2nd PHASE: LOOKING AT REALITY
Looking at Reality. The World.

Eucharist in language groups. Begin the 2nd Phase.

Breakfast

Address by Mary Robinson: Anthropological, Cultural, Political, and Economic Perspectives of Our World. (Doc 4.2.1a)

"Free" small groups in the Chapter Hall (Doc 4.2.1b). Questions drawn up and given to 3 selected Brothers. The 3 Brothers summarize the questions and give them to Ms. Robinson.

Break

Questions and answers, Ms. Robinson

Ms. Robinson’ departure.

Participation by 3 Brothers
Directions given for the work of the afternoon "B" groups

Lunch

3rd Session How has the reality presented influenced my Exodal experience on the local and Regional level?
"B" groups – Appointment of a group secretary

1. How is this presentation relevant for my local situation and for our international Institute?

2. What is the connection between what was heard during the presentation and what I read in the documents sent to Chapter delegates (Preparatory documents and what I heard and lived in previous meetings)

3. Implications for the Institute in the coming years.

Break

4th Session
Group reporters (Secretaries) meet in language groups (E, I, F) to summarize what was sensed in the small groups. If possible, the three language groups can combine their findings into one report.
Capitulants have time for reflection and prayer (40 minutes).

Plenary Assembly gathers to listen to the report (10 minutes) and to react (30 minutes).

Prayer by linguistic Groups

Supper

MARY ROBINSON...DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS

She arrived from New York and at the end of her morning presentation she was scheduled to fly to Thailand. There was anticipation in the Chapter Hall as she was the first woman to give a presentation at this Chapter. Her name was Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland and former High Commissioner of Human Rights for the United Nations.

The Preparatory Commission made an excellent choice in inviting this world leader who puts human values before politics.

Her contributions at the beginning of the Chapter, condemning fundamentalism, the recruitment of child soldiers, manipulation by the media, and the failure of governments to uphold the rights of children was very helpful and informative.

Her presentation sensitized the delegates to the discrimination that women are forced to suffer in the world. It was difficult to hear that in some countries, “Women who report crimes are raped rather than protected.”

Mary Robinson challenged La Salle, as an Institution with a significant international outreach and presence, to establish concrete measures in our schools for the promotion of human rights.

THE PARC EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT

On entering the San Miguel Febres Cordero Hall in “Block B” last evening, we were transported to the lands of the PARC Region. Without moving we made a very long journey.

The Brothers Capitulants of PARC opened up for us the cultural richness of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Their entertainment went on with songs, dances and “tastes” of the typical dishes and beverages of those distant lands.

Tomorrow, it will be the turn of the REL, that is, the new Lasallian European Region. This is all within the first phase of the Chapter, “Building Community”

OPINIONS

The atmosphere the capitulants feel.

How did the beginning of the Chapter go for you?

Jean-Luc LAMBERT, France

Since the start of the Chapter, the atmosphere among the Brothers Capitulants has truly been cordial, fraternal and cheerful… in spite of the differences of language and culture. This came across so clearly in:
The attentions we pay to one another during the meetings, the celebrations and meals…
The effort to enter into relations, to understand each other better…
And even in the gestures of friendship proper to the various regions.

I find that this Chapter—in spite of the heavy timetable filled with intense work—is slowly but surely getting to the heart of the matter. There were so many things in the reports, the reflections and the interventions that we have been receiving for almost a year now. We have already done much of the work in our districts on those themes: context, etc.

At the same time I am well aware of the willingness to move forward in such a way that we get to know each other better before we begin.

Edmond PRECOURT. L.I.N.E (USA)

The fraternity of all coming together from around the world was warm and welcoming. The excitement of the time together, building community is felt by all. Meeting individual for the first time and sharing personal stories provides a depth for community development and the understanding of diverse cultures. Our time together will enrich our future as we move toward a deeper understanding of our life together.

Jorge GALLARDO DE ALBA, Japan

For lack of light we are looking for
Echoes that will cause us to listen for
That which will confirm out intuitions.
Voices: whether canticles or lamentations
Resound in the different languages
The identical message… a first intuition?
Faith in the future.

Paulo PETRY. Sao Paulo (Brazil)

I see it as a process that grabs our attention, challenges and involves us completely, leading us to live the experience of the “other”. We are diverse in origin, especially so with regard to cultures, but we form a single body in our Institute’s origin, our common mission and our shared dreams.

For me, the commencement of the 44th General Chapter has been an experience of openness and fraternity.