The Curia Informs4the wonderful potential of whatit means to be a <strong>Passionist</strong>.We would be grateful if youwould share with us some yourhopes for the future, so thatyour reflections may help us toformulate strategies for planningthe subsequent stages ofthe process.What life style, what missioncan we envision today for a<strong>Passionist</strong> future? How are wepresent and effective in the currentglobalized world? Whatkind of Congregation can weenvision? What are possibledreams?It is necessary to send theresponses and reflections to theSecretary of the Commission,Fr. Elie Muakasa, as soon aspossible but no later than nextAugust 15. The Commissionwill have an opportunity tostudy the responses and to integratesome or all of your reflectionsor suggestions into theupcoming work phase.We are looking forward tothe ideas that you have to offerus so as to proceed more efficiently.Together with this letter youwill find the questionnaires andthe three main questions:Charism, Presence, andMission, as well as other pointsor questions to keep in mindwhile formulating the responses.Then the reflections and theresponses will be studied andcategorized by theRestructuring Commission inthe form of a report and whichwill then constitute the basis ofdialogue and further study bythe Commission and theGeneral Council nextSeptember in Australia wherethe PASPAC Assembly will takeplace and during which theGeneral Council will meetamong themselves and with theMajor Superiors of the Region.At the September meetingthe Commission will preparethe third phase by means ofmore specific questions directedtoward the Major Superiors andthe Regional Conferences. Thiswill also be the point at whichwe wish to enlist the involvementand consultation of thewomen religious and the laity ofthe <strong>Passionist</strong> Family.Obviously the Restructuringprocess which was initiatedwith the mandate of the Synodof last November/December,wishes to involve all the religiousof the Congregation andthe various components of the<strong>Passionist</strong> Family. We must allbe involved in searching outpaths to be taken and in offeringconcrete suggestions for actualizingRestructuring. It musttruly be a collegial undertakingbecause we are convinced aboutthe presence of the Spirit of Godin the Congregation and aboutthe living dimension of thesacrament of salvation that,according to the Council, is theChurch.Therefore, in a spirit of simplicityand humility, may no onefeel inadequate to be able togive a response, because "theThe <strong>Passionist</strong> church in Metoro, MozambiqueSpirit blows where he wills"and because through the"mouths of little ones God isglorified". Today, 31 May, thefeast of the Visitation of themost Blessed Virgin Mary to St.Elizabeth her cousin, "the barrenone who gave birth". Weentrust to her, the Mother ofJesus, our journey, she who "setout and traveled to a town ofJudah". (Lk. 1:39) Her presenceand her greeting also makenew life for Congregation"leap" within us. "And blessedare you who believed what wasspoken to you by the Lordwould be fulfilled." (Lk. 1:45)As I leave for a week's pastoralvisit to our mission inBulgaria, I send my fraternalgreetings to all the religious ofthe Congregation, especially tothe sick who in their flesh experiencethe Passion the Jesus, tothe young and to the womenreligious and the laity of the<strong>Passionist</strong> Family.Fr. Ottaviano D’Egidio, C.P.Superior GeneralSts. John and Paul, RomeFeast of the Visitation31 May 2005The address to which you maysend your responses is as follows:* Secretary of the Commissionfor RestructuringFr. Elie Muakasa, C.P.P.za SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1300184 Roma Italiae-mail: muakasa@yahoo.fror to the Secretary General**email:segretariogen@passiochristi.org
The Curia InformsQuestionnaire n.2To the Communities of the CongregationIn order to share your dream for the future ofour Congregation, please answer the threemajor questions below. These are being sharedwith every Provincial, Vice Provincial andVicariate Council and every community in theCongregation in the second stage of the consultationprocess.Q A. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation, our Community is committed todeepening our experience of the <strong>Passionist</strong>Charism now and for the future in the followingways:……………………..Q B. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation our Community is committed todevelopment of <strong>Passionist</strong> presence now andfor the future in the followingways:…………………………Q C. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation our Community is committed tore-focusing the <strong>Passionist</strong> mission now and forthe future in the followingways:…………………………experience, express and communicate the<strong>Passionist</strong> Charism?5. The ways that diminishment of the numberof religious can call us to new ways of life.6. The ways we can widen our <strong>Passionist</strong> presenceto welcome others in.7. The way in which that the experience of thepoor & suffering of our world impact uponus.8. The ways that new forms of leadership andgovernance could develop for theCongregation.9. The ways in which we could re-focus ourmission as <strong>Passionist</strong>s.10.The ways that communications within theCongregation could be enhanced.11.The ways we can respect the needs ofyounger and older religious.12.The ways we maintain and promote a positiverelationship between developed anddeveloping parts of the Congregation.13.The ways that the <strong>Passionist</strong> Congregationcan understand and promote the priesthoodof all the baptized.14.The ways we can finance our life and ministryfor now and the future.In responding to these three questions pleasetake account of the following issues that haveemerged in the process so far. Grouping theseissues under a particular question may helpyou. However some may apply to more thanone question. For example:Q A: 1, 2, 3, 4;Q B: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 14;Q C: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14;1. The ways in which the Congregation canremain rooted in its charism and yet have thestrength and flexibility to adapt and developnew ways of life.2. The ways in which the prophetic witness ofthe Congregation could develop.3. The ways in which our <strong>Passionist</strong> Formationcan develop.4. The ways that your Community could assistthe Province, Vice-province or Vicariate to"The strength and the flexibility to adapt…"5