It's called a "general chapter" -- and it refers to a gathering of members of a religious congregation, often in Rome, in order to assess and direct the leadership of the spiritual family. These meetings are held every certain number of years (the number varies according to each congregation) and often include the election of a new leader, as one term expires and another begins.
Many times, the religious gathered for their general chapter also have the chance for an audience with the pope.
A general chapter getting underway this September 1 is special because it is the meeting of Pope Leo's own spiritual family, the Order of St. Augustine.
The Pope has decided to inaugurate the meeting by presiding over the opening Mass this evening at 6 pm. The Mass will take place at the Roman basilica of Sant'Agostino in Campo Marzio, where the remains of St. Augustine's mother, St. Monica, rest.
2nd successor of Fr. Prevost to be elected
The general chapter will bring together around 100 representatives of the Augustinians, from 46 countries, representing the approximately 2,300 Augustinians worldwide, according to Vatican News.
Among them, 73 Augustinians with voting rights will elect the 98th Prior General. The outgoing prior, Spanish priest Alejandro Moral Anton, who is completing his second term, succeeded the then Father Robert Prevost – the future Leo XIV – in 2013.
The general chapter is scheduled to run until September 18.
Son of Augustine
Robert Prevost entered the Augustinian novitiate on September 1, 1977, and took his final vows in the congregation in 1981.
He was elected prior of the order in 2001, and served in that role for two terms, until 2013.
Even after his appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, Cardinal Prevost continued to join in the prayers and communal meals of the General Curia located a stone's throw from the Vatican, as Father Moral told I.Media.
Pope Francis, too
However, this is not the first time that a pontiff has inaugurated the Augustinian General Chapter.
A few months after his election to the See of Peter, Pope Francis opened the 2013 chapter in the same basilica, at the invitation of Prior Robert Prevost, who was finishing his second term as prior.
Here is the homily Pope Francis gave on that occasion.
