Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Encounter of the General Government with the Major Superiors, held from 2–9 March 2026 at the Serene Pasture Retreat Centre in Colombo, concluded after several days of prayer, reflection, and communal discernment in preparation for the forthcoming XXVII General Chapter.
Throughout the week, participants followed a rhythm of prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, conferences, group discussions, and moments of fraternal sharing. The sessions allowed them to reflect on the impact of the 2021 General Chapter, the present challenges facing the Congregation, and the calls of the Spirit for the future of the Claretian mission.
The early days of the Encounter were dedicated to the “discover” phase, during which the Conference Secretaries presented consolidated reflections from the Congregation. Participants highlighted the continued influence of the synodal methodology promoted in recent years, as well as the importance of youth ministry, biblical animation, and digital evangelization. At the same time, they acknowledged challenges such as individualism, fragile missionary identity, and the need to deepen prayer life and communal discernment.
The Encounter also included moments of spiritual reflection through a retreat on vocation and mission, inspired by the biblical text of Isaiah 41:8–20. Participants reflected on the missionary call that springs from God’s initiative and invites the Congregation to renew its commitment to the peripheries and wounded realities of today’s world. The retreat emphasized that missionary renewal begins with personal and communal conversion rooted in the Word of God.
Further sessions were devoted to discerning the direction and methodology for the preparation of the XXVII General Chapter. Through language-group discussions and plenary dialogue, participants identified key themes to guide the Chapter’s preparation, particularly the importance of missionary commitment, attention to the signs of the times, and prophetic listening.
On the final day, the assembly identified special themes for the upcoming Chapter, reviewed the calendar of preparation, and evaluated the Encounter. In their final message, the participants encouraged the Congregation to continue the journey of discernment with confidence and openness to the Spirit, affirming that “synodality and mission” must guide the Congregation’s path toward the next General Chapter.
The Encounter concluded in a spirit of gratitude and hope, entrusting the preparation for the XXVII General Chapter to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the maternal care of the Heart of Mary, with the words that framed the meeting: “Peace be with you” (Lk 24:36).
Read the final message
