The General Chapter Ends

After Morning Prayer and breakfast, the Capitulars gathered in the Chapter Hall to tackle the final matters. In the first place, the evaluation committee presented the result of the survey done yesterday. According to the comment, the redaction team and the Chapter secretary deserved a special recognition for their quality service. Then Fr. Rosendo Urrabazo CMF, at the request of Fr. General, thanked all the persons who participated in a commission and made the development of the Chapter possible. In the list he included the Missionaries who collaborated in the translations, both from the Chapter hall itself and from England, France, United States, Spain and Italy.

Fr. General’s closing message marked the climax of this day. At the beginning he remarked that the Chapter should mean for all the participants a special Pentecost and, like Mary and the apostles, they should go out to their organisms, marked by joy. He went on to invite them to be themselves the interpretation of the Chapter document for their brothers. He also asked the capitulars to carry his greetings and embrace to all the missionaries, starting from the sick and the aged; in a special way he wanted to convey his greeting to the young missionaries who are preparing for the mission. Fr. Mathew insisted on expressing his gratitude for the generous response they are giving to the Lord. He also included in his embrace all the lay people who are close to the Claretian Mission.After asking and making sure that all the foreseen Chapter matters had been dealt with, Fr. General officially declared the end of the Chapter. Immediately, at the request of the Chapter secretary, all the capitulars present signed the Minutes of the Chapter. And at the end, to thank God for the exit of the Chapter, all participated in the Eucharist which was presided over by Fr. Mathew Vattamattam himself. Fathers Aquilino Bocos and Josep M. Abella, previous Superiors General, accompanied him at the altar.