Interview with Martin Königstein sscc, Provincial of Germany: “We are looking to see how we can accompany and strengthen each other in the following of Jesus”.
What kind of animation is going on in the Province of Germany around the General Chapter?
The Spirituality and Ongoing Formation Commission took charge of accompanying the communities as they received and reflected on the 2018 General Chapter documents. We have already had two days of reflection and prayer on the central themes of the General Chapter. The truth is that in the Province we have been reflecting and working for some time on the theme of the "inner man", that is, of the spiritual life. Among other things we realize that the traditional religious life did have exercises and moments to strengthen the "inner man". Many of these we have left aside because their structure or the verbal or ritual language used no longer seems to respond to our time. But we have not always found suitable ways in our times to accompany each other in the spiritual life. So, we are ‘looking to see how we can accompany and strengthen each other in the following of Jesus’.
The theme of "Pastoral and Missionary Conversion" can not be thought of or worked on without looking at the theme of abuse of power (spiritual, psychological, physical and sexual) in the Church. It is difficult for us to talk about this, but we want to face this issue, knowing that "what is not assumed can not be redeemed". We will continue in this task in the annual spiritual exercises of the province and in the days of reflection and prayer of Advent.
How are the chapter documents helping to strengthen the "inner man"? Do you see any signs in your brothers of that strengthening?
The truth is that given the age of the majority of the brothers of the province this Chapter document doesn’t move them so much. What I admire is the enormous fidelity and perseverance of all the brothers in community and personal prayer, in the communal celebration of the Eucharist, and in the close and affectionate relationship between the brothers. As I said before, we have read the documents together and there has been a good exchange on the texts.
And you, personally, how are the General Chapter affecting you in relation to your own "inner life"?
For me, my time as Provincial and the General Chapter almost coincide. So I find it hard to separate impulses and motivations from one thing and another. Certainly the General Chapter 2018 has done me good spiritually. Listening and sharing for a month among brothers representing the whole Congregation in practically the whole world is an event of the Spirit. Specifically for our province communion with the provinces of Africa and Indonesia at the Chapter has resulted in the international community project in Berlin. This is a challenge at the level of organization and communication, but it is also a task to look for new ways to be a missionary presence in a great plural and modern city. It will be a task for me to involve the brothers of the Province, making them not only aware of what is happening in Berlin, but also that it has to do with them and is a progressive development of their own life and mission.
06/07/2019