This morning was
taken up by discussion on the role of the Provincial. The straw vote
of the Province was opened. The First Exploratory (non-Statutory)
vote was taken.
In the afternoon
we were joined by Lay Associates and Collaborators for discussions,
meal and Evening Prayer
When Brian Starken
attained the necessary two-thirds majority, a spontaneous burst of
applause expressed the Chapter’s joy at his election.
Brian was then
formally asked if he accepted election as leader of the Province.
He answered that in humility he accepted election.
At the celebration
of the Eucharist, at which Christy Burke was Principal Celebrant,
the Rite of Penance took the form of a Service of Healing with Anointing.
Christy invited Brian to stand beside him holding the horn of oil
as the confreres came forward one by one to be anointed.
We are living
in a Europe that is rapidly becoming secularised. We as Spiritans
must be prepared to make a generous response to the situation that
exists at present. We are encouraged by Fr. Libermann’s words
: “We are no longer in the old order
of things. If we try to stick to the habits and spirit of former times,
our efforts will come to nothing. So let us embrace the new order
with honesty and simplicity and bring to it the spirit of the Gospel.”
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