Homily at the Opening Mass of GC35
His Eminence, the Most Reverend Franc Card. Rodé, C.M.
Dear members of the xxxv General Congregation of the Society of Jesus
St Ignatius considered the General Congregation “work and a distraction” (Const. 677) which momentarily interrupts the apostolic commitments of a large number of qualified members of the Society of Jesus and for this reason, clearly differing from what is customary in other religious Institutes, the Constitutions establish that it should be celebrated at determined times and not too often.
Nevertheless, it must be called principally on two occasions: for the election of the Superior General and when things of particular importance or very difficult problems which touch the body of the Society must be treated. Read more »
