Talk by Peter Henriot, SJ

On Monday, we began the second phase of the Chapter: Continuing the Vision of Gailhac into the New Millennium. We were fortunate to have Peter Henriot, SJ with us for three days to help us to get a better of globalization. Father Henriot, an American, has written extensively on justice issues. Since 1987 he has lived in Zambia.

Fr. Henriot began by calling all to contemplate the world to which we are missioned. He spoke of the prophetic role of religious life today as a "missioned" life, one more active in relationship to needs, responses, and services than as a "consecrated" life, understood as being set apart.

In his talk, which is included on the web site, Fr. Henriot gave a definition of the term, "globalization," in relation to economic exchanges, political configuration, technological advances, and cultural influences. He spoke of the life-diminishing consequences of globalization and suggested that there are ways of working with, working against, and working toward globalization in order to promote life.

Reacting to the Talk

In the afternoon, the chapter members met in small groups to discuss the challenges they had heard in the morning presentation.

The RSHM in Rome and faculty from Marymount International School, who had joined us for Fr. Henriot's presentation, also met in small groups, and gave their feedback to the chapter members.

Before supper, Fr. Henriot celebrated liturgy with us, as he did each day he was with usl.