from left to right: Philip, Francisco, John Thomas, Fr Cattaneo, Luca, Marcelo, Ferdinand, Simon, Darren, Joan
At the November 2023 General Chapter, several commissions were called into service on behalf of the membership of the Blessed Sacrament Community (SSS) across the globe. From the January 2024 appointment to the present, this commission has met three times via Zoom. In the spirit of the Jubilee Year and Pilgrims of Hope, we chose to have our one “in-person meeting” in Rome during this special time of hope in our Catholic Church, to focus on our Eucharistic mission as a Congregation. We met on September 22 – 26, 2025, at the international headquarters of the SSS Generalate in Rome.
Members of the Commission, include: Fathers John Thomas Lane SSS (USA), Simon Peter Zikusooka SSS (Uganda), Philip Watkins SSS (Australia), Poli Ty SSS (Philippines, serving in Hawaii – and not able to be in person due to visa complications), Darren Maslen SSS (UK), Marcelo Da Silva SSS (Brazil), Luca Zanchi SSS (Italy), Ferdinand Ndioléne SSS (Senegal, serving in France) and the convener, Francisco Marquez SSS (Brazil and consultor on our General Council).
Our meeting schedule began with a 7:00 am Eucharist, presided by our Superior General, Father Philip Benzy Romician SSS. Father Benzy set the tone, using the day’s readings to remind us that as members of a commission on mission, we must continue to serve the greater mission of the Congregation and make our light shine a little brighter. With Christ’s comparison of the lamp set on a stand, Father Benzy stated that our commission assists the Congregation in helping all of us stand as a bright light of faith and hope, building the mission of the church, especially the Congregation’s Eucharistic mission.
Father Benzy SSS reminded us that the final message of the General Chapter 36 provides us with guidance and inspiration. It calls us to rediscover the Cenacle as the heart of our mission: a place of encounter, communion, and sending forth to be the mission. In this perspective, the work of the International Mission Commission is expected to help the General Administration and geographical regions to animate:
- Deepen Eucharistic spirituality so that it may shape our personal lives, our communities, and our apostolates.
- Strengthen the Eucharistic identity of our apostolate, ensuring that all our ministries—whether parishes, shrines, centers of adoration, Eucharistic centers, or social commitments—reflect the Eucharistic charism entrusted to us by Saint Peter Julian Eymard.
- Promote creative and faithful expressions of our charism that respond meaningfully to the needs of today’s Church and world while remaining rooted in our tradition.
To provide input and animation on the draft working paper proposed by the commission, Fathers Philip, SSS and Darren, SSS, and Society of Divine Missionary Father Marcelo Cattáneo, SVD, the General Consultor for Mission for the Society of the Divine Word, gave a presentation. (This may be found on blessedsacrament.com/Emmanuel.) He shared a perspective from his own missionary congregation and discussed ways that the Eucharist challenges us to live it in unique, incarnational ways.
Father Cattáneo, who is from Argentina, has served around the globe, but is now based in Rome for his order, gave three key points for our reconsideration:
- Prayerful life: contemplating reality through God’s eyes
- Communal Life*: sharing that sheds light on what has been contemplated in service
- Life in service: what has been contemplated and shared becomes fruit for mission
*Father Cattáneo used the term “fraternal” but to be more inclusive for all in the Eymard family, the word has been revised for this purpose.
Once the General Council confirms our final document for the week, the greater Eymard Family will be able to work with the message and proudly serve those who are a part of the Eucharistic institute, always in mission.
Our next meeting will be held via Zoom in December. We are grateful to the Curia and parish communities for their hospitality and kindness to us, as usual, making us feel at home.
On the last day, we had the opportunity to take a tour of Rome, organized by our General Treasurer, Father Roel dela Cruz SSS. In the front row of the picture, he is third from the left. We are also grateful to our regular translator, Joan, who assists us with the French and the English, the languages of our meetings.
Father John Thomas Lane, sss
