The Salvatorians celebrate the 20th General Chapter

The XX General Chapter of the Society of the Divine Saviour was celebrated from 21 July to 20 August 2024, in the historic city of Krakow, Poland. In this city there are two Salvatorian communities with a history of about a thousand years.

The logo of this event, inspired by the theme 'Rooted in the Divine Saviour, Apostles for today', has MISSION as its central element.

We, Salvatorians want to reaffirm our commitment to live Jesus' command to go and make disciples of all nations, in the footsteps of Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. We are gathered in Christ the Saviour to bring to all and by all means His message of salvation, which is God's gift to all.

Sunday 21 July, feast of Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, Founder of the Salvatorians, opened with the celebration of Mass and the welcome speech by Fr. Milton Zonta, Superior General of the congregation for two terms (2012-2024).

After several days of intense work, the Capitulars prayed before the Blessed Sacrament on 3 August. In the first morning session, the Plenary Assembly examined the proposals to amend the Constitutions and the General Directory. In the second session, the outgoing Superior General explained the steps in the election of the new Superior General. After a vote, Fr. Krzysztof Kowalczyk was elected on the first ballot and accepted the election to the applause of the capitulars. In the afternoon, the new and former Superior General celebrated the festive Eucharist with the capitulars, thanking God for his guidance.

Fr. Krzysztof is 61 years old and originally from Poland. He took his first vows on 8 September 1983 and is currently serving as parish priest at Kadina parish in the Diocese of Port Pirie, Australia.n 6 August, after a brief address by the newly elected Superior General followed by a moment of silent reflection, the Capitulars elected Fr. Joseph Rodrigues (USA) as the new Vice Superior General of the Society. The voting process continued and the Plenum elected as consultors Fr. Michael Tesha, Fr. Adam Ziołkowski, Fr. Marcellin Mukwasay and Fr. Hubert Kranz.

• P. Michael is a native of the Pro-Province of the Tanzania Mission and is currently the Superior of this unit.
• P. Adam, from the Polish Province, is the Provincial Secretary.
• P. Marcellin is a member of the Pro-Province of the Congo Mission and is the Superior of this unit.
• P. Hubert, originally from Germany, has served for more than 20 years in the Philippines and is the Superior of the unit.

From left to right : Fr. Joseph, Fr. Michael, Fr. Adam, Fr. Marcelin and Fr. Hubert

Voting concluded with the election of Fr. Leszek Kopiec as General Bursar.