SUPERIOR GENERAL’S CIRCULAR LETTER
ON THE SYMPOSIUM &
THE DIVINE MERCY IN THE MARIAN CHARISM

In the circular letter for December 8, 2002, I shared with all the members of the Congregation our plans to hold a symposium on the mystery of the Divine Mercy in its relation to the charism of the Marians in May 2003 at the Marian Shrine in Lichen. The idea for this symposium derived from a recommendation of the 1993 General Chapter, which was confirmed in unchanged form by the 1999 General Chapter. It commissioned the General Government to study this question and to present the obtained results to the Congregation. Urged by the decisions of both Chapters, I, with the consent of the General Council, asked Father Janusz Kumala, MIC, director of the Center for Marian Formation at Lichen, to organize an international theological symposium on the mystery of the Divine Mercy and its relation to the Marian charism.

By means of this letter, I want to inform you that this symposium will be held from May 12 -16 at the Marian Shrine in Lichen. Its participants will include experts in various theological fields as well as the Marians engaged in the promotion of the Divine Mercy devotion and in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The symposium will begin at midday on May 12, with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Each day will be devoted to the consideration of the theological relationships that the Mystery of the Divine Mercy has to the contemporary culture and to the consecrated life, with an accent put on its Christological and Ecclesiological dimensions. We shall look at the message of Saint Faustina in the light of today’s theology of the Divine Mercy, at the relation of the Immaculate Conception to this mystery, as well as at particular traditions of the Marians connected with God’s Mercy. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion devoted to Marian experiences of God’s Mercy in relation to our charism and to discussion groups touching on particular themes. The symposium will finish on May 16, with closing remarks at midday.

I particularly ask all the Provincial Superiors to attend. In addition, having consulted the General Council, I am inviting also other confreres particularly involved in the question under consideration. The list of these members is attached to the letter. I ask the Provincial Superiors to take care that the invited members of their Province be able to come to Lichen.

I had hoped to send this invitation sooner, but other duties prevented me from doing so. If someone of the invited persons cannot attend the symposium, I ask they or their major superior inform me. The Marian community at Lichen has generously offered to cover our room and board during the symposium in return for the priest participants celebrating the Mass for their intentions. Please inform me, or the General Secretary, of your travel arrangements as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements to prepare rooms and to arrange for ground transportation to the Shrine in Lichen.

I believe that this symposium will offer us a serious and interesting opportunity to reflect on the Mystery of the Divine Mercy that has touched so many members of our Congregation, and to discern together its relationship to our charism. I confide the preparation of the symposium, its proceedings and its fruits to the Divine Mercy and to the care of Mary Immaculate.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

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