Gathered in Unity: The 20th Council of the Institute Takes Off in Madrid

The 20th Council of the Institute commenced on a solemn and hope-filled note on 27 April 2026 at the Casa Provincial of the Orden de la Compañía de María N.S., Madrid, Spain. In a spirit of fraternity and shared mission, participants from across the Congregation gathered for this important moment of reflection and discernment.

The Council was inaugurated with a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Aurelio Cayon, Episcopal Vicar for Religious Life in the Diocese of Madrid. In a deeply prayerful atmosphere, the assembly entrusted the deliberations of the coming days to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seeking wisdom, openness, and unity.

The inaugural session began with a warm welcome from the Host Provincial, Rev. Bro. Genaro Fresno, who assured the participants of a fraternal stay and encouraged their active and meaningful participation. Rev. Bro. Dionigi Taffarello, Superior General, then addressed the assembly, highlighting the significance of this gathering as a privileged time of listening, discernment, and renewal.

A central focus of this Council is the shared assessment of the implementation of the Acts of the 33rd General Chapter, two years after their promulgation. This evaluation is not merely administrative but a process of communal discernment—recognizing fruits already borne, identifying ongoing challenges, and renewing commitment to the mission. It also strengthens communion among the Provinces and with the Central Administration, offering clearer direction for the future, he underlined.

The Council brings together 25 participants, including members of the General Council, Provincials, and Superiors from the Vice-Province and District of Southeast Asia, reflecting the diversity of Europe, Canada, Africa, and Asia. Through the presentation of reports, participants share experiences of implementation, challenges faced, and strategies adopted. This exchange fosters mutual learning, deeper solidarity, and a renewed commitment to the common mission.

Providentially, the opening of the Council was marked by joyful news for the Congregation. The announcement by Pope Leo XIV recognizing the martyrdom of our Spanish Brothers, Stanislao Ortega García and 48 companions, along with their chaplain Fr. Emanuel Berenguer Clusella, deeply touched the assembly. Their witness of faith during the religious persecution of 1936 stands as a powerful inspiration for the Institute today.

This grace-filled moment was further enriched by the celebration of the feast of St. Louis de Montfort on 28 April, adding a profound sense of joy and spiritual depth to the gathering. As the Council continues, it does so with renewed hope—guided by the Spirit, strengthened in communion, and committed to the mission, For God Alone.

Bro. Dhanaraj SG