Notes from Rome By the Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC There is a point in our Constitutions that says that, “supreme and immediate power in the entire Congregation is exercised in an ordinary manner, by the Superior General with the assistance of his Council and, in an extraordinary manner, by the General Chapter.” So the General Chapter, during the two weeks that it met in February, held “supreme and immediate power’ in the Congregation. The decisions made by the General Chapter need to be carried out by myself and my General Council. So, what does a Superior General do? Our directory says that I should frequently consult my General Councilors in regard to matters pertaining to the Congregation. It also says that I should frequently communicate with other Superiors, especially those who are in charge of provinces and general vicariates. I am also called upon to issue directives when needed, and to address letters to all of the confrères as necessary. Our Constitutions also state that I should visit all three Provinces and the many houses of the Congregation every three years. We have seven General Vicariates which we visit more often. I will usually travel with one of the General Councilors on these visitations. I can also designate my General Councilors or someone else to make a visitation. I am called upon to make sure that the plans of the Congregation are faithfully accomplished, and that apostolic works for the good of the Church of Christ make progress. Some decisions are to be made collegially by the General Council in which each vote has equal weight. If the vote goes against what I think, I can’t overrule it. Some matters are decided with the consent of the General Council. I can make other decisions after consulting my General Councilors. Our rule states that I must regularly send a brief account on the state and life of the Congregation to the Apostolic See. I should also appoint for myself a monitor, someone who should watch over my manner of life and who should, if necessary, admonish me. I think that this is a very good rule. All Superiors should have such a monitor. It reminds each of us that none of us is above the law. I ask for your prayers as I take on this new office for the next six years. The good news is that, if God asks us to take on an office, the Holy Spirit will give us the grace to carry out our work. Some people have asked if my life will change much as I move from being the Vicar General to the Superior General — from the second-in-command to the one in charge. Some things are very similar. However, I have noticed that some tasks have multiplied. When people call, they usually want to talk to the Superior General rather than his Vicar. The buck stops here. I am very blessed that God has given me an excellent and experienced General Council. Please pray for all of us as we serve the Congregation for the next six years! ‘GENERALLY’ SPEAKING Iarrived in Rome to serve in the administration of our Congregation in May of 2005. I spent six years as the Second General Councilor and then 12 years as the Vicar General. Now, as many of you may have heard, there has been a change in my life. For two weeks in February of this year, we held our General Chapter meeting. During the meeting, I was elected the 40th Superior General of the Congregation, so I have become a successor of our Founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński, and of the Renovator of our Congregation, Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz, the 27th Superior General. The Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC, is the Superior General of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He lives in Rome. Listen to his podcast on the journal of Blessed George MatulaitisMatulewicz, on TheDivineMercy.org/podcasts and DivineMercyPlus.org. Marian Helper • Summer 2023 • Marian.org 11 Father Joe talks about being elected to Superior General.
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