“The time has come for us to adapt”
“Let us continue to adapt to this changing world, to find the Light that will allow us to sustain our mission. We must not give up, but continue to open ourselves up and collaborate.” Br. Jesus Etayo.
The day began with a speech by Brother Jesus Etayo in presence of the General Government on the perspectives for the Hospitaller Order. Topics included the lives of the brothers, the transmission of the charisma of saint John of God, vocation ministry, common challenges or differences in regional realities, the ongoing formation of the Brothers, and administrative and financial management… A time for listening, questions, that transitioned into thematic group discussions in the afternoon, to outline the contours of this shared reality.
Generative Listening at the heart of this afternoon
Building on themes related to the sensing work conducted across the 18 provinces, everyone had the opportunity today to reflect on this experience, discuss the reality of their province, share personal questions or surprises, and pose their inquiries. The goal was to enable each participant to better gauge the pulse of the Hospitaller Order, its present reality, and its evolutions, beyond their own province and daily life. Thus, collectively drawing the reality of the Hospitaller Order globally.
Gathered in linguistic groups of participants, mixing provinces, the participants were invited beforehand to read and absorb the provincial sensing reports, paying particular attention to two of the proposed themes. Each group was able to discuss two themes, following the “U methodology” and generative listening:
- Each person expresses what they understood, noted, or questioned
- What emotions did this reflection ignite?
- Listen to the perspectives of others, trying to understand them
- Summarize the outcomes of this conversation in a common group feedback
- Thus, from each theme emerges a sketch of a shared reality, beyond the borders of one’s own province.
The themes discussed included:
- Health
- Careers
- The impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises
- The financial crisis
- Spiritual and existential needs
- Demographic trends
- Living and working together
- Governance
- Life of the Brothers
- Emerging new realities (new forms of poverty and migrations)
“I am grateful to all who committed in the sensing phase, previous to the Chapter. A great job has been done and very rich reports have been produced” added one Brother. ”It’s a chance to come to this General Chapter with such material and to share it with the coworkers”