Christ, the accomplishment of the new world (Cst. 10)

The Superior General’s Introductory Letter for the Dehonian Jubilee (2024–2028) highlights that our celebration’s spiritual core rests on reflection upon Constitutions nn. 9–39. We are pleased to share the second reflection and testimony, centered on Constitution n. 10.

Christ, the accomplishment of the new world (Cst. 10)

Sent to the fullness of time, in obedience to the Father, Christ fulfils his service for the multitudes.

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).

Through his solidarity with men and women as the new Adam, he revealed God’s love and proclaimed the Kingdom: that new world which is already in germ through the groping efforts of men and women and which will find its fulfilment, beyond all expectations, when, through Jesus, God will be all in all.

For we know that to this day the whole creation groans and suffers, as in the pangs of childbirth. It is not the only one: we too, who possess the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly, waiting for our adoption, for liberation for our body itself (Rom 8:22-23).

When all things have been submitted to him, he, the Son, will submit himself to the Father who has made him master of the universe, so that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:28).

The text of Cst. 10 articulates the transition from the experience of faith to the gift of oneself according to Christ’s self-giving. This theme is primarily situated within the context of “our experience of faith” (Cst. 9). Living this experience of faith intimately with Christ calls Dehonians to bear witness to the primacy of the Kingdom. How does the experience of faith with Christ lead to bearing witness to the Kingdom? The key lies in understanding that the Kingdom of God is not a distant, abstract concept; rather, it is the new world that has come to light in the very Person of Jesus and in His service to the multitudes.

The Kingdom has become present and active in the “New Man”—that is, in the Person of Jesus dwelling in our midst. In other words, affirming the primacy of the Kingdom means affirming the primacy of the Person of Jesus. Cst.10 emphasizes two fundamental axes of the Kingdom’s presence in Christ: filial obedience and solidarity with humanity. By fully assuming His role as the New Adam (the one who obeys, serves, and gives His life), Christ reveals God’s love and concretely establishes His Kingdom within the unfolding of history. This new world, already mysteriously germinating through uncertain and hesitant human efforts, will find its ultimate fulfillment beyond all human expectations.

However, bearing this witness requires a prior and profound interiorization. A Dehonian’s primary task is to welcome the presence of the Kingdom and to intimately live out its spiritual realities. By affirming the gift of the Kingdom and consecrating themselves more intimately to God and His service through religious profession, Dehonians find themselves on the path of following Christ—journeying from the “gift of faith” to the “gift of oneself.” The logic of witness thus becomes a direct continuation of the revelatory mission: if Christ is the witness and revelation of the Father’s love, Dehonians must, in turn, be the witnesses and revelation of Christ to the people of their time. Christ’s self-giving in filial obedience and solidarity with humanity becomes the model for Dehonians in their way of bearing witness to His love.

For Dehonians, these theological foundations translate into radical daily commitments. Through active participation in the Church’s mission, Dehonians serve as visible signs of Christ’s love, announcing the renewal of the world and the coming of the Kingdom. Nevertheless, it must be clearly understood that, for Dehonians, becoming a visible sign goes far beyond mere apostolic activity; rather, it is an expression of their self-gift in living out an intimate solidarity with Christ. More than simply performing an apostolate, Dehonians constantly look to Christ’s way of giving Himself—to His filial obedience and solidarity with humanity—so that their ministry becomes a true testament to His life. Every day, this intimate solidarity seals their spiritual commitment to make their entire lives a reparative oblation, continually offered to the Father for the salvation of humanity.

(Yudistiro Adifitrityassanto, SCJ)

My experience as Novices Master in Vietnam

A testimony of life provided by Father Vincent Nguyen, SCJ, Novice Master of our Vietnam District.

“Christ, the Accomplishment of the new world” in Constitution number 10 is the Christ who completely obeys the Father through coming into the world to serve and give His life as a ransom for the many (Mark 10:45).  As the new Adam, Christ has revealed God’s profound love and announced the Kingdom, the New World that He accomplishes through His solidarity with people. Christ’s solidarity with people is universal, which has a great many ways to reflect on.  As the novice master, in a small angle, I would focus on Christ’s solidarity with His disciples, particularly the core group, the twelve apostles. Christ’s solidarity with them inspires me in my ministry.  It can be said that as the perfect master, before sending the disciples, particularly the group of the twelve to proclaim the Good News, Christ spent time being in concrete solidarity with them through accompanying and forming them with love.  Christ’s concrete solidarity with them in teaching them to serve when kneeling down to wash His disciples’ feet (Ga 13, 1 – 15); in caring for them when preparing bread and fish for them to eat (Ga 21, 1 – 14).

Christ as the perfect master invites me to follow His footsteps.  In following Christ’s footsteps, I am invited to spread God’s profound love through concrete solidarity with the novices.  I need to spend full time accompanying the novices, which is done through joining them in daily prayers, in imparting them with knowledge about Fr. Dehon, Dehonian Spirituality, Rule of Life, Liturgy, Holy Bible, catechism of the Catholic Church…., in monthly individual conversation, in patience to guide them to gradually grow.  I am deeply aware that in following Christ’s footsteps, I need to make many sacrifices.  With such awareness, I would offer this prayer to Christ.  “Lord, teach me to embrace this ministry with love so that I can follow you as the One who accomplishes the New World”.

(Vincent Nguyen Van Dinh, SCJ)