Discernment is Hoping
Profound Reflection at GC29
Fr. Cencini
(ANS – Turin – March 23, 2025) – The first evening of discernment
for GC29 took place Sunday in the aula magna, marking the official start of the
critical week dedicated to the election of the new rector major and the members
of the general council. Guided by Fr. Amedeo Cencini, a Canossian priest,
the capitulars embarked on a journey of listening, prayer, and contemplation,
centered on the theme of hope and the importance of spiritual
discernment.
The
session began at 4:00 p.m. with a moment of prayer and an invocation to the
Holy Spirit, inviting the capitulars to entrust themselves fully to God during
this process of discernment. Shortly afterward, the moderator of the general chapter, Fr.
Alphonse Owoudou, opened the proceedings by emphasizing the importance of
living this week with complete openness and a willingness to embrace God’s
plan.
Following
this, the president, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, introduced Fr. Cencini to
the assembly, describing him as a spiritual guide of profound experience,
uniquely equipped to accompany this significant moment with wisdom and insight.
Fr. Amedeo Cencini’s Insights: Hope as the Heart of
Discernment
In
his address, Fr. Cencini delivered a meaningful reflection on the theme “Passionate
for Jesus Christ, Dedicated to the Young,” connecting it to the
present-day realities of the Church and society. He underlined how hope serves
as the guiding horizon for the general chapter and as a vital element in
confronting the challenges of the modern world.
Fr. Cencini
encouraged the capitulars to view discernment as a process intrinsically linked
to hope, explaining:
- Discernment is hoping: Discernment can only occur within
the framework of hope, which provides energy, fosters trust, and empowers
courageous decision-making.
- Hoping
is discernment:
Authentic hope, grounded in faith, is not passive waiting but a confident
trust in God that gives us the courage to take risks and dare boldly, as
Don Bosco did.
He
went on to highlight that hope is a faith that evolves into trust and generates
prophecy, transforming life even in moments of crisis. In particular, he
emphasized the need to cultivate a hope that knows how to "hope
against hope," as St. Paul teaches us (Rom 4:18), especially in times
of difficulty for the Church and consecrated life.
Vespers and Adoration: A Spiritual Conclusion
After
the profound reflection, the evening continued with the celebration of
Vespers in the basilica of MHC at 7:30 p.m., offering a moment of deep
spiritual communion.
Following
dinner, the capitulars reconvened in the church of St. Francis de Sales for
an intense moment of Eucharistic adoration, marked by a spirit of prayer
and discernment. This spiritual practice was essential preparation for the
journey ahead in the coming days. Adoration provided an opportunity for the
participants to entrust the work of the general chapter to God and to open
their hearts fully to the illuminating presence of the Holy Spirit.
A Promising Beginning
The
evening concluded in an atmosphere of silence and meditation, leaving the
capitulars with a heightened awareness of the importance of spiritual
discernment. This initial step signals the start of a week dedicated to prayer
and reflection, during which the Salesian Family worldwide will be united in
prayer to support the general chapter.
Discernment is hoping, and hoping is discernment: this profound truth will serve as
the guiding principle for the work in the days ahead. It is a reminder that
every decision must be illuminated by the light of the Holy Spirit and oriented
toward the good of the young, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
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