"The charism of the Founders is not exclusive to the professed, but nourishes many other people - reminded Fr. Bede Ukwuije, before introducing the speakers.

The Chapter, on Wednesday afternoon, focused therefore on the very important topic of Lay Spiritan Associates, with a panel consisting of four lay Spiritans present at the General Chapter: Anne Marie Hansen (Lay Associate - USA), Louis Alexandre Babissacana (Lay Associate - Cameroon), Marielle Beusmans (Lay Associate - Netherlands, returning to the Mission in Tanzania) and Marie-Jeanne Menneson (President of the Spiritan Fraternities - France).

The four, in a very complementary way, presented their personal testimonies and a set of reflection tracks on the place of the laity in the Congregation, the Guide of the Lay Spiritan Associates and the future missionary challenges in a shared mission context.

The reflection in language groups, in the last session of the afternoon, completed the work of this day."

-From the General Chapter Newsflash No. 6