76 We had a very friendly and inspiring meeting with Pope Francis at the end of the Chapter. He encouraged us to follow the example of St. Stanislaus, who “charted for your congregation paths of spirituality and action, well embodied in the concrete history of the men and women of his time. And it is important for you to ‘take up the torch’; continuing to respond creatively to the challenges that our age also presents.” He also reminded us of our rebirth and the role of Blessed George. “He was able to restore vitality to the community, updating the Constitutions and promoting its work fearlessly, even to the point of having to act clandestinely and risking arrest, without ever giving up promoting charity and unity among religious and among the faithful.” Both Cardinal Ryłko and Pope Francis spoke to us about rebirth. Let us pray for this grace that it would be ongoing in our lives. Perhaps we rediscovered some of those hidden graces and inspirations of the Holy Spirit of the founding charism during this Chapter. What was Decided The Chapter approved a beautiful Jubilee Message of the General Chapter of 2023 – that we are all called to be holy and without blemish (Eph 1;4). I would like to thank the Jubilee Committee for their efforts in preparing the proposal of this message as well as for the plan of the Jubilee. We know that we were not able to live the Jubilee as we had planned. But it surely bore fruit in our lives and will continue to do so. I urge you to reflect on this message. We are now coming to understand the gift of the Marian Fathers’ school of the spirituality of the Immaculate Conception. We need to continue to reflect on the meaning of this gift of God to us. The Jubilee calls us to be faithful in our service to Christ and the Church. The pandemic and the events of the last several years have revealed more clearly the spiritual battle that the world is always in as we strive for holiness. Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world of today is more challenging than ever. The mystery of the Immaculate Conception can show us the way forward. Along with some changes to the Constitutions and Directory, the Chapter approved some decrees regarding formation, and made some recommendations regarding a Convention on Vocations, and retreats on our charism. Constitutions #17, on the attire of the confreres has been changed. The new point speaks about the white habit which our Founder wore,
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