1. For the upcoming six-year term, the 20th General Chapter has asked us to perform a service to the congregation which is clearly spelled out: lead the provinces, regions, and territorial communities toward the achievement of the plan: "We, the Congregation, in service to the Mission".
As General Administration, our first task following upon our election was to arrive at a common understanding and a process of teamwork for elaborating a plan that would respond to the pleas that come from the world and the church "today".
The first several months were given to study of the Chapter Acta. As December began, we engaged in a week of work to put the final touches to the plan while we were housed at the provincialate of the South Italian Province at Naples.
We reread the chapter document in light of our understanding of the General Chapter, all the while enriching it by examining the statements from the various chapter groups as well as the statements submitted by virtually every province, region, and territorial community in recent days.
2. The plan "We, the Congregation" is aimed at every single religious: to those capable of activity without any limitations as well as those who, because of illness or old age, are somewhat limited in their activity. Whatever our age, by living our spirituality of love and reparatory oblation, we are fully inserted at the heart of the Church's mission.
3. This document has four parts:
As for the organization and the various services, we make you aware of the decisions already taken (tasks and responsibilities of the general council members, criteria for visits, coworkers...) and the ones we plan to carry out during the term (computerization of the general archives, communications, international meetings, etc...)
4. We submit this plan for the 1997-2003 term to the congregation, inviting all to accept it in the fullness of hope, with generous spirit and apostolic zeal. This is the new path opened to the congregation by the 20th General Chapter.