General Chapter of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. New Superior General and his Council

The 33rd General Chapter of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette is a grace and blessing for the whole Congregation. The 39 capitulants representing the 9 provinces and one region gathered at the Centre Spirituel d'Antsahasoa in Antsirabe, Madagascar from 8 April to 4 May for this first General Chapter celebrated in Africa, where there are currently two Salettine provinces: Angola and Madagascar. The latter, which hosted this major gathering of the Congregation, is this year celebrating the 125th anniversary of the presence of the Missionaries of La Salette in the country.

Based on the theme "Growing in our identity to serve communion and hope", the capitulants reflected together on how to live the charism of reconciliation in today's world, which is marked by many challenges, especially in countries experiencing political and security crises such as Ukraine, Haiti, Mozambique and Myanmar, where the La Salette missionaries have chosen to remain in their posts despite the difficulties in these countries.

The capitulants have elected Father Jojhon Chettiyakunnel, of the Province of India, as Superior General, who will lead the Congregation for the next six years.

Father Jojohn was born in Eruvatty, Kerala, on 20 May 1973, made his first profession on 1 May 1999 and was ordained a priest on 17 February 2003. He worked in formation in his home Province at Mysore School before serving his Province as a member of the Provincial Council from 2005 to 2010 and Provincial Superior from 2010 to 2013. He was a member of the outgoing General Council.

He will be assisted by Fr Antoni Skałba ( Poland), Vicar General, the General Councillors: Fr Raymond Cadran (USA), Fr Manuel dos Reis Bonfim (Brazil), and Fr Paulo Banga (Angola).

The outgoing Father General is Father Silvano Marisa, who has served the Congregation for 12 years.