PHOENIX (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV urged the major superiors of men’s religious congregations meeting in Phoenix to “consider community life ‘as a place of sanctification and a source of inspiration, witness and strength in your apostolate.'”
The pope picked up on the theme of the July 20-23 national assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men: “One in Christ: Communal Life Today.” CMSM was also celebrating its 70th anniversary.
“As you mark seven decades of fostering collaboration among male religious in the United States of America, it is an appropriate time to give thanks to God for the graces received during these years,” he said in a letter addressed to Pallottine Father Frank Donio, CMSM’s executive director.
“In your efforts to provide a space for dialogue and to support the leadership of your member communities, you have helped to reinforce the public witness of consecrated men who devote their lives to the service of the Gospel,” he said.
The pope’s letter, dated July 16, was read at the CMSM national assembly by Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Days of reflection, dialogue and prayer
Citing St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation “Vita Consecrata,” Pope Leo said that “it is precisely through sharing everything in common, including material goods, spiritual experiences, apostolic ideals and charitable service that the hidden presence of the risen Lord is made manifest among you.”
Writing ahead of the assembly, the pope assured attendees of his “spiritual closeness” and entrusted the gathering “to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.”
He said he hoped the “days of reflection, dialogue and prayer” would allow them to “discern ways to deepen the fraternal communion both within and among your Institutes, and in this way enable you to continue offering a united, joyful and authentic witness to Christ in the various communities and apostolates where you serve.”
He also imparted his apostolic blessing to all the congregations represented by CMSM.
Communal life as foundational
A CMSM release said assembly attendees were invited “to reflect on the vitality of their communal life” and, through shared reflection and dialogue, explore ways to renew and strengthen community life.
Communal life “is a foundational element of religious life,” CMSM said, and it is expressed in many forms, from monastic communities to societies of apostolic life.
Phoenix Bishop John P. Dolan in the opening session July 21 discussed some of the ways he has focused on mental health and wellness in his diocese and gave suggestions for how for leaders can address wellness issues before they reach a crisis level. Benedictine Brother John Mark Falkenhain, a licensed psychologist, addressed mental health and wellness for religious life, discussing support and accountability as the two primary benefits of community life. A monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana, Brother Falkenhain is a faculty member at St. Meinrad Seminary.
A panel discussion July 22 examined what men religious are seeking in communal prayer and spiritual life and how to navigate differences in prayer/liturgical preferences. Animating and strengthening communal life at the local level was the focus of a July 23 panel discussion.
A pre-assembly daylong session July 20 took up the issue of adult misconduct, which “has emerged as the most pressing safeguarding challenge facing men’s religious communities today,” the CMSM said. The discussion focused on best practices for preventing adult misconduct, safeguarding vulnerable persons and responding effectively when adult misconduct occurs.
In a half-day post-assembly session July 23, attendees discussed current best practices for review boards, “a central component of safeguarding efforts to protect children.”
