AN OBSERVER’S OBSERVATIONS
IN THE GENERAL CHAPTER.-

Manuela Berciano, OFS

It has been my first General Chapter – may God’s will be that it won’t be the last one -, but I already regard this experience as one of the best in my life. It was only two years ago that I professed in the SFO, but I have come back from Hungary convinced that my profession in our Order has been the best present that the Lord may have ever given me. These brief notes intend to be a little “non-official” chronicle of the Chapter that we have just celebrated, from a humble observer’s point of view and in a relaxed tone.

The first thing that caught my attention when I arrived was the chosen spot, ideal in my opinion, very convenient to concentrate on the work and in an environment full of peace and natural charm. This was, undoubtedly, advancing the hard work and the perfect organization that I could later witness.

However, there was someone who did not get off on the right foot. Our dear Chelito, Councillor of the Spanish Area, slipped and fell on the first day of the Chapter, without further consequences, thank Goodness. Fortunately, there were no other accidents to regret, although there were more than one cold…

The new technologies also rose to the occasion. There were always computers with an internet connection available for those who did not have their own laptops in order to stay in touch with the world outside and to check, for instance, that the CIOFS website was updated in real time. In this respect, we should stress the fact that the very same day that the Presidency Council was elected and although she was not physically present, we could see and hear Anna Fruk, the brand new YUFRA councillor, thanks to those new technologies that may be so useful in such moments. She could even appear in that day’s family picture!

On the other hand, the hotel’s dining room was a privileged place to fraternize. Sharing the table during the three daily meals helped us to get to know each other better and to narrow our fraternal bonds. Although the diet could be defined as boring – no offence intended to the cooks- and certainly rich in carbohydrates (white rice and potatoes didn’t miss their date a single day), it was made up for when the desserts arrived with a delicious and varied pastry (undoubtedly worth mentioning were the chocolate cakes which our hosts served in Budapest).

The evenings were also the perfect time for fraternal conviviality. The dances with which our Spanish-speaking brothers gifted us, as well as the wonderful music show and Hungarian folk dance arranged by our Hungary brothers, at the end of which we could – some more than others – test our dancing skills.

Among the most fun moments of the Chapter, our dear Father Apolonio’s illusionist show, the great ‘Magone, the Magician’, deserves to be recalled. He made us enjoy as children with his ingenious tricks. And it is impossible not to remember the funny footnote comments of the Spanish interpreter, which caused great laughter in the meeting lounge.

            But there was also room for moving testimonies of conjugal love, such as our re-elect General Minister, Encarnita del Pozo, who accepted her charge together with her husband, Juan, she accepted it for the service, while he accepted it for the renounce, according to Encarnita’s own words. A real example of dedication to the Order which recurred in many other interventions. At this stage, we cannot forget the pleasant presence of our brothers, Xavi and Mamen, and their little son Francesc, who became a ‘toy’ for all of us who attended the chapter. And so many other moments full of fraternal love and emotion.

From the memories and the nostalgia, but also from the joy of fraternity ‘at its full’, I can only add that I have you all in my heart.