Nemi, Italy. September 10, 2021. After yesterday’s visit to Pope Francis, the capitular road is heading towards the final goal. To travel this last stretch, we had an exceptional guest: our brother, Cardinal Aquilino Bocos, who attended today’s sessions as a listener, honoring us with his kind, discreet and familiar presence. Thank you, Father Aquilino, for being in Nemi to accompany us on these concluding days!

There was a peculiar atmosphere among the capitulars today. On the one hand, there was the awareness of living in first person an important moment in the history of the Congregation. We all agreed on the need to maintain the creative tension until the last moment. On the other hand, it was impossible to deny that the intense work of this month has meant an added effort for the members of the Chapter. Today the fatigue was more noticeable than in previous days. Aware of all this, Father General, in the first session of the morning, invited us to keep our spirits firm until the last moment and to participate with responsibility in the last stage of discernment.

The planned dynamics, our chapter routine, was carried out to the letter: the beginning of the day with personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharist, which today was presided over by the provinces of India; the four sessions in the chapter hall; the moments of conviviality and fraternization; the prayerful conclusion of the joint work; and, finally, the work of the commissions after supper.

Fortunately, we were able to discuss all the commitments on the agenda for this Friday’s session. The debate lived up to its name, revealing both the plurality of the Congregation and the great harmony we share on fundamental issues. It can be said, without fear of exaggeration, that the capitulars have lived up to their name.

The agenda is still full and tomorrow will also be a day of intense work, which will leave us, among other things, the last chronicle of this XXVI General Chapter.

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