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CONGREGAZIONE DEI SACERDOTI
DEL SACRO CUORE DI GESÙ
________
Rome, December 29, 2004
To: Members of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Members of the Dehonian Family
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Today, December 29, 2004 we learned from the Holy See that the Holy Father, John Paul II, will proclaim Blessed the venerable Father Leo Dehon, founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart on April 24, 2005 during the Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square.
These few months remaining before the beatification are very important for the congregation of SCJs and for the Dehonian Family. The Church has confirmed our choice of religious life by giving recognition to the Dehonian charism as a gift from the Holy Spirit, chiefly by sanctioning the Constitutions of the Congregation and of other Institutes that receive inspiration from the same spirituality, one which also embraces and encourages various lay groups throughout the world. Now we are about to receive a very meaningful gift: the beatification of our founder. Let us strive to receive this gift with a spiritual disposition and a suitable preparation.
As Dehonian Family, we have a father and spiritual guide in Father Dehon. We have a common way of approaching the mystery of Christ from the aspect of his Heart open on the cross, a heart that is, at once, available, in solidarity, docile, and profoundly human. Let us live united to his reparatory oblation as embedded in a world wounded by sin and needing salvation, and let us share the mission of building up his Kingdom of love in souls and in society.
This event invites us to find common space for prayer and faith sharing, for reflection and formation in this area of our common patrimony, one that also impels us to a new effort in service that is ecclesial, social, missionary as our Founder exemplified. To explore and to make known the life and work of Father Dehon as model for discovery of God's designs and as model of service in transforming the world according to the light of the Gospel is the best way of preparing for the celebration of the beatification.
Let us strive to prepare, in a very special way, “Dehonian Day” on March 14, 2005. Let this celebration find us united in prayer and asking the Lord to continue to raise up in the church men and women adept in heroically living out the charism offered us through Father Dehon.
Certainly, not everyone will be able to be present in Rome for the beatification. Let us hope that everyone can be represented, but, much more importantly, that the celebration in St. Peter's square can re-echo in many parts of the congregation as a day of thanksgiving to God for the gift of Father Dehon and of commitment to promoting his charism as a service to the church and to society.
By living out this event together, this event that unites and challenges each one to be faithful and creative in walking in the footsteps of Father Leo Dehon, we extend our fraternal greetings in the Heart of Jesus.
Fr. José Ornelas Carvahlo, scj
Superior General
and his council
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