Anniversary of the election of Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Cordorniú

Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú. Eleventh Superior General (July 20, 2018). He was born on September 2, 1965 in Spain. He made his first profession on September 29, 1984 and was ordained on September 2, 1990. He was elected eleventh Superior General of our Congregation on July 20, 2018.

Programmatic Letter 2018-2024,
His way is our way, Rome, May 31, 2019

We want to gratefully renew our condition as disciples. Even recognizing our fragility, we long to proclaim in every occasion and place that “his way is our way” (Cst. 12). How to do this if not by contemplating and living the Gospel that has been given to us? This is what our Founder assumed: “[The Gospel] is the book they must constantly study, meditate and, so to speak, devour”.[1]

In Fr. Dehon we find the coherent testimony of a life open to the Gospel: he contemplated it, he lived it and he shared it. The lectio continua of the Good News, the proximity to the Eucharist and his commitment to the challenges of his time, marked his profound spiritual life and his intense pastoral activity. In him we recognize the imprint of “an authentic «Eucharistic culture». This way of thinking and acting is summarized in three words: communion, service, and mercy”.”[2]

In light of the charism that each of us has received and share, we want to continue welcoming this gift in an obedience attentive to God’s will. But just like the disciples, we are not exempt from distractions, conflicts and arrogance. Like them, we need to continue adjusting mind, heart and feet to the teaching of the Master: “the quality of our religious life and the effectiveness of our apostolate depend, in large part, on our constant effort at adaptation and renewal” (Cst. 104).

The renewal of our discipleship is also verified in the existential proximity to the many human realities where it would seem that investing life and what we have is a losing proposition: “We are disciples of Christ whose heart seems inclined more towards the unfortunate classes, and who embrace with tender charity the little ones and the oppressed”.[3]

Prayer for the Congregation and its superiors

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
we ask you to guide our Congregation.
Help us,
who are dedicated to your heart,
to live as brothers united in chastity,
poverty, and obedience.

Bless our communities.
May all that we are and do
draw strength from the love
made visible in your pierced side.

Be with our brothers
who are given the service of authority.
May they work with courage and love
to build up our common life and ministry.
May we collaborate with them,
faithfully searching for God’s will.
In this way,
may the whole Congregation participate
in your offering of love to the Father. Amen.

[1] L. Dehon (1902), EXT 8035170/02.

[2] Pope Francis, Address to participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, Rome 10.11.18.

[3] L. Dehon (1897), REV 8031040/6.