EXTRAORDINARY DEFINITORY

As you already know the first Extraordinary Definitory of the present sexennium took place at the Jesuit Retreat Centre, in an area known as APadre Hurtado@ of Santiago, Chile, 3rd-12th October 2005. 73 Religious were present: Fr General with the Definitory, the Superiors of the Provinces, Commissariats, General Delegations, representatives from other Regions, secretaries and translators.  We thanked Fr Felix Malaxechevarria, Rector of the Sanctuary dedicated to St. Teresa of the Andes, for his organizational skills which he put at our service.

Many of our readers will already have received news of this meeting from our website:check it again for the latest news www.ocd.pcn.net/doc/chile_index.htm

DIARY OF THE EXTRAORDINARY DEFINITORY

by Fr Marco Chiolerio, ocd (Genova Province)

Tuesday 4^th October

Almost all the participants to the Definitory arrived yesterday afternoon, which allowed them to rest after the long journey and meet one another before the talks begin tomorrow.

The day began at 7 a.m. with a concelebrated Eucharist dedicated to the Patron Saint of Italy, St. Francis of Assisi.  Fr General, Luis Arostegui reminded us how much St. Teresa of Avila admired this man.

The General was suffering from a cold which he seemed to pick up on arrival in Chile. He began the Definitory wishing everyone well.  His greetings were echoed by the Regional Vicar for Chile, Fr. Julio.  Then Fr. James Mamic was made moderator for the day.  The General introduced his two reports, on the objectives for the sexennium an on the state of the Order two years after his election as General of the Discalced Carmelites.  His words created a lively exchange of opinions.

In the afternoon we listened to a presentation about Chile, its size and people, by a young lecturer and her assistant. After the break we began working in small groups.  The Fathers, divided into language groups, and addressed the reports given by Fr. General, writing down their comments.

Wednesday 5^th October