As the General Chapter is on going, discernment and openness to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has been the occupation of the Chapter Fathers.

According to the Constitutions No. 203, “The Superior General, as successor of the Holy Founders, is the supreme Moderator, principle of unity and master of charity for the entire Order. His authority, in the limits of Canon Law and of the Constitutions, is supreme within the Order. He will fulfill his office with a charity that is patient, impartial, attentive, always ready. Just as his authority is great in the Order, so should he excel for his holiness of life and competency.”

There are criteria regarding the choosing of the next Superior General according to the constitution nos. 204-210:

  1. He should treasure the opinion of his confreres, especially of his Consultors, even when he is not strictly obliged to it. He will dedicate himself completely to the service of the Order, avoiding all other activity that would prevent him, even partially, from fulfilling his mandate.
  2. To be elected Superior General, the candidate must be solemnly professed at least ten years.
  3. The Superior General receives his office by election, and remains in that office for six years. He can be reelected only one consecutive time.
  4. The resignation of the Father General will be made solely to the Holy See, which is also competent for eventual judgment about his deposition.
  5. During his mandate, besides the canonical visit, he will seek to visit the houses, promoting regular observance and the progress of the Order.
  6. It is the competence of the Superior General with the consent of his Assistants and having heard the Superiors of the Delegation, from time to time, in consideration of present circumstances, to convene extraordinary meetings of the Order by indicating, (topics, participants, place, date, time).
  7. To publish writings on matters of religion or morals, the members of the Order have need also of the permission of the Superior General.

As the highest authority of the Order and considered as the successor of our founders, all religious of the Order recognize in him the love of God as shown by our Lord Jesus and the virtues of our founders. His wisdom, courage, zeal, integrity and holiness of life will be felt and imitated as one who himself lives out the constitutions and rules of the Order.

With all these responsibilities attached to the office of the Superior General, there are expectations also on behalf of the Chapter Fathers for the good of the Order.

The General Assistants (General Consulta)

During the General Chapter, the chapter fathers will not only elect a new Superior General but also the General Consulta (General Council Assistants). In our Order, there are four assistants to the Superior General: The Vicar General, Procurator General, Secretary General, and General assistant.

This forms the General council, whose task is to help the Superior General with work, their vote and their counsel, giving him their opinion and consent according to the cases, extending him cooperation in taking care of the affairs of the Order, taking his place when he is impeded, according to the order established by law and by the Constitutions. Wherefore it is necessary that they be supplied with those indispensable qualities to carry out well that office. They are to be men of zeal, integrity of life, fidelity and competence (Cont. 211).

The office of the Consulta is very important so that the work of the Superior General will be guided and given council.

With discernment, prayers and help from the Holy Spirit, St. Francis Caracciolo, Augostino Adorno and Fabrizio Caracciolo, our founders, the chapter fathers will be guided and able to choose one leader and his consulta among the religious.