"The general chapter is a special opportunity for the Society, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to evaluate its apostolic and religious life. The chapter evaluates the state of the Society and gives directions for its life and ministry within the Church. It also helps build a spirit of unity within the whole Society. All of its deliberations proceed in an atmosphere of prayer and discernment. We prepare for the chapter, conscientiously elect the delegates, and support the chapter with our prayers."
Constitutions of the Society of the Divine Saviour – 709
The XVIII Salvatorian General Chapter was inaugurated during a solemn Mass celebrated by the Superior General, Fr. Andrzej Urbanski on the 3rd of October. In his homily, Father General made reference to the previous topic of the General Chapter in Logroño, which met in 2006. The theme was "Together for Life: reviving our Salvatorian identity in the modern world." Having discovered an urgent need to revitalize Salvatorian life in general, the Society had the past six years to begin working on these priorities. "In the meantime, over the years, the world has changed faster than ever before - mainly due to the rapid development of communication technologies," said Father General. "The fast growing spirit of secularism, consumerism, individualism and globalization has led to a crisis of faith in many parts of the world as well as to a decreasing presence of the Church," he added. Referring to the topic of the current General Chapter he said: "We are facing the great challenge of deeply and honestly discerning the will of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in order to know Him more deeply and to proclaim him with even greater reliability."