At their last General Chapter in November 2022, the Brothers of Saint John voted to decentralise their governance, with the different regions acquiring the status of Provinces. The whole Congregation is currently experiencing its first Provincial and Vice-Provincial Chapters during which the elections of their Provincials Priors are taking place.
– Province of France: from Saturday 7 to Friday 13 January 2023 at Notre-Dame du ChĂȘne (72),
– Vice-Province of Asia-Oceania: from Saturday 7 to Friday 13 January 2023 in Cebu,
– Province of Europe: from Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 17 January 2023 in Marchegg,
– Province of the Americas: from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 January 2023 in Mexico City,
– Province of Africa: from Monday 30 January to Tuesday 7 February 2023 in Simbock.
With this decentralisation of their governance, the brothers want to implement part of their reform which consists in being closer to the needs of the priories and in making their structure less pyramidal in order to favour more participation in the decisions. The new Provincials and Vice-Provincials Priors will have direct authority for the governance of their Provinces, including the assignment of brothers who are affiliated to them or made available by other Provinces. The role of the General Prior is therefore to watch over the unity, spirit and life of the whole Congregation in its international dimension.
We entrust the continuation of these first Chapters to your prayers.
Provincial Chapter of France
Brother Henri-Dominique de Certaines was elected Provincial Prior of France on 10 January, during the first Provincial Chapter of France. Brother Henri-Dominique entered the novitiate of the Brothers of Saint John in Saint Jodard in 2006 at the age of 21. After his simple profession in 2008 and his theology studies, he did his apostolic internship in Cameroon as Vice-principal of the Vogt College in Yaoundé. He took his perpetual vows in 2012 and was ordained a deacon in 2014. He will then be for two years curate (right-hand man of the prior) of the formation house of Saint-Jodard (42). After his ordination to the priesthood in 2017, he was sent on mission to Lomé in Togo to work in the university parish. Elected prior in 2019 of the priory of Saint-Quentin-sur-Indrois, in the diocese of Tours, he returned to France.
Download the final message of the french Provincial Chapter in french
Vice-Provincial Chapter of Asia-Oceania
In accordance with the wishes of the brothers of Asia-Oceania, the General Chapter of the Congregation (October 2022) asked the Prior General to establish this vicariate as a “vice-province”, in order to ensure that they have the necessary means for the mission and a sufficient number of formators for vocations. Brother Justin Lee was elected Vice Provincial Prior of Asia-Oceania on January 9, at the first Vice Provincial Chapter held at the Novitiate in Cebu City, Banawa. Brother Justin joined the Brothers of Saint John in 1999 and, after his formation, was assigned to Cebu from 2006 to 2017. He now lives at the priory in New Zealand. A vice-provincial assembly preceded the Chapter, which meant that all brothers, regardless of their stage of formation, were called to participate. For the Chapter, only a few delegates represent the vice-province and will have to choose their Province.
Download the final message of the assembly that preceded the Chapter
Download the final message of the Vice-Provincial Chapter of Asia-Oceania
Provincial Chapter of Europe
Brother Ignaz-Maria was elected on 12 January by the capitulants of the Provincial Chapter of Europe, held in the Priory in Marchegg, Austria. Brother Ignaz-Maria entered the Brothers of Saint John in 2000 and was ordained a priest in 2009. He was assigned in our priories of The Hague and then in Utrecht before he was serving as councillor of the General Prior for the last three years. He lives currently in our priory in Utrecht.
Download the final message of the european Provincial Chapter
Read the news about the election of the new Provincial Prior of Europe
Provincial Chapter of the Americas
The first Provincial Chapter of the Americas took place from 16 to 21 January 2023 in Mexico City. The brothers began their gathering with a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The Province is made up of seven priories: four in the United States, two in Mexico, and one in Brazil, which presents great challenges in terms of a common language and the mission of each country. But the brothers are also aware of the vitality and richness of their Province and give thanks to the Lord for the mission he entrusts to them.
The Chapter took place in a fraternal atmosphere, which allowed us to have exchanges in truth and in depth. Among other things, the Chapter elected the Provincial Prior: Brother Jesus Rodriguez, the person responsible for formation for the Province: Brother Mario Gonzålez, and a Councillor: Brother Miguel Pro Castañeda.
Download the final message of the american Provincial Chapter
Provincial Chapter of Africa
The brothers of the Africa Province gathered at the Studium de philosophie in Simbock, Cameroon, for their first Provincial Chapter from 30 January to 6 February 2023.
The Chapter was marked by the deliberations for the elections of the Prior Provincial and his Council. The following were elected: Brother CÎme-Emmanuel, Prior Provincial of Africa; Brother Joseph, Provincial Officer in charge of Formation; and Brothers Gilbert (Vicar Provincial), Joseph Marie de la Trinité (elected), Théodore de la Croix (appointed) and Thibault (elected) as Councillors.
Download the final message of the african Provincial Chapter in french
