Fr Mateus,   Fr Fons,   Fr Eugène,   Fr Jim,   Fr Gérard,   Fr Geraldo

The Chapter took place from 6 to 10 September 2026.
The new Provincial Council is the following:

10 September 2026

Chapter of the Province of St. Peter Julian Eymard

The Province of St. Peter Julian Eymard held its provincial Chapter from September 6-12, 2026, in Steyl, The Netherlands. All six countries of our Province were represented: Belgium, France, Germany, Mozambique, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. We were joined by the General Superior, Fr Philip Benzy Romician, and the General Consultor Fr. Jose Antonio Rivera Ruiz. The capitulars consisted of the members of the Provincial Council and representatives from the communities. Also present was Jesu Raja Thomas from the community in La Mure, which is under the administration of the General Council. One layperson representing the agrégés in The Netherlands attended most meetings. Another representing the agrégés in France joined us on Wednesday by video. Two secretaries and two interpreters facilitated the work of the capitulars through simultaneous translation.

A report on the future of the Province, which included the communities’ visions, was presented by Gérard Daix. Over the course of a day and a half, this was discussed in sections within three small groups and in a plenary session. The agrégés reported on the many activities taking place in various countries. Vasco Sitoe presented an overview of developments in Mozambique, and Provincial Treasurer Fons Kuster outlined the financial situation in the province. Council member Jean-Claude Cuennet presented a report on ongoing formation, and Council member Aad van Ruiten described the current status of vocation ministry. In addition, a few adjustments were made to the statutes.

Of course, elections were also held. Eugène van Heyst was re-elected as Provincial Superior. The following were elected as members of the Provincial Council (in alphabetical order): Gérard Daix, Mateus Patricio (Provincial Vicar), Jim Schilder, and Geraldo Uaiare. And Fons Kuster was re-elected Provincial Treasurer.

The Chapter has identified five priority areas for the new leadership for the next four years, in random order:

• Vocation ministry.
• Mozambique: optimizing communication and guiding the communities so that they may become a region.
• The agrégés: fostering collaboration and openness to their input; helping them to live out their charism, even when there is no longer an SSS community in the area.
• Promoting a culture of fraternity: maintaining the spirit of the order amid changes; ensuring good communication between the Provincial Council and the communities, with religious individuals or in groups; enabling confreres to live with dignity for as long as possible until the end of their lives; and fostering contacts among members of the Eymardian family.
• Formation: ongoing formation, formation for those who have taken their vows, and support for newly ordained priests.

In his closing remarks, the Superior General said: “A Chapter is not just a time for making decisions. Above all, it is an opportunity to listen to the Spirit, to listen to one another, to discern together, and to renew our commitment to the mission.”