Charism and Mission Since Vatican II: Superiors’ General Letters to the Spiritan Congregation, 1968–2020

“These are letters from men of deep experience of frontline missionary work, broad theological and missiological knowledge and wisdom, and rooted in the charism, creativity, and faith of the Spiritans’ founders, Claude-François Poullart des Places and Francis Libermann. In a very turbulent and difficult time, . . . they steer their congregation on a steady course, with firm grounding in Christian and Spiritan tradition, openness to what is happening on the ground and in the academy, and amazing resilience and creativity.”

—Stephen B. Bevans, SVD, Catholic Theological Union, emeritus



“What is fascinating in the letters published here is how the trajectory of a particular religious institute (Congregation of the Holy Spirit) offers tremendous resources for mission theology, mission spirituality, and church history. In this post-Vatican II context faced with the challenges of globalization, secularism, and the crises of faith and culture, missionary institutes can accompany the transformations of the world while remaining faithful to the perpetual novelty of missio Dei and the charisms of their founders.”

—Bede Ukwuije, CSSp, First Assistant Superior General