who care for those needing help and be willing to assist them in every possible way.

A spirituality of communion

A section of Novo Millennio Ineunte sheds much light on this subject (nos. 43-45). The "spirituality of communion" is depicted as one of the most pressing needs of our time. Motivated by Allamano's charism and the documents of both the Church and the Institute we would indicate some simple steps for our personal, community and Regional life.
- We continue to insist on the Community Life Project; we are concerned not just with drawing it up but with frequent review throughout the year.
- Regional organization must find its inspiration in the spirituality of communion. Otherwise it is an obstacle not an aid to achieving Regional communion. Let us take part willingly in regional meetings - they are indispensable opportunities for community growth.
- We must make room for others in our lives - whether it is the people we serve or the brothers with whom we live. We must struggle against the sort of individualism that jeopardizes community life. Less than perfect achievements done in communion are better than isolated, one-man successes!
- We must grow together in faith: the Eucharist, Divine Office, sharing the Word of God - all of these things are indispensable tools for giving depth to our communion. "Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, "masks" of communion rather than its means of expression and growth' (NMI 43).

IN PORTUGAL: MISSIO AD GENTES

The Eighth Regional Conference believed that the expression, "missio ad gentes" best defines the work we are doing in Portugal today. It describes an existing situation involving new challenges and shows us paths we have not yet begun to explore. It is an effective key to understanding the current situation; it allows us to discern the signs of the times, the changed situations of our Institute and society at large as well as the directives of the Church and of our Family.
Pursuing this line of investigation we would like to highlight aspects that struck us during the visitation and especially during our talks with the missionaries of the Region.

Witness of the Missio ad gentes

We realize that in Portugal we are envoys sent in the name of the Institute to encourage and sustain the missionary identity of the local church. Even here in Europe we must look upon ourselves as authentic missionaries ad gentes and this not only because the Tenth General Chapter wanted to eliminate the distinction between "mission countries" and others; there is genuine ad gentes work in Europe.
Since the conference the Region has looked on our work in Portugal as a service to the missio ad gentes in the local church on behalf of far off territories where initial evangelization is taking place. Everywhere, in every area in which we work, we must identify ourselves as missionaries working with the charism of Blessed Allamano. This clear awareness of our missionary nature will have an impact on our life, spirituality and the sort of pastoral work we do. It must be the subject of our individual and community reflection - our revision of life. Growing in this awareness can cause a profound conversion experience and create greater unity of purpose in pursuing the Region's goals; it can dissipate any romantic longing for the "far off mission" that jeopardizes enthusiasm for our present work.
At the same time we must be convinced that the mission is not just here - we must never lose our longing to go off to the missions. We must look on our missionary work here and our desire to go abroad as normal, necessary and salutary. For this reason we have suggested that the Regional Council - in accord with the General Government - draw up a detailed, gradual plan for transferring personnel in the next few years.

Meaningful Presence

A Consolata missionary is sent to be "present." This is not an individual presence, but a community presence. This presence should be meaningful and engaged to the extent that presence in a particular place becomes a "sign" - a prophecy of what constitutes the most profound identity of the Consolata vocation. To be present does not just mean physically being in a given place - but rather being there with one's whole heart, intensely, completely available to the people we are sent to serve.
Vita Consecrata has already said this forcefully. It depicts the witness of individual and community life as the most effective means for consecrated persons to evangelize. Our missionary presence will be meaningful if we have:
- A personal life project that achieves a harmonious integration between the active and the contemplative, between care of oneself and service to others. It is a mistake to neglect oneself to care for others: we ruin ourselves and don't accomplish anything for others. This was the paternal and prophetic intuition of our Founder; for us today it continues to be the basis and nucleus of all his teaching
- A community life project that goes into detail, offers direction, contributes to a unity of purpose and is aware of all the aspects of our life. Necessary attention must be paid to prayer and community sharing so we don't end up destroying what has cost us so much to build.
- A Charism shared among ourselves and with others, with broad views, sincere and cordial dialogue with the local church and quick to bear witness to our vocation to all who ask. We will avoid the danger of making our communities small "islands" (VIII Regional Conference, p. 29). Among the many requests for work we will choose those that fit in with our goals and will avoid work which in the long-run will defeat our missionary purpose.
- Austerity of life: this makes our witness more authentic and more believable. The general wealth of civil society and the Region's solid financial foundation make it ever more important that individuals and communities use possessions sparingly. We must be able to say with Francis of Assisi "this is perfect joy" when we lack something useful or even necessary. If we practice austerity of life we will not be embarrassed to approach the poor.

