Passionist International Bulletin

Passionist LifeFormation Conference of the Passionist Family of CII (Spain)The Passionist Family of Spain and Portugal, men and women religious and laity, are continuing togrow as a family, in number and in depth of commitment. This organization continues to emphasize theimportance of the topic of formation, especially in the context of church membership, as well as the missionaryspirit and the charismatic dimension of St. Paul of the Cross.32As was mentioned in the previous issue of the PIB, on Nov. 14 -16, 70 members of the PassionistFamily, from various regions of Spain and Portugal, held their annual meeting in Angosto (Álava), underthe guidance and patronage of Our Lady of Angosto, patroness of the region. Fr. Francisco Mier, aPassionist of the Sagrada Familia (FAM) Province,using texts and characters of the New Testamentand the Passion narratives, gave some veryenlightening and challenging talks.The Beginning of theLay Passionist Movement in GermanyFr. DiegoAlbericiAt the initiative of Fr. Gregor Lenzen, ViceProvincial of the Vice-Province of VULN and togetherwith several lay people who were interested in the traditionalConfraternity of the Passion, the PassionistFamily Movement of Germany was begun. In Munich,Germany, on 18 Oct. 2002, in the context of a concelebratedMass, that was followed by a conferenceand the displaying of the documentof Father General, the LayPassionist Movement was inaugurated.Fr. Gregor summarized thepurpose of this movement: “to promotethe “memoria passionis” inpersonal life, family and society.[And he added] All Christians whodesire to orientate their lives towardthe spirituality of the Passion may jointhis movement. We meet once a month in themonastery of the Passionists of Munich to prayand reflect upon the topic of PassionistSpirituality.” In the photograph is ascene from the celebration. The documentthat marked the foundation ofthe movement was placed at the feetof Jesus Crucified, together with apicture of St. Paul of the Cross.The next meeting and social gathering,again within the Iberian region, will take place inAlcalá de Henares, in April 2004. During theyear additional formation meetings will takeplace within the variousregions.Anniversaries of the Congregation of the“Hijas de la Pasión” (Daughters of the Passion)This year the Passionist Sisters, founded in Mexico (Hijasde la Pasión de Jesucristo y de María Dolorosa) simultaneouslycelebrate two anniversaries: first, 50 years since theirpontifical approbation as an Institute. Hence, on 22 Nov., inthe Sanctuary of the Passion in Mexico, they celebrated aMass of Thanksgiving. Secondly, this year marks the beginningof the centenary year of the death of their co-founder, Fr.Diego Alberici, C.P., who died on July 23, 1904 in the city ofCholula, Puebla. The Daughters of the Passion currentlynumber approximately 300 religious, living in 50 communitiesin 12 countries of America, Europe and Africa. Theirarrival in the latter of these countries occurred two years ago,in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There, a small communityis taking the initial steps in establishing the foundationand are already reaping the first fruits of their labors: 3postulants and numerous aspirants. Congratulations, Sisters!The founding group ofthe Lay PassionistMovement inGermany