Over the last twenty-five years, most religious communities of men in the United States developed very significant protocols and formation in the safeguarding of minors. There continues to be more work to do. Today, though, there are additional areas of safeguarding ministry that require more significant policies, procedures, and formation.

What projects and plans are you making or implementing? Simply maintaining is never really maintaining. It looks like the status quo but often is really masked decline. Making and implementing plans does not mean envisioning things that are unrealistic. Religious life, while dwelling in ideals, is often realistic and practical.

“I trust that these days of reflection, dialogue and prayer will allow you 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

Pope Leo XIV in his letter on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America offers several important points for reflection as men religious. One of them provides a good context for our National Assembly next week and our ongoing work as leaders. “In my

The recent celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ offers a good opportunity to reflect on our communion with Christ and one another. Our life is a communion among each other in Christ. Our communal life is centered on Christ, and we go forth

In the tradition of my own religious community, the Pallottines, our patroness is Mary, Queen of Apostles, whose feast day is the day before Pentecost. The image commissioned by St. Vincent Pallotti, the founder of my community, is of the Cenacle, the Upper Room, at Pentecost. It depicts Mary, the

“And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:15-16) In leadership and in community life, we sometimes lose the presence of Jesus walking with us, accompanying us. It is not purposeful.

Last week, we had our New Leader Workshop. Some of the leaders were major superiors and some were councilors. They were from jurisdictions large and small, from monastic communities to societies of apostolic life. Those gathered were a microcosm of CMSM. The concerns and issues, though, were similar, which is true

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the traditional disciplines of Lent, but we as men religious often do these practices either individually or communally at various times throughout the year. In some ways, they are built into the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. What can we do in the

With the conclusion of the Christmas season, we enter liturgically into a brief few weeks of Ordinary Time. We also began a new calendar year. This time of year, we have an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and where we want to go, particularly in terms of