Rome, 14 June 2016

Dear Confreres,

May the grace of Jesus Christ [...]]]> Superior General, Father Gregory Gay CM has just announced the official website and social networks where you can follow the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission starting June 27 in Chicago, IL.

Rome, 14 June 2016

Dear Confreres,

May the grace of Jesus Christ accompany us during this final stage of preparation for the XLII General Assembly, which will take place in Chicago (the United States) from 27 June – 15 July 2016.

There have been many preparations and there are great expectations as we gather together to celebrate this event. In fact, this will be the first time that a General Assembly is held outside of Europe and, during this gathering, we will elect a new Superior General who will serve the Congregation during the next six years.

In this context, communication will play an important role especially in light of the recent development of technology and the multiple modalities that can provide us with immediate information. The Office of Communications at the Curia has formulated a Communication Plan so that all the themes and work of the Assembly can be assessed by the confreres.

This Communication Plan involves the use of digital media and the social networks. Each one of those various forms of communication has its own public, its own language. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of these differences in order to make known the information with regard to the assembly.

Below you fill find a list of the different sites that the confreres can utilize in order to be touch with what occurs during the Assembly. We encourage you to make yourselves familiar with these various sites so that, together, all of us might experience the joy of this event.

Visit the official site of the Assembly on this link.

http://ag2016.cmglobal.org/

You can follow the Assembly at the following social media channels:

Let us continue to pray for the success of our next General Assembly.

Your brother in Saint Vincent,

G. Gregory Gay, CM
Superior General

Artykuł jest również dostępny po polsku tutaj:

Witryna internetowa oraz media społecznościowe podczas Konwentu Generalnego Zgromadzenia Misji

The video was produced by Mr. Arturo Asensio Moruno from Spain, author of the logo design. He is also created the beautiful [...]]]> Fr. Joseph Agostino CM, head of the General Assembly Preparation Committee invites to watch the short video presenting the logo of the Assembly taking place at DePaul University in Chicago in 2016

The video was produced by Mr. Arturo Asensio Moruno from Spain, author of the logo design. He is also created the beautiful images which the video contains. The Committee thanks him for all that he has done on their behalf. And they thank Fr. Joaquin Gonzalez Hernando CM for his assistance with this project, too. Arturo Asencio has developed a video with regard to the logo, a video that creates, visually and symbolically, an environment for this important event.

Fr. Celestino Fernández CM from the Province of Madrid explains in the CMGlobal.org post the meaning of the logo and the video:

“The video begins with the presentation of an original symbol: the famous sculpture of the Indo-British artist, Anish Kapoor, popularly known as “The Bean” because of its likeness to that vegetable (the proper name of that work is art is “The Cloud Gate”. This sculpture is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza at the Millennium Park in Chicago (the United States). The video begins with this symbol because it is there in Chicago that the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission is to be held.

The video then examines the hand that holds the flame of evangelization with a sphere of the world and the face of Vincent de Paul … the hand appears to turn this sphere around as though in search for a relentless, pressing and growing interrelationship.

The video also wants to present the steps, the urgency, and the haste that is needed in bringing good news to the poor. At the same time we see a series of phrases in English, French and Spanish … phrases that remind us of the date, the venue, and the theme of General Assembly and also remind us of the anniversary that will take place in in 2017, namely, the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism.

The artist wanted to depict the feet of the evangelizer which ought to be in constant motion … thus giving life to the words of Saint Vincent when he stated, we are to run to the spiritual needs of our neighbor as if we were running to a fire (CCD:XI:25) and also giving life to Pope Francis’ words when he calls us to be a Church that goes forth, a missionary Church (Evangelii Gaudium, #20)

The last part of the video is something like the grand finale of a great performance. From the midst of the logo for the General Assembly emerges the figure of Vincent de Paul, which seems to become enlarged as if he were attempting to get closer and closer to this present time and to this present world of ours. This is a presentation of the figure of St. Vincent de Paul holding the Gospel in his hand (a painting that was done by Arturo Asensio and that is displaying in the common room of the Provincial House of Madrid). This figure is accompanied by some phrases alluding to the theme of the urgency of evangelization, and driven by music that becomes quieter as the image of Vincent becomes larger. These contrasts should become obvious to the eye of the beholder.

The final image of the video is charged with great symbolic meaning: a close-up of the face of Vicente de Paul who is gazing at us intently … questioning us and inviting us. In summary, the video is very well done technically and very symbolic and suggestive artistically. The best way to appreciate what is being said is for each one to view this video carefully … and so we leave you with this material to view, to contemplate, to reflect on and to draw your own conclusions.”

Go to learn more about the Logo: 2016 General Assembly Logo Unveiled

About the Logo:

XLII Conventus Generalis is Latin for 42nd General Assembly of the Congregation [...]]]> Preparation Commission of the upcoming General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission has approved the design of official logo for the event.  Mr. Arturo Asensio Moruno of Spain is the author.

About the Logo:

XLII Conventus Generalis is Latin for 42nd General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission which will be held at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, USA from June 27 to July 15, 2016. It will be the 42nd Assembly in the history of the Little Company.

EVANGELIZARE is the first word of the Congregation of the Mission motto: Evangelizare Pauperibus Misit Me – To Preach the Gospel to the Poor He Has Sent Me.

The Spirit of the Lord put the flame of Evangelization into the hands of St. Vincent de Paul. With boldness and apostolic courage, Vincent converted it into a fire of love, solidarity, and service on behalf of the poor. After 400 years, since 1617, when according to St. Vincent de Paul himself the Little Company was founded, that same Spirit enlivens the followers of St. Vincent de Paul, as they carry on his evangelical legacy and remain faithful to the inspiration of the Founder, following the signs of the times.

About the Artist:

Arturo Asensio Moruno received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Spain, where he is an artist and illustrator. He has created several artistic works for the Congregation of the Mission in Spain. In his youth, Arturo was a member of the Vincentian Marian Youth Association and also spent a brief time in the Vincentian internal seminary in Avila. In Arturo’s work, we see two essential elements combined: his creativity and expertise, along with his sensitivity to the Christian message and the Vincentian charism.

DOWNLOAD the description of the Logo as PDF