Alberto Toutin re-elected Superior General of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
On Monday, September 16th, during the celebration of its 40th General Chapter, The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC) re-elected Alberto Toutin as Superior General for the next 6 years. Thus begins his second term at the head of the Congregation, renewing the service that he accepted for the first time on September 17th, 2018.
He is the 12th Superior General and the 11th successor of the Founder, José María Coudrin, known affectionately as the Good Father.
In this work, Alberto will be accompanied by:
- Fernando Cordero
- Jean Blaise Mwanda
- Stephen Banjare
- Enrique Ramírez
Together they form the General Government of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts for the period 2024-2030.
This 40th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts is taking place in Rome from September 1st to 22nd, 2024. Under the motto "Enlarge the space for your tent", it develops the main theme of the Sacred Hearts identity and mission, as it inspires and guides the structures, leadership, economy, solidarity, formation and ongoing development of the spiritual and historical heritage of the Congregation.
Brief biographical note
Alberto Manuel Toutin Cataldo ss.cc., was born in Valparaíso (Chile), on March 11th, 1968, the son of Agustín Toutin and Josefina Cataldo. He entered the Chilean Province of the Congregation in 1986, and completing his novitiate in Cerrillos de Curacaví in 1988. He made his religious profession on February 4th, 1989 and was ordained priest in Concepción on 27th August, 1994. He served in pastoral ministry in various youth ministry centres, universities and in the schools of the Congregation. He was a formator in the postulancy of the Chilean province for 5 years. He has a Bachelor's degree in Theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Between 1997 and 2005 he studied at the Institut Catholique in Paris where he obtained a doctorate in Systematic Theology. He was a professor of Sacramental Theology and Theology and Literature at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. While serving as provincial vicar of the Chilean Province, he was elected General Councillor at the 38th General Chapter in 2012. In 2018 he was elected Superior General for the first time. On 17 September, Alberto began his second term of office
A Congregation of brothers and sisters
A fundamental aspect of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts is that it is a single family of brothers and sisters, to which lay men and women are associated in spirituality and mission. In the same location in Rome, and at the same time as the brothers, the sisters celebrated their 37th General Chapter under the motto 'Walking together in fidelity and hope'. Patricia Villaroel, also from Chile, was re-elected as Superior General of the Congregation.
Present in 33 countries
The Congregation of the SS.CC. today is present in 33 countries. Their evangelizing mission can be developed in all cultures, in line with the first intuition of the Founder, who saw them as a 'group of missionaries who should spread the Gospel everywhere'. The universality of its mission is visible in its presences and works. Currently, it is made up of 567 brothers and 369 sisters, present on the five continents of the world.
