The message of the beheading of John the Baptist captures the trauma many of those in Church leadership go through. To be a leader these day and age entails being ready to be beheaded. I have to be ready to see my head on the tray like John as a missionary. We need to see ourselves as John the Baptists…
“He did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith”(Matthew 13:58) Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori Texts of the day:Lev 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37Mt 13:54-58 Dear brothers and sisters: As we gather for this General Chapter, the Word of God presents us with two complementary images: on the one hand, that of unbelieving Nazareth, which rejects…
Ordinary Life in the Chapter One of the brothers recently told me that, on the one hand, he feels that this Chapter has only just begun, and on the other, that it has been going on for a very long time. Another mentioned with a smile that he had finally stopped getting lost and now knew all the entrances to…
Joyful Faces of Leadership Blessed Jordan of Saxony once wrote about Saint Dominic that:“the serene balance of his inner self was expressed outwardly through signs of kindness and cheerfulness on his face.” When I listened to the homily in which Brother Pascal Paulus from Pakistan recalled the image of Moses and his face shining after his encounter with God, I…
Reflections on St. Ignatius of Loyola Although the Chapter deals with matters concerning the Order, it does not exist or operate outside the Church—on the contrary, it lives at its heart. Therefore, its rhythm is determined not only by the daily schedule, but also by the liturgical calendar. Today, as we commemorate St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society…
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”(Matthew 6:10) Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola “God wills, humans dream, the work is born”“God wills, humans dream, the work is born.” This is the first line of the poem “O Infante” (The Infant) by the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935). This famous poem, in which Pessoa exalts the…
The Embrace of Fraternity During the ceremony of taking the habit, which is a big and moving event in the Polish province, I heard a sentence that stuck in my memory. Immediately after the provincial dressed me in the habit, there was a sign of peace with all the brothers present. One of them embraced me warmly—even though we had…
“Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”(Matthew 13:44) Homily for July 30, 2025Readings: Exodus 34:29–35 | Psalm 98 | Matthew 13:44–46General Chapter of Priors Provincial – Kraków Dear brothers and Sisters,As brothers we are gathered here in fraternity at Kraków for this General Chapter, the readings of today come to us…
Sowing with Faith in Times of Fragility: A Word from the Heart of the Chapter The Power of Testimony in Preaching Readers of these notes may be surprised that the chronicler dedicates so much space to the sermons preached during the Chapter. This is because these commentaries on the Word are imbued with the life experience and Church experience of…
“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”(John 11:5) Memorial of Martha, Mary and Lazarus Today’s liturgical celebration leads us to encounter the fraternity of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany, a family that according to Saint John the Evangelist (cf. John 11:5) was loved by Jesus, a family where Jesus found rest in the joy of friendship, but also,…