Effective mission promotion

Along with vocation promotion, mission promotion is the first priority of the Region. Our visits to the communities revealed that much effort is expended in this area. Everyone is convinced that mission promotion is our primary commitment in Portugal. Only by making this country more mission-minded, both at home and abroad, will we achieve our purpose. From the new awareness the Church has of herself missionary vocations will come, our solidarity with the weak will improve, we will become open to the needs of others and our pastoral work will be transformed into authentic evangelization.
We urge every Consolata missionary working in Portugal not to become discouraged by the apparent sterility of his work, if there is little response or welcome in the parishes we visit. We must find inspiration in the Gospel parable of the leaven - or in the words of Jesus, "what you have freely received, you must freely give!"
There are certain aspects of this activity you have asked us to highlight.
- The periodical Fátima Missionária: it is more attractive and its circulation is constantly increasing. Undoubtedly the press is one of the surest ways to spread and communicate ideas and values nowadays. Everyone should make an effort to increase subscriptions, make it known in parishes, cooperate with the editorial staff and make written contributions.
- After years of working in the same geographical areas we are willing to review the area of our mission promotion and if necessary modify and enlarge it. Sowing must be widespread if it is to produce fruit.
- Justice and Peace projects are respected nowadays; they attract widespread attention, they intersect with the world of young people and they can be the premise of profound mission promotion. They remind us that we must be absolutely fair with the people who work in our houses.
- Every community must learn the "art of prayer" and establish prayer groups for those who are interested (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, 32-34). This is something in which everyone can be involved - the young and the old - and it is something that will improve our communities, and make our missionary, apostolic work useful to and respected by a wide variety of people.

Promoting missionary vocations

Many think this is a sore point in the Region. It is undoubtedly our greatest challenge. There is no shortage of projects in this area. Permit us to say once again - don't give up, don't lose courage in the face of apparent failure. We must remember the Gospel parable of the Sower: our task is to sow, to spread the idea of vocation proposal. It is God who will give life and growth to vocations.
Certain things that came up during the visitation merit special consideration.
- Vocation promotion among adolescents. For some time now, since minor seminaries were discontinued, there has been subsidiary work (Family Seminary) among adolescents, in schools and in parishes. Results have not been promising but you plan to continue this work in the belief that it still holds promise. You are planning to engage in an over-all examination of this project shortly in an effort to make changes or modifications to improve its effectiveness.
- Vocation promotion among young people. This is difficult, involves much work and bears little fruit. Still youth is the ideal time for recruiting vocations. We must continue this work with commitment and make necessary adjustments. For example we could divide young people into three categories or phases of formation:
1. Those in formation: this is the first phase to be cultivated; young people should be led to make a life choice - including a possible IMC vocation. This should last a determined and not too prolonged period of time.
2. Those who decide to become Consolata lay missionaries at the end of the first phase (formation). They should receive the appropriate formation prescribed in the Statutes for Consolata Lay Missionaries.
3. Those who at the end of the first phase (formation) decide to continue their formation and collaboration in the missions as AMC. In this case it is a good idea to establish groups exclusively made up of young people who will work closely with groups made up of older people.
- Consolata Lay Missionaries: they are a consolation in the midst of widespread vocation crisis. They are usually young, eager to follow the Lord's voice, and keen on giving their lives to the service of the missions as "faithful lay people." Our statutes do not hesitate to call this a missionary vocation. They are not simply volunteers - they are responding in faith to the Master who calls and sends them forth.
Some of the missionaries of the Region have expressed understandable discomfort with this idea. Not only is it an entirely new concept, it gives rise to the fear that this emphasis on the laity might diminish the impact and strength of a vocation to consecration as a Consolata missionary. We must be convinced that if vocation promotion is done with clarity one vocation is not in competition with another. Christ continues to call people to follow Him in an infinite variety of ways.
We welcome joyfully this new way of serving the missions with the charism of Allamano. It is the Spirit who is raising up these new ways of following Christ and serving the missions.

