Community life
From 2 January to 12 February, as usual, the ordinary welcoming of guests was suspended. This enabled the community to cultivate more the dimension of fraternal life and of community discussion.
A first occasion of formation and discussion were two days of reflection offered by br Goffredo and br Luciano on the topics respectively of monastic liturgy and of articulation between individual, community, and word in monastic life. Immediately afterwards, from 4 to 6 February, the community held its annual chapter, in which the prior brought out three aspects for reflection. The first is fraternal life, concerning which it was noted that the community is living a time of particular grace, characterized by the absence of great worries. In spite of deficiencies on various levels, on account of which our spiritual struggle has to continue, we recognize that by the grace of God we are living in a climate of authentic brotherly love. The second aspect to consider are two dimensions in the present church panorama and that of the near future, which will require of us particular vigilance, reflection, and, especially, personal and community awareness: ecumenism and liturgy. The third aspect that can be noted is that the community is becoming more and more a place of encounter for guests coming from all of Europe and even beyond, hence it is necessary to intensify our efforts to learn foreign languages. Among the points of discussion, the chief one regarded the fraternities: a decision concerning the Jerusalem fraternity, on the supposition of a new home and of other brothers joining it; a discussion concerning the special context of the fraternity of Assisi, to be opened shortly, and what will be requested of the brothers sent there; discernment concerning a fraternity of sisters.
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