Page 12 - Reflections on St. Joseph

OBLATI DI SAN GIUSEPPE
P. JAN PELCZARSKI, OSJ
SUPERIORE GENERALE

Letter for the Solemnity of St. Joseph Marello

May 30, 2019

St. Joseph - A Contemplative not just in Action

To the Oblates of St. Joseph

Dear Confreres,

wo years ago I participated, in Bolivia, in a debate on the present and future condition of
consecrated life. The diagnosis of the present was interesting, highlighting positive and
negative symptoms, mostly already well known or experienced or spoken of in writings
and publications dedicated to such themes. Basically, in a globalized world, the challenges faced
by religious are not much different from one continent to another. On the negative side there
was the lack of enthusiasm and an existential weariness among some religious, the lack of
vocations and the challenges linked to life in international communities.

Just as interesting, however, were the attempts to find and point out possible ways of
reinvigorating the mission of consecrated persons, of infusing communities with an intense
spirituality, stirring up missionary energy and promoting the flourishing of new vocations.
While searching for useful strategies, it was hoped that there would be a structural and
organizational reform, an emphasis on a more evangelical style of life closer to the poor, and a
greater urgency in undertaking missions on the frontier.

Without a doubt all those proposals are valid and possess a certain relevance, however, to tell
the truth, what attracted my attention was a comment which, echoing the language of Pope
Francis, named “contemplative anemia” in consecrated persons as one of the factors of the
current crisis. According to the author of the comment, “contemplative anemia” is the result of
the scarce practice of recollection, of silence, of prayer and of meditation on the Word of God.
This deficiency translates into lack of passion for Jesus Christ and for humanity, as well as a
fragile conviction about the value and beauty of consecrated life. As a consequence, it leads to
various frustrations which a number of religious today are experiencing. At this moment in

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