For the third time, the meeting of the Pallottine parish priests was held at the International Centre for Pallottine Formation ("Cenacle"), in Rome. There were fifteen participants from India (1), Brazil (4), Poland (2), Ukraine (1), USA (2), Slovakia (1), Germany (1), Austria (1), Venezuela (1) and Cameroon (1). It is worth mentioning here that six of the confreres are working outside their own countries of origin. This is indicative of the missionary spirit of our Society. The formation course was guided by Fr. Zenon Hanas and Fr. Piotr Banach, members of the General Secretariat for the Apostolate, and accompanied by Fr. Stanisław Stawicki.
The participants shared their pastoral experiences in their own cultural contexts and looked for the common elements that characterised the parish ministry according to the "Pallottine profile". They also evaluated their practical experiences in the light of the ecclesial vision of St. Vincent Pallotti. From the various presentations emerged some of the common elements: openness and the spirit of hospitality towards everyone in the parish community, sensitivity towards the signs of the times, creativity in the search for new pastoral initiatives, collaboration with all members of the Church and the participation of all in the life of the parish. These characteristics were present both in the reflections of the participants as well as in the conferences given by the experts on Pallottine spirituality.
The parish priests also participated at the General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI and visited the Pallottine places in Rome like the Pia Casa di Carità, the Church of SS. Salvatore in Onda, la Church of Spirito Santo dei Napoletani and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
All the participants, majority of whom work in the Local Churches, liked the fraternal atmosphere and the universality as well as the internationality of the Pallottine Family. The different languages used – English, Polish and Portuguese – were, on one hand, a big challenge, but, on the other hand, were an enrichment for all. All acknowledged the usefulness of such meetings and hoped that they will be continued.