Formation for IMC candidates

Regional formation is concentrated in the Águas Santas community - the reduced number of students made this a viable solution. This saves formation personnel and improves relations among candidates; whatever problems may arise can be avoided if the following observations are borne in mind.
- Pre-philosophy and philosophy students should follow different schedules appropriate to their stage of human and vocational development.
- The professed community should volunteer willingly to assist in formation exercises. This voluntary engagement should not replace the work of a director closely and constantly involved in the formation of the young people.
- There should be a serious effort to discover outside formation resources that can make up for the gaps within the community due to reduced numbers.

Solidarity with the poor

The poor are always a privileged category for us - the people among whom we feel most at home. We must find ways to spread our passion for the poor - providing young people with opportunities to meet them, raising consciousness in parishes, taking part in diocesan projects for the poor and outcast. Let us focus our attention on two specific elements.
1. A new opening ad gentes: although the decision has not yet been implemented we view positively the guidelines of the study commission (made up of male and female Consolata missionaries). The Regional Conference wants to work among the urban poor - especially among immigrants.
2. Here are some elements from the commission dossier to be borne in mind when this project gets off the ground: community program; simple structures; emphasis on for sharing; gradual engagement; involving lay people; possibility of welcoming young people eager to share a meaningful missionary experience; spirituality of consolation; formation of local leaders.
3. Assistance to the poor and evangelization projects financed by the Region's annual budget surplus. This has been going on for some years now - either through direct contributions to missionaries or through the General Government. In a recent meeting the Regional and the General Governments determined the best possible way to implement this sharing of resources.
In the context of this visitation, we would like to call to mind the attitudes we should all display in performing this service of fraternal solidarity.
- Gratitude to the Lord, who through the work of our confrères has always provided for our needs - not just to the extent that the Region need not worry about money, but is in a position to make substantial contributions to the poor and to the needier circumscriptions of the Institute.
- Joy in being able to share with others what Providence has so generously given us. Sharing is not optional - it is an obligation for all of us vis-à-vis our needy confrères and the poor.
- Constant attention not to let down our guard on the appropriate use of property in carrying out the work of the Region. The money we waste is taken from the poor and from the missions.

"NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME …"

We close our visitation to the Region with the words of the Lenten liturgy echoing in our ears: "Now is the acceptable time, now is the time of salvation." These words move us to an act of faith in the Provident Father who has called us to live and work in this period of history, in today's world - this is the "acceptable time" to realize God's work of salvation.
In spite of the contradictory signs we may see around us we must believe that this is the "acceptable" time for the Region of Portugal to carry out its missionary task.
We must keep our hearts, ears and eyes open to discern the signs of the time; we must study every event to perceive the path the Lord is pointing out - through the Spirit - for this Region of ours.
We have enjoyed fraternity and communion during our time together. For this we are truly grateful to all of you and we assure you of our prayers for a fruitful future for the Institute in Portugal.
May our Founder be ever close to you and guide you. We ask the Mother of Jesus - so loved and venerated in this country - to bless each of you and intercede for your missionary work. May the February 16 Pilgrimage involving so great and devout a crowd of people be an inspiration for you to continue your mission with dedication and enthusiasm.
Finally we would like to express our profound thanks to the Regional Superior, Father Luis Tomás and his Council for having made our visit and our work easier in so many ways.
We greet you in the Lord and call down on you the intercession of St. Joseph, "our special protector" (VS 764).

Father Piero Trabucco, IMC
Father General
Father Giano Benedetti, IMC
Continental Councilor for Europe