Dear Brothers The 63rd General Chapter of the Clerics Regular Minor has chosen a new Father General from a faraway place. Our past Father General, Raffaele Mandolesi, desired to entrust this Chapter to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the title and theme of the Chapter was “I will make all things new”.
Indeed I, your unworthy servant, young and inexperienced, was chosen by the Spirit of the Lord to guide our Order for the next six years. I have no words to utter but the words of Mary, Fiat Voluntas Tua. The day I was elected was the Feast Day of Saint Benedict the Abbot, the master of contemplative and monastic life. I am certain that this is the work of the spirit.
I am nervous as I face the unknown future. I sometimes tremble with the responsibility that lays before me. Nevertheless, I am blessed and emboldened by the faith and prayers of our confrères.
I know that I am gifted with a great Family like you who will support, welcome, and willingly help to get things done according to our charism and rule of life as rooted in the Gospel and manifested in our Constitutions. I promise to love you, to serve you and to pray for you every day.
I entrust my ministry under the patronage of our Holy Founders St. Francis Caracciolo, Augustine Adorno, Fabrizio Caracciolo and to St. Benedict who interceded for me on the day of my election.
Let us welcome and embrace the spirit of change, love and unity, AMRG!
Sincerely yours,
Rev. Ted Kalaw, crm