The 43rd General Chapter of the Brothers of the Christian Schools began today with opening ceremonies held in the 'Aula Magna' of the Brothers at their Generalate in Rome. The formal proceedings began with the singing of the Veni Creator.

Brother John Johnston, Superior General, welcomed the participants, greeting them on this the feast of St. Joseph the Worker with a call to live simply "in solidarity with people of the world of work." He reminded them of the significance of our Chapter Logo, especially in terms of the time they will spend together in this Chapter, and also said that in unity they were called to be "responsible for the entire Body of the Institute" during these proceedings. "A General Chapter is not a political convention or assembly. Nor is it an athletic contest that determines winners and losers. It is rather 'the ultimate expression of the communion that exists among all the Brothers.'"

After Br. John's welcoming address, the Chapter Members were each called to come forward and sign the Chapter Register. The 43rd General Chapter has 151 members made up of 8 Capitulants by 'Right' (The Brother Superior, his Council and the Secretary General), 101 elected capitulants, 10 appointed capitulants, 9 Brother consultants and 23 partner consultants. The partner consultants will join the Chapter from May 8 to May 20. The partner consultants to the chapter will sign the Register in a ceremony on May 8. At that time, the Chapter will reach its full compliment of 151 members.

Next, Brother Ronald Gallagher presented the report of the Preparatory Commission. This group has been meeting over the last two years in order to prepare for the Chapter. During this time, Brothers were invited to write notes to the Chapter, and each Region was asked to submit what it thought were significant challenges that we face as we move into the third millennium. As a result of these notes, the Commission asked Mr. Scott Gibbs of California to produce two videos to be presented to the Chapter. The first, "Challenges", was presented on the opening day of the Chapter.

The video had four channels, one video channel and three audio channels, that allowed the members of the Chapter to watch the video while listening through the headphone system of the Aula Magna (Chapter Hall). "Challenges" presented in the video include The Lasallian Mission, The Brother Today, Aging, Community Life, and Formation of Leaders. Brother Ronald also presented the Preparatory Commission's suggestion for the schedule for the first week of the Chapter that was subsequently approved. Thus the Chapter moved into "Phase 1."

During the next portion of the meeting, Br. André Dubuc of Canada francophone was elected to the position of Temporary Moderator of the Chapter. It will be his job to moderate the general assemblies of the Chapter until a permanent group of Moderators is elected.

Brother John Johnston, President of the Chapter, closed the proceedings by presenting to the members three gifts: a six decade rosary, a pin, and a collection of the Pastoral Letters. The six decade rosary has been a tradition of the Brothers since their founding. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers, was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary encouraging the Brothers to be likewise.

The rosary has always been a part of the Brothers life, and the sixth decade is a Lasallian tradition that honors the Immaculate Conception. The rosaries presented to the members of the Chapter were made by Sister Mary Maree Chindahandamrong, the Superior General of the Lasallian Sisters of Vietnam-Thailand-USA. They were a gift from her to the Brothers.

Many areas of our Lasallian world have developed the custom of wearing a pin to indicate their membership as a Lasallian. Brother John Johnston gave a pin to each member of the Chapter following in this tradition. It was designed specifically for the Brothers and bears the inscription FSC (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum), which in Latin stands for Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Following the closing of the first meeting, the Brothers processed into the Chapel of the Generalate for their opening Liturgy. The procession of the members was followed by eleven candle-bearers representing the eleven regions of the world in which the Brothers minister. The Brother Superior, carrying the Chapter Register, proceeded the celebrant, Archbishop M. Zago OMI. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate have been long time friends of the Brothers and have had their General Chapters at our Generalate in Rome for many years.

The Chapter Register was placed before the reliquary of the Founder while the members of the Chapter sang in alternate choirs. The Liturgy was prepared by the staff of CIL (Interntional Lasallian Center) here at the Generalate. It was a fitting and moving culmination of the first of the forty-five days of the 43rd General Chapter.