LETTER
CONVOKING THE GENERAL CONVENTION
Fatima, Portugal, June 3-8, 2002

In accord with our Constitutions, n. 255, I hereby convoke a General Convention to be held in our religious house in Fatima, Portugal, from June 3-8, 2002. The theme of the Convention will be “The Challenge and Priority of Vocation Promotion at the Beginning of the New Millennium.” From June 3-5, the Convention will be devoted to study and discussion on this theme. From June 6-8, the participants will go on pilgrimage to the Tomb of Father Casimir Wyszynski, MIC in Balsamao, to pray for an increase in vocations to our Congregation. The visit in Balsamao will also be dedicated to a presentation on the project of preserving the Tomb and the Church where the Venerable Servant of God Casimir is buried.

As prescribed by the Marian Directory, n. 258, the participants of the Convention are the members of the General Government, the Provincial Superiors, the Superior of the Vice-Province, and members with greater experience and good knowledge of the subject matter of the Convention who have been proposed by the Provincial Superiors and approved by the Superior General with the consultative vote of his Council. In addition, the General Government has invited representatives from the Ukrainian General Vicariate and from the Marian Mission in Africa.

Please recall that the Convention is a consultative body (cf. C. 257). Its purpose is to discuss more important matters and to suggest practical proposals. I am confident that the contribution of all the participants will be of great value as we strive to elaborate a strategy to meet this important challenge to the life and mission of our Congregation.

As preparatory reading for the Convention, the participants are asked to read the booklet, “New Vocations For A New Europe,” the final document of the Congress on vocations to the priesthood and religious life, which was held in Rome, May 5-10, 1997. Though the document was originally intended for Europe, it represents the latest synthesis of the Church’s teaching and practice about vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Its insights and findings have proven to be of great interest and popularity throughout the Church.

During the Convention, invited speakers have been asked to present reports on particular aspects of the promotion of vocations in the Church. Translations of these talks will be made available at the Convention. Participants of the Convention are asked to arrive at Fatima on June 2 and are free to leave on June 9. As the date of the Convention draws nearer, the participants will receive further information about its schedule and content. I ask all the confreres to pray for the intention of the General Convention, that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, it may be a spiritually fruitful and stimulating moment for our Congregation.

Fr. Mark Garrow, M.I.C.
Superior General